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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
“Are you happy alone?” “I’m not alone. I have you and Dawson.” His reply had been immediate, voice steady and confident, which mildly surprised Emma. But, well… he was right.
“And is that enough?” She was genuinely curious to know, to learn how his heart worked, to find out how and if, his feelings differed from hers.
Noah’s arms tightened slightly around her. “More than enough.”
Wow, this was an absolutely delightful short story about queerplatonic love (the first I’ve ever read!), and I am so grateful to Margherita for sharing this one with us. I loved the open dialogue between Emma and Noah about what kind of relationship they would be comfortable with. I just adore young kids figuring out their big feelings and being brave with each other.
disclaimer: Margherita is my friend and co-facilitator for our #TheDiverseBaseline challenge so sure, I am biased, but their writing feels like a warm hug <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
jennifervenia's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“Speak your truth.”
By Your Side is a sweet and relaxing story, about friendship and romance. I really enjoyed reading the scenes with focus on friendship, it was very well written and I really like how Margherita Scialla gave friendship so much space and time. The friendship in By Your Side felt very natural and real.
By Your Side is a sweet and relaxing story, about friendship and romance. I really enjoyed reading the scenes with focus on friendship, it was very well written and I really like how Margherita Scialla gave friendship so much space and time. The friendship in By Your Side felt very natural and real.
I like the LGBTQIA+ representation in the story.
The feelings and thoughts of the characters in By Your Side is very well written.
I really like how the characters have a deep talk about how any future relationship will be, what borders and requirements there will be in the relastionship.
I’m really glad that there is a list of warnings before the story begins and it was a fun detail with the playlist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Victim blamingpastelkerstin's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Cute! Would love a sequel though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Acephobia/Arophobia
tofi_15's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
bookrokosmos's review
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
I didn’t think I’d feel so seen and understood in a book that is 50 pages. I ended up crying tears, not of sadness but rejoicing in seeing a part of myself being put into words. A piece of myself that I might’ve not been fully aware of, and that is beautiful. I can foresee this being a comfort read that I revisit when I need a boost of serotonin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
marleywrites's review
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.25
I loved reading this short story. As an aromantic person myself, I really enjoyed seeing a queer platonic relationship presented as an option to someone who isn’t aromantic. I appreciated the conversation and the reminder of the commitment required of the relationship type, in such a loving and caring way. The characters in this book are so sweet and love each other so much. The care they have for each other is beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
shelvesofivy's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I received an ARC from the author and am super grateful to have gotten the chance to read this story!
As a whole, I loved meeting Emma and Noah and seeing their strong, loving friendship. It's clear how much they care for each other and always want to do right by each other.
While I'm not aro and can't speak to the specific aro rep, it's clear that it was done with care; the main characters treat the topics of being aro and what would go into a QPR just as seriously and honestly as we may see relationships in allo stories talked about. And even not being aro, I still saw myself in the pages—especially with Emma's doubts and insecurities surrounding platonic feelings, physical affection, and feeling "clingy."
The main things keeping this from 5 stars were, for me, just in the writing style. A lot of information was just stated outright, rather than shown. It felt a little bit like being spoon-fed these individual characters and scenes. There were also times when I wished there was more sentence length variation, but that's a stylistic thing that doesn't affect the story as a whole.
Overall though, I still adored reading this and am so so happy that we have this sweet and positive qpr story ♡
As a whole, I loved meeting Emma and Noah and seeing their strong, loving friendship. It's clear how much they care for each other and always want to do right by each other.
While I'm not aro and can't speak to the specific aro rep, it's clear that it was done with care; the main characters treat the topics of being aro and what would go into a QPR just as seriously and honestly as we may see relationships in allo stories talked about. And even not being aro, I still saw myself in the pages—especially with Emma's doubts and insecurities surrounding platonic feelings, physical affection, and feeling "clingy."
The main things keeping this from 5 stars were, for me, just in the writing style. A lot of information was just stated outright, rather than shown. It felt a little bit like being spoon-fed these individual characters and scenes. There were also times when I wished there was more sentence length variation, but that's a stylistic thing that doesn't affect the story as a whole.
Overall though, I still adored reading this and am so so happy that we have this sweet and positive qpr story ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Drug use
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