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kim_gzt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Amazing Rom-Com with great characters. I originally thought that it would be a pretty flat Romcom but I was totally wrong. For being a pretty short book, Dev and Charlie characters were developed deeply. I enjoyed reading it from both their point of views a lot. It gave you a lot of inside of who they are. I also loved the queer representation and awareness for mental health. A 5/5 read for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
bengaliyaoi's review against another edition
2.0
I will give credit where credit where credit is due—this book makes no qualms about what it is. Cheesy, sappy, silly romance between two gay dudes that could honestly work as a fanfiction if you tried hard enough. Just replace the names with your characters of choice. It has that over red white and royal blue, I’ll tell you that much. I think what just irritated me and annoyed me to hell and beyond was the writing style. Every other page and every other conversation was some fucking GSA spiel about labels and their importance or mental health and so much of the cast of the book was clearly diverse for the sake of diversity. Dev being Indian doesn’t impact him or his character in any way, and is about as relevant as the color of his underwear.
I do not understand how so many people love this book, and okay, sure, some books aren’t meant for me, but the writing style for this book just infuriated me. If it wasn’t some conversation about asexuality and neurodivergence, it was the attempts at being witty and funny that just felt flat. If it wasn’t that, it was the random ass fucking metaphors (“his violin eyes” “hands spaced apart like she was building a small IKEA shelf”), and if it wasn’t that, it was the way the characters just interacted with each other like every conversation was a Reddit thread or a twitter debate. Maybe people like that! I certainly didn’t! Who even the fuck gives a shit! Dev could be a white gay dude and it wouldn’t make a difference! You could cut out 30% of this book and nothing would change!
Still better than red white and royal blue tho so
I do not understand how so many people love this book, and okay, sure, some books aren’t meant for me, but the writing style for this book just infuriated me. If it wasn’t some conversation about asexuality and neurodivergence, it was the attempts at being witty and funny that just felt flat. If it wasn’t that, it was the random ass fucking metaphors (“his violin eyes” “hands spaced apart like she was building a small IKEA shelf”), and if it wasn’t that, it was the way the characters just interacted with each other like every conversation was a Reddit thread or a twitter debate. Maybe people like that! I certainly didn’t! Who even the fuck gives a shit! Dev could be a white gay dude and it wouldn’t make a difference! You could cut out 30% of this book and nothing would change!
Still better than red white and royal blue tho so
kirapisk's review against another edition
Just wow. I thought I just picked up a fun and silly little romcom, and that it was for sure. I did not expect, but very much appreciated, the representation of mental health issues (OCD, anxiety and depression) and the way Charlie and Dev treated each other. Very lovely and thoughtful, even brought me close to tears a couple of times which does not happen often. Highly recommend!
cmm237's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
batmanbussy's review against another edition
5.0
i loved this so much. i feel so seen!!!! i have never consumed media that has an actually accurate and not ridiculing depiction of ocd. i see myself in a lot of charlie and it makes me so happy!!! this was so fun and i love the representation. dev and charlie make my heart happy. love these goofy guys and their puzzing <3
arcoirisdesign's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Book Summary
A book about someone figuring out they’re gay and discovering love for the first time.
A book about someone figuring out they’re gay and discovering love for the first time.
Book Review
IT WAS SO CUTE.
IT WAS SO CUTE.
How I Discovered It
Book youtube I think.
Who Should Read It
Anyone who wants to read a good love story.
Thoughts & Impressions
Dave made me mad at the end but omg the book was SO CUTE.
What I Liked About It
The genuine connection Dave and Charlie had. They’re so cute together. The story felt super realistic too.
What I Didn’t Like About It
Maureen was a bitch. She was the worst.
How the Book Changed Me
I have a deeper understanding of the gay experience now.
lj99's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Very cutie patootie
bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
When Dev, hopeless romantic, is assigned to coach Charlie, romantically hopeless, into being prince charming on a Bacheloresque reality TV show, will the final product be an epic disaster or happy ever after? I freaking love this book so much! Secret dating is one of my favorite tropes, but when you add in awkward nerds, self discovery, and a slow burn, I am swooning. The way this relationship develops feels real inspite of the ridiculous premise, and the intimacy and chemistry leaps off the page even with this being mostly fade to black. The way they deal with, or avoid, their mental health struggles, and try to support each other melted my heart. Allison Cochran's writing is so all consuming and descriptive that I could see each scene playing out like a movie, and I think this would make an amazing adaptation! I just finish it, but I already want to read it again. 💗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism