Scan barcode
endemictoearth's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
So there are a few things that made me pause/slightly worried before starting this book. Chief amongst them:
Four POVs.
Four FIRST PERSON POVs.
However, I am willing to admit my fears were mostly unfounded. The book did take several chapters to find its feet/rhythm, but once it did (around 15% just after I was like, I don't know if I like this Armand guy), I got really invested and the rest of the book pretty well flew by. (And the four POVs work really well, with distinct voices for each character. I suspect that is helped by the fact that is a writing duo, not just one author.)
This isn't a traditional romance, it's more like four characters weaving themselves together as their stories continue to intertwine until we get . . . an elaborate friendship bracelet? Huh, not the worst analogy for this book.
The other, tinier, hurdle is that we know from the blurb that Armand and Lucas don't meet for most of the book, despite sharing an apartment. I read (and enjoyed) The Flatshare, but I was a bit skeptical. The book mostly pulls it off, largely by giving itself up to the absurdity of the world, and it's almost like these are anti-coincidences that balance out how weirdly connected they are in lots of other ways.
The Robin/Skylar relationship/storyline is a bit messier (but the whole book is proudly messy, really), but they're both so young that I can forgive Robin for being a nervous wreck (he IS being stalked by a creepy high school bully, after all) and I also think that Skylar's desperate bid to keep a connection to Robin won't be taken advantage of . . . but even if there are hurt feelings and confusion later, well . . . that's life.
I think this is a book I'll return to and get more out of on a second reading, but I want to sit with the first read through for a while first. I highlighted a bunch, and was delighted to find multiple Red Dwarf references (though the show title is never actually mentioned.) Shout out to 90's nerds!
I do recommend this book, but ALSO recommend readers recalibrate their expectations. This isn't a straight up romance, though it does CONTAIN romance.
Many thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the advanced copy.
Four POVs.
Four FIRST PERSON POVs.
However, I am willing to admit my fears were mostly unfounded. The book did take several chapters to find its feet/rhythm, but once it did (around 15% just after I was like, I don't know if I like this Armand guy), I got really invested and the rest of the book pretty well flew by. (And the four POVs work really well, with distinct voices for each character. I suspect that is helped by the fact that is a writing duo, not just one author.)
This isn't a traditional romance, it's more like four characters weaving themselves together as their stories continue to intertwine until we get . . . an elaborate friendship bracelet? Huh, not the worst analogy for this book.
The other, tinier, hurdle is that we know from the blurb that Armand and Lucas don't meet for most of the book, despite sharing an apartment. I read (and enjoyed) The Flatshare, but I was a bit skeptical. The book mostly pulls it off, largely by giving itself up to the absurdity of the world, and it's almost like these are anti-coincidences that balance out how weirdly connected they are in lots of other ways.
The Robin/Skylar relationship/storyline is a bit messier (but the whole book is proudly messy, really), but they're both so young that I can forgive Robin for being a nervous wreck (he IS being stalked by a creepy high school bully, after all) and I also think that Skylar's desperate bid to keep a connection to Robin won't be taken advantage of . . . but even if there are hurt feelings and confusion later, well . . . that's life.
I think this is a book I'll return to and get more out of on a second reading, but I want to sit with the first read through for a while first. I highlighted a bunch, and was delighted to find multiple Red Dwarf references (though the show title is never actually mentioned.) Shout out to 90's nerds!
I do recommend this book, but ALSO recommend readers recalibrate their expectations. This isn't a straight up romance, though it does CONTAIN romance.
Many thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the advanced copy.
unusablebooklore's review
emotional
funny
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
Fade to black
Note/Texting
Nerdy
Note/Texting
Nerdy
Skyler = precious babe that doesn’t know himself well yet - accidental model - ace
Armand = semi functioning alcoholic - ex stripper - comic creator
Robin = caught up in his own crap - VERY self focused - possibly more talented than he realises
Lucas = emotionally manipulated - gymorexic - he needs protecting mostly from himself.
Lucas = emotionally manipulated - gymorexic - he needs protecting mostly from himself.
This book doesn't just follow one couples POV it fallows two couples! Four individual minds to know.
I loved the premise. I loved the idea of two guys moving in together and never crossing paths. Lucas and Armand are so incredibly flawed and so supportive of each other. They have the best intensions at every turn but have a very VERY hard time getting over their own hangups.
Down side: Lucas' breakup is intense, my partner interrupted me mid scene and it inadvertently caused a fight because Darren is THAT horrible.
Down side: Lucas' breakup is intense, my partner interrupted me mid scene and it inadvertently caused a fight because Darren is THAT horrible.
+ Fish conversations
- Horses…🙄
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
tc_booksandmore's review
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.0
Thank you to Sylvia Barry for the review copy. My opinions are my own.
This is a really cute odd couple, opposites repeal/attract, oh god they were roommates situation. I loved the contrasting story between the two main characters and the 2 side characters, having 4 points of view actually highlighted how interconnected we can be as humans even when we feel very disconnected.
Recommend for those looking for a slow burn, closed door romance with very flawed characters and strong character development.
This is a really cute odd couple, opposites repeal/attract, oh god they were roommates situation. I loved the contrasting story between the two main characters and the 2 side characters, having 4 points of view actually highlighted how interconnected we can be as humans even when we feel very disconnected.
Recommend for those looking for a slow burn, closed door romance with very flawed characters and strong character development.
noa_ashley_'s review
2.0
I received an ARC
I really tried to like this book, but I didn't. There are 4 Pov's what was a surprise. I didn't like the writing style, it was very hard to get through especially Armand his chapters. I really liked Skyler but sadly he wasn't one of the main characters. I would have liked it more if it only had 2 pov's just because there are 4 characters with their own family and friends and that was to much for me. There was just to much going on.
I really tried to like this book, but I didn't. There are 4 Pov's what was a surprise. I didn't like the writing style, it was very hard to get through especially Armand his chapters. I really liked Skyler but sadly he wasn't one of the main characters. I would have liked it more if it only had 2 pov's just because there are 4 characters with their own family and friends and that was to much for me. There was just to much going on.
eastofreality's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
More...