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browniydgrl1's review
4.0
When I finished this book, I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. At first I was a little skeptical as I wasn't sure where it was going, but I quickly became enamored with the characters and invested in their story. I loved the relationship between Luke and his father. It absolutely felt genuine. The relationship between Luke and Rob was so sweet and vulnerable. I really appreciated the story being told from Luke's point of view. This book wasn't my usual choice but I am so glad I read it. It was enlightening.
purely_romantic's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
jedbird's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this. 4.5*.
Lucas was delightful. I loved, loved, loved Lucas' POV but didn't enjoy Rob's quite as much. Lucas seems pretty obviously to be on the spectrum, and he has great support from his fantastic dad and others in the community. Rob seems to have had some sort of major depressive and/or psychotic episode in the recent past and is full of shame and self-doubt. Lucas makes it clear he dislikes diagnoses, so nothing is ever defined specifically.
I had to look up what constitutes "formaldehyde art" (it's Damien Hirst pickled sharks, basically) to explain the Formaldehyde Bob nickname. At the beginning of the art installation project, it's not really clear whether Rob has any sort of artistic reputation to uphold at this point, or if Lucas is basically the only person who admires him.
The story is a pair of slightly odd people meeting and connecting in a unique setting (Sculpture Park). It's a simple story that is absolutely charming, definitely due to Lucas' personality.
My main disappointment with the story is that it is too short. I could do with a lot more Lucas in my life--I'd like to see how he manages in a relationship. I'd like to see how they'd both do in a conflict.
Lucas was delightful. I loved, loved, loved Lucas' POV but didn't enjoy Rob's quite as much. Lucas seems pretty obviously to be on the spectrum, and he has great support from his fantastic dad and others in the community. Rob seems to have had some sort of major depressive and/or psychotic episode in the recent past and is full of shame and self-doubt. Lucas makes it clear he dislikes diagnoses, so nothing is ever defined specifically.
I had to look up what constitutes "formaldehyde art" (it's Damien Hirst pickled sharks, basically) to explain the Formaldehyde Bob nickname. At the beginning of the art installation project, it's not really clear whether Rob has any sort of artistic reputation to uphold at this point, or if Lucas is basically the only person who admires him.
The story is a pair of slightly odd people meeting and connecting in a unique setting (Sculpture Park). It's a simple story that is absolutely charming, definitely due to Lucas' personality.
My main disappointment with the story is that it is too short. I could do with a lot more Lucas in my life--I'd like to see how he manages in a relationship. I'd like to see how they'd both do in a conflict.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
Short but intense read about Luke and Bob having to deal with issues that most of us are fortunate enough not to have to think about. And told in a way that is not easy to read but gives a great insight to Luke’s head.
Luke describes himself as atypical and that is a fairly good description, somewhere on the autism scale perhaps but dealing with head blanks, needing space, arms which do their own thing, rocking - Luke does it all at times.
I loved the support he got from his Dad.
I also enjoyed his support of Rob, who himself is dealing with mental health issues and coming through to see a way forward.
It is whether these two atypical people can make a go of it that is left to the reader
3.5* for an atypical read.
Luke describes himself as atypical and that is a fairly good description, somewhere on the autism scale perhaps but dealing with head blanks, needing space, arms which do their own thing, rocking - Luke does it all at times.
I loved the support he got from his Dad.
I also enjoyed his support of Rob, who himself is dealing with mental health issues and coming through to see a way forward.
It is whether these two atypical people can make a go of it that is left to the reader
3.5* for an atypical read.
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
4.0
This is a charming romance. Two young men who have both been through some hard times find each other and it's lovely. Luke's dad is awesome.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellent story from these two authors. Luke is a young guy somewhere on the autism spectrum. He had managed to get up the courage and organization to go to Oxford, but he found himself isolated and stressed, holding his uniqueness back so hard he spoke to no one for days on end. After a term, he left. That decision was the only one he could make, but it lingers as a bitter failure, poisoning his view of who he is and what he can do. He lives a quiet life with his father, aware that while he is deeply loved, he's also dependent and his future looks barren. He has no job and no plans.
Then he finds out that an artist he has followed since his teens is coming to a local park to do a big installation and performance piece. Moreover, Luke was the one who anonymously recommended the opportunity to the artist, Formaldehyde Bob. He's thrilled and terrified, shaken out of his rut and eager to meet his hero. But even the colorful jeans under his bed, symbols of braver and more outgoing days, can't give him confidence. How can the man he is now be worth Formaldehyde Bob's time? Maybe he shouldn't go. His father's gentle urging added to his curiosity tips the balance just enough. Maybe he'll go and see what Bob is up to. Just look.
Rob is taking a chance, stepping out again as Formaldehyde Bob, his art persona firmly in place as he tries to come back from a personal low point. He'd hit depression so dark he had to stop creating and deal with it, and even now, he's not in a great place. But this is an amazing opportunity, and his art has always called loudly to him. His vision for this piece pulls him forward, but he's not sure he has the fortitude to follow through till the end. Then he meets his biggest fan, a sweet, fizzy, enthusiastic, colorful young man who seems determined to help him give the world this new piece.
But there's a long way to go for this art to be created. There's a bleak, dark place that still threatens to open up under Rob's feet, sucking him down again. And the yellow jeans waiting under Luke's bed may never be worn, if he can't keep all the forces inside him on track and get past his thoughts of failure. Maybe it would've been better if they'd met back in Oxford. Maybe they should never have met. Maybe he's too weird for Formaldehyde Bob, or not talented enough to help. Or just maybe they can find a way forward.
Sweet, hopeful, neither minimizing each man's issues, not overdramatizing them. A lovely portrait of a man on the autism spectrum and the way his uniqueness is both limiting and freeing.
(Currently free in epub from Smashwords 12/31/18)
Then he finds out that an artist he has followed since his teens is coming to a local park to do a big installation and performance piece. Moreover, Luke was the one who anonymously recommended the opportunity to the artist, Formaldehyde Bob. He's thrilled and terrified, shaken out of his rut and eager to meet his hero. But even the colorful jeans under his bed, symbols of braver and more outgoing days, can't give him confidence. How can the man he is now be worth Formaldehyde Bob's time? Maybe he shouldn't go. His father's gentle urging added to his curiosity tips the balance just enough. Maybe he'll go and see what Bob is up to. Just look.
Rob is taking a chance, stepping out again as Formaldehyde Bob, his art persona firmly in place as he tries to come back from a personal low point. He'd hit depression so dark he had to stop creating and deal with it, and even now, he's not in a great place. But this is an amazing opportunity, and his art has always called loudly to him. His vision for this piece pulls him forward, but he's not sure he has the fortitude to follow through till the end. Then he meets his biggest fan, a sweet, fizzy, enthusiastic, colorful young man who seems determined to help him give the world this new piece.
But there's a long way to go for this art to be created. There's a bleak, dark place that still threatens to open up under Rob's feet, sucking him down again. And the yellow jeans waiting under Luke's bed may never be worn, if he can't keep all the forces inside him on track and get past his thoughts of failure. Maybe it would've been better if they'd met back in Oxford. Maybe they should never have met. Maybe he's too weird for Formaldehyde Bob, or not talented enough to help. Or just maybe they can find a way forward.
Sweet, hopeful, neither minimizing each man's issues, not overdramatizing them. A lovely portrait of a man on the autism spectrum and the way his uniqueness is both limiting and freeing.
(Currently free in epub from Smashwords 12/31/18)
steiner's review
2.0
I hated the prologue - I thought I had picked up the wrong book. After that I liked about the next 50% but it lost me towards the end.
gabi90's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. I can't decide.
Expected nothing less from this author duo.
Beautiful!
Dad was awesome!
Already available on Smashwords.
Expected nothing less from this author duo.
Beautiful!
Dad was awesome!
Already available on Smashwords.