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A review by starduststyx
The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank god I knew it was going to be a dumpster fire from the cover because JESUUUUUSSS!!!
It may be surprising to give this a 4 with how quickly conflicts were wrapped up and especially the whole 'Neil didn't realize poor people were a thing' (i mean come on) BUT I think Mason Deaver did a splendid job writing a messy romcom-y book that was fun from beginning to end. Even if I hate Neil, he's a trans kid with mommy issues and was raised as if anyone could get anything they wanted, so I'll cut him some slack. It's funny because I picked this up initially thinking this was set in college ( and because I love Deaver's writing ) but being set in high school made me so much more forgiving of the characters. There's a lot they DON'T know and just because Neil has money doesn't mean he understands what it means to not have money. The fact he never even goes outside of Charlotte says as much. I think even though all the resolutions are all tied in a bow at the end there's still a slight emphasis that no everything is not and will not be perfect, but maybe this can be a start in the right direction.
Also I gotta say...Neil kicking out Wyatt they way he did was about to make me think Neil was 100% unredeemable but leaving the wedding to get him back left me so shocked i had to take it back. Him making a fool out of himself and facing the consequences of his actions ( a little bit because they dont make up the first night ) made me feel better. He's grown and is growing!!
Anyway, TLDR: Trans people can have messy, tropey romance novels too and this is a fun one ( if you can handle fake dating and a protagonist who needs to grow!! he's bad at first on purpose!! )
It may be surprising to give this a 4 with how quickly conflicts were wrapped up and especially the whole 'Neil didn't realize poor people were a thing' (i mean come on) BUT I think Mason Deaver did a splendid job writing a messy romcom-y book that was fun from beginning to end. Even if I hate Neil, he's a trans kid with mommy issues and was raised as if anyone could get anything they wanted, so I'll cut him some slack. It's funny because I picked this up initially thinking this was set in college ( and because I love Deaver's writing ) but being set in high school made me so much more forgiving of the characters. There's a lot they DON'T know and just because Neil has money doesn't mean he understands what it means to not have money. The fact he never even goes outside of Charlotte says as much. I think even though all the resolutions are all tied in a bow at the end there's still a slight emphasis that no everything is not and will not be perfect, but maybe this can be a start in the right direction.
Also I gotta say...
Anyway, TLDR: Trans people can have messy, tropey romance novels too and this is a fun one ( if you can handle fake dating and a protagonist who needs to grow!! he's bad at first on purpose!! )
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming and Vomit