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qludwig's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
I loved the characters of this story!
The book has such a fantastic range of characters each feeling unique with their own wants and desires. The characters interactions were definitely the strongest element in the writing of this book which is ideal for a romance.
I think the strong sense of motivation of all the characters really helped carry this book. Particularly in the third act conflict which even though it didn’t read the clearest I still understood the characters motivations well enough to guess.
However, despite the clear character I found both points of view in this novel to read very almost identically. While some of that is due to it being 3rd person limited and not first. I often found myself forgetting whose inner thoughts the reader was supposed to know in any one chapter. The prose themselves were also unremarkable.
I did really love the inclusion of the original comic book creators right from the start there story was compelling and while it wasn’t overly relevant it was a really enjoyable inclusion and it fit thematically. I also enjoyed the focus of queer legacy I think the theme was well explored.
I really enjoyed this book it was sweet and charming and I’d definitely recommend as a queer romance!
The book has such a fantastic range of characters each feeling unique with their own wants and desires. The characters interactions were definitely the strongest element in the writing of this book which is ideal for a romance.
I think the strong sense of motivation of all the characters really helped carry this book. Particularly in the third act conflict which even though it didn’t read the clearest I still understood the characters motivations well enough to guess.
However, despite the clear character I found both points of view in this novel to read very almost identically. While some of that is due to it being 3rd person limited and not first. I often found myself forgetting whose inner thoughts the reader was supposed to know in any one chapter. The prose themselves were also unremarkable.
I did really love the inclusion of the original comic book creators right from the start there story was compelling and while it wasn’t overly relevant it was a really enjoyable inclusion and it fit thematically. I also enjoyed the focus of queer legacy I think the theme was well explored.
I really enjoyed this book it was sweet and charming and I’d definitely recommend as a queer romance!
alexaileen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
caffeinatedbookdragon's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I’m sorry to say this book didn’t really work for me. I was hoping for a fun silly time and there was some of that but unfortunately little else. The story was set in the UK but there wasn’t much indication of that nor of any specific setting. The characters felt very one-dimensional.
booksnink's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
omerd84's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
klou1985's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
3.5
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
slow-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
3.75
siria's review
2.75
I really enjoyed Philip Ellis' debut romance novel, Love and Other Scams, so We Could Be Heroes was a bit of a let-down. The premise is great: we've got Patrick Lake, the handsome, blond, all-American, and publicly hetero star of a superhero franchise (I was mentally picturing Chris Evans throughout), filming in England where he meets Will, a budding local drag queen. Feelings ensue. It's basically Notting Hill, but gay.
It's a shame that the execution wasn't up to the premise. It all felt very half-baked. For every cute moment, there was an emotional throughline that got dropped or didn't quite make sense; for every lovely, celebratory moment of queer joy, there were queer characters who as-you-know-Bob'ed one another about homophobia and transphobia with dialogue that sounded like a regurgitated introductory Tumblr post. And there were some basic things about the plot that didn't stand up to scrutiny. It's a romance novel, I get that it doesn't have to be a masterpiece of intricate plotting, but even as someone who knows a limited amount about the TV/film industry, what we got about that felt off. And as someone who knows a bit more about the rare books industry,the entirety of the Omega Issue plotline made no sense. If it was ever even rumoured to exist, then there should also have been rumours in the industry/fandom about a couple who were involved in the early days of the Kismet series and then got blacklisted. If absolutely no one knew about them to the extent everyone genuinely thought the comics were solely created by that bigot publisher, then there should have been no rumours about this lost issue. If the heir of the issue was locatable by one person without a huge degree of difficulty, and if Patrick—not framed as a mega fan with obscure nerd knowledge—knew about the Omega Issue, then the rabid fanbase that's supposedly been in existence for this comic for decades could and should have been looking for it for ages and ferreted it out long ago. I just couldn't handwave it. The subplot could/should have been cut without affecting anything about the plot or thematic resonance of the book as a whole.
I'm going to hope this was a sophomore slump and that Ellis gets a more conscientious editor in the future.
It's a shame that the execution wasn't up to the premise. It all felt very half-baked. For every cute moment, there was an emotional throughline that got dropped or didn't quite make sense; for every lovely, celebratory moment of queer joy, there were queer characters who as-you-know-Bob'ed one another about homophobia and transphobia with dialogue that sounded like a regurgitated introductory Tumblr post. And there were some basic things about the plot that didn't stand up to scrutiny. It's a romance novel, I get that it doesn't have to be a masterpiece of intricate plotting, but even as someone who knows a limited amount about the TV/film industry, what we got about that felt off. And as someone who knows a bit more about the rare books industry,
I'm going to hope this was a sophomore slump and that Ellis gets a more conscientious editor in the future.
vondav's review
funny
hopeful
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
Actor falls in love with a drag queen, who wouldn't love this. That is what drew me to the book.
I liked Will an up and coming Drag Queen straight from the start. Will's sassiness had me laughing out loud, but he was endearing.
Patrick whilst a famous actor did not come across as one of those spoilt actors who demanded everything, but a person who when he found a friend, he kept them close to his heart and whilst I understand why he had to hide that he was gay, he shouldn't have had to. But slowly thanks to Will, Will's found family and Patrick's close work colleagues he could be himself.
This was a quick read that kept interested from page 1. I must admit I was a bit confused at the first time line swap as I was not expected it and I was too wrapped up with Will. Whist at first I thought the story about Charles and Iris wouldn't fit, I quickly changed my mind when more of their story was told.
However the very best thing about this book is that it is set in Birmingham, my excitement when I read place like Hurst street, the Floozie in the Jacuzzi and I have spent a many a time in the Village Inn with friends. As a Brummie living in Yorkshire I loved every minute of this and every time a place was mentioned I knew exactly where they were.
This is a book I will reread and it will be one I will keep recommending.
I liked Will an up and coming Drag Queen straight from the start. Will's sassiness had me laughing out loud, but he was endearing.
Patrick whilst a famous actor did not come across as one of those spoilt actors who demanded everything, but a person who when he found a friend, he kept them close to his heart and whilst I understand why he had to hide that he was gay, he shouldn't have had to. But slowly thanks to Will, Will's found family and Patrick's close work colleagues he could be himself.
This was a quick read that kept interested from page 1. I must admit I was a bit confused at the first time line swap as I was not expected it and I was too wrapped up with Will. Whist at first I thought the story about Charles and Iris wouldn't fit, I quickly changed my mind when more of their story was told.
However the very best thing about this book is that it is set in Birmingham, my excitement when I read place like Hurst street, the Floozie in the Jacuzzi and I have spent a many a time in the Village Inn with friends. As a Brummie living in Yorkshire I loved every minute of this and every time a place was mentioned I knew exactly where they were.
This is a book I will reread and it will be one I will keep recommending.
jamieb_19's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75