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bethany_books 's review for:
As Far as You'll Take Me
by Phil Stamper
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As far as you'll take me focuses on Marty who leaves Kentucky for London under a false pretence of a music school. We follow his struggles with relationships, anxiety and his future.
The book is mainly set in the present but incorporates diary entries from Marty's first trip to London 6 months earlier. I loved this layout as it slowly reveals more about events that are mentioned in passing in the current timeline and allows the reader to reflect on his personal growth. I found the portrayal of London and Cardiff a nice change and showed a more realistic non tourist look considering it was written from an American's perspective.
The novel references many heavy topics that our main character has to process and grow from. I would say there is some triggering content, the book contains an eating disorder, homophobia, toxic relationship and religious bigotry. I would say the majority of this content is explored and explained, but I believe the eating disorder was only surface level. I would of preferred to see Marty seek help to recover.
Overall, I loved this book as it combined my two favourite things queer and music.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is mainly set in the present but incorporates diary entries from Marty's first trip to London 6 months earlier. I loved this layout as it slowly reveals more about events that are mentioned in passing in the current timeline and allows the reader to reflect on his personal growth. I found the portrayal of London and Cardiff a nice change and showed a more realistic non tourist look considering it was written from an American's perspective.
The novel references many heavy topics that our main character has to process and grow from. I would say there is some triggering content, the book contains an eating disorder, homophobia, toxic relationship and religious bigotry. I would say the majority of this content is explored and explained, but I believe the eating disorder was only surface level. I would of preferred to see Marty seek help to recover.
Overall, I loved this book as it combined my two favourite things queer and music.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia