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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
1.0
1/5
Was great at first but as it went on the plot got slow and uneventful to me.
Was great at first but as it went on the plot got slow and uneventful to me.
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Deposing Nathan, I had to read this one next. and let me just say... I was not expecting the story to go the way it did. However, I'm so glad it did, because it shed light on the very important topics of intimate partner violence & male sexual assault victims. Additionally, the neurodivergent representation and depiction of autism spectrum disorder was so appreciated.
This book broke my heart a few times. I loved Owen. So much. What an amazing protagonist, and what an amazing job Zack did at depicting his thought processes, emotions, and struggles.
Owen and Luke... I wanted so much better for them. I think the best part of the entire book was the library sequence, and it left me wanting even more interaction between the two of them. In my optimistic heart, I like to think that they meet up during winter break and that pick back up.
Zack Smedley knows how to deliver an ending -- because both this book and Deposing Nathan had gut-wrenching, heart-shattering endings that left me both crushed and hopeful at the same time. It takes a talented writer to make me feel those feelings simultaneously.
Let's also mention the fact that there was an entire chapter titled after "PPP" by Beach House -- one of my favorite artists, one of my favorite songs by them!
"I want to say, You gave something back to me that I thought was gone for good. I want to say, God, the things we could’ve been." Yikes. Broke me into small pieces.
I now have book hangover because Zack doesn't have any other novels published right now! But as soon as he announces one, best believe I'm preordering it and starting it on release day.
This book broke my heart a few times. I loved Owen. So much. What an amazing protagonist, and what an amazing job Zack did at depicting his thought processes, emotions, and struggles.
Owen and Luke... I wanted so much better for them. I think the best part of the entire book was the library sequence, and it left me wanting even more interaction between the two of them. In my optimistic heart, I like to think that they meet up during winter break and that pick back up.
Zack Smedley knows how to deliver an ending -- because both this book and Deposing Nathan had gut-wrenching, heart-shattering endings that left me both crushed and hopeful at the same time. It takes a talented writer to make me feel those feelings simultaneously.
Let's also mention the fact that there was an entire chapter titled after "PPP" by Beach House -- one of my favorite artists, one of my favorite songs by them!
"I want to say, You gave something back to me that I thought was gone for good. I want to say, God, the things we could’ve been." Yikes. Broke me into small pieces.
I now have book hangover because Zack doesn't have any other novels published right now! But as soon as he announces one, best believe I'm preordering it and starting it on release day.
zarith_yushihara's review
3.0
It was a decent read, I love how he writes, and the story is capitivating just a little underwhelming ending.
readeranew's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
jrei45's review
5.0
Reading a book by Zack Smedley is a full body experience—a heart-aching, stomach-clenching, mind-absorbing, eyes-moving-at-lightening-speed-across-the-page experience. At least it is for me, because I am so incredibly engrossed by the stories he creates. I probably said all of this in my review for his debut novel, Deposing Nathan, but it couldn’t be more true. I’m speechless, yet I have so much to say.
For the first half of the book, I thought it would be a 4-star review from me. It was really sweet and I was enjoying it, but I wasn’t completely captured by it. By the time I finished, however, I thought, “Wow, Zack did it again.” I felt like I was crying except there weren’t any actual tears. By the second half of the book, I sat in the same spot for hours just consuming this story and I couldn’t stop until there was no more story to read. I think any book with that kind of power deserves 5 stars and a standing ovation.
Owen as a narrator shatters so many stereotypes about people with Autism: that having a diagnosis means they can’t articulate their thoughts, aren’t with it mentally, have a certain “look,” etc. On the outside, no one would know that Owen has ASD and, from his narrations, you wouldn’t really either if it wasn’t talked about. He is just a teenager navigating relationships with his girlfriend, the first friends he has ever had, his father, and himself.
I also love the way Smedley writes about things that are so relatable but also things you would never think to give words to, so when you read it it’s like, “Yes!!! This!!!”
I’ll sum up this review by reiterating how riveting and multifaceted this story is and that if you aren’t hooked by the beginning, you will be by the end.
*trigger warning for description of sexual assault
For the first half of the book, I thought it would be a 4-star review from me. It was really sweet and I was enjoying it, but I wasn’t completely captured by it. By the time I finished, however, I thought, “Wow, Zack did it again.” I felt like I was crying except there weren’t any actual tears. By the second half of the book, I sat in the same spot for hours just consuming this story and I couldn’t stop until there was no more story to read. I think any book with that kind of power deserves 5 stars and a standing ovation.
Owen as a narrator shatters so many stereotypes about people with Autism: that having a diagnosis means they can’t articulate their thoughts, aren’t with it mentally, have a certain “look,” etc. On the outside, no one would know that Owen has ASD and, from his narrations, you wouldn’t really either if it wasn’t talked about. He is just a teenager navigating relationships with his girlfriend, the first friends he has ever had, his father, and himself.
I also love the way Smedley writes about things that are so relatable but also things you would never think to give words to, so when you read it it’s like, “Yes!!! This!!!”
I’ll sum up this review by reiterating how riveting and multifaceted this story is and that if you aren’t hooked by the beginning, you will be by the end.
*trigger warning for description of sexual assault
sproutrc's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0