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this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I waited so long to read this book because the hype was outrageous. My favorite book is Red, White and Royal Blue and so many friends recommended I read Only Mostly Devastated. I went into this with the best intentions and it just didn't reach that elevated status I was hoping for.
That's not to say it wasn't a good book. I thought Sophie Gonzales did a great job of capturing the high school dynamics between the friends group, especially when certain characters are questioning their sexuality. However, I felt like Ollie's voice was pretty immature compared to the rest of his friends. I did love, however, the depiction of a teen boy completely comfortable with showcasing his sexuality. It's not often seen in media and I think it's incredibly important. I also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and death and I can see this book helping others who are dealing with these struggles.
I also feel like the romance wasn't really...there. We get glimpses of it throughout but, for the most part, it was pretty dry. This is supposed to be the central dilemma in the book and it just didn't feel genuine.
I still think it was a cute book and worth the read but it just didn't live up to the hype of RWRB (and what will?!).
That's not to say it wasn't a good book. I thought Sophie Gonzales did a great job of capturing the high school dynamics between the friends group, especially when certain characters are questioning their sexuality. However, I felt like Ollie's voice was pretty immature compared to the rest of his friends. I did love, however, the depiction of a teen boy completely comfortable with showcasing his sexuality. It's not often seen in media and I think it's incredibly important. I also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and death and I can see this book helping others who are dealing with these struggles.
I also feel like the romance wasn't really...there. We get glimpses of it throughout but, for the most part, it was pretty dry. This is supposed to be the central dilemma in the book and it just didn't feel genuine.
I still think it was a cute book and worth the read but it just didn't live up to the hype of RWRB (and what will?!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
strawberrybex's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I had a mostly good time. It’s very much a ya, which is to be expected, and the author is very much a millennial, but i also thought that the way they addressed and changed the source material was really good. Like it’s so hard to look at the ending of Grease and not just feel like Sandy changed her entire personality for a guy and that’s how they have a happy ending. And I think instead this looked at what that might symbolise in the relationship and made it really good and really sweet.
Also though like can Oliver’s parents give him a little emotional support like for the love of god this kid is so well behaved and going through so much shit and all he does is help and help and help without his parents really ever recognizing that? Idk the parenting on their end did not fuck
Also though like can Oliver’s parents give him a little emotional support like for the love of god this kid is so well behaved and going through so much shit and all he does is help and help and help without his parents really ever recognizing that? Idk the parenting on their end did not fuck
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Biphobia and Homophobia
horns_and_ember's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Homophobia
johannafrth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, and Outing
readbyjana's review against another edition
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Okay, let's get this straight: I really expected to love this book, because it sounded like the cute fluffy romance I needed right now. It judt wasn't it.
I couldn't connect to any of the characters at all, none of the revelations was in the slightest surprising, the romance was way too flat. And Will just acted like a douche way more than he had to.
Also, the total lack of trigger warnings really pissed me off. Cancer and death of a loved one were central themes in the book and no one ever mentioned it anywhere in the synopsis, which for me is a real no-go.
I couldn't connect to any of the characters at all, none of the revelations was in the slightest surprising, the romance was way too flat. And Will just acted like a douche way more than he had to.
Also, the total lack of trigger warnings really pissed me off. Cancer and death of a loved one were central themes in the book and no one ever mentioned it anywhere in the synopsis, which for me is a real no-go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Homophobia
elwirax's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
*3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Homophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia and Grief
mossybugs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia
nothingrhymeswithrachel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Obviously the romance of this story is beautiful, and I am obsessed with Will and Ollie. But, Aunt Linda’s story line in this book is what really brought this book together for me. So often romance books forget about the rest of the family involved in someone’s life, but family was a major part of the plot in this book. I cried several times during this book and I have never even been closely affected by cancer, I cannot imagine what it would do to those who have. Absolutely beautifully written, I loved that story line. The only gripe I have is that Lara’s character development seems fake. She never apologizes for her actions, she doesn’t even seem to change. She just suddenly has an excuse for why she was so mean to everyone around her. We’re supposed to like her by the end but I just could not do it, she needed to be held accountable instead of consistently coddled by her friends. Anyway, this book is very good. It turns out I am a big fan of Sophie Gonzales.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Homophobia, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
dizzyizzy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Outing