Reviews

This was very sweet. Although it got off to a bit of a somber start, it quickly picked up into something almost tooth-achingly sweet. It was very cheesy but not necessarily in a negative way, and I can't really describe how it was cheesy without spoilers or without sounding like I wanted there to be negativity in the book. I didn't mind that it was very positive. Some people need that type of book, I just wish the themes and messages were a bit more subtle. At times, I felt like I was being beat over the head by the moral of the story.

The writing was very simple, and I would definitely have appreciated a little more embellishment, but in the end, it fit Albert's voice, and that simplicity made it very easy to read, and very easy to get through.

All in all, it's a very cute book with a sweet story, and if you're in need of something uplifting and full of queer hope, then you should 100% pick this up.

librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition

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5.0

I really cannot improve on the official blurb/summary of this book except to say it is an absolutely lovely book with All the Feels. My heart broke for Albert and his lonely existence these past 40-something years, and I absolutely LOVE how brave he chose to be in the end and how he impacted the lives of Nicole & Reenie & Marjorie & so many more. (Apologies if I misspelled names—I listened to the audiobook.) This book is so hopeful, and thank God most of us are not as homophobic as people were half a century ago!

I love that the afterward (epilogue?) is interviews with older gay men who lived through similar events in real life. The novel was very true to their experiences.

For readers’ advisors: character doorway is primary. A few mild swear words, I think, and reference to teen boys having had sex, but nothing the slightest bit descriptive. George gets beaten up by homophobic boys in the 1960s & threatened with violence by the police. There is mention of truly awful things that were done to LGBTQIA folks in previous decades.

jrcronewillis's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.25

meghawoman's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

I didn’t realize going in just how much this book would impact me. ❤️ All the love to Albert, for being brave.

Content Warnings

mwalters19's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.25

liamliayaum's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

artsymama03's review against another edition

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4.0

Worried it was going to be a carbon copy of a Man Called Ove at first. But it turned around and did it’s own thing. Phew. I liked it a lot. If you’re looking for fast read, and a feel good book, I’d definitely read this one.

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