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A review by vrstal
Beauty and the Bro by Norah Belle
5.0
5/5. Wow wow wow. I really came into this book not expecting much and walked away being blown by how much I enjoyed it.
So first of all, the author’s writing is wonderful. I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical errors, I was fully engaged all the time, and never felt confused as actions were happening. Continuity made sense, time jumps were named and didn’t seem odd, and overall both perspectives of each character were enjoyable.
I came into this book reading some of the reviews and expected it to be a somewhat offensive “GFY” book where the character never admits they aren’t as straight as they believed and sort of walk all over their gay partner. I made a joke to my friend as I began to read I felt like I was being hatecrimed by some of the ignorant and immature thought patterns of Dylan in the beginning. However, we see over time past his bravado and the weeks (someone said it was only a week but it was clearly almost a month) before he grew fully comfortable with Riley and shed some of that toxic masculinity shell he was wearing. I’m not surprised with a flush of alcohol and whatever else, their relationship started as they did.
Dylan’s thoughts even around discovering how much he was thinking about Riley blissfully avoided some of the insecure anger I was expecting to happen. Was he ready to come out? No, of course he felt denial around his sexuality, but I thought it was shown in a genuine way and what time it took. He never raised a hand to Riley, blamed him, yelled at him, or any of that. No accusations of seduction. Yes, his one friend (Trevor) is rather annoying but the book hints that he will get his own comeuppance. The side characters were all very interesting, Greg is an asshole and I think Ashleigh was genuinely just human — bad and good, their relationship wasn’t working out.
I loveeeed Riley’s personality. I love a femme who is into makeup and expressing themselves, how he gained more confidence once he left Greg, and his sweetness. Seriously, I couldn’t get enough of him. I totally understand his perspective and while the 80% was dramatic, the grovel at the end???
So first of all, the author’s writing is wonderful. I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical errors, I was fully engaged all the time, and never felt confused as actions were happening. Continuity made sense, time jumps were named and didn’t seem odd, and overall both perspectives of each character were enjoyable.
I came into this book reading some of the reviews and expected it to be a somewhat offensive “GFY” book where the character never admits they aren’t as straight as they believed and sort of walk all over their gay partner. I made a joke to my friend as I began to read I felt like I was being hatecrimed by some of the ignorant and immature thought patterns of Dylan in the beginning. However, we see over time past his bravado and the weeks (someone said it was only a week but it was clearly almost a month) before he grew fully comfortable with Riley and shed some of that toxic masculinity shell he was wearing. I’m not surprised with a flush of alcohol and whatever else, their relationship started as they did.
Dylan’s thoughts even around discovering how much he was thinking about Riley blissfully avoided some of the insecure anger I was expecting to happen. Was he ready to come out? No, of course he felt denial around his sexuality, but I thought it was shown in a genuine way and what time it took. He never raised a hand to Riley, blamed him, yelled at him, or any of that. No accusations of seduction. Yes, his one friend (Trevor) is rather annoying but the book hints that he will get his own comeuppance. The side characters were all very interesting, Greg is an asshole and I think Ashleigh was genuinely just human — bad and good, their relationship wasn’t working out.
I loveeeed Riley’s personality. I love a femme who is into makeup and expressing themselves, how he gained more confidence once he left Greg, and his sweetness. Seriously, I couldn’t get enough of him. I totally understand his perspective and while the 80% was dramatic, the grovel at the end???