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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I appreciated the author’s willingness to engage with the tangled web of the brain of someone with bipolar. Seeing fellow mental ill peeps in literature makes me feel seen and that I’m not alone in my experiences. That said, the characters didn’t quite strike my fancy. The smut was good but the writing style overall wasn’t my favorite. Love the queer rep tho!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I really enjoy Alexis Hall’s more recent work, especially Boyfriend Material, so I decided to try this re-released older work. I liked it too but for different reasons - it’s quite a different vibe from the more recent stuff. It’s deeper, more “literary” feeling, more poetic prose. And it certainly delves deeper into the depression and “madness” of the MC.
I liked the interplay between the two characters (although I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator may have played up Darian’s vapidness a little *too* much to the point where it almost seemed like they didn’t make sense together.). I appreciated the depth of character building and the flawed, mentally ill MC. Big trigger warning though. I had to limit my listening stretches because some of the lengthy, gloomy depictions of mental illness and depression became triggering to me.
I liked the interplay between the two characters (although I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator may have played up Darian’s vapidness a little *too* much to the point where it almost seemed like they didn’t make sense together.). I appreciated the depth of character building and the flawed, mentally ill MC. Big trigger warning though. I had to limit my listening stretches because some of the lengthy, gloomy depictions of mental illness and depression became triggering to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity
Nothing strikes a chord for me better than a tragedy and even better, a complex main character. I see a lot of myself in Ash, not just because we go by the same nickname, but suffocated with our own self-deprication and helplessness. It's easy to feel like people aren't supporting you or there for you the way you need. Except he was actually living my worst nightmare- everyone treating him like a burden.
I ignored the trigger warnings and dealt with the repercussions as they came, if you know me in real life please do not text me about this. I know. I'm convinced this form of torture is my toxic trait. Again do not text me. I was curious what the ratio of tragedy to romance this would be, and For A Pessimist, Im Pretty Optimistic. I was betting all my money on romance and i was glad to be right (mostly).
I don't know enough about the UK to leave any commentary on the social and what seems to be systemic discrimination. But Alexis's commentary was not lost on me. I could draw parallels to America, but then this would turn into my commentary on yellowface
I ignored the trigger warnings and dealt with the repercussions as they came, if you know me in real life please do not text me about this. I know. I'm convinced this form of torture is my toxic trait. Again do not text me. I was curious what the ratio of tragedy to romance this would be, and For A Pessimist, Im Pretty Optimistic. I was betting all my money on romance and i was glad to be right (mostly).
I don't know enough about the UK to leave any commentary on the social and what seems to be systemic discrimination. But Alexis's commentary was not lost on me. I could draw parallels to America, but then this would turn into my commentary on yellowface
It's alright. Weirdly dark for the amount of smut that's in it but each to their own I guess
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes