Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Just by Looking at Him

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell

38 reviews

islamaunder21's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The ending really made this book for me. This is a raw and unflinching depiction of life as a disabled gay man as well as sex work, addiction, relationships and unlikely friendships. It refuses to fall into and even actively challenges tropes of innocent victimhood nor sugar-coat the protagonist's flaws, internal and external ableism, or mental/physical pain. Simultaneously, the first person narrative voice, as told through Elliot's eyes, is campy, humorous and bitchy even in the difficult moments and we are made to gradually warm to him more and more, even rooting for and empathising with him despite him initially coming across as being quite unlikeable. Whilst I found that for the most part the beginning/first half of the novel didn't really hit for me, I felt myself getting pulled into the story as Elliot became more self-reflective and open, even seeing his poor choices at the expense of others through a newly compassionate light.
Whilst at times emotional, this novel does not shy away from explicit sex scenes lol, I found it hilarious listening to descriptions of sex positions and acts whilst shopping for groceries in my local corner shop and doing my washing up.
Also I never thought I would choke up at a sex scene but the final chapter got to me as I found it so beautiful and moving to witness Elliot feel finally fully seen and understood, and intimacy is reclaimed as something much more profound than simply physical satisfaction
I found some of the ''reflective'' moments in the book which were commentating on social issues and injustices to be a bit too basic and unnecessary whilst they of course made very valid and important points. I think rather than being told what to think as readers, these issues might have been inferred through witnessing the characters, narrative and Elliot's own internal dialogue.
Also this is probably because I'm not an LA gurl but whilst some of the humour landed, other parts of the narrative style were a bit cheesy for me and I didn't get all of the references.
All in all I found this is be a moving and empowering book which explores the co- existence of disability and sexuality as being not at odds with one another but just as multifaceted and nuanced as that of able bodied individuals, albeit in both similar and different ways.

Content Warnings

theskyboi's review against another edition

Go to review page

tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

deerlordxx's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

leanneymu's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

A really compelling and fun read, with surprisingly deep themes. There's a content note for some pretty graphic sexual content though, which might not be everyone's cup of tea. That being said, I really liked the way the sex was used to reflect the narrator's emotional termoil, self image, and evolving self-acceptance.

Content Warnings

sweetsimplenothing's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny fast-paced

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

1.5

Content Warnings

bookish_5280's review against another edition

Go to review page

just not for me :( i'm generally fine with smut, as long as it's beautifully written or useful for the plot or philosophy of the book. This was neither. Just 100 pages of nothing but poorly written smut. I felt like there was an attempt to include some moral or relationship troubles, but this just wasn't it for me.

Content Warnings