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chiarob's review
4.0
The good
- The gender dysphoria was difficult to read but felt realistic. Theo's journey throughout the book was the heart of the story for me. Theo felt like a real person, not just a character in a book
- Two adorable nerds
The neutral
- I don't really enjoy characters who say that they don't do romance because "reasons" (fortunately the "reasons" were explained at around 40%)
The bad
- Because Theo's story was so important, if felt like the romance and Jude's story were second to it
- The gender dysphoria was difficult to read but felt realistic. Theo's journey throughout the book was the heart of the story for me. Theo felt like a real person, not just a character in a book
- Two adorable nerds
The neutral
- I don't really enjoy characters who say that they don't do romance because "reasons" (fortunately the "reasons" were explained at around 40%)
The bad
- Because Theo's story was so important, if felt like the romance and Jude's story were second to it
jugglingpup's review
4.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
Can you just look at Theo and feel your heart melt? He might be exactly my type. I couldn’t help but see my own partner in him. They are both loud, colorful, in your face queer, and have some trauma. They are also generally toppy, have a sweet tooth, and might have an oral fixation. I can keep going, but I doubt anyone wants that graphic of a description of my love life.
So Theo has my heart. Seeing him deal with his emotions and realize that maybe he is worthy of love and is allowed to have it just was perfection. Watching the ways he distanced himself to protect himself and others was heartbreaking. Even his mother called him out on it, which I must say I love his family. Watching Theo grow and deal with a lot of stuff was so wonderful. Watching his dysphoria which is so like my own in a lot of ways was both incredibly difficult and affirming. I am really envious of one of his final plots. I wish I would have a similar plot in my life, I know my partner would be even more hands on than Jude was.
Jude is just so special. He is younger, dealing with a lot, and he is such a romantic. I wanted to shake him. I worried so much about him when he started chasing Theo. Every single time Gui said something I was ready to shake Jude until he listened to Gui. Protect your heart before Theo stomps on it while refusing to deal with his issues! BAH!
The reason this is not a five star book is Theo. Theo sleeps around a lot (not the issue), but he seems lax on condom use for oral sex. This means he is at a high risk for STIs. He talks about needing to be tested, but the testing isn’t mentioned again. There is then oral sex without a barrier multiple times in the book. I would expect Theo would be better about condom use. It felt like a deviation from what I would expect from the character and made me worry even more about both of the men.
I was really into this book if you couldn’t tell. I am more than ready for more. Good thing book three is up for pre-order. Book four is being written. Silver gives little sneak peaks in his fan group on Facebook. So I know there won’t be a long wait before I am able to read more about these friends.
I got an ARC of this book.
Can you just look at Theo and feel your heart melt? He might be exactly my type. I couldn’t help but see my own partner in him. They are both loud, colorful, in your face queer, and have some trauma. They are also generally toppy, have a sweet tooth, and might have an oral fixation. I can keep going, but I doubt anyone wants that graphic of a description of my love life.
So Theo has my heart. Seeing him deal with his emotions and realize that maybe he is worthy of love and is allowed to have it just was perfection. Watching the ways he distanced himself to protect himself and others was heartbreaking. Even his mother called him out on it, which I must say I love his family. Watching Theo grow and deal with a lot of stuff was so wonderful. Watching his dysphoria which is so like my own in a lot of ways was both incredibly difficult and affirming. I am really envious of one of his final plots. I wish I would have a similar plot in my life, I know my partner would be even more hands on than Jude was.
Jude is just so special. He is younger, dealing with a lot, and he is such a romantic. I wanted to shake him. I worried so much about him when he started chasing Theo. Every single time Gui said something I was ready to shake Jude until he listened to Gui. Protect your heart before Theo stomps on it while refusing to deal with his issues! BAH!
The reason this is not a five star book is Theo. Theo sleeps around a lot (not the issue), but he seems lax on condom use for oral sex. This means he is at a high risk for STIs. He talks about needing to be tested, but the testing isn’t mentioned again. There is then oral sex without a barrier multiple times in the book. I would expect Theo would be better about condom use. It felt like a deviation from what I would expect from the character and made me worry even more about both of the men.
I was really into this book if you couldn’t tell. I am more than ready for more. Good thing book three is up for pre-order. Book four is being written. Silver gives little sneak peaks in his fan group on Facebook. So I know there won’t be a long wait before I am able to read more about these friends.
xanthe87's review
5.0
**4.5**
Charisma Check is a wonderful second boom in the Table Top series. This follows Theo, relationship phobe, and Jude, hopeless romantic, as they try to go from one night only to the tentative possibility of more but Theo ensures Jude is going in eyes wide open regarding his own history with relationships and mental health.
This story has a great balance of sweet, fun, endearing and hot moments but bringing it back down with periods of depression, low moments in their pasts and the never ending cycle of thoughts that Theo deals with from his dysphoria.
They also have to deal with Gui who is Jude's older brother of sorts and Theo's best friend so knows them both extremely well. He's overprotective of Jude and knows how much of a player Theo has been in recent years so doesn't get off to the best start when the two men decide to at least try for something. It's also entertaining how much the group get into their table top gaming!
As well as being a sweet story of acceptance, love and care, it's also interesting to me in learning more of the journey that a trans person goes through, mentally and physically. I'm totally in love with Theo's family and their friend/work/game group who are so supportive and caring towards him during the highs and lows.
Definitely a recommended read for me and I'm looking forward to who comes next in the series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Charisma Check is a wonderful second boom in the Table Top series. This follows Theo, relationship phobe, and Jude, hopeless romantic, as they try to go from one night only to the tentative possibility of more but Theo ensures Jude is going in eyes wide open regarding his own history with relationships and mental health.
This story has a great balance of sweet, fun, endearing and hot moments but bringing it back down with periods of depression, low moments in their pasts and the never ending cycle of thoughts that Theo deals with from his dysphoria.
They also have to deal with Gui who is Jude's older brother of sorts and Theo's best friend so knows them both extremely well. He's overprotective of Jude and knows how much of a player Theo has been in recent years so doesn't get off to the best start when the two men decide to at least try for something. It's also entertaining how much the group get into their table top gaming!
As well as being a sweet story of acceptance, love and care, it's also interesting to me in learning more of the journey that a trans person goes through, mentally and physically. I'm totally in love with Theo's family and their friend/work/game group who are so supportive and caring towards him during the highs and lows.
Definitely a recommended read for me and I'm looking forward to who comes next in the series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
aligroen's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this much more flushed out story in this series. Theo just doesn't think anyone can love him enough to stick around through his lows, not just when he is happy and go lucky. Jude is living in a new country with only his brother’s friends that he knows but wants to get to know Theo more but has to convince him that he won't run. Both of these men have something they think will make someone turn their backs on them but it made their connection even stronger. It was nice to read about Theo's transition and how much of a struggle it can be but he is very lucky to have a family and friends that have stuck by his side.
I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review
moatzilla's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
lillian_francis's review
4.0
I went into this book with no real expectations. The previous book had been too short for effective relationship development, imho, and had lacked the DnD energy I'd been hoping for.
So I was pleasantly surprised because this has both of these in spades. There are chapters devoted to game play and set up, which also lead into relationship development but even out of the game the author does a great job of moving this couple on from one time only hook-up to long term boyfriends. Shifting Theo from a player to boyfriend material was believable without resorting to any huge medical drama (with Jude).
Theo's dysphoria really struck a chord and while I know everyone is different, the reactions and yo-yoing emotions felt genuine.
This series has a very diverse cast of characters.
Fun read. Surprisingly low angst considering some of the subject matter.
#bestfriend'sbrother
#transmc
#diabetes
#tamingaplayer
#gamers
#roleplay (hah, not like that)
#bodydysphoria
So I was pleasantly surprised because this has both of these in spades. There are chapters devoted to game play and set up, which also lead into relationship development but even out of the game the author does a great job of moving this couple on from one time only hook-up to long term boyfriends. Shifting Theo from a player to boyfriend material was believable without resorting to any huge medical drama (with Jude).
Theo's dysphoria really struck a chord and while I know everyone is different, the reactions and yo-yoing emotions felt genuine.
This series has a very diverse cast of characters.
Fun read. Surprisingly low angst considering some of the subject matter.
#bestfriend'sbrother
#transmc
#diabetes
#tamingaplayer
#gamers
#roleplay (hah, not like that)
#bodydysphoria
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