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rachtmh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If you love books that are, Diverse, Geeky, Romantic, Authentic and wonderfully told them this is a book for you!
The book includes: disability rep, LGBTQIA+ rep, found family, Crippling Anxiety, Geeky Sci-Fi, Books and Bookshops, Academia like setting and stunning views.
It also has multiple POV and the bursts of script and social media posts between chapters really adds to the story as a whole.
The author used sensitivity readers and it’s so clear in the respectful and authentic way the experience of the characters in this book are written.
As a person who is Bi, Female & Neurodivergent, it was so wonderful and validating to see myself and my fellow Neurodiverse and LGBT friends and family represented in the day to day.
Thank you so much Caden for writing this beautiful story and for such wonder characters.
The book includes: disability rep, LGBTQIA+ rep, found family, Crippling Anxiety, Geeky Sci-Fi, Books and Bookshops, Academia like setting and stunning views.
It also has multiple POV and the bursts of script and social media posts between chapters really adds to the story as a whole.
The author used sensitivity readers and it’s so clear in the respectful and authentic way the experience of the characters in this book are written.
As a person who is Bi, Female & Neurodivergent, it was so wonderful and validating to see myself and my fellow Neurodiverse and LGBT friends and family represented in the day to day.
Thank you so much Caden for writing this beautiful story and for such wonder characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Ableism, Car accident, Grief, Abandonment, and Death
itsbethmay's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I think I'll be holding this book close to my heart for a while, it truly was like a love letter to late-diagnosed neurodivergent AFAB <3
The book explored autism, anxiety and queerness so beautifully, and though the plot itself was slightly predictable (hence a 4 star read for me), I fell in love with the characters and loved watching them interact and grow their relationships.
I loved the specific dual POV, which is something I haven't read much of lately, and how you could see explicitly how different moments in the story affected Page and Charlie respectively.
Overall, I loved the book, although I was so engrossed in how much I related to the anxiety and autism aspects that I probably overlooked how it was written beyond representation on the page. At times you could also tell that it was Caden's debut novel, but none-the-less it was still an amazing piece, just improvement that naturally comes over time!
Would definitely recommend this as a warm-hearted book with amazing representation and a side of spicy scenes!
The book explored autism, anxiety and queerness so beautifully, and though the plot itself was slightly predictable (hence a 4 star read for me), I fell in love with the characters and loved watching them interact and grow their relationships.
I loved the specific dual POV, which is something I haven't read much of lately, and how you could see explicitly how different moments in the story affected Page and Charlie respectively.
Overall, I loved the book, although I was so engrossed in how much I related to the anxiety and autism aspects that I probably overlooked how it was written beyond representation on the page. At times you could also tell that it was Caden's debut novel, but none-the-less it was still an amazing piece, just improvement that naturally comes over time!
Would definitely recommend this as a warm-hearted book with amazing representation and a side of spicy scenes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, and Child death
Minor: Car accident
skidkneereads's review
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book really opened my eyes to the challenges adult autistic people face in daily life and relationships. I really fell in love with the characters and would love to read more of Charlie & Page's story as well as more from the author in general!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Death
gracemarsden'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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Ableism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
edieisconfused's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.5
I don’t normally like romance books but the realistic queer and autistic representation made me fall in love with the characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Outing, Bullying, Ableism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Grief
lecturerousse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Sexism
Minor: Racism
turnthepages_nl's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
So. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. Autism rep written by an ActuallyAutistic author! Anxiety rep, queer and bisexual rep. It takes place in Scotland. It's got a moviestar who likes his privacy and a disabled girl who he is forbidden to interact with. And they end up living in the same flat. Yes that's right. THEY WERE HOUSEMATES. Hehehe.
I loveeeee the tropes in this book. Except for one. There was a lot of miscommunication or lack of communication. And that was not my fav. It worked really great for the story! But personally not my fav trope. I just wish better for the characters haha.
But the tension between these two? Absolutely obsessed! And the representation? Amazing!
I am not autistic, I have ADHD and am bisexual tho! And what I loved most was how this story portrayed the neurodivergent rage. The rage we get when things are unfair, unjust and so totally WRONG. I see that aspect of neurodivergence not often mentioned in fiction. So it made my heart very happy to see it in 'Truthfully, yours'! And it was done so so well. It really hit home and is what I loved most about this story.
Lastly, I see a lot of potential in Cadens writing. I could tell this is her debut, there is room to grow and that's okay! The ending felt a bit rushed for example and the reason for Page's anxiety felt a little bit too sensationalized. But that didn't stop me from absolutely loving this story. And I am so so so excited to read more by her hand! I hope to maybe see the story of Callum and Lillian next?
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loveeeee the tropes in this book. Except for one. There was a lot of miscommunication or lack of communication. And that was not my fav. It worked really great for the story! But personally not my fav trope. I just wish better for the characters haha.
But the tension between these two? Absolutely obsessed! And the representation? Amazing!
I am not autistic, I have ADHD and am bisexual tho! And what I loved most was how this story portrayed the neurodivergent rage. The rage we get when things are unfair, unjust and so totally WRONG. I see that aspect of neurodivergence not often mentioned in fiction. So it made my heart very happy to see it in 'Truthfully, yours'! And it was done so so well. It really hit home and is what I loved most about this story.
Lastly, I see a lot of potential in Cadens writing. I could tell this is her debut, there is room to grow and that's okay! The ending felt a bit rushed for example and the reason for Page's anxiety felt a little bit too sensationalized. But that didn't stop me from absolutely loving this story. And I am so so so excited to read more by her hand! I hope to maybe see the story of Callum and Lillian next?
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexual content, Child death, Ableism, and Car accident
errie's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
3.25 stars
This book and it’s characters were so damn loveable. I loved Charlie and Page’s characters and their chemistry and just everything about them really. As a late diagnosed autistic woman it was also meaningful to me to see the autism rep in this, and the way that Charlie was unapologetically herself and her growing confidence in making it clear she would not allow friends/family/partners/anyone to make her and her need for certain accommodations feel ‘too much’.
If I had rated this book purely on enjoyment level it would have been a 5 star read. However, I do think the book needs more editing. There are a couple of lines that are repeated in the ebook version, and quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes. Some of the first half of the book is very info-dumpy about autism and a lot of the information about the characters backstory is repeated a lot. There are also pacing/timeline issues throughout. It’s clear this is debut that needs some polishing, but I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
addiesbookshelf_'s review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
As an American who lived in Scotland for four years, I straight up refuse to read romances written by Americans that have Scottish characters. That is, until Caden Armstrong wrote Truthfully, Yours. Why? Because Caden lives in Scotland and has, like, actually spent time around Scottish people. She even had a Scottish sensitivity reader!! So if you’re looking for a truly accurate Scottish romance novel hero, this is the one for you.
Truthfully, Yours follows Charlie, who, after blowing up at one of her favorite actors at a convention for being ableist, escapes to Scotland to spend the summer working at a small independent bookstore. Little does she know, she’s about to be sharing the flat above the shop with the owner’s brother… the lead actor and co-star of the man who has just made Charlie public enemy number one. The two of them enter into a sort of truce, where they mostly just try to avoid each other, but also three very important rules—number 3 being that flatmates don’t fall for flatmates. Of course, avoiding each other isn’t that easy when you’re living in a tiny flat in a tiny town, and before long their attraction to each other is impossible to deny. But as long as they don’t fall for each other, it won’t be a problem, right?
This book was such a beautiful love letter to so many different things: Scotland and Scottish men, yes, but also to men living with anxiety and women learning to better understand themselves after a later-in-life autism diagnosis. It’s a love letter to the relationships that are easy and the people that make you feel safe. I loved the way that Charlie and Page so naturally fit together, and I especially loved how easy it was for Page to figure out the best ways to support Charlie with what she needed. They were a seriously cute couple and I loved getting to spend some time with them!
Read this if you love:
💕 Soft Scottish men
💕 Beautiful mental health and neurodivergence representation
💕 Grumpy cats with silly names
💕 Meddling friends
💕 “No feelings allowed”
Genre/Type: Contemporary Romance
Format: Physical 📖
Length: 341 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes or themes: and they were roommates, friends-with-benefits to lovers, Scotland
Thank you to the author for providing an advanced review copy of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident
lessoningravity's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
Somehow, I liked this book even MORE than I thought I would!! I’m such a sucker for a dual POV (and the mutual pining), and this book had me kicking my feet giggling.
Page is deliciously frustrating in the beginning, which just makes his character development even more satisfying. Charlie’s lived experiences of late-diagnosed autism felt real and honest, without (personally) being triggering. On the contrary, it felt so right to see neurodiversity represented in a classic romcom like this - ever present, but not all-consuming.
I also ADORED all the side characters!! They truly enriched the story and made the world feel even more real (and full of queer people, all with their own lives and personalities - shock!).
I’m really stingy with my five stars, and the only minor thing for me was the pacing at times - but honestly, I couldn’t recommend this book more! I expect this to join my pile of comfort reads that I’ll revisit over and over again.
Page is deliciously frustrating in the beginning, which just makes his character development even more satisfying. Charlie’s lived experiences of late-diagnosed autism felt real and honest, without (personally) being triggering. On the contrary, it felt so right to see neurodiversity represented in a classic romcom like this - ever present, but not all-consuming.
I also ADORED all the side characters!! They truly enriched the story and made the world feel even more real (and full of queer people, all with their own lives and personalities - shock!).
I’m really stingy with my five stars, and the only minor thing for me was the pacing at times - but honestly, I couldn’t recommend this book more! I expect this to join my pile of comfort reads that I’ll revisit over and over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Ableism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death and Medical trauma
Main character has trauma from undiagnosed autism. Ableist language a main conflict in the book. Comprehensive trigger warnings at the start of the book.