A review by bookwormbi
Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram

emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I really really hate to give authors of color negative reviews, esp queer authors of color, but I just cannot express enough how upset this book made me. I never believed in Hunter and Kaivan as a couple. There was not a lot of development in their relationship and honestly I don’t think I know enough about Kaivan to really say whether I think they’d be good together. It all felt very instalovey, ESPECIALLY WHEN
we saw those interviews where Kaivan was repeatedly insulting Kiss & Tell for no reason </spolier> I was also really surprised at how underutilized most of the characters of color are? I could barely tell Ethan, Ian, and Owen apart (their similar names did not help) and I don’t believe that these 5 are each other’s best friends. I believe Ashton and Hunter’s friendship, but it really doesn’t seem like he even knows the other 3 that well. And honestly, I would have loved to hear from Kamran and Karim!!! I think that could have helped develop Kaivan a little more in addition to just fleshing out the world. I don’t know, the whole thing felt underdone at best and legitimately harmful at worst.
like I’m so sorry what MESSAGE does it send to teenagers that Hunter ends up forgiving Aidan? That’s honestly so messed up.
Overall, while I could definitely see what Khorram was trying to do with this, I ultimately wasn’t compelled by it. Also, literally BEGGING YA authors to discover the new adult genre and age up their characters to fit the plotlines.
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