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moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was really wonderful! This is a sweet, trope-ey YA that manages to balance in quite a few important themes and capturing specific nuances that I don't often see in other stories. This whole story is about Noah, who is in love with love and runs a blog all about trans meet cutes. When someone tries to expose his for fabricating stories, someone from a real meet cute offers to help -- but love turns out to be much more than a sweet first moment. As the story goes on, we see quite a few topics addressed relating to the trans community, being multiracial in a predomenantly white space, communication, mental health, friendship, and (of course) love. Noah is messy and brash, but really learns throughout the story. I really like the turn that this took plot-wise and what it did for the theme.
In general, I really loved the nuance that is put into this. There are a lot of details and experiences that aren't often explored, like trying new pronouns. But also, I think the blog itself is easy to overlook as maybe even a heavy-handed plot device, however I think a lot of that speaks to a broader experience of many trans people as well. Obviously it's about media representation (and the not-trans-specific experience of reactionaries on the Internet, particuarly Tumblr-brand reactionaries) but it goes beyond that. I feel like I could write an essay integrating the trans experience of existing and exploting in digital space (particularly the specific space of tumblr) and the way this peice of that story taps into that. So I won't go into all of that here. Suffice it to say, I think the auther put in a lot of nuance here.
Also, I didn't see the comparison to <i>Felix Ever After</i> in the blurb until I was done reading it, but even so I found myself thinking back to that book as I read. They're both trans characters who make brash (poor) descisions and wind up in a love triange -- but more than that, they act largely from a place of not understanding how to accept love (or not knowing what love even is). They do have quite different approaches and end up looking at different kinds of misunderstandings of love. But even so, those messy lessons were done well. I was tickled to see that it was compared to FEE when I was thinking about their similarities/differences near the end of the book.
Also, I didn't see the comparison to <i>Felix Ever After</i> in the blurb until I was done reading it, but even so I found myself thinking back to that book as I read. They're both trans characters who make brash (poor) descisions and wind up in a love triange -- but more than that, they act largely from a place of not understanding how to accept love (or not knowing what love even is). They do have quite different approaches and end up looking at different kinds of misunderstandings of love. But even so, those messy lessons were done well. I was tickled to see that it was compared to FEE when I was thinking about their similarities/differences near the end of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide attempt and Vomit
ariam's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I feel like everything with the diary was so convoluted and hard to understand which took away from the overall book. It just felt like 50 pages too long because there were too many conflicts happening.
I liked that devin and noah both had their own journeys and especially devin’s storyline of continuously trying to find yourself in a safe space.
I liked that devin and noah both had their own journeys and especially devin’s storyline of continuously trying to find yourself in a safe space.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Deadnaming
itshardizzy's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.0
this was such a cute and easy story to read. the MC, Noah, is a trans boy who is already very confident about who he is, but who still has some issues concerning dating. Noah has a blog called Meet Cute Diary where he posts fake dating stories - wanting to bring some hope to trans people. As it was expected things go wrong and he has to save his blog.
This was a story to relax and it was a comfy read. But I didn't connect as much to the characters and I felt like there was the need to have a closure between the MC and one of his love interest.
The one thing that I liked the most about this book is the use of pronouns and the conversation around them. I'm used to hearing pronouns like "she/her", "he/him" and "they/them" but in these books, the author uses neopronouns "e/em". It felt refreshing to see the character getting comfortable with the pronouns e chose. BTW the author also prefers e/em pronouns.
If you want a cute read and a more chilled read, this is the right one.
This was a story to relax and it was a comfy read. But I didn't connect as much to the characters and I felt like there was the need to have a closure between the MC and one of his love interest.
The one thing that I liked the most about this book is the use of pronouns and the conversation around them. I'm used to hearing pronouns like "she/her", "he/him" and "they/them" but in these books, the author uses neopronouns "e/em". It felt refreshing to see the character getting comfortable with the pronouns e chose. BTW the author also prefers e/em pronouns.
If you want a cute read and a more chilled read, this is the right one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Dysphoria and Bullying
longlost's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
fun book. appreciated the subversion of romance tropes. emery lee's writing style was also very engaging and bouncy and id def be interested to read more of eir books. on that note i very much appreciated that a major character uses neopronouns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Vomit, Transphobia, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Drug use, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Bullying
rey_therese07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Transphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Racism
plumpaperbacks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I’ve been hearing good things about this book for months now, and I’m so glad I finally read it. I sped through this book because, even in its more emotional moments, it was a joy to read. Lee’s debut was the perfect blend of fluff and heavier stuff, and eir definitely an author to watch.
I loved Noah from the very beginning. Although he’s sometimes romantically misguided, he’s a total sweetheart. Becca and Devin ended up seriously growing on me. The friendships here are top tier. I also really liked Noah’s relationship with his older brother Brian, and how determined Brian was to be supportive. It was heartwarming.
I didn’t expect Drew to be such an asshole, and honestly, it was kind of sad to see that side of him come to light. I’d been shipping him and Noah since, like, their second meeting. But Drew is a manipulative bumwaffle that can choke on a cactus, and Devin is so much better. It’s not even a contest, really. E’s such a sweet person, and e and Noah together are basically a recipe for cavities, but whatever. They’re adorable together and I’m happy for them. The scavenger hunt was super cute. ❤️
This is the first book I’ve read that features a character experimenting with gender and pronouns, and also the first I’ve read where a character uses neopronouns. Figuring out those parts of yourself isn’t always easy, and that should be represented in YA. Props to Lee for doing so.
Lastly, I just want to say that I loved the Meet Cute Diary. It’s such a cute idea for a blog, and the message alongside it—that trans kids are just as deserving of love stories—is important and lovely.
I definitely want to buy a copy of this book, and I could see myself rereading it both as a pick-me-up and because I miss my cinnamon rolls.
Representation
I loved Noah from the very beginning. Although he’s sometimes romantically misguided, he’s a total sweetheart. Becca and Devin ended up seriously growing on me. The friendships here are top tier. I also really liked Noah’s relationship with his older brother Brian, and how determined Brian was to be supportive. It was heartwarming.
This is the first book I’ve read that features a character experimenting with gender and pronouns, and also the first I’ve read where a character uses neopronouns. Figuring out those parts of yourself isn’t always easy, and that should be represented in YA. Props to Lee for doing so.
Lastly, I just want to say that I loved the Meet Cute Diary. It’s such a cute idea for a blog, and the message alongside it—that trans kids are just as deserving of love stories—is important and lovely.
I definitely want to buy a copy of this book, and I could see myself rereading it both as a pick-me-up and because I miss my cinnamon rolls.
Representation
- triracial bisexual trans boy protagonist (Afro-Caribbean-Japanese)
- lesbian side character
- Cuban genderqueer asexual side character that uses neopronouns (xe/xim at first, then e/em)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Transphobia and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
Both “bullying” and “suicide attempt” refer to events that occurred prior to the story, in regards to a side character.aseel_reads's review
lighthearted
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
I enjoyed the beginning of this book and then I saw where it was going and while I applaud the idea, it became quite boring and predictable very early on
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
klubbgodis's review
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia
dhwani's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Vomit
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
This is such a heartwarming and adorable story!!! I just!! The discussions of neo-pronouns and all that Drew went through. The way Noah learned who he was through the Meet Cute Diary and through Drew and his brother and his friends and just!!! This was so heartwarming. Honestly I am so glad I read it.
The character development is excellent!
The character development is excellent!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Transphobia, Vomit, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Drug use, and Racism