Scan barcode
bookthief404's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
I am deceased.
Alison Cochruns writing is incredible. I was instantly hooked and literally couldn't pry my eyes from the pages for hours. It played like an addictive TV show in my head. I absolutely fell in love with both Charlie and Dev from both perspectives.
I would be engrossed in the moments between the couple so intensely that every feeling felt like my own. I wish I could read about them forever.
The ending was mildly predictable, but I don't care. The representation of sexual identity and mental health issues is something that many, many fiction writers and authors are too terrified to go anywhere near. If there were more movies and books and shows touching on these subjects with even less than half of what Cochrun included in this book then maybe the world would be a far more understanding place. One can only hope for more like this in the future.
Alison Cochruns writing is incredible. I was instantly hooked and literally couldn't pry my eyes from the pages for hours. It played like an addictive TV show in my head. I absolutely fell in love with both Charlie and Dev from both perspectives.
I would be engrossed in the moments between the couple so intensely that every feeling felt like my own. I wish I could read about them forever.
The ending was mildly predictable, but I don't care. The representation of sexual identity and mental health issues is something that many, many fiction writers and authors are too terrified to go anywhere near. If there were more movies and books and shows touching on these subjects with even less than half of what Cochrun included in this book then maybe the world would be a far more understanding place. One can only hope for more like this in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol
iamkiaraayleen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Bullying, and Sexual content
feelingfrazzled's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Vomit, and Misogyny
Minor: Biphobia, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Infidelity, Hate crime, Gaslighting, and Classism
taelights's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
This book was pretty fun and cute but way too overhyped. With all the 4 and 5 star reviews and hype around this book I expected a lot more and was kind of disappointed because of it.
The writing style of the book is very YA and the whole plot of the book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. Like I still have no fucking idea why people thought putting Charlie on basically the Batchelor would fix his reputation and get him his job back?? Literally makes no sense and there seems to be a lot better ways to fix a reputation before jumping to a dating show of all things??? It especially makes no sense when Charlie is a painfully socially awkward man who has never dated before and has OCD and anxiety.
Speaking of which I know this book is praised for it's mental health representation but honestly I don't think it did a good job at it.
The conflicts in the book were most of the time unnecessary and annoying because it. And the final source of angst was just so…. ugh.
Also can I just say the sex scenes in this where really bad? Like they could have been omitted because they were badly written and boring.
But for some positives the characters did have some moments of good chemistry where I really enjoyed them together and I thought the ending was cute.
The book was cute but predictable and unremarkable. It's definitely not one I'll reread or think about after this. It was fun while I read it but it's not a book that will stay with me or one I'll recommend to a lot of people. But it was cute enough I won't talk someone out of reading it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Mental illness, and Ableism
aexileigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
smasson13's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
The moment I realised that the author, Alison Cochrun, was a teacher, I knew it was going to be good.
The adorable love story aside, this story has some of the best mental illness representation that I have read in a long time. She treats the topic and the characters with dignity without shying away from the difficult and often messy parts. It was refreshing and great to see.
While the love was adorable and realistic, the conflict resolution seemed a little random. But overall, a great queer read about loving quirky people!
The adorable love story aside, this story has some of the best mental illness representation that I have read in a long time. She treats the topic and the characters with dignity without shying away from the difficult and often messy parts. It was refreshing and great to see.
While the love was adorable and realistic, the conflict resolution seemed a little random. But overall, a great queer read about loving quirky people!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Bullying
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
Ugh, this book was too cute! I love that Charlie found people who would accept him, not try to make him conform. And Dev, you hopeless romantic!
A+ for all the conversations around asexuality. This is one of the few books I've read (so far) that is so open about discussion and I adore it.
A+ for all the conversations around asexuality. This is one of the few books I've read (so far) that is so open about discussion and I adore it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Vomit, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Alcohol
Minor: Racism
werewolvesnotswearwolves's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
jessie_h's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Y'all. I get the hype surrounding this book now and it deserves it all! And I’m sorry I didn’t pick it up sooner. I was a bit skeptical that I would like it going in because I'm not usually a fan of reality tv dating shows like Ever After but I found myself fascinated with those parts of the story. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down until I was done because I had to know what happened next.
I loved so much about this book! It was heartwarming, tender, and amazing! I wanted to give all the characters a hug from the start. I quickly fell in love with Charlie and Dev and their friends! And let’s just say that the romance is total relationship goals! The way Charlie and Dev were there for each other and were more than willing to give each other the support they needed just got me right in the feels. I was rooting for them from the moment Charlie fell out of the limo at Dev's feet. I knew it had to have a HEA but I couldn't see how they were going to end up together through must of the book. Was the end kind of cheesy and over the top? Yes, but I love it! I'm going to put this out in the universe. I would read a whole second book of just these two hanging out, doing their own things, being in love, and interacting with their friend group. Someone write me that slice-of-life fanfic stat!
I will admit that I came for the romance and I stayed for mental health and queer rep! The ways mental illness and identity were discussed in this book were amazing! I was so here for the demisexual rep! It's nice to see yourself in a book. I cried a few times while reading this and that's not something I get to say often. It totally hit me in the feels several times. I can't recommend this book enough! I also need more books with all of these characters! I am especially shipping Parisha and Jules and would love a book about them.
I loved so much about this book! It was heartwarming, tender, and amazing! I wanted to give all the characters a hug from the start. I quickly fell in love with Charlie and Dev and their friends! And let’s just say that the romance is total relationship goals! The way Charlie and Dev were there for each other and were more than willing to give each other the support they needed just got me right in the feels. I was rooting for them from the moment Charlie fell out of the limo at Dev's feet. I knew it had to have a HEA but I couldn't see how they were going to end up together through must of the book. Was the end kind of cheesy and over the top? Yes, but I love it! I'm going to put this out in the universe. I would read a whole second book of just these two hanging out, doing their own things, being in love, and interacting with their friend group. Someone write me that slice-of-life fanfic stat!
I will admit that I came for the romance and I stayed for mental health and queer rep! The ways mental illness and identity were discussed in this book were amazing! I was so here for the demisexual rep! It's nice to see yourself in a book. I cried a few times while reading this and that's not something I get to say often. It totally hit me in the feels several times. I can't recommend this book enough! I also need more books with all of these characters! I am especially shipping Parisha and Jules and would love a book about them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Biphobia
badmom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Bullying