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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
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
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.thesilverquill's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I liked this book so so much, Charlie was relatable & Page was just perfectly human, flawed, and sweet. I adore them both, and I absolutely loved how their relationship blossomed. It was so natural and believable, and I appreciate how the author wrote them, how they approached one another with empathy, honesty, and kindness. I’m so thankful I received an ARC and got to read this first!
As someone who was diagnosed with autism in her late 20s, reading about Charlie and her struggles was like reading my own experience. I cried multiple times. This felt cathartic.
I’m so happy with the ending to this story, and that there was a character development of both her’s and Page’s character that not only felt believable, but was practical, and with how they end up together ❣️
I wish I could reread this again for the first time! Highly recommend.
As someone who was diagnosed with autism in her late 20s, reading about Charlie and her struggles was like reading my own experience. I cried multiple times. This felt cathartic.
I’m so happy with the ending to this story, and that there was a character development of both her’s and Page’s character that not only felt believable, but was practical, and with how they end up together ❣️
I wish I could reread this again for the first time! Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Child death, and Grief
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a lovely debut romcom by Caden Armstrong! I was gifted an ARC and am providing an honest review on my own volition.
After Charlie calls out ableist language at a StarCon panel for one of her favorite tv shows StarVerse, a video of this goes viral and she reaps the consequences, not the mega-popular actor who said the ableist bullshit of course. She is fired from her job, bullied by the media and fans online, gets doxxed, and is basically forced into social isolation besides her best friend Ripley. Ripley finds Charlie a short-term workstay in Stonehaven, Scotland of all places! Charlie leaves LA, hoping to start anew in the small town, Stonehaven, and to get a bit of a break from the rampant misogyny and ableism that has followed her online since the viral video.
Page (stage name: Jamie Mahome; the reason for his stage name comes into play later, but I don't want to spoil anything; please read this!) wants to surprise his sister Lillian by coming home during his break from filming StarVerse, but instead is welcomed by a golf club to the head by Charlie. Charlie thought he was breaking in, so this makes for the goofiest meet cute and really did make me laugh out loud. Since Page sends most of his paycheck to his mom and sister, he can't just find another place to crash for the summer, so this makes Page and Charlie summer roommates! He immediately recognizes her as the woman who called out his colleague Killian, and while he tries to maintain his distance, it gets harder and harder to ignore the growing sexual tension between them as they get to know one another.
Once these two wrote Page & Charlie's Roommate Rules, I knew it was game over. It was a fun nod to "you have to promise you won't fall in love with me" when Jamie says this to Landon in a Walk To Remember hehe. I loved their day trip to a nearby castle, their close proximity in the bookstore that Page's family owns (&that Charlie is now working at!), & the way they begin to look out for one another.
Page approaches Charlie's autism with curiosity and tries to clarify that he is willing to learn, which is more than what most folks can say! Having the mentality to just *try* & do better once you know better is something we should all be mindful of! I really appreciated the representation of Charlie's inner thoughts surrounding her autism, and how she had been let down so many times before by people she should have trusted: exes, her family, supervisors! The way Charlie had their harshest words on replay in her head was heartbreaking, but rings so true to me in my own experience of being autistic & an ADHD-er. It's why chosen family is so important, and can make such profound impact with regards to being validated and reassured that you are enough as you are!
I had so much fun with the excerpts from the tv show, interviews, fanfic excerpts, and social media posts at the beginning of each chapter; it totally felt authentic to the way those play into Hollywood and fandom culture. I also loved side characters and Page's work besties Sandhya and Theo, queer cast members from London who lovingly check in with Page and lay out hard truths for him at times too!
Honorable mention to Gandalf the White cat! What a silly goose, I love Gandalf! Also, the playlist was so much fun — I listened while I read 🎶
I'm unsure if this is the start of an interconnected series of standalone romances, but if it is, I'm very curious & hoping one of the books will be about Lillian & Callum *rubs palms together excitedly*
I highly recommend this, & will absolutely read whatever Caden Armstrong decides to write next!
representation: bisexual & autistic main character, main character who navigates anxiety, queer side characters, side character with ADHD
steam rating: 3/5 - yay for representation of sex toys & self-pleasuring!
see content warnings below & take care while reading <3
This was such a lovely debut romcom by Caden Armstrong! I was gifted an ARC and am providing an honest review on my own volition.
After Charlie calls out ableist language at a StarCon panel for one of her favorite tv shows StarVerse, a video of this goes viral and she reaps the consequences, not the mega-popular actor who said the ableist bullshit of course. She is fired from her job, bullied by the media and fans online, gets doxxed, and is basically forced into social isolation besides her best friend Ripley. Ripley finds Charlie a short-term workstay in Stonehaven, Scotland of all places! Charlie leaves LA, hoping to start anew in the small town, Stonehaven, and to get a bit of a break from the rampant misogyny and ableism that has followed her online since the viral video.
Page (stage name: Jamie Mahome; the reason for his stage name comes into play later, but I don't want to spoil anything; please read this!) wants to surprise his sister Lillian by coming home during his break from filming StarVerse, but instead is welcomed by a golf club to the head by Charlie. Charlie thought he was breaking in, so this makes for the goofiest meet cute and really did make me laugh out loud. Since Page sends most of his paycheck to his mom and sister, he can't just find another place to crash for the summer, so this makes Page and Charlie summer roommates! He immediately recognizes her as the woman who called out his colleague Killian, and while he tries to maintain his distance, it gets harder and harder to ignore the growing sexual tension between them as they get to know one another.
Once these two wrote Page & Charlie's Roommate Rules, I knew it was game over. It was a fun nod to "you have to promise you won't fall in love with me" when Jamie says this to Landon in a Walk To Remember hehe. I loved their day trip to a nearby castle, their close proximity in the bookstore that Page's family owns (&that Charlie is now working at!), & the way they begin to look out for one another.
Page approaches Charlie's autism with curiosity and tries to clarify that he is willing to learn, which is more than what most folks can say! Having the mentality to just *try* & do better once you know better is something we should all be mindful of! I really appreciated the representation of Charlie's inner thoughts surrounding her autism, and how she had been let down so many times before by people she should have trusted: exes, her family, supervisors! The way Charlie had their harshest words on replay in her head was heartbreaking, but rings so true to me in my own experience of being autistic & an ADHD-er. It's why chosen family is so important, and can make such profound impact with regards to being validated and reassured that you are enough as you are!
I had so much fun with the excerpts from the tv show, interviews, fanfic excerpts, and social media posts at the beginning of each chapter; it totally felt authentic to the way those play into Hollywood and fandom culture. I also loved side characters and Page's work besties Sandhya and Theo, queer cast members from London who lovingly check in with Page and lay out hard truths for him at times too!
Honorable mention to Gandalf the White cat! What a silly goose, I love Gandalf! Also, the playlist was so much fun — I listened while I read 🎶
I'm unsure if this is the start of an interconnected series of standalone romances, but if it is, I'm very curious & hoping one of the books will be about Lillian & Callum *rubs palms together excitedly*
I highly recommend this, & will absolutely read whatever Caden Armstrong decides to write next!
representation: bisexual & autistic main character, main character who navigates anxiety, queer side characters, side character with ADHD
steam rating: 3/5 - yay for representation of sex toys & self-pleasuring!
see content warnings below & take care while reading <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Ableism
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Homophobia
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
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