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blakeandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was not expecting to do a near-180 on my opinion of this book! But otherwise, this review would’ve turned out a lot different.
I’m surprised at how well the complexity of queer self-discovery was handled! Not only are a multitude of romantic and sexual orientations, as well as genders, discussed in this book, each character clearly has different levels of progress on figuring out themselves. Some are out and proud, like Xiuyung. Some figure out a label for themselves that works, like Uriah. And some have a rough idea of where they fit, but still have a long ways to go and aren’t rushing their personal journey, like our main character Alex! But I think I lost track of all the different coming out scenes, lol. (Hey, it was definitely the right choice to make this take place in a college with mostly first-years in the cast.)
I also appreciated the mental health representation, even if it was excruciating to be inside Alex’s head at times. Their anxiety symptoms, coupled with what seems to be autism linked to how they process their emotions or get overwhelmed by them, reminded me so much of a particular loved one in my life. Their self-deprecating dialogue was all stuff I’d thought or heard before. Please check the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive to content like that, the author is transparent about it and gives a list before the start of the novel. (Leaving out the person I thought of for privacy, but I’ll be checking on him a little extra after (unintentionally) getting some insight into a bit of how his brain might work.)
And also, Tate’s relationship with Alex!!💕💕T4T sweetness, his patience and understanding was shown well when they got together, and in some of the more tense scenes re: Alex’s mental health. But it still never felt like he was only there to regulate them. They were relatively healthy. I loved their casal intimacy in certain scenes, like when Alex was opening up to him and playing with Tate’s hair as they talked.
But unfortunately, I didn’t give this a higher rating because as much as I appreciate the important discussions to be had, I really disliked the writing style… It felt juvenile at times, and sometimes the pacing felt wonky in-between chapters. I almost DNF’ed this book before Alex’s gender crisis because of that(and combining it with the consistent negative self-talk). And outside of the more meaningful coming out scenes or identity discussions, the dialogue felt very stilted.
I’m also not really one for character-driven stories, I prefer ones that are a mix between plot and character-focused, but this is very much a slice-of-life. If you’re a reader that finds that genre boring, I don’t recommend reading this. This is more of a personal gripe/preference, though, so I’m keeping it separate from my other critiques.
To whoever may be reading this: I’m on the fence about my opinion of this book, so rather than taking my review as a recommendation to either ignore or check it out, feel free to form your own opinion based on what you would like to read personally! It’s different from my other reviews, in that regard.
I’m surprised at how well the complexity of queer self-discovery was handled! Not only are a multitude of romantic and sexual orientations, as well as genders, discussed in this book, each character clearly has different levels of progress on figuring out themselves. Some are out and proud, like Xiuyung. Some figure out a label for themselves that works, like Uriah. And some have a rough idea of where they fit, but still have a long ways to go and aren’t rushing their personal journey, like our main character Alex! But I think I lost track of all the different coming out scenes, lol. (Hey, it was definitely the right choice to make this take place in a college with mostly first-years in the cast.)
I also appreciated the mental health representation, even if it was excruciating to be inside Alex’s head at times. Their anxiety symptoms, coupled with what seems to be autism linked to how they process their emotions or get overwhelmed by them, reminded me so much of a particular loved one in my life. Their self-deprecating dialogue was all stuff I’d thought or heard before. Please check the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive to content like that, the author is transparent about it and gives a list before the start of the novel. (Leaving out the person I thought of for privacy, but I’ll be checking on him a little extra after (unintentionally) getting some insight into a bit of how his brain might work.)
And also, Tate’s relationship with Alex!!💕💕T4T sweetness, his patience and understanding was shown well when they got together, and in some of the more tense scenes re: Alex’s mental health. But it still never felt like he was only there to regulate them. They were relatively healthy. I loved their casal intimacy in certain scenes, like when Alex was opening up to him and playing with Tate’s hair as they talked.
But unfortunately, I didn’t give this a higher rating because as much as I appreciate the important discussions to be had, I really disliked the writing style… It felt juvenile at times, and sometimes the pacing felt wonky in-between chapters. I almost DNF’ed this book before Alex’s gender crisis because of that(and combining it with the consistent negative self-talk). And outside of the more meaningful coming out scenes or identity discussions, the dialogue felt very stilted.
I’m also not really one for character-driven stories, I prefer ones that are a mix between plot and character-focused, but this is very much a slice-of-life. If you’re a reader that finds that genre boring, I don’t recommend reading this. This is more of a personal gripe/preference, though, so I’m keeping it separate from my other critiques.
To whoever may be reading this: I’m on the fence about my opinion of this book, so rather than taking my review as a recommendation to either ignore or check it out, feel free to form your own opinion based on what you would like to read personally! It’s different from my other reviews, in that regard.
cherryblossomreads's review against another edition
3.5
Virkelig fin og sød historie, med alvorlige emner og skønne karakterer. Jeg følte ikke at alt, jeg ville have svar på, blev opklaret. Måske er det bare en mig-ting og andre synes, alt blev afsluttet godt nok, men sådan er det jo bare.
flowerranger's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
If everyone had friends like Uriah and Tate and Xiuying and Alex this world would be a better place.
marsbookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
i kin Alex so BAD
Uriah literally deserves everything & more he’s such a good friend
Xiuying & Alex’s friendship literally made my heart burst
ALEX AND TATE WERE SO CUTE FUCK
the neurodivergent/trans/queer representation was literally so fucking perfect—coming from a queer, trans, & neurodivergent person!
this book made me laugh, tear up, & i even cried at this really specific scene surrounding the celebration of transness because i related so much & it hurt so good
my last book of April & it was amazing FUCKKK
Uriah literally deserves everything & more he’s such a good friend
Xiuying & Alex’s friendship literally made my heart burst
ALEX AND TATE WERE SO CUTE FUCK
the neurodivergent/trans/queer representation was literally so fucking perfect—coming from a queer, trans, & neurodivergent person!
this book made me laugh, tear up, & i even cried at this really specific scene surrounding the celebration of transness because i related so much & it hurt so good
my last book of April & it was amazing FUCKKK
loiereads's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is a very modern love story, with modern and current issues running throughout, focusing on mental health, sexuality and identity.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
teesh_a13's review against another edition
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
4.25
This was such a sweet book. Alex’s anxiety is something that resonated so hard with me. Their identity journey of this book is so relatable. I love how Alex’s friendships were handled in that they were all individuals and not just there to hold up Alex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, Abandonment, and Transphobia