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theaceofpages'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
This was a bit of a tough book to rate. I can tell why some people hate it, but I loved it.
So. First from a technical aspect. I can tell why some people don't like this book. The writing is a little frustrating at times. And the pacing was a little annoying. It started off kind of slow and repetitive. Until she realised she was ace. Then it picked up! I liked the pacing in the middle of the book but then the end felt rushed. And the ending was not the greatest?
The representation however? So good! And I think that this is exactly why the book is so popular. That confusion and desperation to feel like you belong. That's you're normal. A lot of her feelings and emotions are definitely high school me. Although I went the opposite route and told myself that I didn't want a relationship because I needed to work on myself as it's not fair for someone to have to deal with the wreck I was. But that the right person would come along eventually and if it happened, it happened. So I never really went through that "oh my goodness I need to find someone" experience. Despite that, I still related to her. And both those experiences simply stem from a lack of representation. I'm glad people can at least find things online and in books now, even if it's still not taught in schools. But yes. Seeing someone who's emotions are the same as mine in a deep level for the first time is great, even if they manifest themselves differently! But I do also think that this is where a lot of the hate comes in from ace readers. One of the biggest complaints about the book I've seen is that it doesn't represent their experiences. I'm pretty sure it was clear that there are multiple experiences through other characters, especially Sunil's explanations! And they are also not aro and Jess is aro but not ace, so there's that. I've also seen that some people are unhappy with how other identities are represented. I mean, I kind of get it, but all the characters are well-developed. We also need to remember that the book focuses on an aroace person - and a lot of us have a lot of confusion about why romantic and sexual love are placed on such a pedestal and are such a focus for some people. That being said, I loved the focus on friendship. It's so often underplayed and represented as lesser, even though it can be just as if not more powerful than romantic love.
I feel like Georgia is the type of person who would actually look up what asexual means so I feel like her discovery was a bit drawn out. I would have loved it if she had found the term, panicked, and then tried to convince herself that nope, she can have those things! She got got on my nerves a bit at times, but it's okay. Her cousin seems cool. I liked that that was a way to show how verbally aggressive parents can be. Although, again, why does no one in this book seem to do any research? I love Sunil! Can we please have more about them? I just resonated so deeply with a lot of what they said. I just want to be their best friend and give them a big hug. I definitely preferred them to Georgia. I'd LOVE a book about them. And how they learned to accept themselves. And about how they help others accept themselves too. It's sad that everyone uses he/him pronouns though (although they are okay with either)
Be aware that this book contains a lot of internalised aphobia (as well as some external aphobia, including from parents and LGBT spaces) and can be rather painful to read at times. I had to take breaks to process at times.
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia
pich's review
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
neko_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
5.0
I do not have words more than I love this book so much, it makes me feel so validated, accepted, seen, and happy with myself. I cannot describe my love for this book better than that.
Asexuality/aromanticism is so rarely shown in media, instead love is seen as something so great you simply cannot live without it. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this sentiment but it's amazing to see representation of this sexuality in media, especially without portraying aroace people as being unable to feel normal emotions like allo identities.
On top of the representation of an identity so rarely talked about, this book also covers other diverse communities and topics that are generally not talked about much. The characters in this book are just so diverse and have such complex personalities, I love them lol.
I also love how this book addresses platonic love and the focus it places on it. This book literally had me crying as platonic love was seen as just as, if not more important than romance.
Just to see a character have the same feelings as I had through the book and come to love herself and her sexuality was so comforting. Safe to say this book will become a comfort read on the same level as Harry Potter. I SAID IT, IT IS THAT GREAT.
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
percys_panda_pillow_pet'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
I'll admit my first impression within the first couple of pages was low. I had a hard time getting into Oseman's writing style, which I found a bit juvenile at times, and had me questioning the placement of the book in my local library (it was in Adult fiction since the main character is 18 and entering college, as well as presumably due to the mentions of drinking). However, it was easy to get into the rhythm of the tone and feel of Georgia's voice as the narrator.
I also felt unsure about relating to the story. I identify as aromantic aceflux at this point in time, but my journey was not typical. Whereas I feel like Alice Oseman, who might've been pulling from her own experience, wrote Loveless with a more common lens. I was also much farther into my journey than Georgia who didn't even know what aroace is at the beginning of the book. However, I held on and found I loved the relationships between Georgia and her friends. The feelings Georgia has about being "broken" or "loveless" are very much relatable and caused some mistiness in my eyes.
Even though I have known about my identity for most of my life before I recently started using specific labels, and though it's been a long while since I entered college, I felt connected to Georgia on a deep level and rooted for her at every turn and twist. I definitely recommend Loveless if you are even a bit curious about the aroace identity. Except for my own personal hang-ups, I think this could've been a solid 5-star book.
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Biphobia
moonlightreads007'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? It's complicated
5.0
Before reading this book, I thought this was going to be a book focused on romantic love and friendships, but I personally find that it's so much more than that. This is a book that not only accounts for LGBTQ+ and aro-ace experiences, but also encourages readers to challenge cultural and societal norms by expanding their ideas and definitions about what the concepts of love, friendship and family mean to them and learning about what these concepts mean to other people as well. When we take the time to learn about others' experiences, we learn about ourselves and the world as well, and this can help us to develop a greater amount of appreciation and respect for others' choices and perspectives. For that reason, I honestly think people of all gender identities and sexual orientations could benefit from reading this book.
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
krys_kilz'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
I also just really love Oseman's writing. She is so good at writing complex characters with realistic and messy conflict. Her pacing is also always just right. I don't usually enjoy books in this genre because of the tropes and unnatural pacing, but Oseman manages to circumvent that and write stories that actually feel real. I look forward to continuing to read her work!
"You know why people pair up into couples? Because being a human is fucking terrifying. But it's a hell of a lot easier if you're not doing it by yourself."
Graphic: Alcohol and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
sapphic_reader'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: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
arlingtonchamberofgay's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
Minor: Transphobia
eloise__'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Homophobia
linacat'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
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Homophobia