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mel_j's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
archiveofrasa's review
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
needed something light before I delve into more literary stuff, and this is exactly what I needed! I devoured this in just over a day and really loved it. it was actually funny, suited my humour so well, the cast was so loveable and well crafted and the romance?? me when romcom book characters actually have chemistry because these two hit it right off the bat I genuinely believed it when they said they loved each other at the end
that tends to be my gripe with the romance books I've been reading beforehand, I don't really believe they're in love (sometimes I don't even understand why they like each other aside from either being hot or each other's shoulder to cry on lol) but Dev and Charlie have it. it was really refreshing to see. their chemistry was what kept me reading.
I think I wasn't entirely wowed by the representation because I'm from the generation that is aware of all this stuff already, but it was really nice to see the discussion of not only sexuality (in all the queer sense, including asexuality) but mental health in an empathetic and realistic way in a book and not just on online spaces. I've seen this resonate with a lot of adults who didn't have the progressive adolescence that I had, so I'm very glad that's the case for them!
I do have some meh's. I see where people are coming from with Dev as an Indian-American written by a white author; as a child of desi (British) immigrants, I felt the slight distance between Dev and his Indian-ness but I kinda chalked that up to the fact that it's written by a white woman. I don't want to entirely call it out because the Desi Immigrant experience isn't a monolith and is very wide in its range – plus if not careful, Cochrun could've ended up writing someone else's story. But personally I'm all right with it as long as it wasn't offensive, which this book wasn't! I'd say if you want more accurate rep, try to find books written by Indians 😭 this book wanted to focus on mental health and a cute romance and it delivered pretty well.
Going into spoiler territory here for a neutral point but,at first, I rolled my eyes at Dev's very naïve perception of the show and then I sat on it and realised the subtext (or maybe it was text, I don't know). Dev clings onto happily ever afters because when he can't, he has depressive episodes. It's harder to know if that was intended in a romance book compared to literary novels, but it really made sense. he clings onto Fun Dev so he doesn't fall into that pit of despair, he clung onto these kinda childish views of love to distract himself from his depression. I do really like that aspect of this book honestly, but maybe it could've been done in a way that's more realistic to someone Dev's age perhaps 😭
if you want a fun, lighthearted read like Red White & Royal Blue (but less political) then do check this out!
that tends to be my gripe with the romance books I've been reading beforehand, I don't really believe they're in love (sometimes I don't even understand why they like each other aside from either being hot or each other's shoulder to cry on lol) but Dev and Charlie have it. it was really refreshing to see. their chemistry was what kept me reading.
I think I wasn't entirely wowed by the representation because I'm from the generation that is aware of all this stuff already, but it was really nice to see the discussion of not only sexuality (in all the queer sense, including asexuality) but mental health in an empathetic and realistic way in a book and not just on online spaces. I've seen this resonate with a lot of adults who didn't have the progressive adolescence that I had, so I'm very glad that's the case for them!
I do have some meh's. I see where people are coming from with Dev as an Indian-American written by a white author; as a child of desi (British) immigrants, I felt the slight distance between Dev and his Indian-ness but I kinda chalked that up to the fact that it's written by a white woman. I don't want to entirely call it out because the Desi Immigrant experience isn't a monolith and is very wide in its range – plus if not careful, Cochrun could've ended up writing someone else's story. But personally I'm all right with it as long as it wasn't offensive, which this book wasn't! I'd say if you want more accurate rep, try to find books written by Indians 😭 this book wanted to focus on mental health and a cute romance and it delivered pretty well.
Going into spoiler territory here for a neutral point but,
if you want a fun, lighthearted read like Red White & Royal Blue (but less political) then do check this out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Ableism
Moderate: Vomit, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Sexual content
joensign's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Biphobia, Vomit, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault and Alcoholism
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
CW: ableism and ableist language (challenged), panic attack, vomiting, alcohol, intoxication, mentions of anxiety, depression, OCD, intrusive thoughts, sexual content, and a depressive episode.
A sweet romance showing two queer, neurodivergent men - demisexual & gay - falling in love on a reality TV show. This had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was filled up with tears, smiling, and laughing as I read Dev and Charlie's love story. As a neurodivergent person and specifically someone with generalized & social anxiety, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the kindness each character showed to each other.
A sweet romance showing two queer, neurodivergent men - demisexual & gay - falling in love on a reality TV show. This had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was filled up with tears, smiling, and laughing as I read Dev and Charlie's love story. As a neurodivergent person and specifically someone with generalized & social anxiety, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the kindness each character showed to each other.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, and Alcohol
Ableism and ableist language (challenged), panic attack (on page), vomiting, alcohol, intoxication, mentions of anxiety, depression, OCD, intrusive thoughts, sexual content, and a depressive episode.moonyreadsbystarlight's review
emotional
hopeful
- 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
4.75
This was a cute romance with some really great representation of mental illness. There was also some really neat discussion about reality TV and representation at large.
If I wanted to nitpick, I could find things that weren't believable about parts of this, but I was so engrossed with the story and characters that I didn't want to - any of it didn't break my reading experience (and certainly any gripes that I could search for to have are well within the norm for this genre anyways). I stayed up way too late reading this because I was so invested. I'm excited to read more from this author!
If I wanted to nitpick, I could find things that weren't believable about parts of this, but I was so engrossed with the story and characters that I didn't want to - any of it didn't break my reading experience (and certainly any gripes that I could search for to have are well within the norm for this genre anyways). I stayed up way too late reading this because I was so invested. I'm excited to read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Ableism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit
ella7211's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Homophobia
walrus420's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
chaptersofamylea's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
"I don't know if the specific label is important to me."
"It doesn't have to be, and you're not obligated to figure it out, or come out, or explain yourself to anyone, ever.
4 ⭐️
I’m so glad books like this exist. So much queer rep and mental health rep, so many aspects of this book made me feel seen even if I couldn’t relate to all of it - but someone else could.
The book as a whole was fab though, so sweet and wholesome. Charlie is to be protected at all costs! Just such a cute, lovely and open book.
TWs: homophobia, mental health including panic disorders and OCD, ableism
"It doesn't have to be, and you're not obligated to figure it out, or come out, or explain yourself to anyone, ever.
4 ⭐️
I’m so glad books like this exist. So much queer rep and mental health rep, so many aspects of this book made me feel seen even if I couldn’t relate to all of it - but someone else could.
The book as a whole was fab though, so sweet and wholesome. Charlie is to be protected at all costs! Just such a cute, lovely and open book.
TWs: homophobia, mental health including panic disorders and OCD, ableism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Ableism
celestialg's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
A queer love story with a side of mental health challenges is something that can be so personal??? 😭
This book is seriously so near and dear to my heart. There were moments of dialogue that could have been written by me because of how much they rang true.
My favorite read in a long time.
Content warning: It’s a queer romance, but it also isn’t an uber spicy book, but then again isn’t a closed door romance. In my opinion, the love scenes are mature content, but not explicit. I would still consider it smut, however. Hope that helps lol
This book is seriously so near and dear to my heart. There were moments of dialogue that could have been written by me because of how much they rang true.
My favorite read in a long time.
Content warning: It’s a queer romance, but it also isn’t an uber spicy book, but then again isn’t a closed door romance. In my opinion, the love scenes are mature content, but not explicit. I would still consider it smut, however. Hope that helps lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Ableism, Mental illness, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying and Domestic abuse
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
- MLM
- dual POV
- Reality tv (Bachelor-like) setting
- amazing LGBTQIA+ rep
- phenomenal mental health rep
THIS WAS SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! I'm honestly obsessed! Charlie and Dev have my heart forever. A MUST for anyone who watches reality tv shows it was such a fun take on that setting. (I don't watch them, and still loved this, so really it's for any queer romcom fans!). I really enjoyed both Dev and Charlie's journey through self-discovery, finding their identities and mental well-being.
Ok one caveat with the audiobook is that the narrator *kinda* makes it sounds like Dev's name is Dave (Dev is just pronounced D-ay-v) - so I just had to mentally picture 'Dev' every time.
3/5🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Sexual content, Vomit, and Ableism
Minor: Racism