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cassie7e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Love having a black ace (and biromantic!) character! I recommend this for young aces or anyone who likes a young-adult-figuring-themselves-out story. It's useful if a lot of these concepts are new, and I seem to be the only ace reader who didn't hate this book. But it wasn't fantastic either. I think I would have loved this book if I found it while I was a teen/still in college. It works as an introduction to asexuality (and having a separate romantic orientation!) but doesn't delve into what that means for navigating relationships.
For an ace book that starts off commiserating with ace readers about how unrelatable being attracted to random people is, we still get instalove the second Alice lays eyes on Takumi. Aside from confusing Alice and making her question her identity, the book doesn't really explore how ace people can have varied experiences and still be ace. The text also doesnt seem to understand that romantic crushes aren't the same as finding someone so hot your face melts (which is what appears to happen here, and is so unrelatable to me that I wondered from the start if the author even knew what she was talking about). I wanted Alice's romantic side to be the focus but instead she is constantly questioning her sexual relationships, and jumps right into a situationship with Takumi that certainly reads as romantic to me (I mean, sharing a bed with your crush who keeps saying they like you??) but is only called a friendship by both parties for way too long. Instead of us getting to witness the development of their intimacy and actually see any chemistry, major breakthroughs in vulnerability and fun activities happen *off page*. Which is especially jarring since the narration carries on with the same tone and pace whether an hour has passed or apparently months. It made it really hard to track the progression of the story or believe in the emotional arcs.
So if Alice's romantic experiences aren't the focus, is asexuality in relationship explored? Not really. Alice is too immature and fearful to share with Margot that she's ace, which is appropriate for her age and insecurity. However the book doesn't distinguish between Margot's need for sexuality in her relationship from her judgement of Alice's lack of sexual engagement. Similarly there's not a discussion with Takumi about how he (who is not ace) will feel fulfilled in a relationship with Alice, who doesn't care about sex at all, nor want to have sex ever again even though she has at least once enjoyed herself. (Honestly I think most of Alice's hangups around sex come from sleeping with people she didn't even like, and who didn't care about her pleasure, but the book doesn't acknowledge that aspect of her past either.)
There's also a lot of friendship drama as Alice and Feeny (sp?) hurt each other without either entirely being in the wrong, and both refusing to talk about it. This is also developmentally realistic (fits my experience of teen girls in college) and maddening. But I appreciate that the book doesn't use this as an excuse to break the friendship and they do work through it. Prominent is an underlying fear of friends who are like family being fine without you, not needing you as much as you need them because they have their partner. (What if we normalized expansive relationship formats beyond the couple/nuclear family instead of putting people - especially aros and aces - in situationships with coupled friends? 👀) The book could have more intentionally explored reassurance within friendships and have the characters reckon with the priorities they put on their friendship vs romantic relationships. There's an opportunity here to show how deep and reliable friendships can be that is just missed.
As a fully fledged adult, what this book explores is not new or nuanced for me, and how people form and maintain complex relationships is far more interesting. This book is not that.
For an ace book that starts off commiserating with ace readers about how unrelatable being attracted to random people is, we still get instalove the second Alice lays eyes on Takumi. Aside from confusing Alice and making her question her identity, the book doesn't really explore how ace people can have varied experiences and still be ace. The text also doesnt seem to understand that romantic crushes aren't the same as finding someone so hot your face melts (which is what appears to happen here, and is so unrelatable to me that I wondered from the start if the author even knew what she was talking about). I wanted Alice's romantic side to be the focus but instead she is constantly questioning her sexual relationships, and jumps right into a situationship with Takumi that certainly reads as romantic to me (I mean, sharing a bed with your crush who keeps saying they like you??) but is only called a friendship by both parties for way too long. Instead of us getting to witness the development of their intimacy and actually see any chemistry, major breakthroughs in vulnerability and fun activities happen *off page*. Which is especially jarring since the narration carries on with the same tone and pace whether an hour has passed or apparently months. It made it really hard to track the progression of the story or believe in the emotional arcs.
So if Alice's romantic experiences aren't the focus, is asexuality in relationship explored? Not really. Alice is too immature and fearful to share with Margot that she's ace, which is appropriate for her age and insecurity. However the book doesn't distinguish between Margot's need for sexuality in her relationship from her judgement of Alice's lack of sexual engagement. Similarly there's not a discussion with Takumi about how he (who is not ace) will feel fulfilled in a relationship with Alice, who doesn't care about sex at all, nor want to have sex ever again even though she has at least once enjoyed herself. (Honestly I think most of Alice's hangups around sex come from sleeping with people she didn't even like, and who didn't care about her pleasure, but the book doesn't acknowledge that aspect of her past either.)
There's also a lot of friendship drama as Alice and Feeny (sp?) hurt each other without either entirely being in the wrong, and both refusing to talk about it. This is also developmentally realistic (fits my experience of teen girls in college) and maddening. But I appreciate that the book doesn't use this as an excuse to break the friendship and they do work through it. Prominent is an underlying fear of friends who are like family being fine without you, not needing you as much as you need them because they have their partner. (What if we normalized expansive relationship formats beyond the couple/nuclear family instead of putting people - especially aros and aces - in situationships with coupled friends? 👀) The book could have more intentionally explored reassurance within friendships and have the characters reckon with the priorities they put on their friendship vs romantic relationships. There's an opportunity here to show how deep and reliable friendships can be that is just missed.
As a fully fledged adult, what this book explores is not new or nuanced for me, and how people form and maintain complex relationships is far more interesting. This book is not that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism, Vomit, and Alcohol
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
There are parts of this that I really liked, but overall it just fell ... flat.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
daryn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Infidelity and Alcohol
reading_rebellion's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Super cute and wholesome slow burn romance based emotional intimacy and connection instead of just sex which I personally really love. I loved awkwardness, the banter and love between Alice and Takumi.
Likes
I liked the writing style and the story. It really is a coming of age story with some romance mixed in. This is definitely a book for the nerds.
Ace rep! Black Ace rep!!
Multicultural characters with the FMC being Black and the MMC being Asian
I appreciate the author including social and cultural dialogue that didn't become the whole story. I appreciated the author representing a version of a Black woman that is middle class and that grew suburban areas and all that comes with. Black middle class and suburban families isn't talked about or seen enough in books even though it's very common occurrence.
No Black trauma and struggle porn!
Dislikes
Alice's voice as a character did read somewhat kiddie, but it is a YA novel and she is also not far out of high school at 20 so that makes since.
Alice parents especially her narcassistic, overbearing mom and pushy sister.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was a little inconsistent with the male characters, but being picky.
Overall good Ace rep! Perfect for high school, college aged and early 20s or anyone who wants to understand Asexuality and a part of the Ace spectrum better.
Likes
I liked the writing style and the story. It really is a coming of age story with some romance mixed in. This is definitely a book for the nerds.
Ace rep! Black Ace rep!!
Multicultural characters with the FMC being Black and the MMC being Asian
I appreciate the author including social and cultural dialogue that didn't become the whole story. I appreciated the author representing a version of a Black woman that is middle class and that grew suburban areas and all that comes with. Black middle class and suburban families isn't talked about or seen enough in books even though it's very common occurrence.
No Black trauma and struggle porn!
Dislikes
Alice's voice as a character did read somewhat kiddie, but it is a YA novel and she is also not far out of high school at 20 so that makes since.
Alice parents especially her narcassistic, overbearing mom and pushy sister.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was a little inconsistent with the male characters, but being picky.
Overall good Ace rep! Perfect for high school, college aged and early 20s or anyone who wants to understand Asexuality and a part of the Ace spectrum better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, and Alcohol
badbadwolf's review against another edition
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
specklecommittee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Although the story is written with all the cringe and yearning of a YA novel, its message felt nuanced and refreshing. The asexual representation was written with a lot of care. The main character's conflict stemmed from not being seen or accepted by others. And the development of the love interest felt healthy, endearing, and pretty radical.
At the same time, the story felt written for younger audiences, but had adult themes that people under at least 17 wouldn’t connect with/be appropriate for.
At the same time, the story felt written for younger audiences, but had adult themes that people under at least 17 wouldn’t connect with/be appropriate for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
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
4.5
#23for23 (Learn more: https://www.23for23.net/)
I checked this audiobook out of my library.
Brief Synopsis: Alice is going to have the best summer. Eating great food, working her cozy job at the library, watching television, and spending time with her girlfriend...except she doesn't have a girlfriend anymore. After Alice tells her girlfriend that she's asexual, Alice finds herself no longer in a relationship. With a broken heart, she enters the summer with no thoughts toward anything other than going to work and avoiding people. Then she meets her new coworker, Takumi, and suddenly the summer seems full of terrifying possibilities for Alice.
Thoughts: I loved the romance between Alice and Takumi throughout this book. The way that they care for each other and build a connection with one another was so heartwarming to watch and a joy to read. I also really appreciated Alice's growth within her asexuality and how Takumi and she were able to navigate the meaning of that within their romance.
I also love that the place where Alice and Takumi fall for each other is a library. It's a perfect combination of some of my favourite things romance and books.
The only thing I did not like about this book is Alice's relationship with her best friends, Feenie and Ryan, who are in a partnership with each other. I felt that Feenie and Alice's relationship was a little toxic. They had a lot of history together and I do not doubt that at some point they were very close and had a lot of love for each other. However, when Feenie is upset that Alice is forming a relationship with Takumi being jealous, rather than supportive it rubbed me the wrong way. I also felt that the resolution of that tension was not entirely satisfying.
This is a great romance with asexual representation. I would recommend this book.
I checked this audiobook out of my library.
Brief Synopsis: Alice is going to have the best summer. Eating great food, working her cozy job at the library, watching television, and spending time with her girlfriend...except she doesn't have a girlfriend anymore. After Alice tells her girlfriend that she's asexual, Alice finds herself no longer in a relationship. With a broken heart, she enters the summer with no thoughts toward anything other than going to work and avoiding people. Then she meets her new coworker, Takumi, and suddenly the summer seems full of terrifying possibilities for Alice.
Thoughts: I loved the romance between Alice and Takumi throughout this book. The way that they care for each other and build a connection with one another was so heartwarming to watch and a joy to read. I also really appreciated Alice's growth within her asexuality and how Takumi and she were able to navigate the meaning of that within their romance.
I also love that the place where Alice and Takumi fall for each other is a library. It's a perfect combination of some of my favourite things romance and books.
The only thing I did not like about this book is Alice's relationship with her best friends, Feenie and Ryan, who are in a partnership with each other. I felt that Feenie and Alice's relationship was a little toxic. They had a lot of history together and I do not doubt that at some point they were very close and had a lot of love for each other. However, when Feenie is upset that Alice is forming a relationship with Takumi being jealous, rather than supportive it rubbed me the wrong way. I also felt that the resolution of that tension was not entirely satisfying.
This is a great romance with asexual representation. I would recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
elenushka8's review
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Racism and Alcohol
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was surprised by how much I loved this story. In large part, it was because I love Takumi and Alice. They are sweet, charming characters who I squeed about constantly. I loved seeing a romantic relationship develop without the asexuality changing. I related wholeheartedly to the conflicts between Alice and her friends. Though the resolution between them wasn't satisfying perse, I still really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
matheo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia and Panic attacks/disorders