Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - The Feeling of Falling in Love

I would like to thank books with messy, easily unlikable characters for being so real (and relatable).
Neil is rude, irritable, and self-centered for a majority of the book. And I wouldn't have it any other way, really. His inner dialogue reminds me a lot of my own at times, especially when I was a teen. But that just makes his story and development that much more satisfying by the end.
There's honestly so much I could get into about this book and the ways it deals with complicated family dynamics, friendships, and other complicated relationships. Even if our main character wants things to be black and white with blame during conflicts, he learns that it's usually a lot more difficult to pin down than that.
And of course, I couldn't write this review without addressing how much I LOVED Wyatt as a character. They're such a loveable person, and it was so fun getting to know them more, bit by bit.

And the discussion around their gender when they come out to Neil... 🥺 Their feelings surrounding gender are so similar to my own as a genderfluid person, so it was really nice to see it talked about by another person.

I will say that I do wish

that we got a bit more insight into Wyatt's feelings, how/when they developed, etc. Especially since there's a point where they say something about having wanted to kiss Neil "for a while." And there's that part of me—the part that's weak for pining—that wonders if their feelings (or an inkling of them) started even before Neil's scheme.

Overall, this book had me audibly reacting at multiple points, from the adorable, to the upsetting, to the downright silly. Despite the convoluted plans and a plot that won't necessarily happen to most people, the characters make it hit home in an authentic way that you can't help but love ♡

Content Warnings

rachelfayreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.5

Content Warnings

bookish_cam27's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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? Yes

2.0

The main character is really annoying and low-key bad at communicating… but this is the entire point of his development. This book was generic and a good palette cleansing romance. My favorite part was the last 100 pages when all the plot lines were tied up all with a pretty bow.

Content Warnings

kashrae99's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

Content Warnings

trisvande's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The dynamic between Neil and Wyatt was addictive. I read the majority of the book in less than 48 hours. That's how addicted I was. That said, I did have some issues.

For starters the author LOVES to drop random tidbits of pop culture. I normally wouldn’t mind but at times it felt very unnecessary. There’s a part where they land in LA and the chapter starts with “Two hours later, we hopped off the plane at LAX.” but then didn't. The dialogue after is about how they just landed and are about to get off the plane.

The author also repeats a lot. I can’t tell you the amount of times Neil said essentially the same thing to himself. Also, I’m sorry but no one cares THAT much about a hotel owner's child, unless they’re actively trying to be in the limelight (ala Paris Hilton.)

Content Warnings

sarahmcg's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver
My rating: 3.5⭐️
Vibes: 🏳️‍⚧️🤑✈️💍🎸🎤
Publishing date: Aug 2022 (out now)

Mini synopsis: Neil breaks up with Josh, his friends-with-benefits, when he tells Neil he loves him, right before they are supposed to fly home for Neil’s brother’s wedding. Now, Neil needs a new date to bring along to prove to Josh that he’s over him and needs to move on. Enter: Josh’s roommate Wyatt, who thinks Neil is being a jerk, but goes along with the plan; as they get to know each other, they begin to understand each other, and learn what it can be like to truly fall in love for the first time.

What to expect:
Trans MMC
NB love interest
Several queer side characters
Roommates, fake dating
Young adult

What I liked:
- Wyatt ❤️ this sweet character *made* this story; their accent, their polite and humble nature, and the way they basically gave Neil a reality check
- I loved that the world this story occurred in had a ton of queer characters, including the friend group at school and Wyatt’s moms

My critiques:
- OMG Neil was soooo unlikeable! I just could not cheer for this main character. Ignorant, oblivious, entitled, rude, whiny… I could go on. Since the book is from his POV, you see all of his interactions, and he’s an asshole to literally everyone in his life. Just such a basic Beverly Hills rich kid who looked down on Wyatt’s clothes and basically everything else about them because he could tell their family didn’t have money. Neil really needed some serious character growth/an arc, but this book only took place over 1 week which brings me to…
- The pacing. It’s possible this book could have benefitted from a longer timeline, but I get the fact that this revolved around an upcoming wedding made that challenging

Overall, a quick read that I enjoyed in audiobook format.

⚠️ CW/TW: underage drinking, mention of neglectful parenting, transphobia (throughout, and specific incident with TSA), homophobia, indirect dead naming (Neil is dead named but the dead name is never mentioned on page and simply alluded to), fade-to-black sex scene, mentions of past sexual relationship

Content Warnings

brookeisbusyreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ve read a bunch of queer romances that were swimming in queer characters and, as much as I like to see that representation, it’s nice when the focus is on the main characters and a few background ones. It’s even better with how Deaver presents Neil and Wyatt’s sexualities and feelings/thoughts about gender. I think that’s what I appreciated the most from this book.

The premise of the wedding and surrounding events was well-planned in my opinion too! A lot of times I feel like writers ‘force’(?) books’ worlds to be smaller so it gives more opportunities for characters to run into each other. This book didn’t do that - another plus. And the fake dating felt just as awkward and cute as it should have.

Side Note: Pink isn’t really a color I like but I do love the cover of this book!

Content Warnings

More...