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hannahrogers's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Bullying, Biphobia, Outing, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Misogyny, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: War, Racism, Violence, and Alcohol
quailf498a's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
1.75
I want to like this! I want to love it! God! Why is it like this!!!
It could've been great! The rivals to lovers, the secret relationship, man! But no! It's this instead.
This book should have had way more time, research, and care put into it. It managed to be poorly written (which I was so shocked by? I've liked Shaun David Hutchinson's books in the past) and problematic in nearly every way it could manage.
Dean ended up being my favorite character (which is embarrassingly obvious in this) but, honestly, it's just because he got forgiveness and growth from his flaws while Dre's flaws were all either 1. Never rectified or 2. Not flaws? Disliking republicans isn't a character flaw lmao.
Dre and his family being Mexican-American feels like it's barely more than mentioned. There's no extra information to it, not even an attempt at making it seem like a real part of who he is.
There are several scenes where it's clear the intent is to show Dean's mother's homophobia against Dre but it usually comes off as racist as well. (E.g. the scene where she says Dre isn't "like us" and they challenge her homophobia but completely ignore the racism?) The author seems oblivious of it; any racism always goes unchallenged while he focuses on the homophobia. He acts as if racism is excusable and uncommon among republicans.
Were there any people of color involved in making this book? How did these scenes get to the final draft with no one noticing how poorly this book handles racism?
Also, I feel like several aspects of the book would come across better if it wasn't afraid to just admit Dean's mother is a bad person with bad opinions. It tries to protect and defend her from its own rightful criticisms — but you can't say she disrespects others' human rights and say she's just misunderstood and actually nice! It's not even just Dean excusing her because she's his mom, either. Everyone makes excuses for her, including Dre of all people. The book can't even decide whether she's bad for being a bigot or her bigotry is just a difference of opinion.
And I'm probably just looking to far into things here, but at the end during the debates when she says she "accepts" him it feels... sort of abusive, honestly? She privately treated him horribly when he came out only to say she loves him unconditionally when she's in front of cameras. And Dean seems to just ??? Forgive her??? With no further development between them??
And this is the ONLY thing she changes her mind on. There's nothing about her political opinions, just that she still loves her son. She can love her gay son and still be a bad person for supporting the trans military ban! Surprise!
Also, it's not that big of a deal, but the fact he just casually labels himself as queer immediately feels almost unrealistic to me. He's closeted, in Florida, and surrounded by republicans in his life; where would he hear that word positively/reclaimed? Where would he hear it at all unless it was being used as a slur? There's dissonance between him being seemingly oblivious of his mother's homophobia (at first) yet readily using that term for himself. I just don't see a closeted questioning teen in a homophobic environment using that term for himself with no hesitation. The entire aspect of him "questioning" his sexuality isn't really explored either.
The good thing is that I loved the fact Dean has ADD and has a panic attack. The ADD representation was actually really good, in my opinion.
And MAN oh man Jackson McMann! Why was he like a Trump stand-in while also being a Bezos-type guy? Why was he a Trump stand-in AND independent? Why was he such a damn cartoon villain? Why did they awkwardly mention he owns Prometheon midway through and then act surprised he was behind the leak? And oh God, the scene before the debate with the "love wins!" line & the Everybody Clapped ending sounded like a 2012 tumblr post. It was fun! But it also sounded hilarious when that was definitely not the intention
Side note: the scene where Dre's dad considers dropping out so Dean's mom can win? Yikes!
So yeah, parts of it are actually good! It could have been not horrible in others though. The first half bored me (I skipped a few chapters) but wow. This concept is awesome and the characters could've been great if the author actually cared about the experiences of anyone who isn't just like him.
Also he blocked POC when they criticized the book so basically don't support this book. Just read something good instead!
It could've been great! The rivals to lovers, the secret relationship, man! But no! It's this instead.
This book should have had way more time, research, and care put into it. It managed to be poorly written (which I was so shocked by? I've liked Shaun David Hutchinson's books in the past) and problematic in nearly every way it could manage.
Dean ended up being my favorite character (which is embarrassingly obvious in this) but, honestly, it's just because he got forgiveness and growth from his flaws while Dre's flaws were all either 1. Never rectified or 2. Not flaws? Disliking republicans isn't a character flaw lmao.
Dre and his family being Mexican-American feels like it's barely more than mentioned. There's no extra information to it, not even an attempt at making it seem like a real part of who he is.
There are several scenes where it's clear the intent is to show Dean's mother's homophobia against Dre but it usually comes off as racist as well. (E.g. the scene where she says Dre isn't "like us" and they challenge her homophobia but completely ignore the racism?) The author seems oblivious of it; any racism always goes unchallenged while he focuses on the homophobia. He acts as if racism is excusable and uncommon among republicans.
Were there any people of color involved in making this book? How did these scenes get to the final draft with no one noticing how poorly this book handles racism?
Also, I feel like several aspects of the book would come across better if it wasn't afraid to just admit Dean's mother is a bad person with bad opinions. It tries to protect and defend her from its own rightful criticisms — but you can't say she disrespects others' human rights and say she's just misunderstood and actually nice! It's not even just Dean excusing her because she's his mom, either. Everyone makes excuses for her, including Dre of all people. The book can't even decide whether she's bad for being a bigot or her bigotry is just a difference of opinion.
And I'm probably just looking to far into things here, but at the end during the debates
And this is the ONLY thing she changes her mind on. There's nothing about her political opinions, just that she still loves her son. She can love her gay son and still be a bad person for supporting the trans military ban! Surprise!
Also, it's not that big of a deal, but the fact he just casually labels himself as queer immediately feels almost unrealistic to me. He's closeted, in Florida, and surrounded by republicans in his life; where would he hear that word positively/reclaimed? Where would he hear it at all unless it was being used as a slur? There's dissonance between him being seemingly oblivious of his mother's homophobia (at first) yet readily using that term for himself. I just don't see a closeted questioning teen in a homophobic environment using that term for himself with no hesitation. The entire aspect of him "questioning" his sexuality isn't really explored either.
The good thing is that I loved the fact Dean has ADD and has a panic attack. The ADD representation was actually really good, in my opinion.
And MAN oh man Jackson McMann! Why was he like a Trump stand-in while also being a Bezos-type guy? Why was he a Trump stand-in AND independent? Why was he such a damn cartoon villain?
Side note: the scene where Dre's dad considers dropping out so Dean's mom can win? Yikes!
So yeah, parts of it are actually good! It could have been not horrible in others though. The first half bored me (I skipped a few chapters) but wow. This concept is awesome and the characters could've been great if the author actually cared about the experiences of anyone who isn't just like him.
Also he blocked POC when they criticized the book so basically don't support this book. Just read something good instead!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Racism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
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