Scan barcode
A review by chippyreads
Loveless by Alice Oseman
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
BEST aroace rep I've read. I've made it my life mission to read every aspec book I can get my bookish hands on. I'm demi/panromantic asexual, so I've loved reading stories written by fellow aspec people or just having my identity represented in books.
It's important to note Alice is aroace herself, so this is truly an authentic view of how someone can feel aroace. Please also keep in mind that not everyone experiences their sexuality the same. Not everyone knows early in life, not everyone has such a supportive network and not everyone has access to the same information.
I read this book as an audiobook, but promptly purchased my own paperback copy asap. The narrator did an excellent job at bringing Georgia to life.
This book had me laughing out loud and crying on the floor while attempting to do housework. Halfway through the book Sunil, (non binary gay ace) introduces Georgia to what it could mean to be ace. The explanation was so good I had to stop the narration to process what I’d heard. I’d never heard it explained so well! It gives me so much pleasure knowing so many people are going to read this book because of the success of Heartstopper (ME ME ME) and learn so much about a minority sexuality.
Georgia is OBSESSED with romance, something that a lot of aro people can relate to. She’s determined to find romance during her first year at uni and of course fails because it’s ultimately not something she wants.
What I didn’t enjoy.
-I’m a bit upset that her friends took it SO personally when she stumbled along the way and in the end NO ON apologised or really spoke about why she did what she did.
-That the ace person is talked into trying a kiss a girl because ‘what if she likes girls’
-I’m mad that she felt like she had to date a close friend and kept putting herself in situations that made her feel uncomfortable. I forgive her for trying though, as she thinks it’s what she wants til she realises it isn’t.
-The boy bestie is a bit possessive, so I instantly disliked him.
-The sex positive roomie loves sex, BUT IT WAS A COPING mechanism for her being lonely. Boooo. I want sex positive rep without it being a symptom.
-Her best friend is a lesbian, and is involved in the LGBTQIA+ group at uni but STILL didn’t suspect Georgia could be ace given all the clues.
What I loved
-Georgia learning about queer platonic relationships she ends up in one with her bi roommate
-Georgia learns that friendships are just as important, if not more important than romantic partners.
-Watching Georgia accept her sexuality
-Sunil. I’ll worship that person for the rest of my life.
Being under the ace umbrella can sometimes be difficult in any space. The straights don’t want us becase we’re not the same and parts of the queer community dont want us for the same reasons. So much is out there about being proud of who we’re attracted to and who we want in a romantic partner, but for some of us, we don’t want or see anyone that way.
Imposter syndrome be damned, because this book exists.