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A review by learnthemusic27
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Flew through this because it so vividly captured this young kid’s turmoil, heartbreak, awkwardness and acceptance in every page. His feelings are so real and deep. I loved his relationship with Gen, even despite its kind-of dubiousness. They genuinely care for each other and I don’t think they did so in messed up ways. Gen honored his wishes every step, even when it became painful for her. Thomas was a great example of a young man who’s unapologetically himself, even if it means perhaps having his sexuality misconstrued. Aaron’s other friends are pretty garbage, but they’re products of a gritty environment where they’re essentially taught that things don’t change and they don’t learn at that age to have a mind as open as Aaron’s. Colin’s role in Aaron’s story was both kind of heartwarming and devastating. I didn’t get the sense he didn’t deeply like Aaron, just that he was too afraid to break status quo and was then beholden to someone he mistakenly chose to prove himself to. I would have loved to see more of Aaron’s brother’s role post-memory removal reversal.
Ive focused so much on the characters because they were what added the depth to the novel. The plot was interesting enough but I found it hard to believe Aaron’s mom could afford the procedure, even with her willingness to move mountains for her son. I did appreciate the twist when everything came rushing back though. All the flashbacks to how Colin and Aaron became friends and then lovers and then nothing were both sparse and fulfilling. The snatches of what happened with his dad and how reacted to his sexuality. His own attempt. His desire to rewind it all made sense. I was disappointed Aaron didn’t get a true HEA but it did feel realistic. He found a way to accept his past and cope with living in the present. That was all he had at that moment given his condition, and he chose to embrace it.
Ive focused so much on the characters because they were what added the depth to the novel. The plot was interesting enough but I found it hard to believe Aaron’s mom could afford the procedure, even with her willingness to move mountains for her son. I did appreciate the twist when everything came rushing back though. All the flashbacks to how Colin and Aaron became friends and then lovers and then nothing were both sparse and fulfilling. The snatches of what happened with his dad and how reacted to his sexuality. His own attempt. His desire to rewind it all made sense. I was disappointed Aaron didn’t get a true HEA but it did feel realistic. He found a way to accept his past and cope with living in the present. That was all he had at that moment given his condition, and he chose to embrace it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts