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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
If you enjoyed Normal People by Sally Rooney and Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine (read: i wish i hated you, bye, & we can’t be friends), this is your book! (Also, this review doesn't do this book justice & I may try to come back & write a more detailed review .... one day!)
Thank you to my friend @maddysbookopinions for speaking so highly of this book & moving it up on my TBR!
Thank you to my friend @maddysbookopinions for speaking so highly of this book & moving it up on my TBR!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Grief, and Transphobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Car accident, and Death of parent
zemily83's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Pandemic/Epidemic
anaheeta's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This felt like reading a memoir, I mean that in the sense that all characters and events and feelings were so fleshed out that it felt like I was reading about the people through their own minds. It was emotional and heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Dementia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Cancer, and Infidelity
readwithchar's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Transphobia
alexgo's review against another edition
challenging
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Death, and Grief
Minor: Eating disorder, Alcohol, Infidelity, Drug use, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
frmeden's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Infidelity
abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for my free eARC!
I’m reaching for a lot of queer lit this year and let me tell you, the 2023 offerings I’ve read so far this year have been 😚 chef’s kiss 😚 Bellies is a wonderfully tender and intimate portrayal of messy queer love at its finest, the title is absolutely perfect - it really does make you reflect on your own vulnerabilities, how much you show and share with those you love, the courage it takes to show your belly, expose the soft, squishy parts usually kept to ourselves.
I’m reaching for a lot of queer lit this year and let me tell you, the 2023 offerings I’ve read so far this year have been 😚 chef’s kiss 😚 Bellies is a wonderfully tender and intimate portrayal of messy queer love at its finest, the title is absolutely perfect - it really does make you reflect on your own vulnerabilities, how much you show and share with those you love, the courage it takes to show your belly, expose the soft, squishy parts usually kept to ourselves.
To sum up super briefly, Ming and Tom meet at uni and quickly become boyfriends, but just as they’re about to begin their ‘real lives’ together after graduation, Ming announces her transition. Cue, all the feelings. Nicola Dinan has done an exquisite job of capturing the messy glory of life. The plot, as it were, is basically just Tom and Ming navigating their way through their twenties, amid so much professional and personal shift. Half of the book is told through Tom’s eyes, half through Ming’s, and it’s always a wonderful thing when an author can make each voice as compelling as the other. Both Ming and Tom’s flaws are laid bare, and while I definitely felt frustrated at some of their choices, I’ve also not felt such tenderness towards fictional characters in a long time. They’re young and do dumb shit while figuring out who they are and what they mean to each other, something they find themselves doing over and over again (don’t we all). Dinan tackles gender, race, sexual orientation, mental illness, grief, and so much more without it ever feeling shoe-horned in.
The supporting characters are also bloody amazing, and honestly my heart was ripped in two at one point. I had to put down my iPad and take a breather lol, it’s been a while since I had such a dramatic reaction to an event in a book 👀 This is just exactly the type of book I adore but which has evaded me for a little bit - compelling and utterly engrossing, but being driven by nothing but people living out their little lives. Love it love it love it 🥰
Out on the 29th of June in the UK!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Eating disorder, Transphobia, Death, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
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