Reviews with content warning for Dysphoria - Sing Anyway

Reviews tagging 'Dysphoria'

Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly

28 reviews

geno's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

"Sing Anyway" nos presenta un romance adorable contado en dos puntos de vista.

Se aprecia el nivel de representación que hay en el libro y la forma en la que se manejó. Se siente muy honesto y natural, es evidente que la autora tiene cariño por los personajes.

Como es romance, hay un conflicto en el tercer acto para generar tensión que no aporta mucho. Entiendo que necesita algo de drama pero por la extención del libro, tal vez no hacía falta. Aunque sí debo decir que el cliché de "mala comunicación" está bien usado, y se siente muy real en el contexto de la historia.

En resumen, una lectura adorable y rápida, con algunas escenas "spicy" que esperaba con esa portada tan tierna, pero que no sacan del foco de la historia.

TW: disforia de género y gordofobia.

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"Sing Anyway" is a very cute romance book told in two POVs.

I appreciated the representation in this book and how it was handled, it's evident the author really cares for the characters.
The conflict in the third act felt a little "meh", but I guess otherwise there was no external conflict.

An adorable read a little more steamy than I was expecting with that cover.

TW: discussions of gender dysphoria and fatphobia.

Content Warnings

nefariousbee's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

quick, cute, and sexy

Content Warnings

emfass's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Cute, sweet, loved the fat FMC (Female Main Character) and the NBMC (nonbinary main character). I think part of me wishes it were longer, and we got more time to explore these characters and their stories.

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inkiereads's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was such a cute novella! It was a quick read, but it never feels too quick. It’s filled with love and happy and complicated emotions, dealing with serious topics as body and gender dysmorphia, without ever feeling like a lecture. Loved it!

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unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

This is book one of three novellas all set in the same queer karaoke bar, and Anita brings their unique talent for making everyday people seem so real and emphasizing the importance of love in our lives - how common it is, yet how special.

One thing that stands out to me in all of Anita's books is how the characters are regular working-class folks with bills to pay and modest but important lives. I love it so much. It shouldn't be so rare in romance but it is!

Sam and Lily are so sweet together. They make an incredible amount of space for each other and there is a gift from Lily to Sam at one point that had me like

Also I absolutely adore karaoke so reading these meet cutes at the karaoke bar is really doing it for me.

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purplepenning's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Read during the #TransRightsReadathon March 20-27, 2023. Romance novellas don't usually work for me (because insta-anything doesn't compute for me, but insta-love and hookup culture really don't compute). But this was skillfully written and surprisingly satisfying!

Sam (nb) is a 40-something history professor who meets up with their friends at a karaoke bar every few weeks. They feel doomed to mediocrity and failed relationship, their last one was particularly bad, and they're working out their gender expression. Lily (cis f) is an introverted receptionist at a vet clinic by day and a powerful songstress when she hits the karaoke stage at night. Fed up with trying to clothe her fat, fabulous body, she has begun making her own clothes — and Sam has definitely noticed, just as they always notice her when she sings. When Sam's friends have to miss karaoke night, Sam is drawn into Lily's group. Can a karaoke persona carry over into real life? Can a karaoke crush become a real connection?

"Sing Anyway" has great characters, tons of music catnip, splashes of fashion and design, some nerdy history stuff, late-in-life gender queer realizations, body positivity that's still sensitive to other's needs and perspectives, and refreshingly frank language and communication during the (steamy/explicit/on page) sex scenes.

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

Sing Anyway is a cute novella about a romance between Sam and Lily that begins in a karaoke bar. Sam is non binary, uses they/ them pronouns, and is still figuring out their gender expression. Lily is fat. While she talks about some of the negative realities of being fat - particularly finding clothes that fit - the overall tone of the book is fat positive. Sam has some body dysphoria but other characters are inclusive and accepting of them, and Lily shows a lot of sensitivity in this regard. I loved that Lily and Sam were open about their vulnerabilities and insecurities, that they both had what would be considered nerdy interests and aspects to their personalities, and that they both had such supportive friends groups. I liked that they were older, although they both felt younger than their stated ages. Karaoke bar joy infused much of the story. Overall a quick, delightful and steamy read.

Content Warnings