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danwyn's review
3.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very different than I expected! To clarify, it is very much a cute romance with an actor and a drag queen as the main love interests, but this baby has layers! The actor MC, Patrick Lake, is playing a Captain America-esque superhero called Captain Kismet, and through the course of his romance with Will, the drag queen, there’s a parallel story about the queer writer and illustrator who created the character Patrick is now embodying. I found all of the characters really interesting. Will and Patrick were both compelling in their own right, but I’d be lying if I said I felt the romance was equally as compelling. The chemistry wasn’t entirely absent. I just found myself waiting for a moment between them that would really grab me and convince me they needed to be together. It was cute, and the other elements of the plot kept my interest enough that I was able to overlook the places I thought the romance was lacking. There is one moment of conflict towards the end that didn’t work for me. I think I understand what Ellis was trying to do with the character in that scene, but I’m not sure the execution worked. It felt forced. Not enough to ruin the book for me, but definitely bumped it down a bit when I was deciding on my rating. All of that said, I thought Ellis’ writing style really worked in this book. I haven’t read anything else by this author, but I would definitely pick up something by him in the future becauseI thought the story had a lot going for it and a lot of potential in the parts that didn’t quite connect with me.
This book was very different than I expected! To clarify, it is very much a cute romance with an actor and a drag queen as the main love interests, but this baby has layers! The actor MC, Patrick Lake, is playing a Captain America-esque superhero called Captain Kismet, and through the course of his romance with Will, the drag queen, there’s a parallel story about the queer writer and illustrator who created the character Patrick is now embodying. I found all of the characters really interesting. Will and Patrick were both compelling in their own right, but I’d be lying if I said I felt the romance was equally as compelling. The chemistry wasn’t entirely absent. I just found myself waiting for a moment between them that would really grab me and convince me they needed to be together. It was cute, and the other elements of the plot kept my interest enough that I was able to overlook the places I thought the romance was lacking. There is one moment of conflict towards the end that didn’t work for me. I think I understand what Ellis was trying to do with the character in that scene, but I’m not sure the execution worked. It felt forced. Not enough to ruin the book for me, but definitely bumped it down a bit when I was deciding on my rating. All of that said, I thought Ellis’ writing style really worked in this book. I haven’t read anything else by this author, but I would definitely pick up something by him in the future becauseI thought the story had a lot going for it and a lot of potential in the parts that didn’t quite connect with me.
bookspills's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
carammcdermott's review against another edition
4.0
I loved loved loved this book so very much. I was initially drawn to it because of the similarity to Red, White and Royal Blue, but was quickly swept up in the unique love affair of Patrick and Will. Seeing the author’s dedication at the end to The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Klay, their inspiration, and one of my all time favourite books, was just the icing on the cake.
sharonleavy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
"Real love is nothing like the movies"
Patrick Lake is a popular, handsome Hollywood actor who has landed the gig of a lifetime as the lead in a Super Hero movie series, adapted from a beloved comic strip written in 1949.
Originally from South Amboy, New Jersey (Violet Sanford country), Patrick and his co-stars are doing some additional post-production work in Birmingham, England. When a spontaneous night out ends with him crossing paths with drag performer Grace Anatomy (Bookseller Will Wright by day), Patrick feels a spark - but he's not out, for fear of jeopardising his career. He enjoys his job, and the perks it affords him - but how much longer can he live a lie?
Back in 1949, we see the original comic strip come to life, where we meet Charles and Iris, the original creators. Their marriage is not like most - but if the truth came out, they could lose everything. They dream of a world where they can just be themselves.
I ADORED this book. If you know me at all, you'll know I'm a savage for a good pun, bit of banter, pop culture reference, or slice of queer culture - and all were served in bucket loads. From the little sprinkling of iconic references ("what, like it's hard?") to the sweetest found family storyline, this book warmed my cold little heart so much. I loved the lead characters, but the side ones also deserve a mention - Margo, Dylan, Audra, Jordan, Hector, Corey - everyone was so full of life and I felt like I had the measure of them immediately.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the book used the comic strip series to bridge the gap between past and present. There were so many similarities between the two stories, and while queer joy was sometimes under threat in both timelines, ultimately I found it to be a really uplifting, hopeful, beautiful love story that's so badly needed in the world today.
I sincerely thank @harpernorthuk for the opportunity to read a #gifted ARC via #Netgalley, I'll be buying my own copy when it's released on June 6th.
Absolutely adored this, it was just lovely.
Patrick Lake is a popular, handsome Hollywood actor who has landed the gig of a lifetime as the lead in a Super Hero movie series, adapted from a beloved comic strip written in 1949.
Originally from South Amboy, New Jersey (Violet Sanford country), Patrick and his co-stars are doing some additional post-production work in Birmingham, England. When a spontaneous night out ends with him crossing paths with drag performer Grace Anatomy (Bookseller Will Wright by day), Patrick feels a spark - but he's not out, for fear of jeopardising his career. He enjoys his job, and the perks it affords him - but how much longer can he live a lie?
Back in 1949, we see the original comic strip come to life, where we meet Charles and Iris, the original creators. Their marriage is not like most - but if the truth came out, they could lose everything. They dream of a world where they can just be themselves.
I ADORED this book. If you know me at all, you'll know I'm a savage for a good pun, bit of banter, pop culture reference, or slice of queer culture - and all were served in bucket loads. From the little sprinkling of iconic references ("what, like it's hard?") to the sweetest found family storyline, this book warmed my cold little heart so much. I loved the lead characters, but the side ones also deserve a mention - Margo, Dylan, Audra, Jordan, Hector, Corey - everyone was so full of life and I felt like I had the measure of them immediately.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the book used the comic strip series to bridge the gap between past and present. There were so many similarities between the two stories, and while queer joy was sometimes under threat in both timelines, ultimately I found it to be a really uplifting, hopeful, beautiful love story that's so badly needed in the world today.
I sincerely thank @harpernorthuk for the opportunity to read a #gifted ARC via #Netgalley, I'll be buying my own copy when it's released on June 6th.
Absolutely adored this, it was just lovely.
aine_reads's review
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
5.0
rainbowbrarian's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
We Could Be Heroes by Phillip Ellis (@philipellis) - I have no idea how to rate this one out of 5
Thanks to @netgalley and Penguin Publishing Group for this ARC copy.
Okay friends... I kind of loved this books... all except for one scene. But I REALLY really hated that one scene. So I am kind of struggling on how I rate this one. It would have absolutely been a four stars read, save for the obligatory “things get ruined” so we can have the tension and the breakup and then the reunion. I am a lover of romance novels so I don’t have a problem with the formula, per se, but the way this one was done... just felt bad.
OKAY, so, it’s a romance between a closeted ‘All-American’ movie star and a Birmingham UK drag queen. And I have found that I really enjoy romances with drag queen characters. I love a skewering of toxic masculinity and they deliver that.
Our movie star, Patrick, is stuck with a morality clause in his contract which means NO GAYNESS ever, but he falls for Will (aka Grace Anatomy) and they have a little secret fling while Patrick is filming a superhero movie about Captain Kismet (sort of a golden age of comics superman type) in the UK. They have to keep it quiet and so the relationship goes as you might expect with appropriate tension around the whole not being able to be out thing.
My issue comes when they hit a boiling point and break up. I felt like Patrick’s behavior in that moment came TOTALLY out of left field. I don’t think anything in the writing had lead to him blowing up in such a spectacularly awful manner. The callous and borderline abusive way that he treats Will in that moment was inexcusable. I know he was under stress, but DAMN. Not cool.
I did love the red carpet moment at the end. Also I haven’t even touched on the cool historical plotline with the creator of Captain Kismet that was snuck in there. I could have read a whole book about them. It felt very Cat Sebastian and we all know how much I adore Cat’s writing.
I’m a bit long winded here, but I am torn about this one. I liked 90% of this. But MAN, that other bit. Bugged me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, and Grief
There is a sexual role playing scene in which the dominant partner immediately throws out the sub without any aftercare.poppymonster's review
5.0
This book was amazing. Will was a neurotic dramatic drag queen who lived life authentically. Patrick was a closeted all-American movie star who gave up his authentic self in pursuit of his dreams. They had explosive chemistry and plenty of tender moments.
Jordan and April were amazing friends. Sure, they had their moments when they sucked, but who doesn’t? They were there for Will when he needed them and made sure he knew his worth.
Audra was also a surprisingly good friend. She had her own issues, but was still able to empathize with Patrick when he most needed it.
I was a little unsure about the introduction of the original authors of the comic in the 40s, but it ended up fitting in so beautifully with the rest of the book. I might have cried a little. I also loved the range of LGBTQIA+ side characters.
In many ways, this book hit close to home for me personally. Coming out is such a process and you have to come out over and over again, never knowing who is going to really support you. Although I can’t relate personally to movie stardom, Patrick’s story was very relatable.
The only thing, in my opinion, that would have made this book better would have been a more complete wrap up of the Omega Issue plot. We got answers, but I wanted more than just Patrick and Will’s responses.
This book was so well done.
Spice: 2,5/5 - not completely closed door, but not very explicit
Triggers: homophobia, transphobia, drug use, mention of doxxing, cheating (not by MCs), drinking, child neglect, mention of death in childbirth, domestic violence (off page, side character)
Jordan and April were amazing friends. Sure, they had their moments when they sucked, but who doesn’t? They were there for Will when he needed them and made sure he knew his worth.
Audra was also a surprisingly good friend. She had her own issues, but was still able to empathize with Patrick when he most needed it.
I was a little unsure about the introduction of the original authors of the comic in the 40s, but it ended up fitting in so beautifully with the rest of the book. I might have cried a little. I also loved the range of LGBTQIA+ side characters.
In many ways, this book hit close to home for me personally. Coming out is such a process and you have to come out over and over again, never knowing who is going to really support you. Although I can’t relate personally to movie stardom, Patrick’s story was very relatable.
The only thing, in my opinion, that would have made this book better would have been a more complete wrap up of the Omega Issue plot. We got answers, but I wanted more than just Patrick and Will’s responses.
This book was so well done.
Spice: 2,5/5 - not completely closed door, but not very explicit
Triggers: homophobia, transphobia, drug use, mention of doxxing, cheating (not by MCs), drinking, child neglect, mention of death in childbirth, domestic violence (off page, side character)
jennifer_bush_73's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
"We Could Be Heroes" by Philip Ellis isn’t for me. I may not be the right audience for this story. I couldn’t connect with the story of the characters. The book has a promising premise but I was disappointed in the actual story because I found the characters to be boring and self-involved. Some of the supporting characters were narcissistic and unlikable. The characters lack depth, and the attempt to interweave the Kismet comic books into the story feels forced and distracting. At the 40% point, I gave up. Life is too short to force myself to read something that puts me to sleep.
bethany6788's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one is tough for me. I loved the premise of this book, with a modern day superhero actor being closeted, and meeting a drag queen that he falls for. I loved the intermingling of the past where the superhero came from, and learning how the comic came to be. The book was kind of slow and I struggled keeping focus until about 60% through.
I thought there were some jabs in here about the LGBTQIA+ community that I didn’t love. I get that the author said it was claiming them back for the community but it didn’t sit well with me. The comment about bisexuals being erased and them not shutting up about it stands out to me.
However - the grand gesture at the end was gorgeous and I loved that Patrick and Will found happiness.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought there were some jabs in here about the LGBTQIA+ community that I didn’t love. I get that the author said it was claiming them back for the community but it didn’t sit well with me. The comment about bisexuals being erased and them not shutting up about it stands out to me.
However - the grand gesture at the end was gorgeous and I loved that Patrick and Will found happiness.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.