Scan barcode
a_modernstoryteller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lastingliterature's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
2.5
This novel tells the story of Julián as he struggles coming out to his Mexican American family and deciding what he wants his life to be like after high school. With the help of Mat, who lives fifteen hundred miles away, things quickly change.
I loved the possibility of this book. The themes are excellent and the culture was so rich. The Vietnamese and Mexican food descriptions literally had my mouth mastering. And while I really, really wanted to root for Jules, I found the writing style of this book very hard to get into. It was full of stream-of-consciousness and sentence fragments that forced me to read several lines over again...not in a good way. I feel I should also mention that it is very heavy on Spanish. I love the mix of languages but because it was so prominent, I did have trouble understanding because most of the words and phrases were never translated. I feel like I lost some of the essences of the characters because I was guessing on what was being said often. I’m sure many will love seeing this representation, so no hate on it by any means, just a challenge for me as a non-speaker!
I also struggled with the relationship. I almost wish Jules and Mat had randomly met once or something before continuing their online relationship. I just couldn’t find it that believable that they would enter into a full-on relationship after only talking online for a couple of weeks. Things seemed so rushed from the I love you to intimacy to life plans. It was hard for me to see that being plausible, especially at 18.
While this book wasn’t a favorite for me, I have hopes that others will find connection with it, and I will still willingly read more from the author.
I also really appreciated the author's note preceding the story. Please read to understand possible trigger warnings and check-in with yourself!
2.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content
More...