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rin_varga's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I'm not sure if I should say that this book has been on my TBR list for almost a decade now, but I do feel as if I've been waiting until just the right time in my life to finally pick it up, when it most needed to find me and when I could best appreciate its big-hearted wisdom the most.
I have a vivid memory of being in college and seeing its cover in the shelves of new arrivals of the Barnes & Noble a few minutes off-campus. I remember reading the synopsis and the premise struck me as so unique, I took a picture of the cover and made a note of the title on a phone I barely knew how to use so that I wouldn't forget it again--I never had to look at the note again, because it's been in my mind all this time and I remembered exactly what it looked like, what it was called, and what it was about.
I'm thirty this year, and I can't help but feel grateful that I put off reading this book until now. You know how some people talk about not feeling guilt over your TBR pile or not reading a new addition to your collection immediately, that books are like fine wine for you to open at the right occasion? I don't think I would have been able to truly appreciate "Because You'll Never Meet Me" as a teenager, or even at 22 when it was first published. But now, as a queer person who's forged a bond with someone almost exclusively through text/messaging halfway across the world, and as someone who's dealt with the pain of love, acceptance, sorrow and hardship that can't always be dealt with when there's an ocean between you, this book tugged on my heartstrings in the BEST ways!!
If you're someone (queer or not) who's ever felt the sting of feeling isolated from your peers even when they're right next to you/closed off from the world just because of who you are, then this book will be exactly the dose of serotonin and self-acceptance that you've been needing!
Graphic: Medical trauma, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, and Bullying
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Physical abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Torture, Child abuse, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Animal cruelty, Gore, and Pregnancy
reganalv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
anne311's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Terminal illness, Grief, Gore, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, and Cursing
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Medical content, Vomit, and Excrement
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Incest