Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Out of Character

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

8 reviews

lizziealex's review

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

This may be one of the worst books I’ve ever read. I only finished it out of spite, but I don’t understand the use of the word “heck” if your characters are also going to sleep together. This was tedious, too. This book did not need to be 400 pages. The characters fell flat, the plot fell flat, and tbh whatever card game Albert has come up with sounds stupid. Just let your characters play a real game like MTG or YGO. Felt like a YA book in the worst way possible.

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levesc17's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.0

This is a follow up to Conventionally Yours, and it is about a new couple. This had a very tender coming out plot line.

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20sidedbi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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the_vegan_bookworm's review

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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aus10england's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

UgghGhhghhgh, so frustrating!

Conventionally yours was one of my fave books of the year when I read it. This one was a huge let down for me.

Everything I liked about the first book was missing from this one: fun road trip, believable and likable romance, fun ensemble cast.

I did enjoy the writing, and I was mostly entertained throughout, but I did end up missing the cast of characters from the Conventionally Yours too much to not compare.

Not the worst, not the best, may have enjoyed more if I hadn’t loved the first book sooooo much. (you don’t need to read the first book to read this one)

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foreverinastory's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

Okay ex-best friends to lovers is a new fave!

Rep: white gay male MC, white gay Italian male MC with an injured leg, white female side character with a chronic illness (blood disorder), Latino achillean male side character, white achillean elderly male side character, autistic gay male side character and his boyfriend, various children with chronic illnesses/disabilities in a hospital in-patient ward.

CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, sexual content, injury/injury detail . Moderate: Ableism, past mentions of bullying, mentions of alcoholism/addiction, past death from chronic alcoholism, death of parent, medical content, cancer, chronic illness, past mentions of emotional abuse, grief, past car accident, toxic friendship.

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dariamerr's review

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a very sweet and quick romance book to read. A lighthearted novel for when you need something cute to distress.

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nerdynatreads's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-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? Yes

3.75

~Thanks to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Out of Character in exchange for an honest review. ~

This was one of my anticipated releases for July! While I'll admit, this didn't live up to my love for Conventionally Yours, I still had a good time overall.

This certainly falls into the New Adult category, with the writing reading a bit more on the immature side at times while handling some big life topics, which I think encapsulates that transition period out of college into adulthood well. I did enjoy Milo and Jasper but didn't quite fall in love with them as much as Alden (but I loved getting to see him and Conrad as side characters!). For the most part, their perspectives were pretty distinct, but toward the end, their voices did start to flow together slightly. A big reason for this, I believe, is that we see some of Jasper rubbing off on Milo. Milo had a wonderful character arc throughout the story and I'd really recommend this book for that aspect.

Jasper is a nerd and proud of it, while Milo is an ex-jock who feels out of place in the world after some screwups. They have a history, both good and bad, which added some underlying tension to their early interactions. As much as I liked them as a couple, for how long this story was, I think the transition from enemies to friends to lovers should have dragged out a bit more. This book also had a few smut scenes more than the first (not terribly explicit), but I think it would have been better to spend more time focusing on rebuilding their friendship and then eventual relationship.

Speaking of dragging though, this plot was pretty dang slow. Once the initial setup had taken place, I thought there'd be more action happening as they try to find the cards. However, the pacing was very jumpy in that regard.

Albert does a great job of sliding in representation with her characters. This story had a bit of an everybody's gay trope, Milo had a limp, and April (Jasper's little sister) has a chronic illness. All great to see on-page. I also absolutely adore all of the nerd culture in this series. From the creation of the Odyssey game to the cosplaying, I had a great time watching these characters enjoy their passions.

A bit of a drop from the first, but still a good installment. I'm intrigued to see if Albert will be writing a third book about another set of characters in this universe.

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