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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Cute! A story of a grandfather and grandson coming out at the same time.
I could spot the tropes coming a mile away but they were excecuted well.
A story of how a family deals with coming out in small town and finding your way at the start/end of your life.
It was just a fraction too long. I felt like 50 pages could go. Would recommend for an easy read.
I could spot the tropes coming a mile away but they were excecuted well.
A story of how a family deals with coming out in small town and finding your way at the start/end of your life.
It was just a fraction too long. I felt like 50 pages could go. Would recommend for an easy read.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed Arthur’s side of the story, but Teddy mostly annoyed me. I agreed with Ben that he was pretty entitled and self-centered. I would have loved to have the whole story just about Arthur and have him fully fleshed out.
The book was pretty cheesy and glossed over any sort of negative homophobia or conflict- everything was too easily and quickly resolved
The book was pretty cheesy and glossed over any sort of negative homophobia or conflict- everything was too easily and quickly resolved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
funny
hopeful
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
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. When 79-year-old Arthur decides to come out his family is left shocked and confused. Even more surprising, his wife is totally on board with it all! His decision, however, sends his grandson into a frenzy. Teddy is 21 and contemplating coming out to his mother, but after witnessing her reaction to her father’s coming out he is filled with trepidation.
For the most part, this book is funny and sensitive and filled me with all of those warm, fuzzy feelings that I want from a story like this. The situation is a difficult one! I found myself developing sympathy for the elderly man who has hidden his truth nearly his entire life and for the family who now have to acknowledge this new reality where the father they’ve always known is actually gay. The repeated question of “why now?” irritated me, but also forced me to examine how this revelation affected their perception of their own lives. Arthur is such a dear, reading his story made me tear up several times.
The other half of our novel, Ben’s narrative, was a touch much frustrating. There were moments when I wanted to shake him for his obliviousness! His relationship with his grandfather really endeared me to him though. I think a bit more clarity on his behavior in the time following his father’s death would have made the relationship between him and his mothers and sisters a bit easier to understand. There were moments when I craved larger emotional reactions from the character, more anger from Arthur or Teddy.
Or, less politely (with spoilers):
For the most part, this book is funny and sensitive and filled me with all of those warm, fuzzy feelings that I want from a story like this. The situation is a difficult one! I found myself developing sympathy for the elderly man who has hidden his truth nearly his entire life and for the family who now have to acknowledge this new reality where the father they’ve always known is actually gay. The repeated question of “why now?” irritated me, but also forced me to examine how this revelation affected their perception of their own lives. Arthur is such a dear, reading his story made me tear up several times.
The other half of our novel, Ben’s narrative, was a touch much frustrating. There were moments when I wanted to shake him for his obliviousness! His relationship with his grandfather really endeared me to him though. I think a bit more clarity on his behavior in the time following his father’s death would have made the relationship between him and his mothers and sisters a bit easier to understand. There were moments when I craved larger emotional reactions from the character, more anger from Arthur or Teddy.
Or, less politely (with spoilers):
Spoiler
When Ben published the story of Arthur and Jack’s romance without consent, this crossed so many lines for me and I think the character should have faced larger consequences! Letting him get off is ridiculous and so is the quick forgiveness. I was really put off by his constant whining and the way he would demean Teddy. He also applied way too much pressure on Teddy to come out and this is not something anyone should have to deal with. I'm sorry but this character not facing some sort of comeuppance did not sit well with me.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Arthur is an absolutely inspirational character in this book. He felt like a Grandfather you would be lucky to have and inspire to be more like. The family dynamics make it relatable.
This book was emotional but also had its funny moments as well. It was well written and I throughly enjoyed it.
This book was emotional but also had its funny moments as well. It was well written and I throughly enjoyed it.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated