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k_a_r_e_n_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.5
mads0527's review
dark
emotional
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
4.0
nasaje's review against another edition
2.0
I like stories with people who have psycological challenges, and having BOTH MCs struggling with something is an interesting premise. However, the MCs felt much younger than they were, and I would have liked there to be more focus on their struggles (and maybe even some drama). It was all easy glides after meeting each other, and that gives for a boring read.
anya_doesntmatter's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I really enjoy A.M. Author’s All Saints Series. The characters in each book are so intense and fully developed you can’t help but fall in love with the MC’s in any given story. With that said, this unfortunately, is my least favorite book in the series. It isn’t a bad story at all, it just doesn’t resonate as deeply with me like the prior installments.
As I Am tells the story of Will and Taz. Will and Taz are both suffering from PTSD and are struggling to recover. Will stumbles across Taz via an online chat room and the two men quickly bond over their struggles, trials and tribulations. A growing friendship …and curiosity fuels Taz’s desire to finally meet Will face to face.
And boy do the sparks fly when they finally do!
Will is a young 19-year-old kid who was pimped out by his own mother as a prostitute. The sexual abuse has left Will skittish and borderline terrified to interact with anyone. Despite the abuse Will, craves human contact and has no qualms hooking up with one night stands. Hook ups are an easy way to fulfill his needs and quickly disengage. Anything more meaningful, a deeper connection is impossible for him to consider. After all, he was betrayed by the one who should have loved and protected him fiercely. I completely understood his trust issues.
Taz’s backstory is just as heartbreaking as Will. After a vicious attack from homophobic assholes Taz, became a shut in. Completely terrified to leave the safety of his home. Taz works from home and his father tends to everything that would require outdoor social interaction ( grocery shopping, miscellaneous errands etc.)
On paper, these two break my heart. I rooted for them and of course celebrated when they worked through their issues and emerged stronger together. My problem with the story is ( and I must emphasize this is a case of me, not the story) agoraphobia seems to be the latest trend in MM. The last 3 books I’ve read featured agoraphobia sufferers and Taz’s experience (as shitty as this may sound) pales in comparison to these other characters in regards to what led to them being agoraphobic.
The second issue I have is that though Taz is a bit older than Will, both these guys are pretty immature. I expect it from Will (considering he's still a teenager ) but from Taz too? I just couldn’t buy into it. Some of their drama were artificial and manufactured for the sake of the story as opposed to a logical mistake that could potentially occur IRL. This matters if the goal is to take these characters seriously.
Despite these shortcomings As I Am is a great read and I recommend it to anyone looking to ooh and ash as two individuals who deserve a bit of happiness fall in love despite the impossible odds laid before them :)
*ARC provided for review at my discretion*
jrv45's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
emmadstanden's review against another edition
this happened. it was better than the first book in the series. idk so far this author's books just aren't my jam
bibliophile_xo's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt
vkelt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
golem's review
3.0
There is so much about this book that does not work for me. I did not ship this co-dependent, insta-mate couple! Half the plot points involved someone not answering a text. Will is not that nice to Taz, and their conflicts resolve too quickly. The most compelling, active writing is reserved for descriptions of (past) sexual violence; much of the writing is slow and clunky. The pillow talk is supremely lousy.
Worst of all, the author more than once uses “hacienda” to mean “bodega” (how did no one at Carina Press notice that this is the wrong word?)!!
However. I appreciate what they're trying to do here! It’s fantastic that this romance series revolves and low-income queer people who have experienced addiction, abuse, foster care, and homelessness, and who have found family w other queers. It did make me want to read the other books about these characters. The book also builds up to a brief but suspenseful plotline about cops and dealers and so forth that is pretty compelling.
I don't know. It was worth reading to the end but it was not amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Rape, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Hate crime, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Child abuse, and Addiction
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