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netslummer's review
4.0
Preston Kingsley (PK) is an aspiring author stuck in a job as an editorial assistant. He's a bit manic, a little out of touch with others' feelings and...most importantly, hopelessly in love with his best friend Art. After a terrible break up Art moves in and PK's hopes skyrocket for a repeat performance of the one time, back in college, when they were drunk and kissed (and then Art laughed it off later like it meant nothing...). These hopes are squashed (ehhhh only a little) when Art laughs and says that PK isn't as romantic as the guys that they're into. (Which is a bit of a shit thing to say, right?).
PK has an idea: if he can't create the romance that Art is seeking, he's going to write their story down and have the CHARACTER PK figure everything out. When PK shares his surprisingly phenomenal book with his work bestie, who forwards it on to the scary head of romance at the publishing house, suddenly he's on the fast track to publication. PK keeps this secret from Art, fearing telling them how he feels, but when the whole world falls in love with the fictional PK (including Art), was the secret worth potentially losing Art forever?
When i first picked this up I DNFd it QUICKLY as the writing is honestly a little annoying. It's very "PK's stream of consciousness" which is pretty manic at times. I found it exhausting. I picked this up again a long while later via audio and found it FAR more engaging and charming. The narrator captures PK's voice super well. The book is ridiculous and funny and touching and exasperating. I think this book completely shines via audio and, if anyone is struggling to read it (and finds the stream of consciousness-ness of it exhausting like I did) I recommend switching over and trying audio instead.
PK has an idea: if he can't create the romance that Art is seeking, he's going to write their story down and have the CHARACTER PK figure everything out. When PK shares his surprisingly phenomenal book with his work bestie, who forwards it on to the scary head of romance at the publishing house, suddenly he's on the fast track to publication. PK keeps this secret from Art, fearing telling them how he feels, but when the whole world falls in love with the fictional PK (including Art), was the secret worth potentially losing Art forever?
When i first picked this up I DNFd it QUICKLY as the writing is honestly a little annoying. It's very "PK's stream of consciousness" which is pretty manic at times. I found it exhausting. I picked this up again a long while later via audio and found it FAR more engaging and charming. The narrator captures PK's voice super well. The book is ridiculous and funny and touching and exasperating. I think this book completely shines via audio and, if anyone is struggling to read it (and finds the stream of consciousness-ness of it exhausting like I did) I recommend switching over and trying audio instead.
lalexvp's review against another edition
5.0
I am utterly in love with Art too, damn. The side characters are also cute and well developed, but I struggled being in the main characterβs head. The book was almost trying too hard to hit the comedy button and ended up being over the top. But I got over it and gulped the book down. There are so many important and well played messages in here, and - again - Art is exceptional. I could have used more wrap up at the end, though. I was so disappointed at its abruptness that I almost dropped it a star.
tetrollet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
mandysreadinglist's review against another edition
3.0
Cuuuute! This was such a cute read. I loved this love story π SO MUCH.
In this bookish romance, our MC Preston is in love with his best friend Art. And when Art moves in with him after a bad breakup, Preston hopes this will finally be their chance to become something more. But when Art makes it clear that he doesnβt think Preston is boyfriend material, Preston channels his feelings into writing, using their relationship as inspiration for a new WIP. And then when he lands a publication deal and their story blows up as a bestselling novel, Preston realizes he could lose more than just his best friend if he doesnβt figure out a plan to come clean.
I loved the character dynamics of this story, the MCs insight into the publishing industry, his character growth, and most of all the burning emotions! It was a light read but much needed in the midst of my rollercoaster ACOTAR journey π
ππ¦π€π₯ βπππ ππ ππ π¦ ππππ:
π MMC x MMC romance
β€οΈβπ₯ sloooooow burns
π books about books
In this bookish romance, our MC Preston is in love with his best friend Art. And when Art moves in with him after a bad breakup, Preston hopes this will finally be their chance to become something more. But when Art makes it clear that he doesnβt think Preston is boyfriend material, Preston channels his feelings into writing, using their relationship as inspiration for a new WIP. And then when he lands a publication deal and their story blows up as a bestselling novel, Preston realizes he could lose more than just his best friend if he doesnβt figure out a plan to come clean.
I loved the character dynamics of this story, the MCs insight into the publishing industry, his character growth, and most of all the burning emotions! It was a light read but much needed in the midst of my rollercoaster ACOTAR journey π
ππ¦π€π₯ βπππ ππ ππ π¦ ππππ:
π MMC x MMC romance
β€οΈβπ₯ sloooooow burns
π books about books
ismendes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
erinkathleeno's review
emotional
funny
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
3.0
ryanandrew23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
The audiobook narrator definitely improved this story. I think the humor works with the audio book better than it might on the page.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Drug abuse
vyxter's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.25
This was solidly mediocre. The humor was horribly forced, and made me cringe and look to the ceiling multiple times. The MC seems increasingly to be coded neurodivergent, but this is never made explicit, which annoyed me. The love interest was a total sweetie, and honestly so was the MC, but his insecurities and rambling felt inauthentic for much of the book. I will not be seeking out more from this author.
a_fret_argent's review against another edition
This wasn't for me at all. The entire narration is first person in P.K.'s head, and he has several attributes that makes this narrative decision difficult. First, he is super privileged and rather emotionally immature. Second, he is clearly neurodivergent, which I normally love in an MC, but it didn't work for me here, because at 30% I have zero sense of who Art is as a character or why P.K. loves him because of P.K.'s bouncing narration. Art barley gets any dialogue and is rarely even on page. That's not a setup for a romance that works for me, so I'm moving on.
moyarb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0