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gibetal's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I did find it a bit slow at times in the beginning, but I raced through the second half. A really interesting exploration of trans & queerness and some of the “behind the scenes” relationship stuff that may not immediately come to mind.
For me, Dinan’s strengths here were 1) fantastically fleshed-out cast of characters that had distinct voices, and 2) genuinely funny moments that didn’t feel too try-hard or out of place. Light & heavy moments were perfectly balanced so that you can feel the depth of their pain but still want to spend time in the world.
For me, Dinan’s strengths here were 1) fantastically fleshed-out cast of characters that had distinct voices, and 2) genuinely funny moments that didn’t feel too try-hard or out of place. Light & heavy moments were perfectly balanced so that you can feel the depth of their pain but still want to spend time in the world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Car accident
e11en's review
challenging
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Drug use, Mental illness, Transphobia, Grief, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Eating disorder, Car accident, and Death of parent
sammyemma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Phenomenal. Following the lives of two frustrating yet loveable characters in their late teens/early twenties, this book had me laughing and crying within the same chapter. The writing is concise yet detailed, creating a powerful short novel with raw and believable characters. Any fans of Normal People by Sally Rooney will thoroughly enjoy this book, but the LGBTQ+ focus really sets this book apart. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Car accident
Minor: Transphobia and Death of parent
junglejelly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I wish I hadn't read Bellies so fast but I couldn't put it down. Everything about it is just phenomenal. Easily one of my favourite books that I have read in a long time.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Medical content
imrereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.25
I saw someone else describe this as a meditation on vulnerability and intimacy, and I feel that so hard. I'm a little bit at a loss for words, but I felt so close to these characters, and by the last few chapters I did what I almost never do – I cried. I think my biggest issue with this book where the time jumps, for a while I found them very jarring, I couldn't quite tell how much time had passed, but eventually I got into the rythmn of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident
bookishmillennial's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
This was such a tender read that follows Ming and Tom’s relationship (romantic, platonic, and non-speaking terms) over the years. We read how two people continue to yearn for and ruminate on the past, and feel so isolated to their present lives.
There’s a “is this fucking play about us?”moment, and though these characters work through seething anger, betrayal, and heartache, it’s ultimately about the gratitude, melancholy, simmering pain, and reverence we hold for past connections.
If you enjoyed Normal People by Sally Rooney and Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine (read: i wish i hated you, bye, & we can’t be friends), this is your book! (Also, this review doesn't do this book justice & I may try to come back & write a more detailed review .... one day!)
Thank you to my friend @maddysbookopinions for speaking so highly of this book & moving it up on my TBR!
Thank you to my friend @maddysbookopinions for speaking so highly of this book & moving it up on my TBR!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
keraashley's review
4.25
I think if this book was 60 pages shorter, it would have been a 5 star for me.
It is so overly descriptive, like every movement a person takes and what the chair they're sitting in looks like.
But the relationship between Ming and Tom is so good, and the growing pains and changes that everyone in this friend group goes through as Ming transitions was very well done.
It is so overly descriptive, like every movement a person takes and what the chair they're sitting in looks like.
But the relationship between Ming and Tom is so good, and the growing pains and changes that everyone in this friend group goes through as Ming transitions was very well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Grief, and Car accident
readwithchar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia, Car accident, and Pandemic/Epidemic
libraryoflanelle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I adored this book with all my heart. It easily became a new favourite.
I finished 'Bellies' in almost one sitting, and it absolutely consumed me. I fell in love with these characters in record time and felt all of their emotions right along with them. Nicola writes these characters in such a way that you immediately feel like you yourself are part of their little chaotic but loving found family. I truly cried, laughed out loud, and kicked my lil’ feet through this book.
I finished 'Bellies' in almost one sitting, and it absolutely consumed me. I fell in love with these characters in record time and felt all of their emotions right along with them. Nicola writes these characters in such a way that you immediately feel like you yourself are part of their little chaotic but loving found family. I truly cried, laughed out loud, and kicked my lil’ feet through this book.
I went into this one knowing almost nothing, and I would highly recommend you do the same if it is safe for you to do so. I have included content warnings in my StoryGraph review as always, so just make sure you’re safe. If you’ve been debating picking this one up, consider this your push.
I borrowed this one from the library - shout out to local libraries - so will definitely be buying a copy asap, as I know this will be one that I come back to in future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Dementia, and Alcohol
kirstym25's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Car accident