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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Cam grapples with the loss of his love, Kai, (and the appearance of Kai’s ghost) as he returns to his hometown and reunites with his old friend TJ and TJ’s family bakery.
Through different timelines and povs, Washington explores grief, self-destruction, old wounds, family, and more. It was interesting to see varying stages of grief and the lingering threads of the past come to light. This book does have heavier subject matter, yet still manages to capture the idea of community, with a focus on queer bipoc characters. Though I felt disconnected at times, I still enjoyed seeing these complex relationships seep into each other!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best from Bryan Washington yet. Better paced than Memorial. Thought provoking, incredibly engaging.
Initially had this at 3.75 because I wanted to like it more, but in truth it didn't get me there. Bryan Washington is a great writer, and I liked and was rooting for the characters, but it felt like the growth happened "off camera" which, since it's not a plot-driven book, was kinda the point.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
god I did tear up at the end - definitely take your time with this one - each of the three main characters are so complex and unique and I loved digging into the ways they love and hurt and care for one another. it really speaks to what we need after real loss and tragedy, love and unconditional support very very emotional and dark at times so heavy TW
One hopeful quote towards the end —— Love can be a lot of things though, says Noel. Right? It’s pleasure, but it’s also washing the dishes and sorting medication and folding the laundry. It’s picking out what to eat for dinner three nights in a row, even if you don’t want to. And it’s knowing when to speak up, and when to stay quiet, and when, I think, to move on. But also when to fight for it.
One hopeful quote towards the end —— Love can be a lot of things though, says Noel. Right? It’s pleasure, but it’s also washing the dishes and sorting medication and folding the laundry. It’s picking out what to eat for dinner three nights in a row, even if you don’t want to. And it’s knowing when to speak up, and when to stay quiet, and when, I think, to move on. But also when to fight for it.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad