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fuzzywilson's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Alcohol
torikate7's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
kshertz's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is such a cute quick read. At first I didn’t want to read it because I haven’t read the first book in the series but it was recommended by two different people and both of them said you don’t need to read the first one. They were correct. This was so nice to see a rich boy understand truly who they are and find the love of your life. I thought it was very sweet and I loved the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Classism
mattyb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol
ladythana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
bookcheshirecat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
“I sigh, realizing that the boy I'm talking about is a different iteration of myself from a separate past life, removed from who I am here. All the previous me's have been chunked off, lopped into little figurines in a Dickens-style display that represent old hurts. Oh, how I want to take a bat to the table and smash them all to smithereens.”
➽ You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is technically part of a series, but they are all independent standalone books! If you love unlikable main characters this is perfect, as Matthew Prince is a rich, entitled young man who has all the makings of a real Scrooge. However, after one too many scandals, he's forced to spend the holidays with his modest grandparents in their quite small town. Matthew is less than thrilled but has no choice if he wants to save his image. That doesn't stop him from being grumpy at being denied his usual privileges and having to spend Christmas away from the big city. Despite being a bit of a snob, Matthew quickly grew on me, as he's in a situation that quickly humbles him and makes him understand how horrid his attitude is. I also felt bad for him, as his parents are neglectful and very much absent - it's clear that they care little about how their actions affect Matthew. Even worse, he has a number of entitled friends, who only care about image and drop him the second he's no longer in good graces!
➽ I also loved the hate-to-love romance! Matthew is forced to spend some time with Hector, a local who has a good relationship with his grandparents. From being forced to share a room together to having to work on the charity gala, there's a lot of forced proximity. Hector is unimpressed with Matthew's antics and is very down-to-earth and modest, a very clear contrast. I loved their (acidic) banter, but also their growing relationship!
➽ You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince is technically part of a series, but they are all independent standalone books! If you love unlikable main characters this is perfect, as Matthew Prince is a rich, entitled young man who has all the makings of a real Scrooge. However, after one too many scandals, he's forced to spend the holidays with his modest grandparents in their quite small town. Matthew is less than thrilled but has no choice if he wants to save his image. That doesn't stop him from being grumpy at being denied his usual privileges and having to spend Christmas away from the big city. Despite being a bit of a snob, Matthew quickly grew on me, as he's in a situation that quickly humbles him and makes him understand how horrid his attitude is. I also felt bad for him, as his parents are neglectful and very much absent - it's clear that they care little about how their actions affect Matthew. Even worse, he has a number of entitled friends, who only care about image and drop him the second he's no longer in good graces!
➽ I also loved the hate-to-love romance! Matthew is forced to spend some time with Hector, a local who has a good relationship with his grandparents. From being forced to share a room together to having to work on the charity gala, there's a lot of forced proximity. Hector is unimpressed with Matthew's antics and is very down-to-earth and modest, a very clear contrast. I loved their (acidic) banter, but also their growing relationship!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Toxic friendship
crypticbutton's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism
onkenzisshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thoughts and Feelings
- I like that this book has the grumpy mean character as the POV - I feel like it’s usually the other way around and while I could not STAND Matthew at the beginning of the book, it was a nice change of pace.
- This book showed the queer experience so well, but didn’t focus on queer pain or the coming out story. It was all queer joy.
- I actually loved how this book dealt with family issues. I thought it was beautiful the way Matthew matured but also didn’t let his family walk all over him. He called them out when they messed up.
- The GAD representation in this book was beautiful and I loved how Hector and Matthew’s mother played parts in that.
- Hector wasn't the most well-rounded character, which I feel like could have been avoided had we had a dual perspective.
You'd Like This Book If:
- If you enjoy Schitt's Creek or Gossip Girl
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
the_reading_kat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment