Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Fire Season by KD Casey

4 reviews

henrygravesprince's review

Go to review page

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? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of the best romances I’ve ever read. The prose is strong, the characters and their development are incredible; it’s one of those books where I feel I can not only tell how much the author loves the story and characters, but the commitment to the craft of storytelling and character building, too. That’s something I’ve had a hard time finding in romance books.

I read this while dealing with my own internal issues around addiction and I think the portrayal of alcoholism is very compassionate and realistic. I really appreciate the compassion woven throughout this book in general.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

heydebigale's review

Go to review page

dark 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

CW: alcoholism, anxiety

I thought this queer baseball romance was very well done! I don’t know much about baseball, but I feel like I finally understand the definition of a curve ball. Ha! 

Not sure if it was intentional, but loved that a MC whose grappling with the fact that he isn’t actually straight has an expert curve ball. 

I loved the portrayal of divorce here. It felt like a true HEA for all involved.

Even though this book deals with the heavier topic of alcoholism… it is light on the homophobia (I can’t remember any?) which I think is probably really nice for queer readers.

Notes: takes place in the Bay Area, California (Oakland and San Francisco). Charlie and Reid are both bisexual. Reid struggles with alcoholism and anxiety. Reid is also an observing Jewish man. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

firefly's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wilybooklover's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this even though I didn’t understand any of the sports details. 

I loved that Reid and Charlie helped each other to heal and that the only real conflict in their relationship came from external sources. They’re always kind and communicative with each other and I just adore reading those kinds of relationships. I really enjoyed how Charlie’s bisexual awakening played out so calmly, with a bit of Googling and thinking on how he viewed men in the past. No dramatics or existential crises here! I also liked how his (soon-to-be) ex-wife wasn’t demonised. 

This book delves into some hard topics (addiction, mental health, divorce, religion) but still manages to feel light and hopeful — in large part thanks to the low-angst romance taking centre stage. 

I’m not sure why so many reviewers are calling it a slow-burn because it definitely isn’t.
The characters have an instant connection and get together before the halfway mark which is actually on the early side of things!
 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...