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moendchen's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Diese berührende Geschichte lässt einen in das weltfremde Hollywood schnuppern, stellen einem vielversprechende und komplizierte Charaktere vor und lockern selbst die ernsteren und angespannten Phasen mittels Presseausschnitte, Fanfictionausschnitte (persönliches Highlight!) und Therapieberichten auf. Die versprochene Romanze rutscht gerade in der zweiten Hälfte eher in den Hintergrund und die persönliche Wandlung und Verarbeitung von schwierigen Themen nehmen Vorrang.
Mittels dem angenehmen und lockeren Schreibstil der Autorin lassen sich die Seiten verschlingen.
Witzige und charmante Dialoge und knisternde Stimmung fehlen jedoch leider. Die Charaktere erwähnen öfters, dass jemand flirten würde, dass eine gewisse Stimmung und Anspannung herrschen würde, diese Szenen lesen sich jedoch für Romance-Veteranen vollkommen neutral und nüchtern.
Zudem ist Logans Charakter und innerem Tumult sehr viel mehr Zeit gewidmet als Matties, was schade ist angesichts der Thematik der Scham und Freiheit.
Gelegentlich fühlt es sich wie eine aufgezwungene Therapiesitzung mit fehlender Subtilität an. Die Charaktere wirken zudem oftmals allwissend. Einige Phrasen und Gedankengänge werden so oft wiederholt und eingehämmert, dass es sich Seiten repetitiv anfühlen können.
Das heißt jedoch keines falls, dass die Geschichte an Charme, Wirkung und Unterhaltung verliert. Die Beziehung und die persönlichen Charakterwandlungen sind wunderschön mitzuverfolgen und man hofft von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite, dass diese zwei außergewöhnlich gewöhnlichen Männer ihr Happy End erhalten. Ich freue mich, dieses Buch in paar Monaten erneut zu lesen.
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Toxic friendship
_moonsongenthusiast_'s review
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, Rape, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
chantelbecky's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
As I got to know the characters and the complexities of their lives, the lines of right and wrong became as blurred for me as they were for the characters. This book gives voice to the ugly grey corners of the humanity, and isn't afraid to explore the fact that the bad people and parts of our lives are never as simple as we think. This book doesn't shy away from harsh, complicated subjects and gives an honest portrayal of recovery. My only complaint is that the book ended when it did. I've grown to love these characters and wish I could follow them throughout their entire lives.
Needless to say, I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
rachelelouise's review
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Alcoholism
careinthelibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Self harm, Biphobia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
danireadsbooks1's review
- 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
4.5
One major trigger warning is for parents and people with childhood trauma: there is not only parental neglect but purposeful parental negligence leading to repeated child rape that is not on the page but is referenced and discussed (not in-depth). It’s not easy to read or experience even fictionally that a parent would do that on purpose to their child, even at a high level and without details.
I enjoyed this novel, but it was hard to read. It’s a range of emotions and the author masterfully crafted this to sway the way you think and feel about characters as they yank your heartstrings right out of your chest. They answered questions before I had a chance to ask them and addressed situations incredibly well.
Yes, we get a wonderful celebrity gay romance with tons of depth and really important discussion of racism, colorism, childhood trauma, social expectations and the expectations put onto people in the public eye, but also a great discussion of the expectations we put onto others in our personal lives and whether that is justified or warranted.
I will say this is a solid, enjoyable novel, but damn was the ending really tough to read. Logan's trauma was tough to read about and work through. It was hard, but his journey is beautiful in the way he perseveres.
I think this novel is a reminder that you just never know what anyone else is going through or what they have experienced and have to work through. A reminder we all need.
I definitely recommend this book, but just know that you're in for an emotional journey.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Infidelity, Addiction, Grief, and Alcoholism
Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia
adrianas65's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Racism, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
Minor: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Biphobia
jennp28's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders
turtlebrainlibrarian's review
- 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
Graphic: Biphobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
saachipahwa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Drug use, Drug abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence