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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is a great book for teens to read to learn about a few of the varying experiences of aroace people, and just about good healthy relationships in general! I loved the scene where Sophie ran to the library to hug Jo and tell her she loves her like in dramatic movie/book scenes, it warmed my aroace heart fr. I think the relationship they give in the book is good but def will require more nuance and discussion for people past their teens, but I think it’s a good starting point. Also Jo explaining her fear of her friends prioritizing their romantic relationships over them is a very real fear of mine that I’ve experienced since middle school and I felt very seen when she discussed this. “To accept my sexuality I have to be okay with constantly questioning it”
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Childish at best, preachy at worst. I agree with reviews saying it doesn’t add much to the aroace conversation for people who already know about or identify with it. I thought it had some sweet moments (I did cry) but I also thought it ran longer than it needed to. I like Sophie MUCH better than Jo, the latter wasn’t that compelling of a character to me and kinda annoying, but their dynamic was fine. The drama was sooooo underwhelming and insanely banal it was hard to remember I was reading about two college freshman.
Also wow, are liberal arts school really like this?? Jealous. Feels fantastical
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The storyline is trite. The characters have zero personality. Dear Wendy has the depth of a cat piss puddle.
1. The storyline: two college students bully each other online, neither knowing who the other really is. Simultaneously, they become friends in real life. One of the characters faces so much anxiety from the bullying that she’s unable to study for midterms. In no universe, would I befriend my bully. This book is supposed to represent QPRs but QPRs are still relationships and can still be toxic. Also, these characters are trauma bonded and their only intersectionality is that they’re both aroace.
2. The representation is actually horrid. It’s purity culture, Gold Star aroace bullshit. Aroace folks come in many different ways. Some are heavy metal guitarist. Some had a lot of sex because they didn’t know about their ace ness. Some love reading and writing smut. How can you have two characters and they’re both the same cookie cutter queer stereotypes. Which god, are they stereotypes.
3. The immaturity. Both main characters have the emotional depth and behavior of a fucking middle schooler. The secret love advice, the bratty behavior, the wishing your friends were unhappy so they wouldn’t leave you. THE COMPLAINING THAT YOUR DAD PAYS YOUR TUITION. Listen, I could write a thesis on why a specific section of the apec community acts immature (see: society standards around purity culture) but this is just embarrassing behavior.
Overall, I think this book has no value for the overall aspec/arospec community. It’s very exclusive and only allows nerdy kid number one and nerdy kid number two (one with no friends, one who only ever reads) to see themselves. I don’t even wanna say it’s great to see this rep when it’s done so poorly and boring. It’s not going to help ace and aro people discover themselves if they aren’t this specific stereotype character. It’s just bad. It’s not good. Truly truly, it’s as shallow as a puddle of piss.
1. The storyline: two college students bully each other online, neither knowing who the other really is. Simultaneously, they become friends in real life. One of the characters faces so much anxiety from the bullying that she’s unable to study for midterms. In no universe, would I befriend my bully. This book is supposed to represent QPRs but QPRs are still relationships and can still be toxic. Also, these characters are trauma bonded and their only intersectionality is that they’re both aroace.
2. The representation is actually horrid. It’s purity culture, Gold Star aroace bullshit. Aroace folks come in many different ways. Some are heavy metal guitarist. Some had a lot of sex because they didn’t know about their ace ness. Some love reading and writing smut. How can you have two characters and they’re both the same cookie cutter queer stereotypes. Which god, are they stereotypes.
3. The immaturity. Both main characters have the emotional depth and behavior of a fucking middle schooler. The secret love advice, the bratty behavior, the wishing your friends were unhappy so they wouldn’t leave you. THE COMPLAINING THAT YOUR DAD PAYS YOUR TUITION. Listen, I could write a thesis on why a specific section of the apec community acts immature (see: society standards around purity culture) but this is just embarrassing behavior.
Overall, I think this book has no value for the overall aspec/arospec community. It’s very exclusive and only allows nerdy kid number one and nerdy kid number two (one with no friends, one who only ever reads) to see themselves. I don’t even wanna say it’s great to see this rep when it’s done so poorly and boring. It’s not going to help ace and aro people discover themselves if they aren’t this specific stereotype character. It’s just bad. It’s not good. Truly truly, it’s as shallow as a puddle of piss.
as an aroace i love this book so fucking much. jo is literally me if i was less socially awkward. this book should be on every queer reading list
the only thing is i think wendy overreacted a lot with the whole rivalry thing which was a bit annoying at first.
the only thing is i think wendy overreacted a lot with the whole rivalry thing which was a bit annoying at first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Transphobia
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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