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joanna1905's review
2.0
TW: Sexual assault, homophobia and racism
I have weird mixed feelings about this book, and I'm very sad I didn't love it as much as I love the cover.
The best things about this book are Max's character he's such a good genuine guy and unlike basically every other character he's very likeable, his mum who we don't see a lot but whose a really good mother and just a genuinely good person. I also really appreciated the sexual assault storyline, while I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been I think in general there's a general lack of awareness for the sexual assault of men, especially gay men.
Most of the other characters were irritating; Max's friends are assholes for most of the book who for some reason don't think he'd be upset by all the racist, homophobic, and sexist stuff they say. The talk they all had at the end was nice, but it like your POC friends shouldn't have to tell you racism is bad etc.
Jordan's friends are also super annoying and also say a lot of mean stuff; it's interesting that so much of Max's story arc is about consent in relation to the SA, while Jordan constantly deals with friends who do not respect his boundaries or the word No ever. Except unlike Max telling people about the SA and begin healing the behaviour of 'the wives' (I still don't understand why they're called this? It might have been funny if the girls were dating each other but they're not so ?) but their behaviour is never really addressed.
Jordan is also pretty annoying, I liked him more than most of the other characters but he was SO SELF DEPRECATING - and like that's not necessarily a bad thing. Self-consciousness of teenage boys isn't something ya explore THAT much. However, it's never really addressed? He gets slightly less so as he begins dating Max but besides one lecture from Max, Jorden never actually talks to someone about why he constantly feels inferior etc. I would have liked to see it end with him also seeing a therapist.
All in all, this is an okay read, it had some real strengths going for it but I just didn't quite do it for me.
I have weird mixed feelings about this book, and I'm very sad I didn't love it as much as I love the cover.
The best things about this book are Max's character he's such a good genuine guy and unlike basically every other character he's very likeable, his mum who we don't see a lot but whose a really good mother and just a genuinely good person. I also really appreciated the sexual assault storyline, while I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been I think in general there's a general lack of awareness for the sexual assault of men, especially gay men.
Most of the other characters were irritating; Max's friends are assholes for most of the book who for some reason don't think he'd be upset by all the racist, homophobic, and sexist stuff they say. The talk they all had at the end was nice, but it like your POC friends shouldn't have to tell you racism is bad etc.
Jordan's friends are also super annoying and also say a lot of mean stuff; it's interesting that so much of Max's story arc is about consent in relation to the SA, while Jordan constantly deals with friends who do not respect his boundaries or the word No ever. Except unlike Max telling people about the SA and begin healing the behaviour of 'the wives' (I still don't understand why they're called this? It might have been funny if the girls were dating each other but they're not so ?) but their behaviour is never really addressed.
Jordan is also pretty annoying, I liked him more than most of the other characters but he was SO SELF DEPRECATING - and like that's not necessarily a bad thing. Self-consciousness of teenage boys isn't something ya explore THAT much. However, it's never really addressed? He gets slightly less so as he begins dating Max but besides one lecture from Max, Jorden never actually talks to someone about why he constantly feels inferior etc. I would have liked to see it end with him also seeing a therapist.
All in all, this is an okay read, it had some real strengths going for it but I just didn't quite do it for me.
joyceeeee_k's review
1.0
*tw for a detailed rape scene and mentions of homophobia/racism*
every minute i have spent reading this book has made me want to launch myself into the sun, and NOT in good way. i just hated this entire reading experience and this is hands down the worst book of 2019 for me. i hated the writing style, the dialogue and the characters; especially jordan. he is one of the most insufferable fictional characters i’ve ever had to read about. he is so whiny, inane, over dramatic and extremely self centered. there’s a specific chapter towards the end of the book that i won’t go into detail about (bc spoilers) where max is in a serious situation yet all jordan can think about is himself and it pissed! me! the! fuck! off! is he supposed to be a realistic character? sure, he has flaws and that is realistic. but if you don’t implement a drop of character development for the guy then what is the actual point of writing such an unlikeable character?? okay, now circling back to the writing style. some of the things the author wrote really just rubbed me the wrong way and they didn’t hit right. there was an abundance of microagressions, casual racism and homophobia that just didn’t sit well with me. ofc it’s not supposed to be seen as good, but what’s the point of adding it in when it does nothing to move the plot along? there are a million other things i hated about this book that i’m too tired to write about but they are not limited to:
-literally every character except rosa
-how jordan’s mom’s mental illness was handled
-poor execution in general
the only redeeming quality of this book was how the topic of rape was handled and the mature conversations about masculinity. other than that this book was an absolute train wreck. yikes, this was really just me airing out my grievances but it felt good to get off my chest.
every minute i have spent reading this book has made me want to launch myself into the sun, and NOT in good way. i just hated this entire reading experience and this is hands down the worst book of 2019 for me. i hated the writing style, the dialogue and the characters; especially jordan. he is one of the most insufferable fictional characters i’ve ever had to read about. he is so whiny, inane, over dramatic and extremely self centered. there’s a specific chapter towards the end of the book that i won’t go into detail about (bc spoilers) where max is in a serious situation yet all jordan can think about is himself and it pissed! me! the! fuck! off! is he supposed to be a realistic character? sure, he has flaws and that is realistic. but if you don’t implement a drop of character development for the guy then what is the actual point of writing such an unlikeable character?? okay, now circling back to the writing style. some of the things the author wrote really just rubbed me the wrong way and they didn’t hit right. there was an abundance of microagressions, casual racism and homophobia that just didn’t sit well with me. ofc it’s not supposed to be seen as good, but what’s the point of adding it in when it does nothing to move the plot along? there are a million other things i hated about this book that i’m too tired to write about but they are not limited to:
-literally every character except rosa
-how jordan’s mom’s mental illness was handled
-poor execution in general
the only redeeming quality of this book was how the topic of rape was handled and the mature conversations about masculinity. other than that this book was an absolute train wreck. yikes, this was really just me airing out my grievances but it felt good to get off my chest.
chuskeyreads's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
The importance of this book is difficult to define, but all students need to see themselves in the books they read.
The characters are well-defined and believable; although, Jordan’s whiny, self-abuse got a little annoying at times. I enjoyed the food truck endeavor, and thought it was an important part of the plot.
Both characters have to overcome some serious issues and struggles, and I enjoyed the way they were able to lean on/support each other throughout the book. Max and Jordan seem to make each other better humans through their relationship, and that’s probably the best part about this book.
What I didn’t like was the last five-ish chapters. After they lose the food truck, it’s never mentioned again. And Jordan’s mom just gambling everything away? Ooh! That really pissed me off the way it was handled. Should have seen the signs? What signs? That she ate Twinkies and sat around the house or stayed out late? That part wasn’t explained very well - it seemed a bit contrived at the end that she gambled away the food truck and the back mortgage money. And Max’s dad - he “just can’t”?! What’s that supposed to mean? His relationship with his dad could have been handled better than, oh by the way, Max’s dad is an ass. And what about Max’s other teammates? Did he come out to them? How did they handle it? How did he handle it? These are questions I think my students might ask, especially if they see this book as inspirational.
The importance of this book is difficult to define, but all students need to see themselves in the books they read.
The characters are well-defined and believable; although, Jordan’s whiny, self-abuse got a little annoying at times. I enjoyed the food truck endeavor, and thought it was an important part of the plot.
Both characters have to overcome some serious issues and struggles, and I enjoyed the way they were able to lean on/support each other throughout the book. Max and Jordan seem to make each other better humans through their relationship, and that’s probably the best part about this book.
What I didn’t like was the last five-ish chapters. After they lose the food truck, it’s never mentioned again. And Jordan’s mom just gambling everything away? Ooh! That really pissed me off the way it was handled. Should have seen the signs? What signs? That she ate Twinkies and sat around the house or stayed out late? That part wasn’t explained very well - it seemed a bit contrived at the end that she gambled away the food truck and the back mortgage money. And Max’s dad - he “just can’t”?! What’s that supposed to mean? His relationship with his dad could have been handled better than, oh by the way, Max’s dad is an ass. And what about Max’s other teammates? Did he come out to them? How did they handle it? How did he handle it? These are questions I think my students might ask, especially if they see this book as inspirational.
reefsharkie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
drakoulis's review
3.0
I expected way more. The premise was interesting, the setup was there but... something felt off from start to finish for me.
The writing was very weird and not only because of the slang. A lot of it fell flat. Many of the serious topics were addressed in a really uncomfortable way.
For example, the train wreck that was Jordan's mom was given too many excuses. Same with Max's dad.
Max's inner monologue was meant to show the toxic influence of machismo but didn't do it in a way that I liked.
A lot of the "trying new things" the couple did felt too pushy. A lot of the plotlines didnt get a conclusive ending. The friends were all more annoying than funny.
This book was a bit all over the place. It's more like 2.5 stars for me.
The writing was very weird and not only because of the slang. A lot of it fell flat. Many of the serious topics were addressed in a really uncomfortable way.
For example, the train wreck that was Jordan's mom was given too many excuses. Same with Max's dad.
Max's inner monologue was meant to show the toxic influence of machismo but didn't do it in a way that I liked.
A lot of the "trying new things" the couple did felt too pushy. A lot of the plotlines didnt get a conclusive ending. The friends were all more annoying than funny.
This book was a bit all over the place. It's more like 2.5 stars for me.
rcrikkit's review
5.0
I loved this book. It felt so real. I loved the way it addressed a lot of issues, and I loved the two MCs. They're both unique and I loved the character development.
melissaverasreads's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
Trigger warning:
I don't know what it is with me and Bill Konigsberg. I'm usually all aboard with the premise of his books, but then I never really loved any of his books. In this one, we have a lot of amazing things. Max is an awesome character, I really liked reading from his POV. And his mother is amazing, she's present, she's supportive, she doesn't take any bullshit, she's a queen, ok?
And there are a few heavy topics that were tough to read, but I think they were handled very well.
On the negative part, I didn't like Jordan very much :/ And the chemistry between Max and Jordan... it just wasn't there for me.
Still, I would recommend this book.
Trigger warning:
Spoiler
RapeI don't know what it is with me and Bill Konigsberg. I'm usually all aboard with the premise of his books, but then I never really loved any of his books. In this one, we have a lot of amazing things. Max is an awesome character, I really liked reading from his POV. And his mother is amazing, she's present, she's supportive, she doesn't take any bullshit, she's a queen, ok?
And there are a few heavy topics that were tough to read, but I think they were handled very well.
On the negative part, I didn't like Jordan very much :/ And the chemistry between Max and Jordan... it just wasn't there for me.
Still, I would recommend this book.
zordrac's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0