A review by thewordsdevourer
Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins

emotional funny reflective 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

3.25

here the whole time is a cute and funny read w/ great rep and a sweet main couple that explores important issues, and i do wish i liked it more but rn the book feels like it's missing a lil sth.

first of all, it's great to have a fat main character like felipe, for all the rep and perspective he brings. his issues, thoughts, and insecurities are painfully relatable, and i feel them all vicariously thru him, so familiar they are. as for the characters, i esp enjoy felipe's refreshing relationship w/ his mom, the will-they-wont-they w/ caio, and the unique, mildly chaotic vibe of those 3 tgt. various issues like fatphobia, homophobia, and bodyshaming presented are also nuanced, and serve as a good reminder that everyone has their own issues, no matter how great their life seems to be.

it's a shame, therefore, that i feel like this book's missing sth; just some spark that could elevate it to a whole other level. i think the book should've been at least a lil longer, as the ending - though not wholly abrupt - feels too quick still; an "after" chapter wouldve been great. and although the novel's an enjoyable enough read, i feel it has even more potential left unlocked from many possible plot points and threads introduced yet not fully explored, like eddie from the community center or caio w/ his family. rn it seems like many scenes are shown but not utilized enough.

w/ a cute romance, funny moments, and good exploration of some serious issues, this is a nice queer read that nevertheless has its flaws.
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