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lexieghl's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
2.75
dreaming_ace's review against another edition
5.0
Ok, I <<< LOVED >>> this story :) If this Ace reader ever gets around to/cracks the code for dating I would hope it would play out like Oliver and Luc. This is a wonderfully heartwarming light romance that names and explores the complexities of relationships, the complexities of intimacy, the complexities of family, the complexities of identity formation and that no matter how put together someone seems they likely also find the idea of dating/relationships/intimacy to be confusing/scary/ and several parts WFT because we all carry baggage.
P.S. The book is also set in modern England so comes with amazing British references, and one of the characters works at a small nonprofit so is filled with hilarious nonprofit drama references too.
P.S. The book is also set in modern England so comes with amazing British references, and one of the characters works at a small nonprofit so is filled with hilarious nonprofit drama references too.
alfie_kearns852's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
clowdywings's review against another edition
4.0
very funny. occasionally some parts are confusing and its not because it's a british book. idk i liked it, esp the characters
whendevreads's review against another edition
3.0
TW: Welcome to Night Vale mention … I’m kidding, but as someone who was a fan of WTNV years ago and hasn’t listened to it since, I had a weird reaction to seeing it mentioned in the book.
I enjoyed myself while reading this book. I do think that, at times, there was too much going on and it made it a little hard to read.
This is a book where I think the main characters really carried the book; I didn’t feel positively toward most of the side characters. Alex (and Clara/Miffy) being essentially a “dumb blonde” was funny at first, and then he started saying extremely ignorant things and it got old very quickly. As well, every minor character using terms like “the gays” or being casually homophobic for comedic value just didn’t really land with me. So many of the friends in Luc’s friend group were selfish and annoying. I would say that it’s the type of characterization that is typical with straight writers, but upon further research the author is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. So… that makes it more confusing.
And that isn’t even mentioning the two MCs. It’s hard to tell if I think Luc is annoying or if I relate to him. Maybe it’s somewhere in the middle. He’s actively a dick to everyone around him - friends, coworkers, etc. - and even admits to it himself. And Oliver is extremely uptight and snobby at times. They’re characters that only work a) together and b) because they’re fictional and we don’t have to sit through a conversation with them IRL.
However, there were positives of the book. I love the fake dating trope so I was excited for this one. I think the author kept the suspense of the relationship well by having them agree not to kiss at the beginning. It kept me waiting for the kiss to finally happen and I was so excited when I got to that part. And I think the kiss was in such a cute, vulnerable moment between the two of them so I definitely approve of that choice.
I enjoyed myself while reading this book. I do think that, at times, there was too much going on and it made it a little hard to read.
This is a book where I think the main characters really carried the book; I didn’t feel positively toward most of the side characters. Alex (and Clara/Miffy) being essentially a “dumb blonde” was funny at first, and then he started saying extremely ignorant things and it got old very quickly. As well, every minor character using terms like “the gays” or being casually homophobic for comedic value just didn’t really land with me. So many of the friends in Luc’s friend group were selfish and annoying. I would say that it’s the type of characterization that is typical with straight writers, but upon further research the author is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. So… that makes it more confusing.
And that isn’t even mentioning the two MCs. It’s hard to tell if I think Luc is annoying or if I relate to him. Maybe it’s somewhere in the middle. He’s actively a dick to everyone around him - friends, coworkers, etc. - and even admits to it himself. And Oliver is extremely uptight and snobby at times. They’re characters that only work a) together and b) because they’re fictional and we don’t have to sit through a conversation with them IRL.
However, there were positives of the book. I love the fake dating trope so I was excited for this one. I think the author kept the suspense of the relationship well by having them agree not to kiss at the beginning. It kept me waiting for the kiss to finally happen and I was so excited when I got to that part. And I think the kiss was in such a cute, vulnerable moment between the two of them so I definitely approve of that choice.
mafi_vb's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amcriah's review against another edition
4.0
so impossible funny and abordable. I can’t believe I completely understood and sympathized with BOTH characters and was rooting for them both. I wasn’t even upset with the third act breakups because it actually turned out to be funny!
ceslestialxsara's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
kaitthelibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
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