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ellie_debney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
_lish_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
piperclover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Theres multiple completely casual mentions of first cousins having sex??? Not explained or qualified, just thrown in for no reason at all. I think this needs Lennon's pov to connect all the dots bc as is, it feels shallow and is entirely one sided.
I do like that this is a ya that is not predicated on making fun of or laughing at the mc. The writing is easy and smooth and it all feels real.
Moderate: Alcohol
pey333'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
4.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
melaniereadsbooks'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
4.5
This was so cute. I took too long to write this review and now my memories are mostly snippets and vibes from this book. But I read this in one day, absolutely devoured it, and needed to know what would become of Len and Henry's relationship every second of the way. They were so adorable and I absolutely love the friends-to-lovers trope and Lennon was in love with Henry for so long and Henry was completely oblivious! Not gonna lie, I wish some of this was from Len's pov too because I need to know what he was thinking!
I really loved this every step of the way. I hardcore need to reread it (audio maybe??) soon so I can remember details better but ahhh. So cute. But also painful. Like this may make you cry if you get as invested in the relationship as I did. I definitely cried and then thought about my feelings for many days afterwards.
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Ableism and Cancer
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
However, just because there is an MLM romance doesn't mean it reads like Red, White, & Royal Blue. I actually think a better comp title for this would have been Heartstopper. For me, it read more like that story. Best friends, falling in love. One of them still trying to figure out their identity. It fits those vibes and that storyline to a tee.
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Ableism
aromarrie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
his love for reading and talents for writing showed very well in the way he described moments that for him were so completely significant—whether it was with len, his family, his friends, and himself.
it all made me feel closer to him somehow, and i loved how many times he made me laugh as i also teared up.
this is what ya books are all about, to be honest, and it’s wonderful that i got to read this when i did.
24 january 2024 update: (thank god for this re-read; henry & len’s characters mean the world to me)
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
pagesofnay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Alcohol and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
cateemma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, Ableism, Cancer, and Grief
madbytheway's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing's changed except all of it.
I'm going to cry. I loved this book so much, I think it encompassed the feelings that come with being in year 12 as well as the relationship issues and the drama that the book deals with brilliantly! Also it's written soooo incredibly well, there's a few books that follow a similar writing style and I love this book for it. Rhiannon Wilde, please please write another book! A year 12 from Melbourne would thank you greatly :)
Also the shakespeare references? And the fact that they're in debating club? And the sneaky Piano Man reference? A++++
I thought the ending felt a bit rushed but at the same time I realise that was both a) the point, and b) a realistic (I think) way to resolve their issues. I do think there could have been more elaboration on what was going on with Len and what specifically he needed to sort out but I also like that it was sort of left up to interpretation.
Could not stop imagining this book as a movie. I would die if this was turned into a film, I would see it at the cinema six times and then buy a DVD and play it until the machine scratches the disc beyond recognition.
Author, if you are reading this, this is now one of my all time favourite books. This goes up there with 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'The Hobbit' for how much I adore this book and will be recommending it to my friends for years on end. If you decide to write more books (please please do!) I'll buy every one of them :)
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Cancer, and Alcohol