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fazazzle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to see Mason Deaver on a panel at BookCon, and I have been rooting for them ever since! Their third novel is really delightful, and it takes all of the best tropes of romance YA literature (something that largely features and promotes heterosexual relationships) and applies them to a t4t couple.
What really stands out about this novel are the difficult conversations that the characters have with one another. As they discuss transphobia, classicism, gender identity, etc.; readers are able to better understand these characters and their motivations.
Also, the romance did have me kicking and screaming because it was very cute. Mason set out to give trans people a love story that dismisses any doubts that they are “too complicated” for a love story, and they accomplished exactly that.
What really stands out about this novel are the difficult conversations that the characters have with one another. As they discuss transphobia, classicism, gender identity, etc.; readers are able to better understand these characters and their motivations.
Also, the romance did have me kicking and screaming because it was very cute. Mason set out to give trans people a love story that dismisses any doubts that they are “too complicated” for a love story, and they accomplished exactly that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism
izzyluna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Deadnaming
vokolek's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
itsmeeryn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Mason Deaver, once again, serves a brilliantly written novel with characters I cannot get enough of. The Feeling Of Falling in Love follows Neil, a trans, gay teen bringing his roommate across the country to his brother’s wedding to be his fake-partner for a week. It is a cute and lighthearted romance, filled with cheesy tropes and fun. It is playful and fluffy while still tackling character growth and serious moments between characters, discussing things like identity and family. I struggle to find words to explain exactly how I felt while reading this, but it has been a long time since I was this invested in a romance and I cannot wait to read whatever Mason Deaver publishes next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
CWs (also on the author’s website): Underage drinking, mentions of neglectful parenting, light mentions of surgery, transphobia, homophobia, scene depicting Neil being patted down and experiencing transphobia by TSA (pg 54-56), indirect deadnaming (Neil is deadnamed by the name is never mentioned on page and is simply alluded to), mentions of past sexual relationship, fade to black sex scene, light mentions of the passing of a father, light mentions of the passing of a grandfather.
CWs (also on the author’s website): Underage drinking, mentions of neglectful parenting, light mentions of surgery, transphobia, homophobia, scene depicting Neil being patted down and experiencing transphobia by TSA (pg 54-56), indirect deadnaming (Neil is deadnamed by the name is never mentioned on page and is simply alluded to), mentions of past sexual relationship, fade to black sex scene, light mentions of the passing of a father, light mentions of the passing of a grandfather.
If you like fake dating, enemies to friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, or there’s only one bed set at a wedding & boarding school, you’ll NEED to read Mason Deaver’s newest release, The Feeling of Falling in Love!
I love the fake dating trope and a grumpy main character, so it was inevitable I would fall in love with this book. But, it did make me cry uncontrollably. Thanks Mason 😒
I’m so glad I got a chance to read this book because it was a wild ride. At first, we learn how much of a jerk Neil, our main character is after he ends things with his childhood best friend who he has been hooking up with. Then, he proceeds to bribe his roommate, Wyatt (who he loathes) to come to his brother’s wedding with him so his best friend will get over him. Yes, Neil does NOT make good decisions.
However, throughout the course of the story, Neil does so many hurtful things. But, what I loved most is how he grows and develops as a sixteen year old and we, the reader learn why he acts like this. He’s just so angry.
After reading this, my first thought was, “I am so, so glad trans kids get stories like this.” It is very important to read different perspectives from trans characters because we are not a monolith. Seeing a trans boy who is so mad at the world and at his family is some of the best representation I could ask for. This book also talks about classism as Neil is born into a family of wealth versus Wyatt who is going to their boarding school under a scholarship.
Neil has gotten top surgery and is on T patches. I love seeing trans characters who are medically transitioning and not just taking shots.
This book has a queer & trans friend group and it is a queer romance. Wyatt comes out as non-binary and tests their pronouns throughout the book and I really enjoyed that storyline. It’s so important to see a kid just thinking about gender and not being 100% sure. Gender is confusing!
Wyatt and Neil's story is so complex but so fun to witness. One Direction fans will LOVE Wyatt for his love for Niall Horan and his southern charm while Neil may get on your nerves, he will hold a soft spot in your heart.
This book is so special and I’m so glad I got to read it. Please go and read it!
Wyatt and Neil's story is so complex but so fun to witness. One Direction fans will LOVE Wyatt for his love for Niall Horan and his southern charm while Neil may get on your nerves, he will hold a soft spot in your heart.
This book is so special and I’m so glad I got to read it. Please go and read it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual content, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
Minor: Medical content
Underage drinking, mentions of neglectful parenting, light mentions of surgery, transphobia, homophobia, scene depicting Neil being patted down and experiencing transphobia by TSA (pg 54-56), indirect deadnaming (Neil is deadnamed by the name is never mentioned on page and is simply alluded to), mentions of past sexual relationship, fade to black sex scene, light mentions of the passing of a father, light mentions of the passing of a grandfather.
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