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jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Kion was angry that he’d been dumped by his boyfriend, Hudson. Kion seems paralyzed by his angry about this breakup. Part of the story even involves another character questioning whether Kion’s behavior is driven by a desire to get even with Hudson for this break up. So, presumably, this was a pretty brutal breakup, but we never find out what happened? Why did they breakup? What did Hudson do? By the end of the book I thought that the smartest thing Hudson ever did was to break up with Kion.
And Hudson. He’s more likable, but his strained relationship with his family hinders his ability grow emotional, or engage in any sort of introspection. He and his have a sibling rivalry that is just bitter and nasty. And never overcomes his deference for his parents.
I don’t why they wanted each other. Both characters are too solipsistic to be interesting. They both need therapy. Although, Kion discusses having been in therapy, he may need a new therapist and some medication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
baylan's review
DNF @ 82%. This book is what a baby author whose introduction to literature and writing is from non-lgbt, gender conforming folk would've written. It's all over the place, inconsistent, and sounds unlike what the author would've sounded like. The author seemed to forget, as the book progressed, how the characters were actually like. Furthermore, the characters were just so one-dimentional and fits waaay to much into the heteronormative standard. Almost as if it's trying to cater to the fetishist female market.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
the_vegan_bookworm's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book expertly combines the tropes of fake dating and exes to lovers - both of which are personal favourites of mine! The cast is diverse with Black and queer MCs and side characters throughout. It addresses themes of wealth disparity, race and homophobia in an accessible and interesting way.
This being said, I found Kian and Hudson's relationship to be really toxic. They are on again and off again constantly without any clear resolution for their fights or clear communication for what to work on moving forward. We never understand why they broke up prior to the book, which leaves the relationship feeling very unfulfilled for me. It feels like their fights are showcased as passionate instead of acknowledging them as volatile.
This being said, I found Kian and Hudson's relationship to be really toxic. They are on again and off again constantly without any clear resolution for their fights or clear communication for what to work on moving forward. We never understand why they broke up prior to the book, which leaves the relationship feeling very unfulfilled for me. It feels like their fights are showcased as passionate instead of acknowledging them as volatile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Classism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Slavery, and Car accident
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