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jmross10's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The love story is cute though much smuttier than I expected. It feels like the whole middle section of the book is just them hooking up. I’m not opposed to that but given the insecurities that Dade explores with her characters (body images / learning disability / familial acceptance), I personally wish there was more intimacy. It seemed like every time they said something vulnerable they were falling into bed immediately after.
The highlight of this book for me is definitely Marcus. The conversation around his dyslexia and how that impacted him really made me think. It’s an interesting subject that most people probably don’t consider because they don’t have those same struggles.
I’d love to say I felt as strongly about April and body image. Spoiler alert: I don’t. To me, it felt inconsistent. In the beginning she’s self aware and empowered. She knows how people feel about her weight but she doesn’t seem to be terribly bothered. By the end it feels like Marcus’ interest in her validates her beauty and desirability instead of the fact she’s capable, kind, and intelligent. It undermined what I thought the message was supposed to be and turned it into “well a hot actor wants me so….”.
Overall, I think it was a good book and I can see why it’s liked. It was just really hit/miss for me.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
3.5
The story itself isn’t bad it’s cute and fun and I love the fanfic aspects with the like dating a celebrity from the fandom thing it was super fun and she’s a perfectly good character; stands up for her self, funny, smart, interesting…
There’s a bunch of stuff I like and yeah I don’t love the way the chapters are broken up with the other things, it was fun but it didn’t seem like the best spots at times but that’s whatever it’s just me being picky but the two things I couldn’t stand were just so annoying I can’t get past it and I’m happy imagining the story ends here like he kept his fanfic identity from her for so fucking long and if they were in their 20’s this immaturity and terrible communication would be tolerable and like whatever but then he said he’s 39…. this is like high school level behaviour if this was YA to late 20’s then I’d be able to enjoy it, I think but for me at least, he’s not that much older then my dad (he’s 43, I think…) and if you are almost old enough to be my dad (I’m 20) and then hiding your identity and stuff in this way I don’t want to see you happy and I do wanna see her happy… so I almost dnf’ed at 84% when they broke up but at 87% when she started missing him I just started getting angry and I didn’t wanna see them back together 😂 So yeah it’s a perfectly good book if I think of them in their 20’s and I ignore past like 85%
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
beki___'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: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol
rachelmichelson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
bites_of_books's review
- 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
4.0
April and Marcus were not perfect and that's the point, they really want to be loved for who they are and not have to pretend or excuse themselves from participating in life! From fat shaming issues to dyslexia, we get to see how people can be allies and also models for good communication between friends, family, and romantic partners. I also loved the setting of boundaries when it was necessary.
I'll be looking for more of Dade's works in the future for sure!
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
victorianbsilva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
elizakay'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
3.75
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
aqtbenz'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
katherinethebrave'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
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse