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caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
Thanks to Books Forward PR for the free advance copy of this book.
- Hi, let's have some queer screaming about THE ROMANTIC AGENDA! Two Black asexual characters who experience their asexuality differently! Grumpy/sunshine! Forced proximity! A dash of fake dating! So many feelings!
- I think this book might not be for everyone, given that almost nothing happens except these four characters trying to work through years of tangled thoughts and feelings. But I absolutely loved it. I loved Joy being proud of her identity, and calling people out when they were being ignorant or making her explain herself rather than learn it for themselves.
- I loved that given that Joy doesn't experience physical attraction, this romance novel was less focused on the characters' bodies and more about finding other ways to show your deep feelings to your partner. And I loved how quickly Fox learned how to show his affection while keeping Joy comfortable.
- I'm so glad Kann has made the jump to adult novels. It's tempered the quirkiness of her women characters, but don't worry, the wit and pop culture references are still there.
- Hi, let's have some queer screaming about THE ROMANTIC AGENDA! Two Black asexual characters who experience their asexuality differently! Grumpy/sunshine! Forced proximity! A dash of fake dating! So many feelings!
- I think this book might not be for everyone, given that almost nothing happens except these four characters trying to work through years of tangled thoughts and feelings. But I absolutely loved it. I loved Joy being proud of her identity, and calling people out when they were being ignorant or making her explain herself rather than learn it for themselves.
- I loved that given that Joy doesn't experience physical attraction, this romance novel was less focused on the characters' bodies and more about finding other ways to show your deep feelings to your partner. And I loved how quickly Fox learned how to show his affection while keeping Joy comfortable.
- I'm so glad Kann has made the jump to adult novels. It's tempered the quirkiness of her women characters, but don't worry, the wit and pop culture references are still there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, and Cursing
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
katiemack's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Book Riot Read Harder 2022: Read a book with an asexual and/or aromantic main character.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read Kann's YA novel Let's Talk about Love for a book club, and I enjoyed her adult debut far more! The story serves to both educate and delight. Readers will learn about the distinctive experience of dating, attraction, and romance for those who are asexual, and they will be delighted by how the vibrant and, well, joyful Joy complements Fox’s grumpy stoicism. (Y'all know I love a grumpy hero who adores his partner.) I wish Kann had focused more on Fox than Malcolm, but ultimately it's necessary to demonstrate Malcolm and Joy's relationship. The ending isn't totally satisfactory, but it paves the way for better things for Joy and her chosen person.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read Kann's YA novel Let's Talk about Love for a book club, and I enjoyed her adult debut far more! The story serves to both educate and delight. Readers will learn about the distinctive experience of dating, attraction, and romance for those who are asexual, and they will be delighted by how the vibrant and, well, joyful Joy complements Fox’s grumpy stoicism. (Y'all know I love a grumpy hero who adores his partner.) I wish Kann had focused more on Fox than Malcolm, but ultimately it's necessary to demonstrate Malcolm and Joy's relationship. The ending isn't totally satisfactory, but it paves the way for better things for Joy and her chosen person.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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