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I know the point of this book isn't to express the whole spectrum of being asexual/aromantic, but for a book that prides itself so much in being basically the only representation we have, it's pretty upsetting that the 4 characters who identified with either (or both) identities weren't really fleshed out except for the main character: a VERY sex-repulsed romance-positive person that is happy with being asexual but CRUMBLES when they "notice/find out" they're aromantic ? which is valid, but, in my opinion, made it seem as a bad thing rather than bringing awareness to the topic, let me elaborate.
The main character constantly projects their own insecurities into their sexuality. "So i'll never get married and go on a honeymoon with my partner and have kids? I'm going to miss out on everything society has made me think is worth in life" is basically the point of view they share. I don't necessarily think that ONE of the characters making their orientation seem as this utterly horrible thing they didn't deserve is "bad", but when 2 out of the 3 aromantic characters in the book (who are both AroAce) hate being aromatic, and are the only ones who state their opinion on it (we didn't get any lines at all by the aromatic bisexual character, they were only mentioned a few times) it's kinda itchy comparing it to the way asexuality was portrayed: in a way more positive light, (except in the first few chapters, which feature high schoolers, but what can you expect from that).
Basically, we never really got any closure about how aromaticism affects non-romance-positive people with the same identity, how they felt about themselves, or whether they were happy once they got to know that part of themselves (instead of feeling _more miserable_, like the main character).
(kinda off topic but there's some scenes that are just SO CRINGEY i was begging for it to stop)
The main character constantly projects their own insecurities into their sexuality. "So i'll never get married and go on a honeymoon with my partner and have kids? I'm going to miss out on everything society has made me think is worth in life" is basically the point of view they share. I don't necessarily think that ONE of the characters making their orientation seem as this utterly horrible thing they didn't deserve is "bad", but when 2 out of the 3 aromantic characters in the book (who are both AroAce) hate being aromatic, and are the only ones who state their opinion on it (we didn't get any lines at all by the aromatic bisexual character, they were only mentioned a few times) it's kinda itchy comparing it to the way asexuality was portrayed: in a way more positive light, (except in the first few chapters, which feature high schoolers, but what can you expect from that).
Basically, we never really got any closure about how aromaticism affects non-romance-positive people with the same identity, how they felt about themselves, or whether they were happy once they got to know that part of themselves (instead of feeling _more miserable_, like the main character).
(kinda off topic but there's some scenes that are just SO CRINGEY i was begging for it to stop)