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bibliomania_express's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was very cute and warm, despite a some major trigger warnings. Arthur is so adorable, and I loved his and Madeleine's enduring friendship. The author explores the hardships of being gay back in the sixties as well as some of the continued issues of homophobia today. I also enjoyed seeing the supportive community, from Cora at the café to new friends.
Love balances Arthur's and Teddy's narratives so well. While Arthur is trying to find a new normal after a long life, Teddy is still trying to figure out who he is. They both deal with past grief, current adversity, and the pressures of coming out and being out. Teddy is also dealing with new relationships and deciding what he wants.
This book is less a romance and more a family story, although both protagonists have a bit of romance. I do wish there was a bit more development of Teddy's ultimate romance, and some more scenes of Arthur.
Now, the major trigger warnings. There is an off-page suicide, discussions of suicidal ideation (past), discussions of an experience of conversion therapy, an off-page homophobic attack (past), and present day homophobia and microaggressions. These are handled with as much care as possible, although I will say the suicide was the most unexpected part.
Graphic: Homophobia and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Physical abuse
Minor: Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Cancer
romillyj95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Violence, and Cancer
hayleyvem's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Lesbophobia, Child death, Grief, Suicide, Homophobia, Outing, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcohol
traceyanderson's review
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Homophobia, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
crashingchandelier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Death of parent, Outing, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
just22jess22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Grief, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Cancer, and Physical abuse
Minor: Terminal illness and Drug abuse
sunny_pipes's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Homophobia
Minor: Violence, Suicide, and Grief
abi2xoxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The characters came off so nice and you did feel for their situation and they became your friends throughout the book.
The only negative that I had was that the characters were very formal a lot of the time and sometimes what they were saying was very unlike how normal people communicate. It was difficult to relate to them in them moments.
Other than that, this book had amazing twists and turns and it properly captured what coming out can be like for many people. I like how Lizzie wasn't immediately the bad guy because she didn't understand, yet they also accepted her and gave her time without being angry.
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Terminal illness, Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
timbuckle81's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
Minor: Grief
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent and Grief