Scan barcode
ollie_again's review
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Cancer
Minor: Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Bullying
unusablebooklore's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
The story of two boys with shared trauma in childhood reconnecting in university. I’m not a massive New Adult fan but this was a solid book with a story that could have been really difficult to read. Ultimately it was a sweet and heavy book. It was a pleasure to see the boys re-find each other and grow together.
The book was great, well written, just not really what I had been looking for. Good balance of story and spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
A nice sweet but spicy romance. My biggest criticism is that sometimes the writing, especially the dialog, was a little clunky and unnatural in a tell-not-show after school special kind of way. The spicy parts were actually pretty well written though. The story is somewhat predictable and a bit cliche, but I really didn't mind. I had fun reading it. I appreciated the healthy friendships shown along with the romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Classism and Homophobia
teabooksart's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Honestly, the book felt immature and rushed. It was a cute premise but so much felt glossed over or shoved in to be convenient.
On a more personal note - I wasn't expecting the consistent fairly graphic sex scenes which is not my jam so that definitely didn't help my overall rating.
On a more personal note - I wasn't expecting the consistent fairly graphic sex scenes which is not my jam so that definitely didn't help my overall rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
ladylaurenexplorer's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A little too lighthearted for me, but I did enjoy the emotional aspect of the plot.
I also never thought of hiding a recovered illness as angst until now.
I also never thought of hiding a recovered illness as angst until now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexual content
so_many_books's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I was immediately interested in the book when I saw the cover. Unfortunately, the cover is a bit misleading. I should read the synopsis more carefully next time.
XOXO is a very ordinary college romance. The star quarterback in the elite university falls in love with the dance major scholarship guy.
The story wasn't really anything special. A regular love story. The only extra in the book was the cancer angle, which added a dimension that is rarely seen in romance books.
The characters were very archetypal. Henry, as the star quarterback, struggles with expectations from his family and team. He needs to keep up appearances about both his health history and attraction to guys. His storyline was actually pretty interesting with the added bonus of mental health mentions. Lark was also an archetype, the slightly feminine, bit still athletic dancer. I would've loved him defying gender roles a bit more. It felt like he had way more potential. And the cover only teases and there very little mention of him wearing a skirt/tutu to dance. It would've been awesome if he'd been able to do that.
Their relationship was sweet, especially with the add connection because of their fight against cancer. Seeing the grow closer together was very nice.
The writing style is actually very good, and the book is easy to read. I also appreciate the full cast of characters who provided a more intimate view into our MCs' lives.
All in all, this was a very simple, very lighthearted romance novel. So if you're in the mood for that, go for it!
XOXO is a very ordinary college romance. The star quarterback in the elite university falls in love with the dance major scholarship guy.
The story wasn't really anything special. A regular love story. The only extra in the book was the cancer angle, which added a dimension that is rarely seen in romance books.
The characters were very archetypal. Henry, as the star quarterback, struggles with expectations from his family and team. He needs to keep up appearances about both his health history and attraction to guys. His storyline was actually pretty interesting with the added bonus of mental health mentions. Lark was also an archetype, the slightly feminine, bit still athletic dancer. I would've loved him defying gender roles a bit more. It felt like he had way more potential. And the cover only teases and there very little mention of him wearing a skirt/tutu to dance. It would've been awesome if he'd been able to do that.
Their relationship was sweet, especially with the add connection because of their fight against cancer. Seeing the grow closer together was very nice.
The writing style is actually very good, and the book is easy to read. I also appreciate the full cast of characters who provided a more intimate view into our MCs' lives.
All in all, this was a very simple, very lighthearted romance novel. So if you're in the mood for that, go for it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying
More...