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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
I really loved this book it was thrilling and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through the book. I really liked the characters especially Caden and Dyl I really liked how their relationship developed and I really liked the pace of the romance it was really well written. I really liked the plot of this book with the competing for Juliet as a part of the Spy organization they are part of I really liked how that changed with the story more being about their relationship and everything that went along with that. So overall I really loved this book will read more books by this author soon.
I truly think that once this book releases, it'll do so much. This is a needed addition to queer YA, and YA in general.
Personally, I had problems with it, both technical and representation-wise, but I don't have the energy to discuss them. Read with caution. This story is important, it just wasn't for me.
Personally, I had problems with it, both technical and representation-wise, but I don't have the energy to discuss them. Read with caution. This story is important, it just wasn't for me.
I wish Goodreads had half stars. I give this 3.5/5. Interesting premise and I enjoyed the romance but some of the writing felt rushed and trite. That said, it's overall fun hence my rating.
I'm always drawn in by metafiction, and this is a particularly humorous debut in the meta-YA category so it was inevitable that I'd finish it in a sitting. The premise ("love interests" controlled by a corporation and dispatched to the lives of potentially important people) is fairly absurd, and many of the structures don't hold up to any scrutiny, but it still makes for a fun ride. If you're thoroughly sick of yet still read tons of conventional YA love triangles you'll probably also enjoy.
Really creative, interesting premise, but the writing was rushed and didn't give me a chance to get invested at all. The timeline moves slowly while the forced emotional development is rushed (I.e., one day after meeting each other, someone talks about how she never sees the main characters apart anymore).
1 Star
Overview:
Ugh.
I was so excited for this, too.
A typical boy/girl/boy love triangle, where the boys complicate everything by falling for each other? Like yes plz.
But instead, here’s this rant.
(BR with the lovely Kainat who is welcome to spam me with Parks and Rec gifs any time. )
Pros:
This idea is fun. It’s there was hype and so many of us wanted to read it. As a whole, this book is very aware of YA tropes, and does creatively twist stereotypes around.
This actually handled the LGBT+ element well. Sexuality isn’t treated simply as a plot-twist, and instead is really nuanced with some interesting points:
There’s a strong element about struggling with body image. I thought this was interesting, especially since I don’t often see it addressed from a male perspective. I wish it had gone a little deeper, or been addressed a little clearer, however.
Cons:
Oh boy.
This book simply tries wayyy too hard.
The love triangle premise is interesting on its own. The whole dystopia element was completely unnecessary. It completely ruined the fun premises bogging it down with pages of details trying to explain this far-fetched, illogical organization.
Speaking of logic—this book has none. Seriously. None.
- Why does this organization send two love interests? Someone suggested to “make them decide faster?” But you’re losing one operative every-time so how does that make sense?
- Why would you send the operatives in at high school age??
- How do they have massive plastic surgery, but are completely fine with no bruising, swelling or recovery time??
- Why can his teacher only sometimes (hint: when it’s convenient to the plot) read Caden’s thoughts?
- Why do the robots (“Stalkers”) taunt their prey when their whole mission is to kill????
- Does this school not have a dress code? Why is everyone half-naked all the time?
- Is Dyl lanky or buff? Because the narrative literally jumps from how skinny and lean he is to Caden waxing poetic about his biceps.
- At one point, a character berates another for “walking alone” when she LITERALLY HAS SOMEONE BESIDE HER.
Seriously. It’s just a bunch of plot holes and supppeerr convenient ideas strung together.
But that’s not even the worst part--the writing.
At one point I decided to start highlighting every time I came across a line that made me physically cringe. By the end of the book, I had 78
But to save time, here’s just a few:
I JUST CAN’T
It made me cringe so hard my teeth-hurt.
The first half is actually funny, and I found myself wondering if maybe the writing was intentional. That it was an elaborate parody and it wasn’t supposed to be serious.
But then ALL the second half does is want to be taken seriously??? It’s all life-or-death and they are running from the threat of INCINERATION. There is character death and tears and it’s just all so dramatic. Then it stumbles to an awkward conclusion and I was just glad it was over.
In Conclusion:
The most unintentionally hilarious thing I’ve ever read. If you can forgo all logic and just want to bask in something absurd, look no further.
Overview:
Ugh.
I was so excited for this, too.
A typical boy/girl/boy love triangle, where the boys complicate everything by falling for each other? Like yes plz.
But instead, here’s this rant.
(BR with the lovely Kainat who is welcome to spam me with Parks and Rec gifs any time. )
Pros:
This idea is fun. It’s there was hype and so many of us wanted to read it. As a whole, this book is very aware of YA tropes, and does creatively twist stereotypes around.
This actually handled the LGBT+ element well. Sexuality isn’t treated simply as a plot-twist, and instead is really nuanced with some interesting points:
“I guess I thought I was straight just because everyone treated me like I was, and no one ever gave me the chance to think otherwise.
There’s a strong element about struggling with body image. I thought this was interesting, especially since I don’t often see it addressed from a male perspective. I wish it had gone a little deeper, or been addressed a little clearer, however.
Cons:
Oh boy.
This book simply tries wayyy too hard.
The love triangle premise is interesting on its own. The whole dystopia element was completely unnecessary. It completely ruined the fun premises bogging it down with pages of details trying to explain this far-fetched, illogical organization.
Speaking of logic—this book has none. Seriously. None.
- Why does this organization send two love interests? Someone suggested to “make them decide faster?” But you’re losing one operative every-time so how does that make sense?
- Why would you send the operatives in at high school age??
- How do they have massive plastic surgery, but are completely fine with no bruising, swelling or recovery time??
- Why can his teacher only sometimes (hint: when it’s convenient to the plot) read Caden’s thoughts?
- Why do the robots (“Stalkers”) taunt their prey when their whole mission is to kill????
- Does this school not have a dress code? Why is everyone half-naked all the time?
- Is Dyl lanky or buff? Because the narrative literally jumps from how skinny and lean he is to Caden waxing poetic about his biceps.
- At one point, a character berates another for “walking alone” when she LITERALLY HAS SOMEONE BESIDE HER.
Seriously. It’s just a bunch of plot holes and supppeerr convenient ideas strung together.
But that’s not even the worst part--the writing.
At one point I decided to start highlighting every time I came across a line that made me physically cringe. By the end of the book, I had 78
But to save time, here’s just a few:
“The fact that she can sit by herself and not give a crap what anyone thinks makes me respect the living daylights out of her."
“There are so many possibilities and they all suck elephant balls."
“You arrogant little shit! I was on my way to the bathroom and you went in first!"
”It radiates from him, in the tilt of his chin, the uneven manner in which he walks, in his borderline obnoxious I-fuck-people-and-I’ll-fuck-you-smile.”
“I like you, Juliet. I always have. But I’m not a boy anymore. I’m a man.
“Someone who has sex in a bathroom, where people piss on seats and take shits."
“There are some things I want to say to you, Juliet, but it’s hard, because you’re wearing that glossy stuff on your lips you wear sometimes depending on how fancy you want to be. I’m just a guy standing before you, and you’re so beautiful I never get tired of looking at you.”
I JUST CAN’T
It made me cringe so hard my teeth-hurt.
The first half is actually funny, and I found myself wondering if maybe the writing was intentional. That it was an elaborate parody and it wasn’t supposed to be serious.
But then ALL the second half does is want to be taken seriously??? It’s all life-or-death and they are running from the threat of INCINERATION. There is character death and tears and it’s just all so dramatic. Then it stumbles to an awkward conclusion and I was just glad it was over.
In Conclusion:
The most unintentionally hilarious thing I’ve ever read. If you can forgo all logic and just want to bask in something absurd, look no further.
Definitely kept me on my toes the entire time and I loved the concept of a love interest as a spy. It was interesting to think about beauty standards for men and who girls fall for, either nice or bad men. I felt like the ending was rushed, and there was never a follow up on what happened to Trevor. The epilogue is cute, but I still had so many unanswered questions!
I'm not surprised at the ratings of this book I'm more surprised that I actually finished it.
I'll give thr author points on creativity in the concept of the Love Interest but I think it could have been fleshed out. it felt unrealistic and suspending my belief only goes so far. the voice of the narrator was immature and there were plot holes.
I did want to see where Caden and Dylan ended up, so that's likely why I finished and didn't mind so much as it was a library loan. if I had spent money, I'd be calling Amazon for a refund.
also be aware that this book is a m/m romance. it's fairly PG, but be aware. I actually may be more open to read m/m because of this book, so I guess that's a good thing. I consider myself an Ally to LGBT but I've never read a m/m before, I figured if I watch Htgawm which had fairly r rated m/m that I could venture my toes in that pond.
I'll give thr author points on creativity in the concept of the Love Interest but I think it could have been fleshed out. it felt unrealistic and suspending my belief only goes so far. the voice of the narrator was immature and there were plot holes.
I did want to see where Caden and Dylan ended up, so that's likely why I finished and didn't mind so much as it was a library loan. if I had spent money, I'd be calling Amazon for a refund.
also be aware that this book is a m/m romance. it's fairly PG, but be aware. I actually may be more open to read m/m because of this book, so I guess that's a good thing. I consider myself an Ally to LGBT but I've never read a m/m before, I figured if I watch Htgawm which had fairly r rated m/m that I could venture my toes in that pond.