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madamenovelist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Asexual rep varies throughout. Some aspects were VERY accurate to the experiences of real life aces (myself included). And some gave me pause because it felt like utilizing aphobia or otherness to amp up drama, and it didn’t quite sit right with me. What bothered me most was how suddenly we skip all of Alice’s classes/work halfway through the book and Feenie never owns up to being unfair and manipulative to Alice. Otherwise I enjoyed the focus of deep emotional ties with everyone around Alice, not just Takumi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Acephobia/Arophobia
The attempted SA is not graphic, basically details a guy cornering a girl at a college party, but it’s still triggering. I found the aphobia triggering as well.therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. I've been wanting a book with ace representation for a while because I realized I've never read one, which is silly because I fall somewhere on the asexual/graysexual/demisexual spectrum. I didn't expect to see my experiences so vividly portrayed in Alice. It was painful at times, validating at others, and such a delightful read the whole way through. Glad I'm not the only ace who often feels broken but not broken.
📚 The gist 📚: what do you do when your girlfriend breaks up with you because you're asexual? Retreat from the world of dating and carefully guard your heart. At least, that's what Alice seems to have planned until she meets the new guy at the library. With him, she experiences a much stronger sense of attraction and has to reconcile this with her ace identity and broken heart.
📒Representation📒 black mc, asexual mc, bisexual mc, Japanese-American mc, LGBTQ sc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: Asexual characters, bipoc characters, fandom and library culture, sweet/complex romance, reflective narration, early college
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Alcohol
Acephobia/aphobiamxbluet18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Trigger warnings for Let's Talk About Love include: ableist language; acephobia, alcohol, anxiety, assault, bullying, cheating (both past and mentioned); manipulation, microaggressions, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and toxic friendship.
☆
☆
☢Old Review ☢
This book made me cry at least 3 times in the space of about 10 minutes, and if that isn't ringing endorsement then I don't know what is. But seriously, this book explained things about me that I haven't yet had the words to explain. And it gave me some much needed ace representation. I loved it from start to finish, and I read it cover to cover in two days. The characters are relatable and real in a way that writer's don't always manage and that's in part what made me love this book so much. I also loved that this book subtly tackled and removed the stereotypes around being queer, and ace specifically, as well as the racial stereotypes of being black, and Japanese. Obviously there are some issues, namely Margot and Feenie, and those are never addressed, but overall, for me, this book was incredible.
~
☢New Review☢
I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it. I believe it was the first book I read with asexual representation, and it put words to feelings I couldn't describe for myself. I love how it discussed the stereotypes asexual people have to deal with, but how it also gave the best example of what you should do when someone comes out as ace, and the things you shouldn't say.
~
That's not to say that there aren't also the opposite examples too, of the typical things people say to asexuals, and the things that make someone feel guilty or ashamed for the identity, but those, for me are far overshadowed by Takumi and the way he handled Alice telling him.
☆
☆
☢Old Review ☢
This book made me cry at least 3 times in the space of about 10 minutes, and if that isn't ringing endorsement then I don't know what is. But seriously, this book explained things about me that I haven't yet had the words to explain. And it gave me some much needed ace representation. I loved it from start to finish, and I read it cover to cover in two days. The characters are relatable and real in a way that writer's don't always manage and that's in part what made me love this book so much. I also loved that this book subtly tackled and removed the stereotypes around being queer, and ace specifically, as well as the racial stereotypes of being black, and Japanese. Obviously there are some issues, namely Margot and Feenie, and those are never addressed, but overall, for me, this book was incredible.
~
☢New Review☢
I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it. I believe it was the first book I read with asexual representation, and it put words to feelings I couldn't describe for myself. I love how it discussed the stereotypes asexual people have to deal with, but how it also gave the best example of what you should do when someone comes out as ace, and the things you shouldn't say.
~
That's not to say that there aren't also the opposite examples too, of the typical things people say to asexuals, and the things that make someone feel guilty or ashamed for the identity, but those, for me are far overshadowed by Takumi and the way he handled Alice telling him.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism and Sexism
xoodlebooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Biphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism