Scan barcode
anya_doesntmatter's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
That moment ( again) when I feel like the only one that “just didn’t get it.” I wanted to love this book and I deeply appreciated the message about embracing love in its many forms but I like my stories to focus mainly on the MC’s. I don’t mind strong supporting characters, I love them but their storyline shouldn’t overshadow that of the main characters especially if it’s not really contributing to the MC’s relationship. Who’s this story supposed to be about precisely?
The MC’s ( Tellumo and Oliver), came across as caricatures of May/ December couples who are at different crossroads in life. Both characters lacked depth. It’s like the story never made the leap beyond the “young fit hottie” and the “grumpy old man”. The relationship is superficial, it doesn’t go beyond the initial attraction where each character grow into loving each other despite the age gap and life experiences. I just didn’t see the connection and ultimately didn’t buy their relationship. Though Peggy is awesome, I think less time should have been spent on her and more should have been spent building Tellumo and Oliver’s relationship.
ctsquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
No sexual content on page whatsoever (not a complaint just an observation). Very sweet story about love and family.
There's a funny scene before Peggy is clued into the gay and thinks that Giorgio is Eduardo and Darrius's father instead of their "daddy."
There's a funny scene before Peggy is clued into the gay and thinks that Giorgio is Eduardo and Darrius's father instead of their "daddy."
zazzilou's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 Stars
This wasn't one of my favorites. Since I was expecting something different from what I read, I believe my experience was tainted by my expectations. I expected that navigating the obstacle of a thirty year age gap between Oliver and Tellumo (hated his name!) would provide humor and conflict, but ultimately lead to romance. That didn't happen. The MCs were apart for most of the book, and the focus was more on their relationships with other characters than with each other.
I didn't connect with the characters and never felt invested in the story. There were funny moments, but I only made a mental note of the humor instead of actually feeling it. Speaking of making a mental note? In the future I will avoid buying any books set in a town called Fallisville. Yeah, hated that name as well!
This wasn't one of my favorites. Since I was expecting something different from what I read, I believe my experience was tainted by my expectations. I expected that navigating the obstacle of a thirty year age gap between Oliver and Tellumo (hated his name!) would provide humor and conflict, but ultimately lead to romance. That didn't happen. The MCs were apart for most of the book, and the focus was more on their relationships with other characters than with each other.
I didn't connect with the characters and never felt invested in the story. There were funny moments, but I only made a mental note of the humor instead of actually feeling it. Speaking of making a mental note? In the future I will avoid buying any books set in a town called Fallisville. Yeah, hated that name as well!
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
4.0
Tellumo is a young gay man just starting out his teaching career at a high school in Kentucky, not far from Cincinnati where he had grown up raised by his two moms. His best friend is also a teacher, but she’s stayed near their Cincinnati home and visits him sporadically. After the first semester is over, he is feeling more settled and less pressured and is happy to have some visitors, finally.
He’s made the decision to not get a car until he’s more financially stable, and he definitely makes do with what he has and isn’t too unhappy about that. He enjoys his job, his apartment and his time at the local gym that is close to his house. There, he sees Oliver Crumbly, a retired teacher, and Peggy Tucker, a widow who would really like to be remarried.
Peggy is a hoot—she is clearly quite clueless about a lot of things. She reminds me of a lot of those people who kind of just float through life without a real plan. But she does have her job at the DMV and her little side business of inspirational linens (I truly did not know this was a thing). She definitely likes Tellumo, and he is very sweet helping her out with things that she can’t quite figure out, especially with technology.
Oliver is the original crabby old man. He finds everything and everyone pretty much annoying. Whether it’s the way people drive, shop, mow their lawns, work out at the gym, there is always something that is pissing him off. He’s got a permanent scowl! When he has a problem at the gym, and Tellumo comes to his rescue, he decides MAYBE the kid isn’t so terrible—but the jury is definitely still out.
The way the story of these three people intertwines is very entertaining. There are a lot of things going on that the others are unaware of, and there are misunderstandings and assumptions galore, some of which are hilarious! Peggy’s trips to the hair salon are worth their weight in gold. Her assumptions and plans for Tellumo and his BFF, Melody, again are so amusing. The poor lady just really hasn’t moved into the 21st century.
There are also, however, some sad moments for everyone too. Poor Peggy’s life doesn’t seem to go well, especially with her wish to be married again. She’s lonely and really wishes her life were different. Oliver gets some terrible news and he’s completely devastated. Tellumo is kind of the breath of fresh air both of these people need in their lives.
There are too many good moments in this story to share, and I don’t want to spoil the fun. They need to be discovered in due time by reading the book. I loved the whole small town feel, and I enjoyed the various viewpoints of the narrators. Finally, there are some really great secondary characters and some wonderful revelations and character growth that had me rooting for everyone in this story to get their HEA.
I so enjoyed this book! It’s very unusual in that it is told from the three main characters’ alternating POVs. However, there is never any question of who is telling the story at any time, so it works well. These characters could not be any more different, and I think without being in their headspace, the story wouldn’t have been as strong. There are so many great characters in this book aside from the main three stories that it really adds depth and layers to the stories of Peggy, Oliver and Tellumo. I think this would make a hilarious RomCom—I’m just trying to decide on the casting. :)
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-whippersnapper-by-michael-rupured/
He’s made the decision to not get a car until he’s more financially stable, and he definitely makes do with what he has and isn’t too unhappy about that. He enjoys his job, his apartment and his time at the local gym that is close to his house. There, he sees Oliver Crumbly, a retired teacher, and Peggy Tucker, a widow who would really like to be remarried.
Peggy is a hoot—she is clearly quite clueless about a lot of things. She reminds me of a lot of those people who kind of just float through life without a real plan. But she does have her job at the DMV and her little side business of inspirational linens (I truly did not know this was a thing). She definitely likes Tellumo, and he is very sweet helping her out with things that she can’t quite figure out, especially with technology.
Oliver is the original crabby old man. He finds everything and everyone pretty much annoying. Whether it’s the way people drive, shop, mow their lawns, work out at the gym, there is always something that is pissing him off. He’s got a permanent scowl! When he has a problem at the gym, and Tellumo comes to his rescue, he decides MAYBE the kid isn’t so terrible—but the jury is definitely still out.
The way the story of these three people intertwines is very entertaining. There are a lot of things going on that the others are unaware of, and there are misunderstandings and assumptions galore, some of which are hilarious! Peggy’s trips to the hair salon are worth their weight in gold. Her assumptions and plans for Tellumo and his BFF, Melody, again are so amusing. The poor lady just really hasn’t moved into the 21st century.
There are also, however, some sad moments for everyone too. Poor Peggy’s life doesn’t seem to go well, especially with her wish to be married again. She’s lonely and really wishes her life were different. Oliver gets some terrible news and he’s completely devastated. Tellumo is kind of the breath of fresh air both of these people need in their lives.
There are too many good moments in this story to share, and I don’t want to spoil the fun. They need to be discovered in due time by reading the book. I loved the whole small town feel, and I enjoyed the various viewpoints of the narrators. Finally, there are some really great secondary characters and some wonderful revelations and character growth that had me rooting for everyone in this story to get their HEA.
I so enjoyed this book! It’s very unusual in that it is told from the three main characters’ alternating POVs. However, there is never any question of who is telling the story at any time, so it works well. These characters could not be any more different, and I think without being in their headspace, the story wouldn’t have been as strong. There are so many great characters in this book aside from the main three stories that it really adds depth and layers to the stories of Peggy, Oliver and Tellumo. I think this would make a hilarious RomCom—I’m just trying to decide on the casting. :)
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-whippersnapper-by-michael-rupured/
frothy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. Elements of the book kept flashing into my head days after I read it.
A unique feature is the MC's culinary misadventures. My jaw was literally dropping as I read what he was doing to food.
I also want to read the MC's Gay history of the USA.
A unique feature is the MC's culinary misadventures. My jaw was literally dropping as I read what he was doing to food.
I also want to read the MC's Gay history of the USA.
More...