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A review by hobbithopeful
This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
The best way to get over someone, is to get under someone else...right?
Enrique (Quique) is trying to get over a one-sided crush on his friend Saleem by having a hot slut summer. Quique's parents don't know that he is bisexual, and he has zero dating skills but that doesn't stop him from pursuing 3 different guys. All with very different results.
I love how sex positive this book is, people who don't like those elements always confuse me. Let's think back to when we were all teenagers okay? Hormones and horniness doesn't magically appear when you become an adult!
One of my biggest issues with reading YA books is sometimes the teenagers don't read like teenagers. This was not the case here, Quique is messy and just trying to figure himself out. I love the friendship he has with Fabiola, and how supportive his parents try to be with his mental health.
I am so grateful that Quique didn't end up with the white guy! I never know why so many BIPOC authors love having their characters have multiple love interests and then always end up with that specific person. MAJOR props to Aceves for actually writing the white character how a white person...well you'll see when you read it.
I've had this book on my tbr for a long time, I put off reading it because I was afraid the content was going to be too heavy for me. There are discussions around mental health, and biphobia, but nothing at all what I thought it might be about. I wish I had read it sooner.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars for me, I did have a few problems with some of the pacing at time, I felt like I kept waiting for the plot to move forward. I also had trouble caring about some of Quique's love interests.
All in all I really I enjoyed this book, I always love reading stories by chicano authors.
Highly recommend, perfect for fans of queer diverse stories with messy main characters! This is my first book by Aaron H. Aceves, and I will definitely read more of his writing.
Enrique (Quique) is trying to get over a one-sided crush on his friend Saleem by having a hot slut summer. Quique's parents don't know that he is bisexual, and he has zero dating skills but that doesn't stop him from pursuing 3 different guys. All with very different results.
I love how sex positive this book is, people who don't like those elements always confuse me. Let's think back to when we were all teenagers okay? Hormones and horniness doesn't magically appear when you become an adult!
One of my biggest issues with reading YA books is sometimes the teenagers don't read like teenagers. This was not the case here, Quique is messy and just trying to figure himself out. I love the friendship he has with Fabiola, and how supportive his parents try to be with his mental health.
I am so grateful that Quique didn't
I've had this book on my tbr for a long time, I put off reading it because I was afraid the content was going to be too heavy for me. There are discussions around mental health, and biphobia, but nothing at all what I thought it might be about. I wish I had read it sooner.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars for me, I did have a few problems with some of the pacing at time, I felt like I kept waiting for the plot to move forward. I also had trouble caring about some of Quique's love interests.
All in all I really I enjoyed this book, I always love reading stories by chicano authors.
Highly recommend, perfect for fans of queer diverse stories with messy main characters! This is my first book by Aaron H. Aceves, and I will definitely read more of his writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia and Racism