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bitchie's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this angsty number. I feel I learned a bit about OCD from Brit Boy Cedric, and I enjoyed watching Kevin find himself. His kids actually acted like kids their age, which was refreshing. No overly precocious cuties, no spoiled brats, just normal, every day kids. Even the ex-wife Jenny didn't seem to fit either the stereotypical evil ex OR the way too giving BFF.
Near the end, it DID seem a bit like Cedric got too much better, too fast, but enough had went on by that point that I was just able to go with it. I'd actually really like to read more, and see how they do in their lives together as one big, neurotic, happy family.
Near the end, it DID seem a bit like Cedric got too much better, too fast, but enough had went on by that point that I was just able to go with it. I'd actually really like to read more, and see how they do in their lives together as one big, neurotic, happy family.
postcordillera's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Surprisingly great romance read despite the scandalous start to the relationship. I like how there isn't any melodrama and the problems the two leads face are very much just normal people stuff with nuanced ways of navigating them. Like how Cedric's OCD is accommodated by Kevin but Kevin challenges him the right amount, difficulties coming out as gay to your kids and small community, dealing with homophobia, class differences and an age difference in a relationship... It's one of the more grounded and realistic romance reads I've had this year and I really enjoyed my time with it and would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary MM romance.
mikibooks's review
5.0
[a:Taylor V. Donovan|4959678|Taylor V. Donovan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1384614504p2/4959678.jpg] tiene una sensibilidad pocas veces vista. La honestidad y comprensión hacia sus personajes, la vulnerabilidad y belleza que muestran a pesar de sus problemas, es sencillamente emotiva. Aun con los pequeños detalles "criticables" de esta obra, tonterías insignificantes en el escenario general.
Somos raros, tenemos nudos intrincados con los que lidiar cada día, pero en esa maraña que muchas veces nos ahorca es posible construir algo. Este libro exuda respeto por la vida, y una enorme conexión con la mas cruda voluntad de resistir. Es el derecho a ser felices con nuestras fealdades. Y quizás sea porque me conectó con mis propias piedras y fantasmas que le tengo tanto respeto a la obra. Solo quien lo entiende puede definirlo de manera tal que el lector empatice y se meta de lleno; entienda, comparta. Honestamente no me importa mucho si hubiera quedado mejor con menos páginas, u omitiendo algunos pasajes. El efecto total es fuerte y cálido y no cualquiera podría haberlo logrado como ella.
Somos raros, tenemos nudos intrincados con los que lidiar cada día, pero en esa maraña que muchas veces nos ahorca es posible construir algo. Este libro exuda respeto por la vida, y una enorme conexión con la mas cruda voluntad de resistir. Es el derecho a ser felices con nuestras fealdades. Y quizás sea porque me conectó con mis propias piedras y fantasmas que le tengo tanto respeto a la obra. Solo quien lo entiende puede definirlo de manera tal que el lector empatice y se meta de lleno; entienda, comparta. Honestamente no me importa mucho si hubiera quedado mejor con menos páginas, u omitiendo algunos pasajes. El efecto total es fuerte y cálido y no cualquiera podría haberlo logrado como ella.
teresab78's review
5.0
Wonderful and sweet! The characters are real and perfectly flawed. I loved the insight into OCD and the ways they coped as a couple with Cedric's illness. The chemistry between them was great and I loved the supporting characters. Highly recommend.
liza5326's review
5.0
No matter how many times I read this book, I love it more every time. Cedric’s OCD is so well-presented and researched that it doesn’t seem like just a plot device for conflict like so many mental illnesses are. I love how Kevin and Cedric learn and grow together, a true representation of couples who deal with OCD every day. This is a book I revisit often because I love the story and the romance.
marlobo's review
5.0
ORIGINAL SPANISH VERSION BELOW
Today I came to work with only one and a half hour of sleep, I couldn't stop reading this book.
Taylor, I have read all that you have authored and your work is, IMO, original, modern in the best sense of the word, worked scrupulously and with marvellous endings that leave me with a sensation of plenitude and hope.
The story is absorbing. The conflicts are solid and consistent with the period and the location. In respect of the protagonists and the most important secondary characters, when they have fears or preventions these are completely reasonable. And the characters react and solve situations with common sense and intelligence.
I like specially Cedric's assertiveness, from it can be inferred that his OCD doesn't imply weakness or pusillanimity.
What? That for moments does it look like (only does it seem) the life is a bowl of cherries? Perhaps, but I like it! A little bit of fairy tale is welcome.
As I see it, this love story talks fundamentally of acceptance -of oneself, of the other people, of disagreeable situations or morons that we cannot change and with regard to them we can spare the effort-. Also talks of fight and overcoming.
It was a wonderful, touching and joyful reading. It goes straight to my hallelujah-shelf
Oh My, Oh God, translating is a tough job, more than writing right in English. :P
SPANISH ORIGINAL VERSION
¿Porque primero en castellano mi reseña? No tenía mucho tiempo, fue apenas llegué a la oficina y quería poner en negro sobre blanco todo lo que me había parecido el libro antes que el paso de las horas lo fuera esfumando, por eso dejé del lado mi costumbre de escribirla directamente en inglés
Vine a trabajar con sólo una hora y media de sueño, no pude dejar de leer este libro.
Taylor, todo lo que he leído de ti (vale decir, todo lo que has publicado) es original, moderno en el mejor sentido de la palabra, trabajado con esmero y con unos cierres maravillosos que me dejan un regusto a plenitud y esperanza.
La historia es atrapante,. Los nudos y conflictos que se plantean en esta historia son sólidos y congruentes con la época y la localización. Respecto de los protagonistas y los personajes secundarios más importantes, cuando tienen temores y prevenciones los mismos son absolutamente razonables y los personajes reaccionan y resuelven situaciones con sentido común e inteligencia,
Me gustó especialmente la personalidad asertiva de Cedric, de ella se desprende que su trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo no implica debilidad ni pusilanimidad.
¿Qué por momentos parece (sólo parece) que se viera la vida color de rosa? Quizás, ¡pero me encanta! Una pizca de cuento de hadas es bienvenida.
A mi entender esta historia de amor habla fundamentalmente de aceptación -de uno mismo, de los demás, de situaciones desagradables o personas estúpidas que no podemos cambiar y en las cuales no vale la pena malgastar esfuerzos-, lucha y superación.
Fue una lectura cautivante, conmovedora y gozosa. Va directo a mi estante hallelujah.
Today I came to work with only one and a half hour of sleep, I couldn't stop reading this book.
Taylor, I have read all that you have authored and your work is, IMO, original, modern in the best sense of the word, worked scrupulously and with marvellous endings that leave me with a sensation of plenitude and hope.
The story is absorbing. The conflicts are solid and consistent with the period and the location. In respect of the protagonists and the most important secondary characters, when they have fears or preventions these are completely reasonable. And the characters react and solve situations with common sense and intelligence.
I like specially Cedric's assertiveness, from it can be inferred that his OCD doesn't imply weakness or pusillanimity.
What? That for moments does it look like (only does it seem) the life is a bowl of cherries? Perhaps, but I like it! A little bit of fairy tale is welcome.
As I see it, this love story talks fundamentally of acceptance -of oneself, of the other people, of disagreeable situations or morons that we cannot change and with regard to them we can spare the effort-. Also talks of fight and overcoming.
It was a wonderful, touching and joyful reading. It goes straight to my hallelujah-shelf
Oh My, Oh God, translating is a tough job, more than writing right in English. :P
SPANISH ORIGINAL VERSION
¿Porque primero en castellano mi reseña? No tenía mucho tiempo, fue apenas llegué a la oficina y quería poner en negro sobre blanco todo lo que me había parecido el libro antes que el paso de las horas lo fuera esfumando, por eso dejé del lado mi costumbre de escribirla directamente en inglés
Vine a trabajar con sólo una hora y media de sueño, no pude dejar de leer este libro.
Taylor, todo lo que he leído de ti (vale decir, todo lo que has publicado) es original, moderno en el mejor sentido de la palabra, trabajado con esmero y con unos cierres maravillosos que me dejan un regusto a plenitud y esperanza.
La historia es atrapante,. Los nudos y conflictos que se plantean en esta historia son sólidos y congruentes con la época y la localización. Respecto de los protagonistas y los personajes secundarios más importantes, cuando tienen temores y prevenciones los mismos son absolutamente razonables y los personajes reaccionan y resuelven situaciones con sentido común e inteligencia,
Me gustó especialmente la personalidad asertiva de Cedric, de ella se desprende que su trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo no implica debilidad ni pusilanimidad.
¿Qué por momentos parece (sólo parece) que se viera la vida color de rosa? Quizás, ¡pero me encanta! Una pizca de cuento de hadas es bienvenida.
A mi entender esta historia de amor habla fundamentalmente de aceptación -de uno mismo, de los demás, de situaciones desagradables o personas estúpidas que no podemos cambiar y en las cuales no vale la pena malgastar esfuerzos-, lucha y superación.
Fue una lectura cautivante, conmovedora y gozosa. Va directo a mi estante hallelujah.
robazizo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. While the premise was interesting and the story had potential, the romance got overshadowed by their mutual (but mostly Cedric's) issues. I also thought that the level of consideration for the other's feelings and situation felt unequal, with Kevin almost always being the one to compromise and giving up what he wanted. It was understandable, considering the nature of Cedric's condition, but it left me with a feeling of inequality in the relationship that didn't bode well for their future together.
mordecai's review
DNF@ 11%
Just wasn't working for me. Didn't care about either character, and neither felt like they were actually queer men.
Just wasn't working for me. Didn't care about either character, and neither felt like they were actually queer men.
myzanm's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and easy, but Cedric did get on my nerves from time to time.