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blithesquesttoread 's review for:
Here the Whole Time
by Vitor Martins
I am soo excited to write a review for this novel, even though I don't know where should I begin and where should I end. Also, the joy of texting your friend randomly squealing about the book is really amazing. That's what I did for the past few days... just texting and squealing my friends to read this book. If I had to describe this book in one word, I would say it was WHOLESOME. It was just tooo cute and lovely and insightful that I couldn't help but binge read it.
Elaborating more about the plot itself, I felt like I was watching a kdrama in my head. I don't know how else to describe the experience. I was also able to figure out why was I so interested in kdramas but refused to watch practically everything else these days. I liked how there wasn't instant love present here and no usual drama in the end (the one where there's breakup and makeup and whatnot... ). Honestly if that had happened in this one, I would have given up on this book. Luckily nothing of the sort happened. For this book, I would particularly say how earnestly I wanted the book to not end but also end. I wanted it to end so that I can finally sort through my thoughts and geek about it but I didn't want it to end because, well, it was too good to end.
I usually don't write reviews like this but I can't help to go in this direction. The characters were FREAKING AMAZING!
Felipe: Oh boy, where do I start with him? This guy, right here, was really amazing. I can't count the times I laughed, said so me, then got frustrated coz of his actions... basically the generally experience while reading the book. But I want to say that I really loved his character development. It wasn't as elaborative as what you see mostly in ya contemporaries but it was by far the most realistic and beautiful one. I don't think it is always possible to get over your insecurities in a few days, even if you find someone whom you think you love. The idea is a pleasant one but it isn't so easy. Same was for Felipe. Did he realize that nothing was wrong with him? Yes. Did that mean that he was over the moon? Not always, no. But I really liked how it was a stepping stone for him to live a wholesome life.
Caio: Ohkay, I am not kidding that I was tempted to imagine him like a puppy (you'll know why when you read this book, trust me); luckily the many illustrations of them helped me to not do that. And oh, how glad I am that I didn't do that. If I have to describe Caio, I would say he would be the character I could relate to in the same way I could relate to Felipe (in certain scenarios, maybe more). I am clueless what I want to write more about him... like he was the kind of person who would gel well with practically anyone coz most of the times he was genuine and liked to think a lot before voicing out his opinions. And I liked his character development too even though it wasn't as extensive as the one of Felipe (plsss get me a book with his point of view toooo)
Now coming onto other characters, they were all sooo amazing! Felipe's mom was WOW. That's the only word I can describe her with. I would totally be good friends with her, no questions asked. Then comes Becky and her girlfriend and even though we don't see that much about them, I loved how satisfying it was to read about them. I LOVED Becky. She was just tooo sweet. And I don't wanna say more coz I might drop in spoilers which I don't wanna do.
Other thing about this book that I absolutely loved about this novel was how it explored different issues and gave us different important outlooks. There's positive outlook on therapy, there's positive outlook on having good and proper communication in order to not have any misunderstandings, there's subtle hints as to how to find that inner strength in yourself to stand up, there's discussion about honestly a lot of things. Oh and did I mention that it has good recs too? Like honestly it made me want to read books which have been on my tbr for quite some time. And it also made me take notes of movies to watch (I am not a big movie watcher...). So yes, I loved it A LOT. Honestly, I had started this on a whim and I am so glad I did. I don't know what would I have done these past few days if not read this book (I probably would have studied but who cares lol)!!
Trigger warnings: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Bullying
***
I. WANT. MORE.
Elaborating more about the plot itself, I felt like I was watching a kdrama in my head. I don't know how else to describe the experience. I was also able to figure out why was I so interested in kdramas but refused to watch practically everything else these days. I liked how there wasn't instant love present here and no usual drama in the end (the one where there's breakup and makeup and whatnot... ). Honestly if that had happened in this one, I would have given up on this book. Luckily nothing of the sort happened. For this book, I would particularly say how earnestly I wanted the book to not end but also end. I wanted it to end so that I can finally sort through my thoughts and geek about it but I didn't want it to end because, well, it was too good to end.
I usually don't write reviews like this but I can't help to go in this direction. The characters were FREAKING AMAZING!
Felipe: Oh boy, where do I start with him? This guy, right here, was really amazing. I can't count the times I laughed, said so me, then got frustrated coz of his actions... basically the generally experience while reading the book. But I want to say that I really loved his character development. It wasn't as elaborative as what you see mostly in ya contemporaries but it was by far the most realistic and beautiful one. I don't think it is always possible to get over your insecurities in a few days, even if you find someone whom you think you love. The idea is a pleasant one but it isn't so easy. Same was for Felipe. Did he realize that nothing was wrong with him? Yes. Did that mean that he was over the moon? Not always, no. But I really liked how it was a stepping stone for him to live a wholesome life.
Caio: Ohkay, I am not kidding that I was tempted to imagine him like a puppy (you'll know why when you read this book, trust me); luckily the many illustrations of them helped me to not do that. And oh, how glad I am that I didn't do that. If I have to describe Caio, I would say he would be the character I could relate to in the same way I could relate to Felipe (in certain scenarios, maybe more). I am clueless what I want to write more about him... like he was the kind of person who would gel well with practically anyone coz most of the times he was genuine and liked to think a lot before voicing out his opinions. And I liked his character development too even though it wasn't as extensive as the one of Felipe (plsss get me a book with his point of view toooo)
Now coming onto other characters, they were all sooo amazing! Felipe's mom was WOW. That's the only word I can describe her with. I would totally be good friends with her, no questions asked. Then comes Becky and her girlfriend and even though we don't see that much about them, I loved how satisfying it was to read about them. I LOVED Becky. She was just tooo sweet. And I don't wanna say more coz I might drop in spoilers which I don't wanna do.
Other thing about this book that I absolutely loved about this novel was how it explored different issues and gave us different important outlooks. There's positive outlook on therapy, there's positive outlook on having good and proper communication in order to not have any misunderstandings, there's subtle hints as to how to find that inner strength in yourself to stand up, there's discussion about honestly a lot of things. Oh and did I mention that it has good recs too? Like honestly it made me want to read books which have been on my tbr for quite some time. And it also made me take notes of movies to watch (I am not a big movie watcher...). So yes, I loved it A LOT. Honestly, I had started this on a whim and I am so glad I did. I don't know what would I have done these past few days if not read this book (I probably would have studied but who cares lol)!!
Trigger warnings: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Bullying
***
I. WANT. MORE.