Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Outdrawn by Deanna Grey

25 reviews

penandpages's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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letsgolesbians's review

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

five star read, Black sapphics and comics and softness and bubbline energy 🩷🖤

outdrawn is a rivals to lovers romance with comic artists who have been competing since college, first in classes then on a webcomic site. noah gets hired at the major comic company sage works at, which sage doesn’t take well, and their rivalry softens as they work together. 

this is one of those books against which i’m going to compare other romances, because i loved watching noah and sage work through their own insecurities together and grow as their relationship deepened. they encouraged each other to stand up to their families in different ways and talked through problems. highly recommend settling into this one if you need a little softness right now. 

tw: alcoholic parent; chronic wrist pain; mentions of bi- and lesbophobia; mention of suicide ideation; parentification; sex on page

photo review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6W2it9SdhY/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==
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lisa07xie's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Omg this book was so cute!!! I loved that! And just the characters and the relationships the character development it was so good! I loved that they talked about important topics and how hard it is to be an artist and that you should put your health first! I loved it so much and the ending it was PERFECTION! The proposal was so cute with the comic on the wall and that they both proposed at the same day so adorable!!! I would recommend it!
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athenathestorier's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

I came in expecting a comfort read. And even though more serious topics were explored, that remained the case. In fact, I would say this is among the closest you can get to being fluff without actually being fluff. The climax wasn't overly dramatic, was eased into, and had the foundations for a quick but believable resolution. 

As a character-driven reader, I loved the focus that the characters and their relationships got. I really feel like I got to know them. In fact, getting to know Sage felt like looking in a mirror at times - so much so that I wondered if I'd be able to finish the book during this read through. And I'm so glad I did. Because this is what a good relationship (of any type) does: support you, and give you the strength to support yourself as well. Seeing these women grow into more healthy versions of themselves - learning where to put boundaries, learning how to incorporate self-care, and more - made me so soft and happy. 

Sage and Noah at first seem like opposites, something their rivalry also paints a picture of. But they're actually very similar. Their fire to pursue their dreams and find success may have different fuel, but they both blaze just as intense. And when put together, that fire ebbs and flares in a fun cycle of steamy, challenging, affectionate, and vulnerable - much as the two of them describe certain moments themselves.

This is an adult romance in way more than just spice. The maturity of these MCs and their relationship is truly goal-worthy. I would gladly recommend this book to anyone seeking a contemporary romance, and I cannot wait to have this standing proudly on my physical bookshelf.


Rep: Black FMCs, Lesbian FMC, Bisexual FMC, Black supporting characters, subtle gay romance in the background


Memorable Quotes:

“I am. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” She gave me a knowing smile. This woman could be fun. Noah was still a bit stiff and had a lot of work to do in terms of her artistic confidence, but she could be fun. 
“Once in a lifetime,” I agreed as I stared at her. 
Noah tilted her head to the side. “Are you okay?” 
“I’m fine. Just…realizing something.” 
“That it’s going to be a long six months?” 
I nodded. “Something like that.” 

 
“Stop reading into it." 
"I'm not reading into anything," I said, even though I was already on the tenth chapter, deep into the footnotes. 


“Some of us have to claw our way through the real world, survive any way we can. Sometimes, that survival looks like quitting to the outside."


"I burned myself out. Every dollar I earned I saved because every day was a rainy day. Once you guys saw that, you didn't feel the need to pitch in. You felt safe, T. I was terrified, and you felt safe."


I dragged out her name in a playful tone. The syllables felt good on my tongue. Had her name always felt like this? Like something I could repeat and never get bored of? 

 
“But I’ve always seen you as a human. No matter how good you are at what you do. You know why?” I shook my head, mesmerized by how her lips moved when she insulted me with, “You’re an asshole. Assholes are the most human of us all.” 

 
“But not all those lines I draw are the right ones.” 
“How can you tell the right ones from the wrong ones?” 
“When you put them down and don’t feel anything,” I said without hesitation. 

 
“I love your laugh.” I cupped her chin, pulling her close so our lips nearly touched. “And your growth. You don’t take shit from anyone. You never should have, especially from me.” 
Noah nodded, eyes hooded with warmth and desire. “I know.” 
“You’re so beautiful—your body and your determination. Thank you for telling me to fuck off,” I whispered. 
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haileyhardcover's review

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emotional funny hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Am I the only person who thought this was YA/college-age for some reason? If not, let me assure you this is, in fact, very adult. Three-chapter long spicy scene kind of adult lol 

I really enjoyed this story and characters. I’m not normally an enemies/rivals to lovers girlie, but this one was great. The little quips and banter were perfect. I also really appreciated that Noah and Sage both had lives and issues outside of each other. Characters feel more real that way.

There were elements of the story that didn’t feel fully fleshed out to me, hence the four instead of five stars, but I still definitely recommend Outdrawn. Looking forward to more from this author! 
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fleur____'s review

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emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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abookwormspov's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense 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

5.0

I loved every single second of this book.
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trussell12's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

3.5

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fuzzywilson's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

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bweeksreads's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

5.0

All I can say is wow this book was amazing. Each time I read I find a song that matches each character, turns out I had an entire playlist that matched this book perfectly.  I chose Myspace & I’m not god by Samoht and love quotes by Jenevieve and Bloody Samaritan by Ayra Starr for Noah. 

They had the perfect rivals to lovers relationship with barely a drop of miscommunication. Both began to realize they were missing each opportunity to be something more by having such career tunnel vision. Both had the need to prove themselves and be seen/ heard but wouldn’t discuss it. 

I saw so much of myself in both Noah & Sage that the resemblance became a little uncanny. Seeking approval, silently asking for help, and burning out to the point it felt like my head would crack open. Pulling yourself out a hole like that is very hard but when someone is there to help the weight is easier to carry. 

This was a very beautiful and intimate slow burn that gets infinite stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️♾️
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