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theofficialzhang's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
This is, objectively, the best book of the series. As usual, we have two male protagonists, one of whom is, or thinks he is, straight. That person in this case is Vlad. He's Russian and he's also a homophobe. He was raised in a place that couldn't exactly be considered progressive. And ever since he was a kid, it's been ingrained in him that having relations with someone of your own gender was wrong. And even though the rational side of him knows that homosexuals are not sick or diseased like he was told as a child, it's going to take time and effort for him to fully accept it.
Though he isn't one of those people who think homosexuals should be killed or anything. He just finds it uncomfortable. In Vlad's own words:
And what makes matters worse for him is that he's gay. But he's repressed those feeling so deep, never even letting himself entertain the possibility of being with another man, that he feels like he can't even figure himself out. And all the homophobic bullshit he's heard, when added to his own sexuality, means he also feels self-loathing.
But enough about Vlad. He's a great and complex characters who slowly grows on you, but he's not the only who's struggled. The other protagonist is Sebastian. He's openly bisexual and has had his fair share of bad experiences because of his sexuality. Still he's strong, defiant and free of bitterness. I loved Sebastian. He took everything in stride and he was so much more open-minded and happy than you'd expect him to be. No wonder Vlad totally fell for him.
Sebastian and Vlad met, the first time, in Russia when Sebastian unknowingly slept with Vlad's girlfriend and Vlad went to teach him a lesson. The meeting ended in an unexpected and, for Vlad, unsettling way. Afterwards, they met in London because of a mutual acquaintance. But you know what, that part isn't important. What's important is the changes their beliefs and feelings undergo. The things they learn. And that was done very well.
I have a feeling there might be some people who would misunderstand this novel, even go as far as to say it excuses homophobic behaviour. When really, it delves into the issue, showing us that it's not all black and white. And that Vlad isn't some homophobic monster. He has his flaws, and misbeliefs that need to change. But in many ways, he's also a victim.
This is, objectively, the best book of the series. As usual, we have two male protagonists, one of whom is, or thinks he is, straight. That person in this case is Vlad. He's Russian and he's also a homophobe. He was raised in a place that couldn't exactly be considered progressive. And ever since he was a kid, it's been ingrained in him that having relations with someone of your own gender was wrong. And even though the rational side of him knows that homosexuals are not sick or diseased like he was told as a child, it's going to take time and effort for him to fully accept it.
Though he isn't one of those people who think homosexuals should be killed or anything. He just finds it uncomfortable. In Vlad's own words:
Thinking that fucking men is gross isn't the same as wanting them dead.
And what makes matters worse for him is that he's gay. But he's repressed those feeling so deep, never even letting himself entertain the possibility of being with another man, that he feels like he can't even figure himself out. And all the homophobic bullshit he's heard, when added to his own sexuality, means he also feels self-loathing.
But enough about Vlad. He's a great and complex characters who slowly grows on you, but he's not the only who's struggled. The other protagonist is Sebastian. He's openly bisexual and has had his fair share of bad experiences because of his sexuality. Still he's strong, defiant and free of bitterness. I loved Sebastian. He took everything in stride and he was so much more open-minded and happy than you'd expect him to be. No wonder Vlad totally fell for him.
Sebastian and Vlad met, the first time, in Russia when Sebastian unknowingly slept with Vlad's girlfriend and Vlad went to teach him a lesson. The meeting ended in an unexpected and, for Vlad, unsettling way. Afterwards, they met in London because of a mutual acquaintance. But you know what, that part isn't important. What's important is the changes their beliefs and feelings undergo. The things they learn. And that was done very well.
I have a feeling there might be some people who would misunderstand this novel, even go as far as to say it excuses homophobic behaviour. When really, it delves into the issue, showing us that it's not all black and white. And that Vlad isn't some homophobic monster. He has his flaws, and misbeliefs that need to change. But in many ways, he's also a victim.
renselly's review against another edition
challenging
funny
sad
tense
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
3.5
_deynaaaa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
centurylore's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
just found this pretty boring tbh? also, i really don’t like books with famous main characters so that really hindered my enjoyment too tbh
konan557's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
imme_van_gorp's review
4.0
|| 3.5 stars ||
I did not really expect to like Vlad and Sebastian together as a couple. And, well, I didn’t at first, but at the end I was surprisingly rooting for them quite a bit.
Vlad has a lot of internalized homophobia, and he is also just an arsehole in general. At least, he is a major arsehole before him and Sebastian start to actually develop feelings for each other, but after that he is mostly sweet, possessive and adoring towards him.
Vlad's homophobia stays with him from the beginning until the end, but at least it turns into something a lot less hateful as time goes on. I actually started to feel very sorry for him. I did not think I would ever like Vlad as a character, but I did.
When it comes to the relationship, it’s nothing truly great, but I did find them entertaining and engrossing together. Their connection is mostly based on lust and sex, and there’s not really a deeper connection between them. I usually get super annoyed over stuff like that, but it didn’t bother me a lot here. I don’t know why.
All in all, I thought this was an enjoyable book and I had a good time reading it. It wasn’t amazing or anything, but considering I thought this book would literally frustrate and anger me, I’m rather happy with the end result.
'Straight Guys' series:
0. Straight Boy - 3.0 stars
1. Just a Bit Twisted - 3.5 stars
2. Just a Bit Obsessed - 3.0 stars
3. Just a Bit Unhealthy - 2.5 stars
4. Just a Bit Wrong - 3.5 stars
5. Just a Bit Confusing - 1.5 stars
6. Just a Bit Ruthless - 4.0 stars
7. Just a Bit Wicked - 3.5 stars
8. Just a Bit Shameless - 4.5 stars
9. Just a Bit Gay - 1.0 star
10. Just a Bit Dirty - 3.0 stars
11. Just a Bit Wrecked - 2.5 stars
12. Just a Bit Bossy - 3.0 stars
13. Just a Bit Heartless - 3.5 stars
14. Just a Bit Captivated - 3.0 stars
I did not really expect to like Vlad and Sebastian together as a couple. And, well, I didn’t at first, but at the end I was surprisingly rooting for them quite a bit.
Vlad has a lot of internalized homophobia, and he is also just an arsehole in general. At least, he is a major arsehole before him and Sebastian start to actually develop feelings for each other, but after that he is mostly sweet, possessive and adoring towards him.
Vlad's homophobia stays with him from the beginning until the end, but at least it turns into something a lot less hateful as time goes on. I actually started to feel very sorry for him. I did not think I would ever like Vlad as a character, but I did.
When it comes to the relationship, it’s nothing truly great, but I did find them entertaining and engrossing together. Their connection is mostly based on lust and sex, and there’s not really a deeper connection between them. I usually get super annoyed over stuff like that, but it didn’t bother me a lot here. I don’t know why.
All in all, I thought this was an enjoyable book and I had a good time reading it. It wasn’t amazing or anything, but considering I thought this book would literally frustrate and anger me, I’m rather happy with the end result.
'Straight Guys' series:
0. Straight Boy - 3.0 stars
1. Just a Bit Twisted - 3.5 stars
2. Just a Bit Obsessed - 3.0 stars
3. Just a Bit Unhealthy - 2.5 stars
4. Just a Bit Wrong - 3.5 stars
5. Just a Bit Confusing - 1.5 stars
6. Just a Bit Ruthless - 4.0 stars
7. Just a Bit Wicked - 3.5 stars
8. Just a Bit Shameless - 4.5 stars
9. Just a Bit Gay - 1.0 star
10. Just a Bit Dirty - 3.0 stars
11. Just a Bit Wrecked - 2.5 stars
12. Just a Bit Bossy - 3.0 stars
13. Just a Bit Heartless - 3.5 stars
14. Just a Bit Captivated - 3.0 stars
lyss008's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
angelashelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0