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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
I decided to read this book because of the dramatastic premise, and it didn't fail to deliver on that front. However there are many flaws in the world building, that other reviews have gone into. I liked the Love Interest concept and was willing to go all the way with him, but Dietrich had a lot of details he needed to flesh out. My biggest problem was the conversations between the characters. It made me want to barf it was so cutesy. Everyone was so totally cool and understanding all the time. As a Nice, this apparently means that Caden has to be self-sacrificing and live through Juliet.
He has no personality of his own. Being a Nice guy doesn't mean that he can't be jealous or hurt or even snarky sometimes. Instead everything Juliet does is gold. And she falls for it. These types of conversation are throughout the whole book between everyone. A nonstop parade of "No, you're awesome, don't worry about." Life isn't like that.
The ending is pretty ridiculous too. Five teens equipped with bff power take down a highly dangerous, well established global spy organization.
Then there is the problem with the mind-wipe reprogramming. They are already sworn to secrecy and know they will die if they betray the LIC, why go through the bother of wiping their memories if they fail? Wouldn't it make them better Love Interests if they grew from their mistakes? These are the problems that got me hung up throughout the novel.. At the end Dyl and Caden basically highfive and are given a round of applause from their fellow Love Interests. I just don't even....
"I told you I'd go out with you and then I kissed Dyl. Who does that? I think he just surprised me. I mean, he's always flirty when he models for me, but I didn't think anything was going to come of it. But tonight he was extra flirty, then he led me to the spot by the bleachers and he kissed me and I kissed him back. Seriously, what's wrong with me? I should've said no."
"Nothing's wrong with you, Juliet."
"But you looked so hurt! I don't want to make anyone feel like that. Especially not you."
I look down, shaking my head. "Don't ever be sorry for making me feel what I feel. That was one sad moment, sure, but you've made me feel so happy countless times. Even if you break my heart it would be worth it. You're special, Juliet, and I know you're going to have boys falling for you your entire life. Don't ever let them make up your mind."
He has no personality of his own. Being a Nice guy doesn't mean that he can't be jealous or hurt or even snarky sometimes. Instead everything Juliet does is gold. And she falls for it. These types of conversation are throughout the whole book between everyone. A nonstop parade of "No, you're awesome, don't worry about." Life isn't like that.
The ending is pretty ridiculous too. Five teens equipped with bff power take down a highly dangerous, well established global spy organization.
Spoiler
I somehow doubt taking down the headquarters in the US is going to effect the rest of the world. The likelihood that one man is physically controlling all the stalker robots personally across the world is also unbelievable. There has to be more than one Love Interest rebelling at one time, or need threatening at least.Then there is the problem with the mind-wipe reprogramming. They are already sworn to secrecy and know they will die if they betray the LIC, why go through the bother of wiping their memories if they fail? Wouldn't it make them better Love Interests if they grew from their mistakes? These are the problems that got me hung up throughout the novel.
This review originally appeared on Novel Ink.
*4.5 stars*
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Isn’t it always the best feeling when a book lives up to the epic promise of its premise? I mean, two guys competing to become the lifelong love interest to a girl who is sure to grow up to be someone important, all in order to sell her secrets to a centuries-old hidden organization? Sign me up! And, friends, I’m happy to report that The Love Interest definitely delivered on that front.
Upon starting the book, I was a bit thrown by the dystopian feel of the story. I expected it to be a contemporary about a spy organization, but there are lots more sci-fi elements to the story than I expected. However, though there are some sci-fi elements thrown in, it’s still set in our present-day world. I’m not usually a fan of sci-fi, but I still really enjoyed this book! The Love Interest is told through Caden’s first-person POV. He’s finally leaving the Love Interest Coalition and going out into the real world… to compete to the death with another guy to become a future inventor, Juliet’s, Love Interest. She can only choose one of them, and the loser will be incinerated (of course, Juliet will be clueless as to these sinister behind-the-scenes happenings). There are two different types of Love Interests: Nices and Bads. Caden is a Nice, while his competitor, Dyl, is a Bad. The entire situation is made all the more precarious when Dyl and Caden begin to develop romantic feelings for each other, instead of Juliet.
Overall, I thought the concept of The Love Interest felt wholly original. I can’t believe this is Cale Dietrich’s debut novel! I was so impressed by his storytelling. This book takes familiar tropes and exploits them in a witty way. I especially loved the discussion and portrayal of sexuality. This book truly examines the stifling effects of heteronormativity. It’s something I struggled with lots when I was coming to terms with my own queerness. Until a certain age, I never even considered that I could be anything other than straight– not because being queer was wrong in my circle (I have the most liberal friends and family you could imagine), but because society literally gives you no chance to consider yourself anything other than straight. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but hopefully, if you read the book, you’ll understand. 😉 I also liked the exploration of different forms of expression of masculinity (shown through the Nice vs. Bad dichotomy). Idk, I just thought this added commentary on identity and expression was woven so seamlessly into the story and was so refreshing to read about.
As for the romance, it was completely swoonworthy. Every interaction between Caden and Dyl was completely laden with sexual and/or romantic tension. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop over the course of the competition. I also adored Juliet, Natalie, and Trevor. I kind of expected the three of them to be marginal side characters in the story, but they ended up being totally three-dimensional and important to the plot.
The only complaint I have about this book is that the ending felt a bit like a cliche dystopian ending, but given the originality of the story itself (and the epilogue, which I felt redeemed the ending), that didn’t take away very much from my enjoyment of the book. Also, can we just discuss how great it is that this book is a standalone and not book one in a series?! The Love Interest was brilliantly written, with a high-stakes plot that made the book difficult to put down. I think it’s an important addition to queer YA fiction. I absolutely loved it, and I highly recommend you pick it up!
*4.5 stars*
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Isn’t it always the best feeling when a book lives up to the epic promise of its premise? I mean, two guys competing to become the lifelong love interest to a girl who is sure to grow up to be someone important, all in order to sell her secrets to a centuries-old hidden organization? Sign me up! And, friends, I’m happy to report that The Love Interest definitely delivered on that front.
Upon starting the book, I was a bit thrown by the dystopian feel of the story. I expected it to be a contemporary about a spy organization, but there are lots more sci-fi elements to the story than I expected. However, though there are some sci-fi elements thrown in, it’s still set in our present-day world. I’m not usually a fan of sci-fi, but I still really enjoyed this book! The Love Interest is told through Caden’s first-person POV. He’s finally leaving the Love Interest Coalition and going out into the real world… to compete to the death with another guy to become a future inventor, Juliet’s, Love Interest. She can only choose one of them, and the loser will be incinerated (of course, Juliet will be clueless as to these sinister behind-the-scenes happenings). There are two different types of Love Interests: Nices and Bads. Caden is a Nice, while his competitor, Dyl, is a Bad. The entire situation is made all the more precarious when Dyl and Caden begin to develop romantic feelings for each other, instead of Juliet.
Overall, I thought the concept of The Love Interest felt wholly original. I can’t believe this is Cale Dietrich’s debut novel! I was so impressed by his storytelling. This book takes familiar tropes and exploits them in a witty way. I especially loved the discussion and portrayal of sexuality. This book truly examines the stifling effects of heteronormativity. It’s something I struggled with lots when I was coming to terms with my own queerness. Until a certain age, I never even considered that I could be anything other than straight– not because being queer was wrong in my circle (I have the most liberal friends and family you could imagine), but because society literally gives you no chance to consider yourself anything other than straight. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but hopefully, if you read the book, you’ll understand. 😉 I also liked the exploration of different forms of expression of masculinity (shown through the Nice vs. Bad dichotomy). Idk, I just thought this added commentary on identity and expression was woven so seamlessly into the story and was so refreshing to read about.
As for the romance, it was completely swoonworthy. Every interaction between Caden and Dyl was completely laden with sexual and/or romantic tension. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop over the course of the competition. I also adored Juliet, Natalie, and Trevor. I kind of expected the three of them to be marginal side characters in the story, but they ended up being totally three-dimensional and important to the plot.
The only complaint I have about this book is that the ending felt a bit like a cliche dystopian ending, but given the originality of the story itself (and the epilogue, which I felt redeemed the ending), that didn’t take away very much from my enjoyment of the book. Also, can we just discuss how great it is that this book is a standalone and not book one in a series?! The Love Interest was brilliantly written, with a high-stakes plot that made the book difficult to put down. I think it’s an important addition to queer YA fiction. I absolutely loved it, and I highly recommend you pick it up!
Wooow some of these reviews are dramatic.
Here's the thing: this book reads like fanfiction. Which, as a consummate consumer of fanfiction, did not affect my enjoyment.
My suggestion? Suspend your disbelief. Just suspend it. Does half of this make logical sense? Nah. Does it matter? Not even a little.
The story is so sweet especially if, like me, you are a member of the LGBT+ community and don't see a lot of representation.
If occasionally stilted writing is going to draw you out of the story this book may not be for you. Dietrich isn't Faulkner, or even John Green, but the point (again, much like fanfiction) isn't the sentences, it's the story. And at least here you don't have to sift through any un-beta'd spelling mistakes.
Sometimes, you just want to read a popcorn novel where two boys fall in love. And this book delivered.
Here's the thing: this book reads like fanfiction. Which, as a consummate consumer of fanfiction, did not affect my enjoyment.
My suggestion? Suspend your disbelief. Just suspend it. Does half of this make logical sense? Nah. Does it matter? Not even a little.
The story is so sweet especially if, like me, you are a member of the LGBT+ community and don't see a lot of representation.
Spoiler
Caden and Dyl falling in love is full of silly tropes and cliches but it all comes together beautifully. The struggle of knowing that death awaited one of them pulled at my heartstrings, and I was rooting for them. I'm so used to consuming media full of queerbaiting and general heteronormative BS that reading a book where the protagonist gets to pull one over on that stereotype was more relieving than it should have been.If occasionally stilted writing is going to draw you out of the story this book may not be for you. Dietrich isn't Faulkner, or even John Green, but the point (again, much like fanfiction) isn't the sentences, it's the story. And at least here you don't have to sift through any un-beta'd spelling mistakes.
Sometimes, you just want to read a popcorn novel where two boys fall in love. And this book delivered.
Do you ever come across a book where you think: "I didn't know this was exactly what I wanted, but it is exactly what I wanted?" That's how I feel about THE LOVE INTEREST. I've read a lot of queer coming-of-age stories, and some of them have been great, and some not-so-great, and some have a certain sameness to them. But THE LOVE INTEREST is, to me, completely unique. Let me tell you why.
I have been looking for a queer YA story where the characters are well-developed and self-actualized, where the narrative focuses on the struggle to come to terms with one's own sexuality but ups the stakes in a way that empowers, not victimizes the characters (ie Caden is learning about himself and his desires, and there are clear risks involved, but he doesn't have to get his ass kicked a million times by people calling him a faggot or get HIV or somehow otherwise be a target just because he's gay).
CADEN IS A BADASS. He is furious and fearful; he is a survivor; he is an actually kind person; he suffers no fools; he opens himself up to people even though he has endured incredible trauma and pain. All of this comes through from page one but is also developed throughout as different sides of him are revealed, and that is so so awesome.
I love what the book does with all the tropes of straight YA romance - books I tend not to read very much, randomly, though I sort of wrote one? In this narrative those tropes are used to both hilarious and poignant effect, and they show the ways in which placing boys in these paper-thin roles limits and oppresses them while simultaneously limiting and oppressing the girls who are taught this is what they should want.
Structurally the book is perfect, not a word out of place, every step of the hero's journey paced out to maximum effect. The world-building is vivid and scary, drawing on dystopian tropes and yet somehow never becoming a product of those tropes. Instead it becomes its own thing, creepy and yet empathetic towards the fact that these are KIDS. There are heroes and villains but everyone has dimensions and everyone is offered a chance at redemption.
I love Juliet - the center of the not-quite-love-triangle - a lot. Girls often get lost in stories like these, where they are the thing that holds the boys apart (in gay boy stories so often girls exist only to be enablers of the gay romance, which - though it sometimes happens IRL - is a trope that to me feels lazy and silly), but Juliet is her own person, and she's super-cool, and I would date her if she wasn't half my age. I feel for her so much in this too, and I love that CADEN feels for her - like, he doesn't want to fuck up her life. He thinks she's awesome, which she is.
There's a lot of other great stuff in here about music, and clever allegory, and at its heart I think THE LOVE INTEREST manages to be both a truly exciting and moving story while also being politically pointed. I think this book is going to make a difference to kids who don't often get to see themselves represented as heroes. And even if you've never thought: "I really want a book about a teen boy who's a spy and also figuring out himself and his sexuality at the same time as he's trying to save his own life and the lives of others?" This is still the book you're looking for.
I have been looking for a queer YA story where the characters are well-developed and self-actualized, where the narrative focuses on the struggle to come to terms with one's own sexuality but ups the stakes in a way that empowers, not victimizes the characters (ie Caden is learning about himself and his desires, and there are clear risks involved, but he doesn't have to get his ass kicked a million times by people calling him a faggot or get HIV or somehow otherwise be a target just because he's gay).
CADEN IS A BADASS. He is furious and fearful; he is a survivor; he is an actually kind person; he suffers no fools; he opens himself up to people even though he has endured incredible trauma and pain. All of this comes through from page one but is also developed throughout as different sides of him are revealed, and that is so so awesome.
I love what the book does with all the tropes of straight YA romance - books I tend not to read very much, randomly, though I sort of wrote one? In this narrative those tropes are used to both hilarious and poignant effect, and they show the ways in which placing boys in these paper-thin roles limits and oppresses them while simultaneously limiting and oppressing the girls who are taught this is what they should want.
Structurally the book is perfect, not a word out of place, every step of the hero's journey paced out to maximum effect. The world-building is vivid and scary, drawing on dystopian tropes and yet somehow never becoming a product of those tropes. Instead it becomes its own thing, creepy and yet empathetic towards the fact that these are KIDS. There are heroes and villains but everyone has dimensions and everyone is offered a chance at redemption.
I love Juliet - the center of the not-quite-love-triangle - a lot. Girls often get lost in stories like these, where they are the thing that holds the boys apart (in gay boy stories so often girls exist only to be enablers of the gay romance, which - though it sometimes happens IRL - is a trope that to me feels lazy and silly), but Juliet is her own person, and she's super-cool, and I would date her if she wasn't half my age. I feel for her so much in this too, and I love that CADEN feels for her - like, he doesn't want to fuck up her life. He thinks she's awesome, which she is.
There's a lot of other great stuff in here about music, and clever allegory, and at its heart I think THE LOVE INTEREST manages to be both a truly exciting and moving story while also being politically pointed. I think this book is going to make a difference to kids who don't often get to see themselves represented as heroes. And even if you've never thought: "I really want a book about a teen boy who's a spy and also figuring out himself and his sexuality at the same time as he's trying to save his own life and the lives of others?" This is still the book you're looking for.
The Love Interest is not a book that takes itself too seriously, which I like. The hype around it might have disappointed some people, but I went into it knowing that, so altogether I was quite pleased with this book. It pokes fun at YA book stereotypes and writing - at best I would say it's a clever satire of the YA genre and its tropes as a whole. Generally, I did like the characters, except Dylan in That One Moment. The romance could have been a lot less rushed - . The writing ... could have done with a lot less description of hot boys, but it was a bit silly and fit into the satirical aspect, so altogether I'm okay with it.
Spoiler
it's like we get Dylan telling Caden he isn't gay, there's nothing in between that proves him wrong, and then at the end of the book, they're waking up in bed together
Chapters 1-6: I started this at night laying in bed and got through 6 chapters before I had to give up and go to sleep. It grabbed my attention from the beginning, but not because of a dramatic scene or theme, more that the writing is so smooth and readable. The details of the story are brought out slowly and there's no big reveal, but the reading is so effortless, it just flows.
It wasn't until I came to GR to add this to my shelf I realized it was an LGBTQ book, and while that's not a problem, I do enjoy a good love triangle and am a bit disappointed that I don't get to see the Nice Guy and the Bad Boy fight it out over the girl. Very anti-feminist of me, I know, but it is what it is.
I can't say a whole lot without giving away plot points, but I will say that I'm very curious to see how it progresses and how the Nice Guy does without all the "constraints" he previously had.
Chapters 7-12: More of the same. Nothing very exciting is happening.
I finished it up. Overall, I would say it was "okay." The action did pick up towards the end and kept my attention. The writing was... okay. There was nothing bad about it, but I think the fault lies with the plot, not the writing.
It was so unbelievable, I just couldn't. The Love Interests concept is far fetched, but still in the realm of possibility for me. But the training, the punishments and the tech just didn't do it for me. I would stop in the middle of a paragraph and think, really, nobody heard that? Or, why would they do that if this is their purpose? And taking me out of the story is no fun.
So, if you're really bored and want to read an okay book to pass the time, go for it. But with so many other amazing books out there, I wouldn't waste my time on this one.
It wasn't until I came to GR to add this to my shelf I realized it was an LGBTQ book, and while that's not a problem, I do enjoy a good love triangle and am a bit disappointed that I don't get to see the Nice Guy and the Bad Boy fight it out over the girl. Very anti-feminist of me, I know, but it is what it is.
I can't say a whole lot without giving away plot points, but I will say that I'm very curious to see how it progresses and how the Nice Guy does without all the "constraints" he previously had.
Chapters 7-12: More of the same. Nothing very exciting is happening.
I finished it up. Overall, I would say it was "okay." The action did pick up towards the end and kept my attention. The writing was... okay. There was nothing bad about it, but I think the fault lies with the plot, not the writing.
It was so unbelievable, I just couldn't. The Love Interests concept is far fetched, but still in the realm of possibility for me. But the training, the punishments and the tech just didn't do it for me. I would stop in the middle of a paragraph and think, really, nobody heard that? Or, why would they do that if this is their purpose? And taking me out of the story is no fun.
So, if you're really bored and want to read an okay book to pass the time, go for it. But with so many other amazing books out there, I wouldn't waste my time on this one.
Log of my thoughts while reading:
Yes! Male protagonist!
Spy academy... rock on
Nerdy love interest - my kind of gal!
Really? The broody bad boy? Talk about typical tropes
JUST SHUT UP JULIET
Wait, you're not "Nice"? Like hell you're not...
You're not a "Bad"? Now I'm lost...
Where did that plot hole come from?
That doesn't make sense...
What happened to the director guy?
Found another plot hole...
Soooo that's it?
Yes! Male protagonist!
Spy academy... rock on
Nerdy love interest - my kind of gal!
Really? The broody bad boy? Talk about typical tropes
JUST SHUT UP JULIET
Wait, you're not "Nice"? Like hell you're not...
You're not a "Bad"? Now I'm lost...
Where did that plot hole come from?
That doesn't make sense...
What happened to the director guy?
Found another plot hole...
Soooo that's it?
If you're looking for a good hate-read, this is it! The plot is interesting, but omigod the dialogue. It's so stilted and terrible, and yet you can't stop reading. It's like a car crash of a book, really.
This book has romance, action, wit and full of twists. It was fast paced and a page turner.
Full review in https://thequeenreads.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/book-talk-19-the-love-interest-by-cale-dietrich/
Full review in https://thequeenreads.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/book-talk-19-the-love-interest-by-cale-dietrich/