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wahlpapers'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
4.5
For every queer Tumblr kid (past and present), Meet Cute Diary is going to feel like a familiar setting. The site functions are described well, the users are painfully real, and Noah's stress over follower numbers really took me back to high school. Emery Lee handles world building in a way that connects for both those in-the-know and those that aren't. E seems to be very good at world building in general. I have never been to Colorado, but I could understand what the summer camp, mountain, bookstore, and more were like. I could step into Noah's summer and didn't want to leave any more than he did.
I know there are others out there, but this is the first contemporary YA romcom (my favorite genre) that I've read with a trans main character. I've read some in the genre by trans authors, but it makes me happy to read about a trans teen finding love, especially with a genderqueer love interest. By halfway through the book, Noah finds himself in a love triangle. Drew, a fan of the blog, and Devon, his summer camp co-worker. Devon uses the same pronouns as Lee, E/Em/Eir/Eirs. Throughout the book, Noah and Devon inspire each other to be their more authentic selves. For Devon, this includes experimenting with pronouns. Noah never bats an eye. I am a cis person, so it is not my place to rank how well the trans experience was incorporated into the book, but I will say that it made me feel happy and as though everything flowed well.
Remember that messy characters do not equal a messy book. Characters make mistakes which makes them that much more real. For the Tumblr kids and those that want to see more trans love stories, check Lee's book out!
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Bullying
Minor: Drug use, Dysphoria, and Vomit
fynnnnnn's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, and Drug use
fanboyriot'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
♡ Trans Rep
♡ Rom-Com
♡ Great Humor
♡ Friends to Lovers
♡ Slight Angst but with a Happy Ending
This book was adorable with a rom-com worthy ending all the while keeping things realistic. Honestly, it took me a while to get into the story but that might have just been my readers block; however things did improve once Devin was brought into the picture. There were many lovable characters Brian and Becca being on that list, but Devin is seriously one of my new favorite fictional characters eir personality was just so pure and definitely had the: “Lovable Sunshine Character (with Anxiety)” vibes about em. I could literally go on about how much I loved em and how thoughtful e was, such an underrated character.
While the blog posts were formatted really nicely and I enjoyed them being added they were so frustrating to read when the drama with the blog started, I have never wanted to scream at the book more like: “Hush, it’s not like that and it doesn’t concern you stop being so dramatic bestie.”
Noah might have come off as annoying at first but to be honest he was realistic. He was a helpless romantic without an adult (or anyone but Becca and Brian (kinda)) in his life at the time to tell him: “Hey, if you’re trying to force the relationship because this is what you think you should feel…maybe it isn’t true love.” He wanted to believe it was real and fell in love with the idea of being in love. So while it was annoying reading about him finding all this out—it was kinda nice to see a romance book have that realness to it.
I was a bit nervous near the ending, I was a bit unsure how things were going to play out and it took a lot for me not to just read the last page and basically spoil it for myself but I continued on and it was absolutely lovely. The ending was great and it definitely had a rom-com worthy ending and I am for sure going to read more by this author.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Transphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Transphobia, Bullying, Suicide attempt, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit
nerdysread's review against another edition
- 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
Also, great character development for Noah, and we stan
Graphic: Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Suicide attempt
matheo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Vomit
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Dysphoria
Minor: Suicide attempt, Drug use, Bullying, and Alcohol
rayne_1906'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
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, and Drug use
longlost's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Vomit, Transphobia, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Drug use, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Bullying
plumpaperbacks'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
I loved Noah from the very beginning. Although he’s sometimes romantically misguided, he’s a total sweetheart. Becca and Devin ended up seriously growing on me. The friendships here are top tier. I also really liked Noah’s relationship with his older brother Brian, and how determined Brian was to be supportive. It was heartwarming.
This is the first book I’ve read that features a character experimenting with gender and pronouns, and also the first I’ve read where a character uses neopronouns. Figuring out those parts of yourself isn’t always easy, and that should be represented in YA. Props to Lee for doing so.
Lastly, I just want to say that I loved the Meet Cute Diary. It’s such a cute idea for a blog, and the message alongside it—that trans kids are just as deserving of love stories—is important and lovely.
I definitely want to buy a copy of this book, and I could see myself rereading it both as a pick-me-up and because I miss my cinnamon rolls.
Representation
- triracial bisexual trans boy protagonist (Afro-Caribbean-Japanese)
- lesbian side character
- Cuban genderqueer asexual side character that uses neopronouns (xe/xim at first, then e/em)
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Transphobia and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
Both “bullying” and “suicide attempt” refer to events that occurred prior to the story, in regards to a side character.melaniereadsbooks'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
4.75
The character development is excellent!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Transphobia, Vomit, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Drug use, and Racism