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nicoleonbooks'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
4.0
I think the author reached into my teenage years and put them into a book. Mickey struggles with belonging, feelings of abandonment, coming out, guilt, and insane pressure. His teammates were fun. I felt like I was reading about Riley and Jonesy from Letterkenny. There were complex, and real, family dynamics. Really, every character felt like I could actually meet them. Their emotions and actions didn't feel forced or scripted. That first scene in the attic deserves to be broadcasted over loudspeaker systems everywhere. I like that Mickey struggles with drinking to numb his anxiety, but also finds peace at the lake, showing that there are two sides to coping.
My only complaints would be that some things seemed rushed, particularly the ending. Intentional cliffhanger aside, I was left holding my breath for some things to feel finished, or to dive a little deeper into things brought up in the end. There's also the possibility that if this had been told from Jeyson's perspective, the story could have been harmful to its readers. The discussions around Mickey's privelage, while well intentioned, were a little lack luster. Because of his own self image, his initial thoughts on his privilege came off as self depreciating, rather than actually reflective. The author did try to show him learning from it though. I just wish this particular topic had been a little more fleshed out.
Overall, this was an amazing story with incredibly real characters. I read this in a day because I was obsessed and couldn't put it down. I loaned this out from the library but I will definitely be buying a copy for my own shelves.
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Outing and Suicidal thoughts
homebodynate's review
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Minor: Outing, Homophobia, and Misogyny
kendal_reads'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
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Outing and Sexual content
kaitlinwarwick's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Sexual content
perpetualpages's review
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Outing, Drug use, Blood, Sexual content, and Alcohol
matheo'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
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Homophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
jenarae's review
- 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
Moderate: Outing, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Misogyny
grimm_bear's review
- 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 book covered two things im struggling with right now (falling back in love with my sport and feeling alone) it was so relieving to see someone in similar conditions as me get better and find a way out
the only harp i have on this book is the ending, we didnt get to see mickey and jaysen be together in their relationship, i think an epilogue would have been nice, but over all the ending was rushed
Graphic: Sexism and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, and Outing