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elwirax's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Rep- Aroace MC, Latina, Lesbian SC, Pan SC, Indian, Asexual, non-binary SC, mention of same sex parents.
I really wanted to enjoy this but was dissapointed. At its core, the message that platonic love can be just as rewarding as romantic love and that representation is important was great, the execution not so much. Not to mention this book was over 400 pages and practically nothing happened.
While I somewhat related to Georgia's aroace experience, I can't help but see that the other LGBTQIA+ representation in this book was not good. Sunil was a prominent non binary character (he/they) but no one ever referred to them as they/them which I found odd and strangely binary (why have them only addressed as he/him if he also uses they/them?). Rooney is pansexual and as it turns out she has frequent casual sex because she was in an abusive relationship and doesn't feel loved. While this may be the experience of some people it would've been good to see good representation for an identity that is already under represented in media.
I really didn't like Georgia's character at all ( I should've known when she accidently caused someone to set aflame and only cared about her jacket being ruined). She used people as a stepping stone and didn't seem to consider other people's feelings. Georgia was also very clearly sex repulsed which I relate to but the way in which she shamed other people for partaking in sex and invalidating their sexuality really didn't sit right with me. I can't imagine shaming people for enjoying sex and while I understand she was realising that she doesn't fit into certain societal expectations it should've been handled better.
In this book there were 3 people who identified as asexual and 2 of them had pretty similar experiences which I feel was a missed opportunity in showcasing the spectrum of asexuality. It would've been a good opportunity to introduce a character who was more sex positive than Georgia or indifferent for those asexuals who also feel that way.
Overall, I think my expectations were too high, maybe I was desperately needing to be seen and represented but this was not the book for me which is a shame. On with my hunt for my perfect ace rep book.
I really wanted to enjoy this but was dissapointed. At its core, the message that platonic love can be just as rewarding as romantic love and that representation is important was great, the execution not so much. Not to mention this book was over 400 pages and practically nothing happened.
While I somewhat related to Georgia's aroace experience, I can't help but see that the other LGBTQIA+ representation in this book was not good. Sunil was a prominent non binary character (he/they) but no one ever referred to them as they/them which I found odd and strangely binary (why have them only addressed as he/him if he also uses they/them?). Rooney is pansexual and as it turns out she has frequent casual sex because she was in an abusive relationship and doesn't feel loved. While this may be the experience of some people it would've been good to see good representation for an identity that is already under represented in media.
I really didn't like Georgia's character at all ( I should've known when she accidently caused someone to set aflame and only cared about her jacket being ruined). She used people as a stepping stone and didn't seem to consider other people's feelings. Georgia was also very clearly sex repulsed which I relate to but the way in which she shamed other people for partaking in sex and invalidating their sexuality really didn't sit right with me. I can't imagine shaming people for enjoying sex and while I understand she was realising that she doesn't fit into certain societal expectations it should've been handled better.
In this book there were 3 people who identified as asexual and 2 of them had pretty similar experiences which I feel was a missed opportunity in showcasing the spectrum of asexuality. It would've been a good opportunity to introduce a character who was more sex positive than Georgia or indifferent for those asexuals who also feel that way.
Overall, I think my expectations were too high, maybe I was desperately needing to be seen and represented but this was not the book for me which is a shame. On with my hunt for my perfect ace rep book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
Minor: Emotional abuse
starklinqs's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were loveable and it felt like a very real depiction of how characters their age - and during this time - would talk. The story was lovely, as was the love story that we got to hear in it, and I just adored this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse
fanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Definitely one of my new favorites. This book was amazing. It was so relatable and I was not expecting that. All the characters were detailed and lovely to read about. Following not only Georgia but her friends finding themselves was something I didn’t even know I needed to read.
As someone who thrives off of fanfiction, I loved all the comments about fanfics so much.
The humor was great and the more serious moments were done really well. I just really loved this book. The friendships were beautiful. It really showed you didn’t need a romantic, you could have platonic relationships and that is that.
Strongly suggest this for anyone who wants a lighthearted read with a happy ending, someone who might be in or questioning the ace community, people who want a realistic and relatable read that has amazing platonic relationships.
As someone who thrives off of fanfiction, I loved all the comments about fanfics so much.
The humor was great and the more serious moments were done really well. I just really loved this book. The friendships were beautiful. It really showed you didn’t need a romantic, you could have platonic relationships and that is that.
Strongly suggest this for anyone who wants a lighthearted read with a happy ending, someone who might be in or questioning the ace community, people who want a realistic and relatable read that has amazing platonic relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Cursing
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
sopherdopher's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse
demo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt and Vomit
wends_nblw's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
made me sad . forced me to confront my asexuality . writing style wasnt quite my jam but i loved the characters to pieces !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Transphobia
robyn_fenix's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
ashbcgc's review against another edition
funny
informative
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse
notaspacemission's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
There were many points during this book that I cried, whether it was the events of the Bailey Ball, the rowing scene, or the play, i cried so hard.
Upon reading the title and blurb of the book back in January, I was initially hesitant to read it as I thought it may portray Aromantic Asexual people as Loveless (do you like what I did there?) monsters, incapable of forming attachments. But also during that time, I was going through my own sexuality crisis as I wondered if I too was Aromantic Asexual. My biggest regret about reading this book is not reading it sooner, it would have helped me in a way that no person ever could. The way Georgia felt about romance and sexuality closely resembles that of what I feel when I came to terms with my sexuality. This in my opinion is the best representation of what Asexuality and Aromanticism is.
I've heard other readers talk about how they wish the book was more sex and romance positive, especially when it came to Rooney. But I would argue that Oseman wrote her in a way that was realistic of many who have been in dysfunctional and toxic relationships in the past.
Rooney struggled with self-loathing ideas and borderline self harm (her excessive use of alcohol) but toward the end of the novel, her recovery is evident. While she may never 100% get over the abuse she faced at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, she is definitely learning that she is deserving of love, all kinds of it: romantic, platonic, and sexual. She has such a complex character and that's what makes her my favourite character in Alice's novel.
It was also so refreshing to see a queer coming-of-age story that does not centre romance and sex. It gives people a chance to see themselves represented. I could not recommend this book enough
Upon reading the title and blurb of the book back in January, I was initially hesitant to read it as I thought it may portray Aromantic Asexual people as Loveless (do you like what I did there?) monsters, incapable of forming attachments. But also during that time, I was going through my own sexuality crisis as I wondered if I too was Aromantic Asexual. My biggest regret about reading this book is not reading it sooner, it would have helped me in a way that no person ever could. The way Georgia felt about romance and sexuality closely resembles that of what I feel when I came to terms with my sexuality. This in my opinion is the best representation of what Asexuality and Aromanticism is.
I've heard other readers talk about how they wish the book was more sex and romance positive, especially when it came to Rooney. But I would argue that Oseman wrote her in a way that was realistic of many who have been in dysfunctional and toxic relationships in the past.
Rooney struggled with self-loathing ideas and borderline self harm (her excessive use of alcohol) but toward the end of the novel, her recovery is evident. While she may never 100% get over the abuse she faced at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, she is definitely learning that she is deserving of love, all kinds of it: romantic, platonic, and sexual. She has such a complex character and that's what makes her my favourite character in Alice's novel.
It was also so refreshing to see a queer coming-of-age story that does not centre romance and sex. It gives people a chance to see themselves represented. I could not recommend this book enough
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Transphobia