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kalynwebb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
evehemingway's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
jamoll04's review against another edition
4.0
I really really loved this book until the last half! I read it so fast and definitely shed some tears but there were a few things here and there that made me tilt my head and fidget uncomfortably.
Some of the sexual scenes between Art and Reza made me feel uncomfortable. Reza was so terrified to get AIDS and was so afraid of having sex and contracting it (on top of it being his first time). Art was so dismissive and pushy when Reza wouldn’t have sex with him. It made their love story less romantic in my eyes and put a bad taste in my mouth. Art should have been more understanding than anyone after watching so many people die of it and helped Reza process things. The scene of them in the hotel too (art humping Reza) felt the same way.
Then suddenly when Stephen dies, the next chapter is them having sex?!?!?? Like, I was just sobbing and now there’s a sex scene. I understand that the intent was that Reza decided he needed to live his life but it just felt…weird. Also IN HIS SISTERS APARTMENT??? Why didn’t he just ask his sister for some money for a hotel
Some of the sexual scenes between Art and Reza made me feel uncomfortable. Reza was so terrified to get AIDS and was so afraid of having sex and contracting it (on top of it being his first time). Art was so dismissive and pushy when Reza wouldn’t have sex with him. It made their love story less romantic in my eyes and put a bad taste in my mouth. Art should have been more understanding than anyone after watching so many people die of it and helped Reza process things. The scene of them in the hotel too (art humping Reza) felt the same way.
Then suddenly when Stephen dies, the next chapter is them having sex?!?!?? Like, I was just sobbing and now there’s a sex scene. I understand that the intent was that Reza decided he needed to live his life but it just felt…weird. Also IN HIS SISTERS APARTMENT??? Why didn’t he just ask his sister for some money for a hotel
morrie2020's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The plot was reasonably predictable, and occasionally felt overbearing in its use of a love triangle. Occasionally the plot also seemed to open up plot lines that would've been fascinating to follow but were never expanded upon, but rather skipped through with time jumps.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Racism
Minor: Death
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Set in 1989 in NYC, at the height of the AIDS crisis, Like a Love Story focuses on 3 teens who go to the same private high school. The narrative alternates from their 3 perspectives.
-Reza is Iranian and recently moved to NYC (by way of Tehran then Toronto) when his mother remarried. He has known he was gay since he was younger but is afraid to tell anyone due to his culture and the AIDS crisis.
-Judy is a plus-sized aspiring fashion designer who loves creating and wearing colorful clothing. Her uncle Stephen named her after one of his favorite actresses Judy Garland. Judy and her uncle get together regularly to watch classic movies. Stephen has AIDS and regularly participates in AIDS Activism.
- Art is Judy's best friend and also participates in the movie nights with her uncle. Art is out and proud and is inspired by Stephen's activism.
Even though this is listed as a YA novel, it is deep enough for adults to enjoy. The story itself is in turns uplifting and heartbreaking. We see a young man coming into his own but simultaneously we see the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay community of NYC in the 1980's.
-Reza is Iranian and recently moved to NYC (by way of Tehran then Toronto) when his mother remarried. He has known he was gay since he was younger but is afraid to tell anyone due to his culture and the AIDS crisis.
-Judy is a plus-sized aspiring fashion designer who loves creating and wearing colorful clothing. Her uncle Stephen named her after one of his favorite actresses Judy Garland. Judy and her uncle get together regularly to watch classic movies. Stephen has AIDS and regularly participates in AIDS Activism.
- Art is Judy's best friend and also participates in the movie nights with her uncle. Art is out and proud and is inspired by Stephen's activism.
Even though this is listed as a YA novel, it is deep enough for adults to enjoy. The story itself is in turns uplifting and heartbreaking. We see a young man coming into his own but simultaneously we see the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay community of NYC in the 1980's.
alys_anthology's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jeleigh16's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to absolutely love this book. I enjoyed it, but there were things about it that kept me from giving this 5 stars. The main issue I found was the consent issue. There was more than one character forcing themselves on another character in the name of teenage lust. If the book didn't have that element or they'd more strongly communicated about that difficulty in their relationships, I would have had an easier time with it. The representation of various experiences of these teens during the late 80s/early 90s in NYC during the AIDS epidemic was well done though and the ending does bring the themes together nicely. It certainly showcased what it means to learn to be a part of this thing we call community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Excrement, Homophobia, Infidelity, Death, Death of parent, Bullying, Cancer, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Hate crime, Chronic illness, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, Grief, Outing, Medical content, and Racism
Minor: Gun violence
mikesean77's review
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
ginnylt's review against another edition
5.0
Love that this exists and that young people can learn important history about the HIV/AIDS crisis.