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A review by binreads
Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love by Carlos Allende
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
This is possibly unfortunately the worst book I've ever read. Let me explain.
From the title to the summary on the back of the book, I went into this thinking this would be a combination of a dark but funny story as it is described. The summary initially reminded me of the You series by Caroline Kepnes so I was eager to read something along those lines but with LGBT and POC representation.
The "humor" in the story is riddled with racism, fatphobia and misogyny to the point where it doesn't feel funny or enjoyable to read. I was shocked at most of the statements made by these characters and their motives behind their actions.
For lack of a better word, it just felt gross? The overtly nasty comments about Jignesh's weight and sexuality, toppled with the horribly boring, racist, gold-digging and annoying character Charlie, made me mentally check out of this story very quickly. I forced myself to get through it.
The pacing also makes no sense. The beginning was great (and tbh the only reason I'm not giving this book a 0 star rating) it was fast and steady. Up until the point where Manuel dies Then suddenly there is a time jump and after that the whole middle of the story is a snooze fest. Also, the ending was all over the place.
And on top of that, adding in a sleuth of new characters towards the end of the story (Deirdre, Jana, the detective, Anthony and Ricky) was so unnecessary. That one chapter between Ricky and Anthony was so out of place. And the ending made no sense!!! Random gay cruise??? Murat dying??? So what, Jignesh and Charlie just get away with it, yet 3 of Jignesh's coworkers are now missing/dead and no one suspects him?! It was so confusing.
Overall, there's a way of making dark comedy without just literally offending every single subculture you can think of. I was excited to read a novel by a hispanic, gay author but now I feel extremely disappointed and embarrassed for my own communities.
From the title to the summary on the back of the book, I went into this thinking this would be a combination of a dark but funny story as it is described. The summary initially reminded me of the You series by Caroline Kepnes so I was eager to read something along those lines but with LGBT and POC representation.
The "humor" in the story is riddled with racism, fatphobia and misogyny to the point where it doesn't feel funny or enjoyable to read. I was shocked at most of the statements made by these characters and their motives behind their actions.
For lack of a better word, it just felt gross? The overtly nasty comments about Jignesh's weight and sexuality, toppled with the horribly boring, racist, gold-digging and annoying character Charlie, made me mentally check out of this story very quickly. I forced myself to get through it.
The pacing also makes no sense. The beginning was great (and tbh the only reason I'm not giving this book a 0 star rating) it was fast and steady.
Overall, there's a way of making dark comedy without just literally offending every single subculture you can think of. I was excited to read a novel by a hispanic, gay author but now I feel extremely disappointed and embarrassed for my own communities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
I highly do not recommend this book.