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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I’m gonna be honest, I’ve read a TON of Christina Lauren this month, and there have been some good ones, and there have been some really, really bad ones. I checked them all out at once after I’d hit a good one, and this was the last in my queue. I’d nearly returned it without even cracking it open, but I’m glad I didn’t.
This was a wonderful coming of age story that is geared towards a much younger crowd than myself (I’d say middle school to early high school if the kids are mature and the parents are open and honest). That said, it handles a lot of really difficult things beautifully.
There were points that were ultra cheesy, and points I don’t think worked for me, but it was effectively a romance novel for children, so it’s getting a passing grade.
This was a wonderful coming of age story that is geared towards a much younger crowd than myself (I’d say middle school to early high school if the kids are mature and the parents are open and honest). That said, it handles a lot of really difficult things beautifully.
There were points that were ultra cheesy, and points I don’t think worked for me, but it was effectively a romance novel for children, so it’s getting a passing grade.
Spoilerrrr
Porque tuvo sexo con su amiga enserio tenia q ser con su mejor amiga
Porque tuvo sexo con su amiga enserio tenia q ser con su mejor amiga
Did I stay up entirely too late to finish this book in one sitting? The massive bags under my eyes clearly say yes.
I didn't expect to get so sucked into this book with it being so... mormon-y. But it's such a sweet story, and so well written.
I felt so bad for Sebastian, I can't imagine how an experience like this would be for someone of such a unwelcoming religion. The end with the back and forth got a little annoying because I wanted them to either be happy together or stay split and start to heal. But that's because I cared about the boys so much, I feel like it was accurately written. Sebastian doesn't want to lose his family over being his true self, but he also doesn't want to hide his true self and who he loves.
Can we talk about Manny for a minute? He's such a good, supporting friend, even if he's a little clueless on being aware of the closet status of people.
And Tanner's sister, how he described her clothes as "funeral garb" I think the phrase was. As someone who wears mostly black I laughed so hard over that and am totally stealing it to describe my wardrobe from here on out.
My biggest gripe is how people "are LDS". Shouldn't it be "they are A LDS?" because same way when people say "Oh I'm celiac" like, no. You aren't the disorder, you HAVE it.
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars cause that's what I'm feeling book. And the title? So perfect.
I didn't expect to get so sucked into this book with it being so... mormon-y. But it's such a sweet story, and so well written.
I felt so bad for Sebastian, I can't imagine how an experience like this would be for someone of such a unwelcoming religion. The end with the back and forth got a little annoying because I wanted them to either be happy together or stay split and start to heal. But that's because I cared about the boys so much, I feel like it was accurately written. Sebastian doesn't want to lose his family over being his true self, but he also doesn't want to hide his true self and who he loves.
Can we talk about Manny for a minute? He's such a good, supporting friend, even if he's a little clueless on being aware of the closet status of people.
And Tanner's sister, how he described her clothes as "funeral garb" I think the phrase was. As someone who wears mostly black I laughed so hard over that and am totally stealing it to describe my wardrobe from here on out.
My biggest gripe is how people "are LDS". Shouldn't it be "they are A LDS?" because same way when people say "Oh I'm celiac" like, no. You aren't the disorder, you HAVE it.
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars cause that's what I'm feeling book. And the title? So perfect.
3.5
Segundo libro que leo en inglés, este me costó bastante, tuve que releer varias veces varios párrafos pero se pudo
Segundo libro que leo en inglés, este me costó bastante, tuve que releer varias veces varios párrafos pero se pudo
L’écriture se lit très bien en plus que j’avais une version traduite. Au départ ça parait énormément que c’est traduit en français de France, mais par la suite les expressions typiques s’estompent un peu.
Ce que j’ai apprécié c’est l’implication des parents de Tanner. On a le droit à un modèle parental sain qui privilégie la communication et qui vit dans l’acception.
Du côté de Sebastian, c’est la religion, il est mormon, qui prend beaucoup de place dans sa vie et dans son identité. Un peu comme Benjamin dans le livre N’essuie jamais de larmes sans gants (qui était Témoin de Jehova et non mormon, mais l’enjeu est similaire...) l’homosexualité n’est pas un concept accepté. Ce qui rend le parcours de Sebastian très difficile parce qu’il est confronté en lui-même entre ce qu’il ressent et ce qu’il rationalise.
J’ai aimé que plusieurs autres concepts quant à la sexualité soient abordés, entre autres avec Autumn. Ça nous rappelle malgré tout qu’ils sont des jeunes adultes au début de leurs expériences.
Oh et les métaphores de ce que Tanner ressent étaient vraiment très fortes et j’ai trouvé que ça résonnait avec moi. Ça représente bien les émotions.
Ce que j’ai apprécié c’est l’implication des parents de Tanner. On a le droit à un modèle parental sain qui privilégie la communication et qui vit dans l’acception.
Du côté de Sebastian, c’est la religion, il est mormon, qui prend beaucoup de place dans sa vie et dans son identité. Un peu comme Benjamin dans le livre N’essuie jamais de larmes sans gants (qui était Témoin de Jehova et non mormon, mais l’enjeu est similaire...) l’homosexualité n’est pas un concept accepté. Ce qui rend le parcours de Sebastian très difficile parce qu’il est confronté en lui-même entre ce qu’il ressent et ce qu’il rationalise.
J’ai aimé que plusieurs autres concepts quant à la sexualité soient abordés, entre autres avec Autumn. Ça nous rappelle malgré tout qu’ils sont des jeunes adultes au début de leurs expériences.
Oh et les métaphores de ce que Tanner ressent étaient vraiment très fortes et j’ai trouvé que ça résonnait avec moi. Ça représente bien les émotions.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry
5 STARS. The emotion this book put me through is unreal. I honestly didn’t think this would have a happy ending because I didn’t think Sebastian would come around but he showed up right at the end. Christina Lauren is becoming my go to romance author.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
Yes
This book was unexpected. I’ve enjoyed a lot of Christina Lauren’s books as well as a lot of M/M fiction, so I expected to love this one. Perhaps it was the angst or perhaps it was all of the focus on Mormon principles, but I found myself reading for the sake of finishing rather than enjoying the book. However, I can see how this can be an important, meaningful book, especially for those struggling with being accepted for who they are.