Scan barcode
fromundertheashtree's review against another edition
- 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
“I’m confused. What on earth has given you the impression I’m not miserable?” - Luc, Chapter 19
Graphic: Homophobia and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Cancer, Eating disorder, and Abandonment
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia, Biphobia, and Eating disorder
vibrantcolours's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was one of my favourite narrators in a long time. The dry humour, wordplay, and witty metaphors also had me laughing out loud while reading, which rarely happens. Like, I was over here highlighting lines. Humour is so personal & socially based, so your mileage may vary.
Beyond the style, I also loved how Luc was… such a mess, and aware he was a mess, but somehow still likeable—and yet he also got stronger in a convincing and likeable way? His POV was fun and I feel like I’ve seen comparable narrations really fall flat in a way this didn’t. I also have no idea how I evaded feeling secondhand embarrassment for Luc; maybe his intense self-awareness ends up redirecting the “oh no” to empathy. Like, he’s not a super “nice” person all the time, but he consciously takes steps to be better to the people in his life. It helps that the narration isn’t trying to take itself too seriously, even as it touches on actual issues and feelings.
The relationship was also lovely. I thought the initial buildup was a nice balance of <i>they obviously like each other</i> (and realize they like the other person) but there’s enough plausible deniability there it makes sense they wouldn’t believe the other person likes them, exactly.
I love that yes, they’re obviously into each other (even if it’s not entirely clear at first), but that their relationship is built out of emotional intimacy and domesticity without the pressure of it being “real”. For example, the part of inviting Oliver to casual time with Luc’s mom and Judy was so sweet. When they finally, <i>finally</i> have a couple of key conversations (namely in the cleaned house and later the positive one through a bathroom door) it is cathartic.
I didn’t really enjoy the final-act disasters, namely
Returning to character development, I really liked Luc’s growth throughout the book (helped by Oliver but also his friends) and how he becomes more comfortable in his skin enough to let people in in a different way, unsharpening his edges a little bit (except for when it’s all in good fun). Like, “jerk with banter who dgaf” is fun to read, but later we actively see him decide when it’s a good time to prod, and when he wants to support someone with a bit of extra sensitivity etc. And omg if the cleaning with friends montage didn’t just warm my little heart. But I also like that Oliver obviously had his own stuff as well and that he got to address that a bit as well.
Tropes etc.:
In terms of subverting tropes: I’m neutral to fake dating, but
Boundaries etc.:
In short, I vaguely expected an okay rom-com... but I read this in 2 seconds flat and ended up really vibing with the writing, characters, and development.
Moderate: Sexual content
jjjreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Classism, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content
beccaruthe's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Minor: Homophobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Blood, Drug use, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
stacy837's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Homophobia
redheadorganist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
sohva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Eating disorder
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
📖
This was a good re-read. I think this book was emotional and it helped me feel more connected to the characters. Luc and Oliver were adorable.
September 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
This was good. I liked this book. Luc and Oliver were a cute couple.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Eating disorder
Minor: Body shaming, Alcohol, and Cancer
owliglot's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Eating disorder