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ladykatka's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It's ok overall but there are definitely better books out there. For the first half of the book I was convinced this took place on a college campus due to all the alcohol, sex, and parties. During the party chapter I was concerned the soccer team was preying on high school girls when I realized they are high school boys. I was shook because I could have sworn this book took place at a dorm in university. But here we are.
Also, the story goes how you would expect it to. Bad idea blows up in his face. Not ground shattering stuff here. I like Heartstopper way better.
Also, the story goes how you would expect it to. Bad idea blows up in his face. Not ground shattering stuff here. I like Heartstopper way better.
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Mental illness, and Outing
melongin's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I read this in 3 days after not finishing a book all year. I don't know what it was exactly, but this book had me wrapped up in it. I loved having a gay main character I could relate to. And even the love interest I related to as well. it broke my heart when Ben was talking about homophobic family. I saw so much of myself in Ben and his struggle so accept himself as LGBTQ
Graphic: Vomit, Homophobia, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Racism, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Minor: Drug use
greatu's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Vomit, and Outing
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Bullying
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
I thought the concept of this book was super interesting and something I can relate to. At times my queerness has felt like my entire identity, and I've just wanted to escape that. But the way that has formed drama in this book is just bad. It is a bit odd that our hero decided to shove himself back in the closet, but overall pretty understandable. The first big red flag this book had for me was how horribly his mother reacted to him closeting himself. I just don't think there is a place for that many big parental emotions in what is strictly categorized as a coming of age book. The second red flag was how strongly he clung to the 'jock' label, it was like watching him completely lose his sense of self. Red flag three was how negatively he responded to other queer characters in the book while he was pretending to be straight. The final straw for me what that he chose to lie about being in a relationship and in doing so took advantage of his best friend whose friendship he had already damaged by choosing to move to the boarding school. I'm sure many of these issues would resolve themselves satisfactorily, but I can't imagine them being satisfying enough to be worth the pain of getting there.
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
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