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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
while i appreciated the unflinchingly honest bipolar pov, ash is insufferably smug and we never got inside darian’s head, which means i never got to like him even remotely. so it was a romance between two people i don’t like, mostly one treating the other badly. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
only read this if you enjoy unlikeable main characters. ash can be horrible and not all of it is because of his mental illness. he's not treating the people in his life the best, his friendships are complicated and layered. but his relationship with darian is the best thing that could have happenned to him. how that sweet man could forgive him time and time again, i could never. but it made sense for him. entertaining and fun.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where do I begin with this review? Thinking of it warms my cold, dead heart. This book had it all. A precious, loveable, glittery love interest with an admirable and reasonable sense of self. A beautiful and unsanitized description of living with mental illness, including how to ultimately co-exist with the lifelong nature of said mental illness. A dark sense of humor. I love this book so much. It would have made me cry tears of joy if it were not for the aforementioned cold, dead heart. I had a bit of a hard time with the Essex accent but that's because I am a trashy American. I think the accent was important in painting a picture of Darian so I'm here for it, despite aforementioned American trashiness. I have so much more I'd like to say, but I'm no Alexis Hall and cannot do this beautiful book justice in written form, so I'll stop here. It's not for everyone - the depictions of mental illness could be a little intense for some, I'm sure, but if you are in a place to handle these depictions, it's well worth the read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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 turned out to be more raw and edgy than I expected, after reading "Boyfriend Material". That being said, it's about an MC with some serious mental health issues so you've got to expect that, right?
So yeah, it got pretty dark sometimes but it was tempered by the author's lyrical vocabulary and the beautiful way that things both terrible and wonderful are described. Hard to read at times, I think that what I took away was that things can always change if your heart is willing and you can gather the courage to do so. It's not necessarily redemption, but something a lot like it.
It's also got some intimate moments in the bedroom, so if be prepared if you need to be. Oh, and alot of f-bombs.
Recommended for fans of Alexis Hall's other work, finding an unlikely champion, and anyone who wants to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
P.S. I highly recommend the edition with the bonus material, it is a really good add.
So yeah, it got pretty dark sometimes but it was tempered by the author's lyrical vocabulary and the beautiful way that things both terrible and wonderful are described. Hard to read at times, I think that what I took away was that things can always change if your heart is willing and you can gather the courage to do so. It's not necessarily redemption, but something a lot like it.
It's also got some intimate moments in the bedroom, so if be prepared if you need to be. Oh, and alot of f-bombs.
Recommended for fans of Alexis Hall's other work, finding an unlikely champion, and anyone who wants to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
P.S. I highly recommend the edition with the bonus material, it is a really good add.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes