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cozy_tea_reader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
I really liked the idea of the book it being set around a hetero-normative reality dating show. I think at times it felt like I loved the idea of the book but often felt like the writing didn’t live up to the potential and that the representation of mental health often fed into stereotypes - especially the portrayal of OCD.
While I was glad the characters got their happy ending it felt like as a reader we were robbed from seeing a proper conclusion to Dev and Charlie’s romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexism, Vomit, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny, Child abuse, Racism, and Ableism
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual assault
The book heavily discusses the mental health of its main characters and while I agree this should be de-stigmatised I don’t think this was a good representation of mental health problems particularly OCD.andiezzzz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Racism, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review
challenging
emotional
- 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
Their love story was just very wholesome and I really liked that it was just as much about character development.
It took some time getting into the storymainly because of how Dev describes this show realistically as bad as it is but glorifies it completely almost till the end, which made him partly unlikeable as the morals of the MCs are important to me .
But I loved the inclusion of mental health issues because they sometimes seem not to fit in romantic contexts but actually should be represented in romantic stories because some people have mental health issues and they are still worthy of love even if they themselves don't feel that way.
So thank you to the author for making me hopeful, thank you for writing this story :)
It took some time getting into the story
But I loved the inclusion of mental health issues because they sometimes seem not to fit in romantic contexts but actually should be represented in romantic stories because some people have mental health issues and they are still worthy of love even if they themselves don't feel that way.
So thank you to the author for making me hopeful, thank you for writing this story :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Racism
atsuanna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
I really loved this one! The OCD rep really surprised me and is something I don’t see a lot in books especially done this well! So that made me really happy :] I loved all the rep in here honestly, and the character development is so well done. The chemistry between ALL the characters felt so real and nice <3 The plot was exactly the silly thing I was looking for in a romcom and it definitely delivered! I love seeing silly little queer romcoms! It makes me so so happy and it’s such a comfort read, I really loved this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
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
withlivjones's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow! I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the romance!
First, on the representation front. We have gays, we have lesbians, we have bisexuals, pansexuals, asexuals, demisexuals, enbies, basically the entire alphabet mafia is here and queer! There are a few characters who either come to terms with their sexuality within the book or open up about their past self-discovery, and each of these stories are treated with such compassion, which made me so happy to read. This book also has some of the best mental health rep I’ve seen, with Charlie struggling with OCD and anxiety and Dev suffering from depression, and it affects their characters and the story in a way that doesn’t feel forced. I also really appreciated how this book showed that getting into a relationship doesn’t automatically fix all your problems, and Dev and Charlie end up putting in the work so that both they themselves and their relationship can be as healthy as possible.
Speaking of their relationship… it is just. so sweet. They have real “opposites attract” energy which isn’t usually my favourite trope but it works so well here. I loved both of their character arcs and the fact that they were each able to nudge the other onto the path towards healing.
The reality TV plot was really exciting, and I loved the little editing notes at the end of each chapter that give some insight into the shady stuff that goes on behind the scenes from planning the activities in advance of filming to even when the cameras have finished rolling. Daphne has my entire heart and I am so glad she was able to accept herself!
My only criticism is that I would have loved to have seen Dev’s Indian heritage explored in a bit more depth, considering, but overall, a wonderful, heartwarming read!
First, on the representation front. We have gays, we have lesbians, we have bisexuals, pansexuals, asexuals, demisexuals, enbies, basically the entire alphabet mafia is here and queer! There are a few characters who either come to terms with their sexuality within the book or open up about their past self-discovery, and each of these stories are treated with such compassion, which made me so happy to read. This book also has some of the best mental health rep I’ve seen, with Charlie struggling with OCD and anxiety and Dev suffering from depression, and it affects their characters and the story in a way that doesn’t feel forced. I also really appreciated how this book showed that getting into a relationship doesn’t automatically fix all your problems, and Dev and Charlie end up putting in the work so that both they themselves and their relationship can be as healthy as possible.
Speaking of their relationship… it is just. so sweet. They have real “opposites attract” energy which isn’t usually my favourite trope but it works so well here. I loved both of their character arcs and the fact that they were each able to nudge the other onto the path towards healing.
The reality TV plot was really exciting, and I loved the little editing notes at the end of each chapter that give some insight into the shady stuff that goes on behind the scenes from planning the activities in advance of filming to even when the cameras have finished rolling. Daphne has my entire heart and I am so glad she was able to accept herself!
My only criticism is that I would have loved to have seen Dev’s Indian heritage explored in a bit more depth, considering, but overall, a wonderful, heartwarming read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
bruhbruh's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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: Abandonment, Biphobia, Hate crime, Ableism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism and Toxic friendship
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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 was originally going to give this 3.5 stars because at times the book felt too forced/on the nose. The second half was too drawn out and got a bit repetitive. The timeline and perspective were sometimes hard to folllow. And I wasn't crazy about how the final conflict was resolved. However, I really appreciated the mental health representation so I'm bumping it up to 4 stars.
As someone who has chronic depression and OCD (and likely an undiagnosed anxiety disorder), it was so nice to see the topics handled respectfully. Obviously I can't speak for an entire community because there are different types of depression/OCD/anxiety and people have different experiences, but generally speaking I thought it was accurate. I cried multiple times while reading this because I felt so seen, especially in regards to depression.
My favorite part of the book was how the author explored neurodivergency and love. My disorders have definitely made me feel unworthy of love, just like the main characters--and that includes platonic and familial love, not just romantic. It's so important for neurodivergent people to experience stories where the characters are loved not despite their disorders but are loved and accepted for who they are as a whole. 💜
As someone who has chronic depression and OCD (and likely an undiagnosed anxiety disorder), it was so nice to see the topics handled respectfully. Obviously I can't speak for an entire community because there are different types of depression/OCD/anxiety and people have different experiences, but generally speaking I thought it was accurate. I cried multiple times while reading this because I felt so seen, especially in regards to depression.
My favorite part of the book was how the author explored neurodivergency and love. My disorders have definitely made me feel unworthy of love, just like the main characters--and that includes platonic and familial love, not just romantic. It's so important for neurodivergent people to experience stories where the characters are loved not despite their disorders but are loved and accepted for who they are as a whole. 💜
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Ableism
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism and Cursing
jbjp125's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Transphobia
elisabeth_e's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Biphobia and Racism