Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

40 reviews

hmatt's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

There were parts of this that were very cute, and I think the characterization of the MCs were pretty well done, but I was disappointed by the flimsy fake-dating. It felt sloppily inserted into their otherwise much darker, more challenging (and WAY more interesting) lives. I also wasn't a fan of how the author repeatedly side-steps describing important events by inserting a plot twist - this is hard to describe without spoilers, but it's something that I noticed after it happened more than twice. It felt lazy, and I guess laziness is the main issue I had with the book. The gay-is-okay is a little on the nose at times, and there is a very bad trope-y stalker ex plot

that doesn't get resolved!!!

that I would describe as lazy too. It makes for a weird balance when these bits intersect with the nuanced, well-done exploration of tough topics like  mental health and terminal family illness. I felt these serious bits were well done most of the time

, but even some of these don't get resolved at the end

.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Moderate: Sexism

Minor: Biphobia and Religious bigotry

smleeth93's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Car accident

Minor: Death, Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia

rencollins's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

Overall cute romantic story, would recommend it to anyone who wanted a lighthearted (queer!!) romance. I appreciated the backdrop of the fear of flying inspiring the meet cute. I thought the characters were both loveable and people to root for.

The third act breakup feels appropriate and realistic, and the eventual reunion feels equally as realistic.

Honestly, I didn't think there was a lot of character development. While I loved both characters, and while they each did grow a little, I don't think they grew soso much. I was disappointed that

Olive's family did not have more growth. I thought their story was particularly ripe for some character growth and would have made their inclusion feel more meaningful. As it is, I don't know that Jake's story brings a lot of depth to the book. I see it being included to set up the backstage for why Olive was on a plane if she was so scared of flying, but I think that same backdrop could have been set with a slightly different narrative and we could have avoided the inclusion of Olive's family all together. I found this especially disappointing because I really wanted Olive's family to show some growth (or to show some reason for being included!!), but by the end I just found myself feeling let down.

I do love a queer romance, and in that way, this book totally delivered. While I have some criticisms, I would totally recommend it for someone who loves reading romance and who loves queer stories. I particularly appreciate that all of the families in this book were at least base line accepting of their children's queer identities and familial hate was NOT a central theme of the book. Huge plus for me!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

amfiallo's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

mollyfischfriedman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Homophobia

cgoedel's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I was looking for a lighthearted queer romance, but was surprised to find really emotional situations and nothing too cliche even though it was full of typical tropes. I wish there would've been a little more closure with a couple conflicts, but this is my new favorite romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexism and Religious bigotry

Minor: Transphobia and Sexual harassment

haileyhardcover's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-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

It’s not often that a book will genuinely hook me from the first page, but this one did it. I instantly loved Olive and related so strongly with her inner monologue. Both Olive and Stella felt like they could be real people. I appreciated that, while still being a romance, they had other things going on in their lives and legitimate shit to deal with. This is not some fluffy romance novel - it seems like it could be someone’s real life. Ok, maybe without saving Mickey Mouse’s life. (It wasn’t Mickey Mouse, I know, I know!)

Speaking of real life, there are so many random details in this book that aren’t exactly the same as my actual life but absolutely coincide with my life and I just… 👀 Andie Burke, did you write this book just for me? Lol

Anyway, I loved Fly with Me and I highly recommend it. It is romantic, heart wrenching, touching, and even has a little dash of spice. OH! And my favorite thing: SHORT CHAPTERS!! 🙌🏻 Seriously, give it a read. I adored it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, and Medical content

Minor: Biphobia, Racism, Transphobia, Vomit, Dementia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic

radish_gal's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content

Minor: Lesbophobia

joannchristine's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, and Gaslighting

bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

I really enjoyed this book. Olive and Stella were such compelling characters. i like that the romance engaged with the other real life concerns in a way that enhanced the story. parts of the story felt i bit like checking of a list rather than being essential to the story, but the strong ending really tied everything together in a very satisfying way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Medical content

Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment