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a_kt's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
I don't normally read romance novels but the last book I read was really long and a bit of a bummer so I needed something of a palette cleanser, if you will. I saw the trailer for the Amazon Prime adaptation of this and thought I'd give it a go.
First off, here are the aspects of this book I really enjoyed: Mainly, it was easy. This book isn't some world-view-shattering triste on geopolitics or queer representation or anything like that. It's a star-crossed starry-eyed bubblegum romance about two people that fall in love and struggle to be together due to their circumstances in life. That's what it is on the surface, and that's what it remains throughout the entire book. The characters are funny, endearing, and well written if a bit unrealistic, encroaching on parodies of personalities. The leads, Alex and Henry, have a relationship that grows and develops organically. The book is written from mostly Alex's POV, and watching him come to terms with himself, his feelings, and his identity seemed really well done for me personally (please note: I do not identify as lgbtqia+ so I have no idea if this part of the book was realistic or not). Lastly, the book does get pretty spicy at parts, and I thought the spicy parts were tastefully done without coming across as too voyeuristic.
The aspects of the book I didn't much care for: the ending dragged, and I mean, like, seriously dragged on. No spoilers, but there is a bit of a reckoning in the book, as you can probably expect, and the amount of faff in this book to wrap everything up just keeps going and going and going. The story reached, what I thought was a natural conclusion, and to my surprise there were 3 more chapters and 100+ pages left! This made me realize the pacing of the entire book is a little wonky. Alex and Henry are pretty much thrust together by the end of the first chapter, their relationship has a bit of a slow burn before becoming exponentially involved with each other, then there's the conclusion of their story which carries on at a snail's pace. It's a bit weird, but maybe that's par for the course for romances, I'm not really sure. Overall though, not a huge criticism and it didn't really detract from my enjoyment.
In the end this book is pretty much exactly what it's advertised to be. It can get pretty cheesy, on the nose, and even a little... cringe?? at parts, but overall it's a good story. Frustrated wish fulfillment with the US's (maybe the world's) current political climate wrapped up in a pretty safe, feel-good love story.
First off, here are the aspects of this book I really enjoyed: Mainly, it was easy. This book isn't some world-view-shattering triste on geopolitics or queer representation or anything like that. It's a star-crossed starry-eyed bubblegum romance about two people that fall in love and struggle to be together due to their circumstances in life. That's what it is on the surface, and that's what it remains throughout the entire book. The characters are funny, endearing, and well written if a bit unrealistic, encroaching on parodies of personalities. The leads, Alex and Henry, have a relationship that grows and develops organically. The book is written from mostly Alex's POV, and watching him come to terms with himself, his feelings, and his identity seemed really well done for me personally (please note: I do not identify as lgbtqia+ so I have no idea if this part of the book was realistic or not). Lastly, the book does get pretty spicy at parts, and I thought the spicy parts were tastefully done without coming across as too voyeuristic.
The aspects of the book I didn't much care for: the ending dragged, and I mean, like, seriously dragged on. No spoilers, but there is a bit of a reckoning in the book, as you can probably expect, and the amount of faff in this book to wrap everything up just keeps going and going and going. The story reached, what I thought was a natural conclusion, and to my surprise there were 3 more chapters and 100+ pages left! This made me realize the pacing of the entire book is a little wonky. Alex and Henry are pretty much thrust together by the end of the first chapter, their relationship has a bit of a slow burn before becoming exponentially involved with each other, then there's the conclusion of their story which carries on at a snail's pace. It's a bit weird, but maybe that's par for the course for romances, I'm not really sure. Overall though, not a huge criticism and it didn't really detract from my enjoyment.
In the end this book is pretty much exactly what it's advertised to be. It can get pretty cheesy, on the nose, and even a little... cringe?? at parts, but overall it's a good story. Frustrated wish fulfillment with the US's (maybe the world's) current political climate wrapped up in a pretty safe, feel-good love story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
letiross's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Racism, and Drug abuse
blackwood'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
4.0
I ended up enjoying this a lot more than anticipated, and I went in expecting a reasonable level of enjoyment to begin with.
Hats off to Casey McQuiston for making such complex, imperfect, real human beings that I fell in love with the entire cast.
The only thing which I didn't jive much with was how cheesy the boys were in terms of some of the romantic messages because it seemed a bit over-the-top compared to the rest of their personality.
Hats off to Casey McQuiston for making such complex, imperfect, real human beings that I fell in love with the entire cast.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
stayontrackbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
Minor: Sexual assault
beccabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, and Outing
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, Terminal illness, Cancer, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
bookishcb_21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Alex and Henry ❤️ I’ve had this book on my TBR since it released and I’m so sorry it took me so long to pick up. I was rooting for them since the beginning and I was so thrilled for their fantastic ending. Now, I’m off to watch the movie!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
ladybanecourt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
✨5/5✨
Easily one of the best books I've read this year! It's heartwarming and beautiful and made me cry, and really, what more can you ask for in a book? It has long chapters, yes, but it's engaging and it really hooked me right from the first chapter, which I can say doesn't happen very often in my case. The main cast of characters were very lovable, and although a good portion of the plot in the story were some I expected, I still liked the vindication I had at the end of the day because of it.
Definitely already making plans to reread this book again.
Easily one of the best books I've read this year! It's heartwarming and beautiful and made me cry, and really, what more can you ask for in a book? It has long chapters, yes, but it's engaging and it really hooked me right from the first chapter, which I can say doesn't happen very often in my case. The main cast of characters were very lovable, and although a good portion of the plot in the story were some I expected, I still liked the vindication I had at the end of the day because of it.
Definitely already making plans to reread this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Outing, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault and Stalking
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Much better than the film, more romantic and well thought out. I liked the emails and transcripts. The politics was a bit over my head at times but good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Outing
Minor: Sexism, Classism, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Deportation, Sexual assault, Addiction, Grief, Death, and Biphobia
painteed_12's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
3.75
"História, hem?"
Comprei este livro na feira do livro do ano passado porque tinha ouvido falar bastante, e já me tinham recomendado.
Esta história que envolve política e romance, é uma história sentimental com uma mensagem, e gostei bastante da relação do trio da casa branca e henry com o Alex e os demais.
Comprei este livro na feira do livro do ano passado porque tinha ouvido falar bastante, e já me tinham recomendado.
Esta história que envolve política e romance, é uma história sentimental com uma mensagem, e gostei bastante da relação do trio da casa branca e henry com o Alex e os demais.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Racism
katbotelho'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? It's complicated
4.5
well damn, after the absolute train wreck that was One Last Stop I was basically putting my money on this book being equally terrible, and by some miracle I was proven wrong. Which begs the question, why couldn’t McQuiston write an equally good wlw book, but that’s a topic for another review.
tbh i couldnt care less abt the politics in this book, and it felt like a lot of political mumbo jumbo that i couldnt wrap my head around but aside from that i really enjoyed this book. alex and henry really care abt each other so deeply and i loved watching their relationship progress and them dealing with their issues together, and they didnt let their situations tear them apart. not to mention certain part of the book perfectly capture what it feels like to be queer, fall in love and just enjoy life with your person. they were so stupidly cute it made me wanna vomit.
also this book gets hyped up for it’s ‘spice level’ but it was fairly tame all things considered so do with that what u will.
tbh i couldnt care less abt the politics in this book, and it felt like a lot of political mumbo jumbo that i couldnt wrap my head around but aside from that i really enjoyed this book. alex and henry really care abt each other so deeply and i loved watching their relationship progress and them dealing with their issues together, and they didnt let their situations tear them apart. not to mention certain part of the book perfectly capture what it feels like to be queer, fall in love and just enjoy life with your person. they were so stupidly cute it made me wanna vomit.
also this book gets hyped up for it’s ‘spice level’ but it was fairly tame all things considered so do with that what u will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual assault