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adamderb'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
4.75
Graphic: Dysphoria and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol and Deadnaming
Minor: Death of parent
shelvesofivy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Neil is rude, irritable, and self-centered for a majority of the book. And I wouldn't have it any other way, really. His inner dialogue reminds me a lot of my own at times, especially when I was a teen. But that just makes his story and development that much more satisfying by the end.
There's honestly so much I could get into about this book and the ways it deals with complicated family dynamics, friendships, and other complicated relationships. Even if our main character wants things to be black and white with blame during conflicts, he learns that it's usually a lot more difficult to pin down than that.
And of course, I couldn't write this review without addressing how much I LOVED Wyatt as a character. They're such a loveable person, and it was so fun getting to know them more, bit by bit.
I will say that I do wish
Overall, this book had me audibly reacting at multiple points, from the adorable, to the upsetting, to the downright silly. Despite the convoluted plans and a plot that won't necessarily happen to most people, the characters make it hit home in an authentic way that you can't help but love ♡
Graphic: Homophobia, Classism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Deadnaming
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
neevabeeva510's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
martereadsbooks'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
4.5
Moderate: Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Dysphoria, and Body shaming
Minor: Classism
rachelfayreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
starduststyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It may be surprising to give this a 4 with how quickly conflicts were wrapped up and especially the whole 'Neil didn't realize poor people were a thing' (i mean come on) BUT I think Mason Deaver did a splendid job writing a messy romcom-y book that was fun from beginning to end. Even if I hate Neil, he's a trans kid with mommy issues and was raised as if anyone could get anything they wanted, so I'll cut him some slack. It's funny because I picked this up initially thinking this was set in college ( and because I love Deaver's writing ) but being set in high school made me so much more forgiving of the characters. There's a lot they DON'T know and just because Neil has money doesn't mean he understands what it means to not have money. The fact he never even goes outside of Charlotte says as much. I think even though all the resolutions are all tied in a bow at the end there's still a slight emphasis that no everything is not and will not be perfect, but maybe this can be a start in the right direction.
Also I gotta say...
Anyway, TLDR: Trans people can have messy, tropey romance novels too and this is a fun one ( if you can handle fake dating and a protagonist who needs to grow!! he's bad at first on purpose!! )
Graphic: Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming and Vomit
jennireadsmaybe'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
Deaver explores so many important themes throughout the book with kindness, care, and compassion. At it's heart, this is main character Neil's coming of age. It truly felt like a warm hug to read this book. It serves as a reminder that a person came feel lonely but not be alone. That lgbtq+ kids and teens are worthy of love, community, belonging, and so much more. I really think that everyone should read this. And a special thanks to @atmreads and @bookish.millennial for the amazing recommendation!!
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Vomit, Medical content, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Outing
sophiesmallhands'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
margaret_rose_reads123's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming
batchy'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
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming