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vagorsol's review
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
sauvageloup's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
a fun, light hearted read with light angst and pretty artwork.
pros:
- Ari and Hector are sweet characters which would probably be more relatable for younger readers/teenagers, it's a kind of coming of age story more than a romance, with Ari seeming much younger than Hector.
- the art work is lovely, I like the style and the atmosphere the book creates.
- it was nice to see the friends and parents involved in the story.
- the baking montages were cute, would probably appeal to someone who liked cooking/baking more.
cons:
- Felt like maybe this graphic novel was aimed younger than me. But even so, the plot lacked major resolution for me personally. Ari's wrongful idolising of Cameron (and him not standing up to him) is never really addressed, Ari just leaves the shared flat.
- though Ari decides to stay with his parents, theres no resolution with his liking of music and to explore, just that his city experience wasnt great and he gave up on it. no real deep discussion of why he changed his mind.
- also, we get Ari apologising to Hector but no explanation for why he lied, and then no growing romance between them?? just a cut scene to the winter? for a romance graphic novel, theres not much romance. should be marketed as more coming of age and friendship.
- the parents didnt make an effort to really understand Ari's desire to move. and Hector pushes aside Ari's unhappy feelings and calls him clingy when he leaves. theres very little communication between them, especially when Ari seems to be exhibiting anxiety symptoms.
- the splitting up of the band and Cameron blaming ari was also a big deal and wasnt addressed much.
- also, shame there wasnt a little more details to the art. it created an overall feeling well and communicated actions, but no little details to find with closer inspection like Alice Oseman does.
overall, a nice but shallow read that left me with some frustration. some of that was from poor marketing and me being the wrong age, I think, but also lack of plot resolution in many places.
pros:
- Ari and Hector are sweet characters which would probably be more relatable for younger readers/teenagers, it's a kind of coming of age story more than a romance, with Ari seeming much younger than Hector.
- the art work is lovely, I like the style and the atmosphere the book creates.
- it was nice to see the friends and parents involved in the story.
- the baking montages were cute, would probably appeal to someone who liked cooking/baking more.
cons:
- Felt like maybe this graphic novel was aimed younger than me. But even so, the plot lacked major resolution for me personally. Ari's wrongful idolising of Cameron (and him not standing up to him) is never really addressed, Ari just leaves the shared flat.
- though Ari decides to stay with his parents, theres no resolution with his liking of music and to explore, just that his city experience wasnt great and he gave up on it. no real deep discussion of why he changed his mind.
- also, we get Ari apologising to Hector but no explanation for why he lied, and then no growing romance between them?? just a cut scene to the winter? for a romance graphic novel, theres not much romance. should be marketed as more coming of age and friendship.
- the parents didnt make an effort to really understand Ari's desire to move. and Hector pushes aside Ari's unhappy feelings and calls him clingy when he leaves. theres very little communication between them, especially when Ari seems to be exhibiting anxiety symptoms.
- the splitting up of the band and Cameron blaming ari was also a big deal and wasnt addressed much.
- also, shame there wasnt a little more details to the art. it created an overall feeling well and communicated actions, but no little details to find with closer inspection like Alice Oseman does.
overall, a nice but shallow read that left me with some frustration. some of that was from poor marketing and me being the wrong age, I think, but also lack of plot resolution in many places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
debatable whether Cameron's treatment of Ari is quite emotional abuse, but its definitely a toxic friendship and he says cruel things. issue isn't properly addressed either.space_pancake's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
planner5002's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
gerzonvillegas's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
mattyb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
literarypenguin's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This was such a adorable graphic novel with a just as adorable romance! I love how baking was weaved into the story and both of the characters had a love for baking. One rediscovered his love for baking while the other shared his love for baking with people who appreciated it. I also liked how it explored the themes of some friendship can be toxic, along with relationships and how everyone is trying to find their place in the world no matter where it may be. The romance was really cute, how it went from strangers to friends to lovers! I recommend this novel for a really cute and quick read if you are in the mood for some adorable romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
forrestalexander's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love the illustrations and the graphic novel's style overall - but there were a number of elements that irked me and I couldn't get past them.
As others have said, the pacing was off - it is a very slow start, and then the ending and the romance are rushed.We have a couple of pages worth of romantic interactions between Ari and Hector, however, despite this, the story ends with both of them saying "I love you" in front of family and friends. I enjoyed how their romance was built up and taken slowly, but it went from 0 to 100 in a matter of one scene.
Aside from this, the plot was choppy and confusing at times, and honestly, Ari was so unlikeable I couldn't enjoy any of it. Especially at the middle and toward the very end of the book, it feels like Ari doubles down, projecting onto Hector and letting him take the blame for everything bad that happens, which confirms the fact that he has learned nothing and had zero character development throughout the entire book.
It is a sweet concept, I love a queer young love story - I like the potential this book has, but it didn't follow through for me.
As others have said, the pacing was off - it is a very slow start, and then the ending and the romance are rushed.
Aside from this, the plot was choppy and confusing at times, and honestly, Ari was so unlikeable I couldn't enjoy any of it. Especially at the middle and toward the very end of the book, it feels like Ari doubles down, projecting onto Hector and letting him take the blame for everything bad that happens, which confirms the fact that he has learned nothing and had zero character development throughout the entire book.
It is a sweet concept, I love a queer young love story - I like the potential this book has, but it didn't follow through for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
tasnim_2000'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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship
kaitlyng's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Toxic relationship and Car accident