Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The Rest of Us Just Live Here

This book could be fun and frustrating at the same time. The characters are interesting but the book's refusal to even say the word "bisexual" is ridiculous as one character

debates whether they are straight or gay

. There are a few moments of blatant fatphobia despite one character

literally suffering from an eating disorder

. There was also a gross comment fetishizing mixed race babies from the only known poc character in the book which was uncomfortable. Additionally, there is a romantic relationship between a 19yr old and a 25-26yr old (aka a high schooler and a college graduate) which is super questionable. Otherwise the story is okay, nothing too remarkable. The characters often feel flat with only one or two big traits.

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magsisyelling's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad medium-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

5.0

the rest of us just live here is profound in that it’s not profound. it’s the ultimate paradox. it’s full of yearning yet it’s content. it’s realistic yet fantastical. it’s new and invigorating yet it’s a tale as old as time. it has taught me so very much and yet so very little. it’s mundane yet extraordinary.
it’s mini golf and driving with the windows down and prom night drama. it’s freshly squeezed chain restaurant lemonade and bouquets of wildflowers and crying into tepid bath water. it’s rainy days and staring into open flame. it’s become my strange little home.
i’ve read this book many, many times now, and of course i’ve made many a critique over the years. it’s by no means a perfect feat of literature, but i love it all the same. for small-town, mentally ill, queer, and ex-religious people, this one’s for you.

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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I wanted to like this, but I generally don't like YA contemporary, and once all the weird/magic/superhero stuff is confined to brief glimpses and chapter headings, it leaves an interestingly framed YA contemporary novel where crushes, school dances, and ongoing parental neglect are the big stakes. I'm not interested in those stakes, but if you are then this might work for you. The depiction of OCD was realistic in a way that might be triggering for anyone else who has it, including a lot of ideation. I haven't read anything else I can recall with such a realistic portrayal of this condition, so I liked that inclusion, but that wasn't enough to hold my interest (especially when that started getting stressful for me). It has a very irreverent tone which is used for everything from crush woes to discussions of current and past trauma, so please check the CWs before proceeding.

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cateemma's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful informative mysterious medium-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

5.0

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rayne_1906's review

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emotional 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

3.75

I adore the concept of this book. In typical YA fantasy, you never stop to think about all the people that the book is NOT about. This subverts that, and focuses on ordinary teenagers trying to live ordinary lives, in a world that is slightly more fantastical than our own. I like the focus on mental health, and the discussions of recovery. I also liked the representation of parental relationships, where there are a lot of problems between parent and child, without it being the typical, 'awful' relationship that is seen very often - there isn't anything wrong with this, but it was a refreshing change to see a different perspective. Overall, I really liked this.

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grace_alice's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

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ranjanireviewsreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring 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

You will find a surprisingly heartfelt story amidst the witty writing and unique plot. A ripe coming-of-age story that makes me ache because of its realism. Also one of the most honest, true-to-life descriptions of OCD I've ever read.

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