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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very YA. I think it’s a great book and an important read for teens.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
It's a very YA romance novel. And the transmasc lead has the transmasc diet hahah. Ah well.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I typically try to read a book without looking at too many reviews, and then read other reviews before writing my own to see some other perspectives and think about things differently. That being said, I was really surprised by the negativity in the reviews on here. I think, more than anything, this book is a victim of bad marketing- it executes what it wants to well, but it found the wrong audience.
Anyway. Enough about the talk around the book. I really enjoyed this! I really love it when rom-coms do something a little subversive with the genre, and this was no exception. I thought Noah acted like a realistic teenager (I saw a lot of reviews saying he's unrealistically awful bc like. He's a teenager who's flawed in ways that make sense with what the book's set up. Idk) and I liked how the author really showed red flags in the relationship with Drew over time while gradually making Devin seem more and more like the right choice. A little detail I liked was how Drew was constantly pushing Noah's boundaries, while Devin was encouraging him outside of his comfort zone but e still really respected actual boundaries. Also!!!!! A character who uses neopronouns in a published book is awesome. I liked the writing style a lot and I thought the characterization was well done, it was a very showing-not-telling book and I felt like I got a good grasp of each character's personality.
I wouldn't say this book was perfect. The two biggest issues for me was that I thought some aspects were unrealistic to the point where it broke my suspension of disbelief, and also that I really hate the trope of where the main character in a rom com treats their best friend like shit and then they make up by the end. I thought that the trope wasn't as bad as normal bc the issues between Noah and Becca began before he met Drew, but at the same time I just find it frustrating. Still, that's more of a personal thing. I also wish we'd seen a little more of Brian- I think another scene with Noah and Brian could've benefited how fleshed-out their relationship is.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was high-quality and did what it attempted to do very well. I wouldn't recommend this if you want just a straight-up rom-com, but if you're looking for some good YA that explores trans issues and also subverts some classic rom-com tropes while having an excellent central romance, this could be the book for you!
Anyway. Enough about the talk around the book. I really enjoyed this! I really love it when rom-coms do something a little subversive with the genre, and this was no exception. I thought Noah acted like a realistic teenager (I saw a lot of reviews saying he's unrealistically awful bc like. He's a teenager who's flawed in ways that make sense with what the book's set up. Idk) and I liked how the author really showed red flags in the relationship with Drew over time while gradually making Devin seem more and more like the right choice. A little detail I liked was how Drew was constantly pushing Noah's boundaries, while Devin was encouraging him outside of his comfort zone but e still really respected actual boundaries. Also!!!!! A character who uses neopronouns in a published book is awesome. I liked the writing style a lot and I thought the characterization was well done, it was a very showing-not-telling book and I felt like I got a good grasp of each character's personality.
I wouldn't say this book was perfect. The two biggest issues for me was that I thought some aspects were unrealistic to the point where it broke my suspension of disbelief, and also that I really hate the trope of where the main character in a rom com treats their best friend like shit and then they make up by the end. I thought that the trope wasn't as bad as normal bc the issues between Noah and Becca began before he met Drew, but at the same time I just find it frustrating. Still, that's more of a personal thing. I also wish we'd seen a little more of Brian- I think another scene with Noah and Brian could've benefited how fleshed-out their relationship is.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was high-quality and did what it attempted to do very well. I wouldn't recommend this if you want just a straight-up rom-com, but if you're looking for some good YA that explores trans issues and also subverts some classic rom-com tropes while having an excellent central romance, this could be the book for you!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book feels like it was written by someone who hasn't used tumblr since 2014
if the reason behind the main character being obnoxious and openly shitty to everyone around him is "realism", then why was the driving force of the plot some rando tumblr user apparently pinpointing the blandest most generic annecdotes as specifically coming from Miami... if this were actually realistic to tumblr, the antagonist would be a ring of TERFs reblogging every post with shitty commentary and suicide-baiting in Noah's inbox
i have genuine criticisms as well but honestly after 70% of this book i just don't really want to think about it any longer.
i have genuine criticisms as well but honestly after 70% of this book i just don't really want to think about it any longer.
beginning was rlly slow and noah js acted like a hating lil booger (trying not to curse) who made being gay and trans his whole personality.
hoping my next read is better
hoping my next read is better
