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librarianmage's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Toxic friendship
katanai's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
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
this was so cute and i love the baking moments!! i didn’t know there wasn’t a volume 2 until i finished this one and i cannot wait for it to be released!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had high hopes for this but unfortunately it didn't live up to them.
I thought the premise was sweet and I love the blue tones but I just felt like it needed more story and character development for me to really get into it. I wanted to see more moments of connection between Hector and Ari and also because Ari was pretty unlikable at times, I found it hard to root for their relationship. The dialogue was a bit expositional and I didn’t feel like the characters' conflicts were resolved by the end. Maybe my expectations were too high because I'd seen it on so many "books to read if you love Heartstopper" lists. I can see why they're compared but this didn't tick any of the Heartstopper boxes for me.
I thought the premise was sweet and I love the blue tones but I just felt like it needed more story and character development for me to really get into it. I wanted to see more moments of connection between Hector and Ari and also because Ari was pretty unlikable at times, I found it hard to root for their relationship. The dialogue was a bit expositional and I didn’t feel like the characters' conflicts were resolved by the end. Maybe my expectations were too high because I'd seen it on so many "books to read if you love Heartstopper" lists. I can see why they're compared but this didn't tick any of the Heartstopper boxes for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying
huntersflapjack's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Toxic relationship and Death
mapscitiesandsongs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Protect Hector at all costs!
He was such a lovely dude and I especially liked how he was fed up with Ari being a dick and calling him out because of that. I just hated Ari to be honest. Being sensitive doesn't mean you have to be a dick to everyone. I hate how we never got to know why Ari wanted to pursue music or why he suddenly stopped baking with his dad. (I guess it was because of that group of friends) The relationship and the ending were quite rushed. I also felt like Hector forgave Ari way too fast. Their whole relationship was just toxic in general. And don't get me started on his supposed "friends".
He was such a lovely dude and I especially liked how he was fed up with Ari being a dick and calling him out because of that. I just hated Ari to be honest. Being sensitive doesn't mean you have to be a dick to everyone. I hate how we never got to know why Ari wanted to pursue music or why he suddenly stopped baking with his dad. (I guess it was because of that group of friends) The relationship and the ending were quite rushed. I also felt like Hector forgave Ari way too fast. Their whole relationship was just toxic in general. And don't get me started on his supposed "friends".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death
imrereads's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Death
cams_all_booked's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship
rachelditty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Lovable and realistic main characters, with side characters that made me grind my teeth in frustration at their attitudes. Throughout the entire novel I was pleading for Ari to get new friends, or at the very least dump the two who made him feel awful. The implication that Hector was an angel toward the beginning was so cute, and I loved that each heartfelt interaction between the pair was surrounded by different flowers. The conflicts and senses of internal struggle in Ari were believable and well thought out, and Hector's sense of self-respect, especially when he walked away from Ari at his unfair treatment, was really well done. I was so happy the two had found each other again, and was especially happy Ari's parents didn't seem to mind the two becoming a couple, as long as it meant Hector would stay in the family. Really well done, very happy this was my first read of the year. Can't wait for the next installment!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
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
This graphic novel is super stinking cute! If you want a cute and slow gay romance with lots of BAKING and ANGST, consider picking up this book! My only complaint is I felt like the ending was rushed and things were resolved too easily. Otherwise, very cute, excellent pictures, gay baking!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying and Death
C+ Parenting