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wintah's review
emotional
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? N/A
3.5
der schreibstil ist nicht ganz mein liebster, aber trotzdem ein süßes, queeres buch
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Body shaming, Biphobia, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
nicolinebl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I hate to be writing a somewhat negative review about this book but I just did not enjoy it as much as I wished I had.
I did not like the main character at all. I feel like the author put a lot of herself and her struggles into this (as one often does with writing) so it feels terrible to criticize the character and the story but it just didn't work.
Topics like homophobia, fatphobia, racism etc. were brought up. Very important topics and I fully agree with her point of view on them. It just... Wasn't executed well enough. It felt random how things with these themes were brought up. It felt unnatural, awkward. Like no one would ever have a conversation like they had them. I thought the main character was very annoying because she kept saying that things weren't bothering her and that she liked her body etc. but you could clearly tell that wasn't the case. And it doesn't feel like a done on purpose sort of thing by the author. It just felt badly executed and icky.
The story itself wasn't that interesting either, not much happened besides her I guess "finding herself" moment. I think the idea of this book was great, I love coming out/finding out what your sexuality is stories; standing up for what you think is right; challenging yourself. All themes in this book, yet I still did not like the story.
I will say that I liked the ending. It was quite cute but couldn't save the book for me. Cassie was definitely my favourite character.
I did not like the main character at all. I feel like the author put a lot of herself and her struggles into this (as one often does with writing) so it feels terrible to criticize the character and the story but it just didn't work.
Topics like homophobia, fatphobia, racism etc. were brought up. Very important topics and I fully agree with her point of view on them. It just... Wasn't executed well enough. It felt random how things with these themes were brought up. It felt unnatural, awkward. Like no one would ever have a conversation like they had them. I thought the main character was very annoying because she kept saying that things weren't bothering her and that she liked her body etc. but you could clearly tell that wasn't the case. And it doesn't feel like a done on purpose sort of thing by the author. It just felt badly executed and icky.
The story itself wasn't that interesting either, not much happened besides her I guess "finding herself" moment. I think the idea of this book was great, I love coming out/finding out what your sexuality is stories; standing up for what you think is right; challenging yourself. All themes in this book, yet I still did not like the story.
I will say that I liked the ending. It was quite cute but couldn't save the book for me. Cassie was definitely my favourite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Hate crime, Biphobia, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Racism, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Islamophobia
kylieqrada's review
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I love Bethany Rutter's writing so muchhhhh. I don't often read YA contemporary, but pitch me a fat MC, and then make it queer???? Yes please! This was adorable and so uplifting and diverse and inspiring and cozy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Ableism, and Animal death
emily_mh's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75. I read the first 50 or so pages of this book genuinely thinking it’d be my next five-star read, but certain things happened that made my rating go downhill. But first, things I did like. The atmosphere of this read was lovely and summery, a perfect match for the current weather where I live. I also liked the exploration of the sister/twin relationship, and the fat rep. I appreciated how Lily knew her body was totally okay, but doubted herself because of the fatphobia of others - this felt incredibly realistic. Also, the relationship between Cassie and Lily was so wonderful (until the last chapter - I’ll go into that in a bit). I enjoyed how clueless Lily was about her own feelings, and Cassie’s.
However, there were a some things I didn’t like. First of all, while I thought the whole posters sub-plot was an important addition to the story, it was dealt with very heavy-handedly and without any real depth. The next couple of things are spoilery.First up, the infidelity situation was handled so poorly by her? Why didn’t she tell her mum right away? Also, the whole reasoning behind not telling the guy’s wife, that it wasn’t Lily’s business, is such bullshit. Like, she recognised the woman didn’t deserve to be cheated on, but not that she didn’t deserve to be in the dark about her shitty husband??
Next up, the situation with Cal just wasn’t handled well. He didn’t get an on-page proper apology from Lily, who lead him along even though she knew she didn’t want to be with him. The guy was planning to stay in the UK for longer to be with Lily and see where things went, and Lily didn’t immediately use this opportunity to break up with him. And then when she did break up with him, he was totally chill and understanding about being lead on. Ew.
And finally, my last problem was with the last chapter, which disappointed me to no end. At that point Rutter had spent the entire book building the tension between Cassie and Lily and you know they’re going to declare their feelings and get together. Up to this point, I had been loving the development of the relationship between the two. But the get-together was so LACKLUSTRE; it really felt like Rutter tripped and fell at the last hurdle. There was no real emotional reaction from Lily or Cassie that the person who they had been in love with for two years loved them back. It was like, “oh, well that’s over with then. Now we know. Moving on.”
So yes, we started out strong with this one and it got progressively more frustrating and disappointing. By no means a bad read, but it didn’t end up floating my boat like I wanted it to.
However, there were a some things I didn’t like. First of all, while I thought the whole posters sub-plot was an important addition to the story, it was dealt with very heavy-handedly and without any real depth. The next couple of things are spoilery.
And finally, my last problem was with the last chapter, which disappointed me to no end. At that point Rutter had spent the entire book building the tension between Cassie and Lily and you know they’re going to declare their feelings and get together. Up to this point, I had been loving the development of the relationship between the two. But the get-together was so LACKLUSTRE; it really felt like Rutter tripped and fell at the last hurdle. There was no real emotional reaction from Lily or Cassie that the person who they had been in love with for two years loved them back. It was like, “oh, well that’s over with then. Now we know. Moving on.”
So yes, we started out strong with this one and it got progressively more frustrating and disappointing. By no means a bad read, but it didn’t end up floating my boat like I wanted it to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, Biphobia, and Racism
Minor: Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Blood, Colonisation, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Islamophobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Gore, Medical content, and Misogyny
queenmackenzie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this not expecting too much, just a typical YA lighthearted romance but i was absolutely blown away! I couldn’t put it down and stayed up till 1am to finish it. The characters were just so real and loveable, the plot so simple yet so full of tension and drama. The writing so exquisite. The messages in there for young people about being comfortable with their bodies, being kind, being willing to open up, being in charge of their own future, standing up for what is right, all wrapped in this will-they-won’t-they super adorable romance story! I could read it again and again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Biphobia
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