Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - A estratégia do charme

Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

A estratégia do charme by Alison Cochrun

47 reviews

redheadorganist's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

readingqueerly's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? It's complicated

4.5

The famous/non famous trope is one of my favourites and this book really delivered. The whole idea of a reality dating show turned upside down BC the talent falls in love with a crew member and it's QUEER, I mean, that's everything I could want from a romcom. On top of this I think the writing was so funny. I laughed a lot. I already got emotional at certain points. The relationship was really built up well and I loved the characters, not just the main couple, but the B characters were so fun. I was rooting for everyone in this book (well except one person iykyk).
Besides the cute romcom plot, I also think it managed to talk about some heavier topics in a relatively light manner. Topics such as depression, anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, sexuality crises, asexuality, etc were all brought up and I never felt that it was dismissed by the author.

Content Warnings

ruthiedr89's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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

Content Warnings

jenny_librarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

This is what One to Watch tried to achieve, with way more diversity at every level, and so much better done!

I loved absolutely everything about this book except one thing: the miscommunication. I know this is how this kind of book is supposed to go, but I just hate when conflict stems from the fact that the main characters won't just sit down and talk. And that's saying a lot, considering a lot of the time Charlie and Dev spend together is them talking...

But apart from that, the sheer amount of diversity in this book was so refreshing for this kind of romcom. We got multiple queer identities (including a whooping TWO characters under the asexual umbrella!!!), neurodivergence and mental health issues being discussed, characters of colour in the forefront of the story... It just felt so good to read!

I have to say, however, that the trigger warnings for OCD, anxiety/panic attacks and depression are major in this book. If this is triggering, better skip it altogether. They hit quick and they hit hard. One of Charlie's panic attack almost caused me to have one. Good writing, but very much triggering.
Everyone else, though: READ. THIS. BOOK!

Content Warnings

readandfindout's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

dineisnotdrowning's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

theespressoedition's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? Yes

5.0

THIS FREAKING BOOK. IS. SO. GOOD! (This review is not OwnVoices for the queer rep, but is for the anxiety/depression).

I was about to write "I don't know what took me so long," but then I realized that the book itself hasn't been out for an exorbitant amount of time. However, it still feels like it took too long for me to get to this because it was everything I wanted and needed in a romcom. I loved every second of it.

Yes, it's cheesy as heck. It's trope-y and a bit cringy at times, but in the best way possible. I loved every single one of the characters, the representation (both for the LGBTQ community and for mental health) was fantastic, and I even found myself tearing up a time or two.

Two quotes that stood out to me:

“I don’t know if the specific label is important to me.” “It doesn’t have to be,” she says, “and you’re not obligated to figure it out, or come out, or explain yourself to anyone, ever. But also”—she drops her hands from their spectrum and tucks an arm around his shoulder—“labels can be nice sometimes. They can give us a language to understand ourselves and our hearts better. And they can help us find a community and develop a sense of belonging.

that’s not how his depression works. It’s not logical or reasonable. It doesn’t need some catastrophic tragedy to turn the chemicals of his brain against him. Tiny tragedies are more than enough.

I feel as though those two quotes give a good idea of what the book feels like as far as the "heavier" topics go. It has a lot to do with Charlie figuring out his sexuality and Dev understanding his struggle with depression. But on top of those more tricky elements, there was also a ton of sweetness and, yes, charm.

The minute I closed the book, I wanted to start it all over again. And that's saying something when it comes to a romcom. I don't even like reality tv, but this book made me love the vibes (and I obviously appreciated the "calling out" of the problematic side of this kind of television).

Do yourself a favor and read this book!

Content Warnings

readerette's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

amberinpieces's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

I really loved this book! The story was so cute and wonderful, and I absolutely loved the mental health representation. I felt so seen with the rep and it was wonderful to see my mental health represented.

Content Warnings

More...