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lonely_tardigrade's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
This book surprised me. I couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive when I read the warning at the beginning of the book, since I myself struggle with anxiety and books that portray that kind of bring me down. But the way Oscar’s character was written made me feel seen. Yes, it was an honest depiction of anxiety and panic attacks, but it wasn’t overly depressing. Oscar was a rare example of a character who struggled with anxiety but still managed life and had a hopeful future.
On the topic of rare characters, I could go on for hours about Ronnie. She may have only been a side character, but her existence is potentially life changing for young trans people. The limited backstory we get tells us she was Oscar’s roommate in college before she transitioned. She had a hard time with the early transition process (all relatable things, like crying about hormone progress and being scared to shop for dresses) but when we meet her in the book she’s finally comfortable in her own skin. Ronnie is a very rare depiction of a trans woman who has made it out the other side. She’s happy, euphoric, and optimistic about her future. Seeing a character like that could mean the world to a reader who’s in the early stages of transitioning.
I also love the distinct ways that different characters deal with hard emotions. Everyone has their own self destructive habits, and the way those habits interact set the basis for a lot of the story. Everyone’s reaction seems authentic and true to the things they’ve gone through in their life.
Overall, this book was surprisingly uplifting and real. I would absolutely recommend it. We need more diverse, optimistic books like this one.
On the topic of rare characters, I could go on for hours about Ronnie. She may have only been a side character, but her existence is potentially life changing for young trans people. The limited backstory we get tells us she was Oscar’s roommate in college before she transitioned. She had a hard time with the early transition process (all relatable things, like crying about hormone progress and being scared to shop for dresses) but when we meet her in the book she’s finally comfortable in her own skin. Ronnie is a very rare depiction of a trans woman who has made it out the other side. She’s happy, euphoric, and optimistic about her future. Seeing a character like that could mean the world to a reader who’s in the early stages of transitioning.
I also love the distinct ways that different characters deal with hard emotions. Everyone has their own self destructive habits, and the way those habits interact set the basis for a lot of the story. Everyone’s reaction seems authentic and true to the things they’ve gone through in their life.
Overall, this book was surprisingly uplifting and real. I would absolutely recommend it. We need more diverse, optimistic books like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Dysphoria, and Suicidal thoughts
qace90'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
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Gosh, this was so much fun! I’m an absolute sucker for grumpy and snarky types, so two together was just an absolute delight!
Oscar is a bit of an anxious mess but he has a great found family around him who always support him and celebrate even small victories - like only having a few almost panic attacks and no actual ones! Recently added to the friend group is Jack, Declan’s coworker-of-sorts who is snark and vinegar. One night the two decide to have no-strings attached sex and when Dec convinces Oscar to take the job cleaning up Jack’s house for sale, it becomes convenient to continue having sex together.
One of my favorite parts of this series is 100% the chosen family. The different personalities and the different ways the support each other and show their care is wonderful. I need to read more from Kris Ripper just for how ze writes chosen family!
I found Oscar’s anxiety extremely relatable, especially the spirals he catches himself in. I love the ways he has check-ins with his friends, especially Ronnie, and they respect his needs when it comes to anxiety spirals and panic attacks. I also usually despise “breakups” in last third of a book, but this made a lot of sense in the miscommunication and anxiety sense, and I love how things were resolved in the end. The emphasis on communication and working with different conflict resolution methods was just, gah, I adored this book!
Meeting Oscar in The Love Study, I was very excited for his book (more grumpy, anxious stories!) and this didn’t disappoint! I had so much fun reading this and I especially love how grumpy and snarky Jack and Oscar are together. Their antagonism and the ways they work together was a delight.
Gosh, this was so much fun! I’m an absolute sucker for grumpy and snarky types, so two together was just an absolute delight!
Oscar is a bit of an anxious mess but he has a great found family around him who always support him and celebrate even small victories - like only having a few almost panic attacks and no actual ones! Recently added to the friend group is Jack, Declan’s coworker-of-sorts who is snark and vinegar. One night the two decide to have no-strings attached sex and when Dec convinces Oscar to take the job cleaning up Jack’s house for sale, it becomes convenient to continue having sex together.
One of my favorite parts of this series is 100% the chosen family. The different personalities and the different ways the support each other and show their care is wonderful. I need to read more from Kris Ripper just for how ze writes chosen family!
I found Oscar’s anxiety extremely relatable, especially the spirals he catches himself in. I love the ways he has check-ins with his friends, especially Ronnie, and they respect his needs when it comes to anxiety spirals and panic attacks. I also usually despise “breakups” in last third of a book, but this made a lot of sense in the miscommunication and anxiety sense, and I love how things were resolved in the end. The emphasis on communication and working with different conflict resolution methods was just, gah, I adored this book!
Meeting Oscar in The Love Study, I was very excited for his book (more grumpy, anxious stories!) and this didn’t disappoint! I had so much fun reading this and I especially love how grumpy and snarky Jack and Oscar are together. Their antagonism and the ways they work together was a delight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism, Racism, Fatphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
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