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readandfindout's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 2.5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 2.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Racism, Vomit, Acephobia/Arophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
dineisnotdrowning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.75
This book surprised me in so many ways. I was expecting cringe, but am excited that (aside from a few lines) this book is not nearly as cringey as is found in it's predecessors and creators of the genre; it was a fun book, with interesting commentary that ended in some wishfullfilment that wasn't really annoying.
I do have to say, though, that I am not apart of the main minority groups presented, so regarding certain aspects and the representation of certain mental illnesses, I am not one to judge or even be capable of determining the quality. So I am not capable of saying anything regarding those parts. To my understanding, at least, nothing jumped out to me.
I do have to say, though, that I am not apart of the main minority groups presented, so regarding certain aspects and the representation of certain mental illnesses, I am not one to judge or even be capable of determining the quality. So I am not capable of saying anything regarding those parts. To my understanding, at least, nothing jumped out to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying and Lesbophobia
readerette's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really wanted to like this, with its diverse cast and mental health focus. But to me, it felt like the author was including "one of every kind" in terms of diversity just to make a point (the characters' gender, ethnic and sexual identities came up way too much, and sometimes that was the only thing you knew about a character). Way too much of the book was just about the childish antics of contestants on a reality show, and how a reality show is filmed. The mental health and self-discovery storylines took a hit in service of the reality show details, which really did nothing for me as a reader.
The best part for me was probably between 80% and 90% when the reality show stopped coming up so much and the characters could have some real conversations and real reflections on themselves.
I neither enjoyed nor hated this one. Perhaps the author's future work will be more balanced and focused.
The best part for me was probably between 80% and 90% when the reality show stopped coming up so much and the characters could have some real conversations and real reflections on themselves.
I neither enjoyed nor hated this one. Perhaps the author's future work will be more balanced and focused.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Vomit, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Bullying
dalmavatai'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? It's complicated
5.0
I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!!! I probably can't even properly articulate how much I love this book but here's what I'll say - Dev and Charlie's relationship is amazing and beautiful and such a joy to read about. The mental illness representation is so nuanced and complex and heartbreaking at times, but overall the tone is pretty lighthearted. I ADORED that this book could've easily fallen into being casually misogynistic and sexist towards the women in the show (portraying them as superficial b*tches), but it didn't do that AT ALL, they were fully fleshed out and layered characters, and I appreciated it so much (and that ENDING!!!!) I also liked the representation of a variety of sexualities and the commentary on the toxicity of reality TV. Also Dev and Charlie grew so much throughout the book and their journey was very deeply psychologically explored which I loved.
Basically I adored everything about this book and it's exactly what I needed in exam term and it's my favorite book of the year so far 😭
Basically I adored everything about this book and it's exactly what I needed in exam term and it's my favorite book of the year so far 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Sexism
ariam's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I really liked Charlie and Dev as main characters and their production cast of the show. I liked the twist at the end and how the show was revamped. I liked how the characters separated and that Dev got help for his depression before they got back together. I definitely thought this could have been 100 pages shorter because some of the reality show plot definitely could have been skipped over. And for the amount of "sex" scenes there were, can't believe they were so PG-13.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying and Alcohol
lennie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Omg all the stars. 1million/10. A new favourite.
I loved this book SO MUCH. I can't...How am i supposed to review this?! I can't form coherent sentences about all of my emotions.
Just. Wow.
I loved this book SO MUCH. I can't...How am i supposed to review this?! I can't form coherent sentences about all of my emotions.
Just. Wow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Alcohol
bookthief404's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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 am deceased.
Alison Cochruns writing is incredible. I was instantly hooked and literally couldn't pry my eyes from the pages for hours. It played like an addictive TV show in my head. I absolutely fell in love with both Charlie and Dev from both perspectives.
I would be engrossed in the moments between the couple so intensely that every feeling felt like my own. I wish I could read about them forever.
The ending was mildly predictable, but I don't care. The representation of sexual identity and mental health issues is something that many, many fiction writers and authors are too terrified to go anywhere near. If there were more movies and books and shows touching on these subjects with even less than half of what Cochrun included in this book then maybe the world would be a far more understanding place. One can only hope for more like this in the future.
Alison Cochruns writing is incredible. I was instantly hooked and literally couldn't pry my eyes from the pages for hours. It played like an addictive TV show in my head. I absolutely fell in love with both Charlie and Dev from both perspectives.
I would be engrossed in the moments between the couple so intensely that every feeling felt like my own. I wish I could read about them forever.
The ending was mildly predictable, but I don't care. The representation of sexual identity and mental health issues is something that many, many fiction writers and authors are too terrified to go anywhere near. If there were more movies and books and shows touching on these subjects with even less than half of what Cochrun included in this book then maybe the world would be a far more understanding place. One can only hope for more like this in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol
iamkiaraayleen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol
feelingfrazzled's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny, Vomit, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Bullying, Hate crime, Infidelity, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism
taelights's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.0
This book was pretty fun and cute but way too overhyped. With all the 4 and 5 star reviews and hype around this book I expected a lot more and was kind of disappointed because of it.
The writing style of the book is very YA and the whole plot of the book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. Like I still have no fucking idea why people thought putting Charlie on basically the Batchelor would fix his reputation and get him his job back?? Literally makes no sense and there seems to be a lot better ways to fix a reputation before jumping to a dating show of all things??? It especially makes no sense when Charlie is a painfully socially awkward man who has never dated before and has OCD and anxiety.
Speaking of which I know this book is praised for it's mental health representation but honestly I don't think it did a good job at it.
The conflicts in the book were most of the time unnecessary and annoying because it. And the final source of angst was just so…. ugh.
Also can I just say the sex scenes in this where really bad? Like they could have been omitted because they were badly written and boring.
But for some positives the characters did have some moments of good chemistry where I really enjoyed them together and I thought the ending was cute.
The book was cute but predictable and unremarkable. It's definitely not one I'll reread or think about after this. It was fun while I read it but it's not a book that will stay with me or one I'll recommend to a lot of people. But it was cute enough I won't talk someone out of reading it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, and Alcohol