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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
3.35 stars ✨
Not memorable, but still nice.
Noah and Sage come across as realistic, talented artists with complicated family backgrounds. Each is dealing with personal struggles while trying to create their best work and earn a spot at the top of the charts. Both characters are quite likable. Noah carries herself with a lightheartedness that doesn’t feel overwhelming or insincere. Although Sage can be a bit closed off, she’s clearly not a mean girl—she works well with her team and doesn’t look down on anyone; she simply prefers to handle things on her own. They felt like real people I could genuinely root for.
Their shift from rivals to lovers happened a little too quickly. I was hoping to see a stronger build up, with some tension and angst to make the trope more believable. There was more jealousy than pure admiration and respect, which was concerning given that they were working closely together. That said, Sage’s character went through the best personal development, becoming much more supportive of Noah’s art.
Their relationship is kind of cute. There’s a lot of open communication, which I always appreciate. However, beyond that, the romance felt somewhat stale. Their connection simply didn’t stand out or feel especially meaningful. There was something missing that could really make me think, “awwww, they’re so sweet and perfect for each other!!”
I really enjoyed the art/comic book/competitive elements of the story. I loved getting a glimpse into their field and reading about their creative processes.
Overall, I haven’t thought about this book since I finished reading it, but I still had a nice time with Noah and Sage’s story.
Audiobook side note: Sondra Symone and Julienne Irons were questionable choices. I’m not sure who voiced each character, but the narrator for Sage made her voice sound like she’s making morning announcements. The voice she gave Noah was absolutely terrible—it was giving evil cartoon man who smokes. Meanwhile, the narrator for Noah can constantly be heard taking in a breath. I would not recommend the audiobook.
Not memorable, but still nice.
Noah and Sage come across as realistic, talented artists with complicated family backgrounds. Each is dealing with personal struggles while trying to create their best work and earn a spot at the top of the charts. Both characters are quite likable. Noah carries herself with a lightheartedness that doesn’t feel overwhelming or insincere. Although Sage can be a bit closed off, she’s clearly not a mean girl—she works well with her team and doesn’t look down on anyone; she simply prefers to handle things on her own. They felt like real people I could genuinely root for.
Their shift from rivals to lovers happened a little too quickly. I was hoping to see a stronger build up, with some tension and angst to make the trope more believable. There was more jealousy than pure admiration and respect, which was concerning given that they were working closely together. That said, Sage’s character went through the best personal development, becoming much more supportive of Noah’s art.
Their relationship is kind of cute. There’s a lot of open communication, which I always appreciate. However, beyond that, the romance felt somewhat stale. Their connection simply didn’t stand out or feel especially meaningful. There was something missing that could really make me think, “awwww, they’re so sweet and perfect for each other!!”
I really enjoyed the art/comic book/competitive elements of the story. I loved getting a glimpse into their field and reading about their creative processes.
Overall, I haven’t thought about this book since I finished reading it, but I still had a nice time with Noah and Sage’s story.
Audiobook side note: Sondra Symone and Julienne Irons were questionable choices. I’m not sure who voiced each character, but the narrator for Sage made her voice sound like she’s making morning announcements. The voice she gave Noah was absolutely terrible—it was giving evil cartoon man who smokes. Meanwhile, the narrator for Noah can constantly be heard taking in a breath. I would not recommend the audiobook.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Okay, cute ending *snaps snaps*
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
The ending was soooo cute! The two main characters are Black queer woman who draw and write comics. The sexual tension in the book is written really well and seeing their relationship blossom is so endearing.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I won't lie. I randomly chose this audiobook as an intermission for my books on hold that were slowly approaching availability. A Bookstagrammer recommended this book a few weeks ago, but I did not intend to read it this early. Regardless, Outdrawn was an adorable love story about two black, sapphic artists overcoming their artistic differences, competitiveness, and challenges. I don't know much about the art world and the issues many individuals could face while pursuing the field, like burnout, overly-analytical and financially overly-reliant family members, severe carpal tunnel, and unappreciation in professional settings. I won't lie, reading this book was quite refreshing from other queer love stories where homophobia is the only issue. Those narratives are still important; however, sometimes a queer girl needs a break from those repetitive plotlines. The conflicts listed above concluded in a nice, somewhat rushed bow. However, Grey shines in writing emotionally communicative scenes between Sage and Noah and their families that do not leave loose ends. (Some of these scenes happen early in the narrative, which was also a relief since most romance books like to have a "third-act breakup" because the leads can't communicate to save their lives!!) I don't have much more to say about this book, to be honest. The characters were fun and relatable, the relationship between Sage and Noah was peachy (and their sex scenes were GREAT hehehe), and the supporting characters were good additions, even if I already forgot their names. And I liked the cheesy ending of Sage proposing to Noah after years of dating and achieving their professional dreams. (And teaming up for a project at Kracken Comics with Sage as the artist and Noah as the writer). But hey, sometimes you just need a happily ever after.
This was a really hard listen because I didn't enjoy the people who read the book, but despite that the story was great. If I physically read it then I would have probably rated it 4.5
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
I love the characters Sage and Noah. Noah gets so in her head sometimes but to to hear Sage doing the same thing. The book switches from each of their perspectives. It's nice to hear what each of them are thinking.
medium-paced
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
emotional
funny
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
This book really validated my trust in myself. I often have gripes against contemporary sapphic books and I had a real hunch that I would actually like this one a lot. And I did!
For one thing, rivals to lovers is the superior trope. I always forget how much I love it until a book happens where it's so well done that I'm speechless. I love that even when dissing each other, you could feel the respect and admiration from them. Gray has grown since writing Sunny Disposition (which I didn't like as much).
I'm a sucker for when a book naturally includes criticism of a real life issue. and Gray did this with art and comic companies in a capitalistic world. how it changes how we create and view art in a fundamental way, that often negatively impacts the artist's mental and physical well-being. I'm not sure if this was on purpose or it's a matter of observation, but it was well done.
I really related to both Sage and Noah. Sage and her need to be alone, believing it to be better for everyone. Noah because of her anxiety and finding a way to fight through it and illness for her dreams.
now the one thing I didn't like was the sex scenes. a little too vanilla to me. like to the point where I didn't understand why it was there? I dunno, it felt kind of tacked on to me.
also I wish that the story they were rebooting was a bigger feature. we only got one detailed idea and then it wasn't mentioned explicitly again. I wanna know about that story too!
I'm so glad I read this 🌸🐈⬛🖊️
For one thing, rivals to lovers is the superior trope. I always forget how much I love it until a book happens where it's so well done that I'm speechless. I love that even when dissing each other, you could feel the respect and admiration from them. Gray has grown since writing Sunny Disposition (which I didn't like as much).
I'm a sucker for when a book naturally includes criticism of a real life issue. and Gray did this with art and comic companies in a capitalistic world. how it changes how we create and view art in a fundamental way, that often negatively impacts the artist's mental and physical well-being. I'm not sure if this was on purpose or it's a matter of observation, but it was well done.
I really related to both Sage and Noah. Sage and her need to be alone, believing it to be better for everyone. Noah because of her anxiety and finding a way to fight through it and illness for her dreams.
now the one thing I didn't like was the sex scenes. a little too vanilla to me. like to the point where I didn't understand why it was there? I dunno, it felt kind of tacked on to me.
also I wish that the story they were rebooting was a bigger feature. we only got one detailed idea and then it wasn't mentioned explicitly again. I wanna know about that story too!
I'm so glad I read this 🌸🐈⬛🖊️