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claire_not_rebecca'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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer and Alcoholism
elliott_the_clementine'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
4.25
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
booksthatburn'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
This is the first book in a series, which slightly hints at the direction of the ending. The ending fits their relationship very well, and I like their overall dynamic. The ongoing status of their relationship is established for future books, and several major plot points are resolved. There are secondary plots related to each of their relationships with their parents. Luc's father walked out of his life twenty-five years ago, and has walked back into it with no warning and a declaration that he has cancer and would like to get to know Luc better. Luc's mother, who was also abandoned by Luc's father (her husband and musical collaborator), is supportive of any decision Luc might make, all the way from reconciliation to telling his father to go fuck himself. I adore Luc's mother, she's written very well and I love the audiobook performance for her. Oliver's parents only appear briefly, during the event for which he needed Luc as a fake boyfriend, but they cast a long shadow which has implications for later books.
The dung beetle charity and Luc's co-workers there are an endless source of exasperation and delight for me. Between his co-workers, his friends, and Oliver's friends, there are so many vibrant and specific people that it wasn't difficult for me to keep track of anyone. Normally I have trouble keeping track of characters (let alone their names) when the cast gets past five or so, but I had no issues here.
Things I love, in no particular order: Luc telling jokes to Alex, everything dung-beetle-related, Oliver being pedantic about law, Luc's friends, Bridget's publishing fiascos.
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Homophobia
Minor: Drug use, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Body horror, Death of parent, Cancer, Racism, Child death, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Eating disorder, and Death
levilore_'s review against another edition
- 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
I would highly recommend the audio book because the narrator was so incredible that I actually liked the book more than the last time I read it.
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Classism, Fatphobia, Cancer, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent, Classism, Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Pregnancy, Racism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, and Vomit
its_vendetta'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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Cancer
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
moxiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use
caitlinemccann'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
4.0
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Eating disorder, and Bullying
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Homophobia, Bullying, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
amyteurhour's review against another edition
4.25
I thought this was really cute! I know some people have found Luc to be annoying, but I actually found him endearing and I was rooting for him almost right away. The banter flowed well between the characters. (view spoiler) Basically all of the side characters are a bit one dimensional, but to be honest I didn't mind that.
The end felt a bit rushed, but I see that there's a sequel. I'm looking forward to find out what happens next. I got a bit annoyed Luc's friends for pushing him to do a grand gesture at the end, so I'm glad that Oliver ended up doing a grandish gesture the next day for Luc for the resolution. I think that having more time with Luc's friends would have made me like them a bit more, but what we got just made me feel like they were kind of mean to each other. I did enjoy the scenes with Luc's coworkers and Oliver's friends although I do feel like the conflict that was hinted at between Oliver and Brendan(? tbh I don't remember his name) during the birthday party never got any follow through or a clear resolution.
I really enjoyed the audiobook by Joe Jameson.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment, and Eating disorder
hiddenstaircase's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Only major gripe is with the excess of side characters and some of the dialogue feeling off. I cannot keep track of all the friends and coworkers and their relationships and then the other’s friend group. The dialogue between Luc and Oliver is teasing and cute.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship and Cancer