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A review by whatthefridge
The Epic Love Story of Doug and Stephen by Valerie Z. Lewis
4.0
It's like reading the love story between an enamored dog and grumpy cat, and it's ridiculously fun. Doug is "functionally retarded" according to Stephen; and Stephen, well, Doug wants to get him "a stick, to match the one you already have up your butt."
Doug is incredibly smart and dumb at the same time. He's the epitome of male model: really, really good looking--and not much else. People see him as a lazy druggy or an imbecile, but he prides himself on being a nice guy to everyone he meets, including strangers and homeless people. He has this way of soothing people that shows he has a high emotional intelligence, and it's noted this is why he gets laid a lot by girls. Even though Doug's extremely clueless and prone to getting distracted, he's okay with not being an intellectual, and he rather be happy than be right. He falls in love with Stephen even though he has no idea what being gay means (except sex with dudes), and he continues to figure out how to make Stephen fall in love with him, even though Stephen pretty much wants him dead or gone or both.
Stephen is the polar opposite of Doug: intellectual, uptight, and stressed. He hates everyone. His goal is to convince his therapists he's depressed and rejected and oppressed for being gay and not good enough and anything else that continues the misery cycle because he finds peace in being miserable, which is why he doesn't find peace with Doug.
The majority of the novel is told from Doug's perspective, who knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever it take to get it (or rather, him). He's willing to forgive Stephen's evilness and death threats and object throwing because he feels beneath all that is something good and lovable. It is his persistence that gradually wears down Stephen's defenses, and I'm glad that this process was not rushed for the sake of getting them together. Doug, in his infinite simpleness, earns Stephen's love. And also Stephen becomes less evil.
This novel was entertaining with lots of humor and plenty adorable clashing of personalities. Doug is an extrovert who enjoys being social and making friends. Especially with Stephen. On the other hand, Stephen hates people. He hates Doug most of all. He drew a diagram in case that was misunderstood.
Their romance is sweet and, on occasion, saucy, but not sexually graphic. Feels like it missed an opportunity, but not everything needs to be erotic. Although would have been fun watching Stephen squirm.
The real reason this got 4/5 stars was because much of Doug's memories and flashbacks didn't serve a purpose except to highlight his stream of consciousness. While a lot of it was good character building in the beginning, much of it could be cut later on without detracting from the story.
It was still fun to read, so I can't complain much. Just a little. In between not being able to put the book down.
Doug is incredibly smart and dumb at the same time. He's the epitome of male model: really, really good looking--and not much else. People see him as a lazy druggy or an imbecile, but he prides himself on being a nice guy to everyone he meets, including strangers and homeless people. He has this way of soothing people that shows he has a high emotional intelligence, and it's noted this is why he gets laid a lot by girls. Even though Doug's extremely clueless and prone to getting distracted, he's okay with not being an intellectual, and he rather be happy than be right. He falls in love with Stephen even though he has no idea what being gay means (except sex with dudes), and he continues to figure out how to make Stephen fall in love with him, even though Stephen pretty much wants him dead or gone or both.
Stephen is the polar opposite of Doug: intellectual, uptight, and stressed. He hates everyone. His goal is to convince his therapists he's depressed and rejected and oppressed for being gay and not good enough and anything else that continues the misery cycle because he finds peace in being miserable, which is why he doesn't find peace with Doug.
The majority of the novel is told from Doug's perspective, who knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever it take to get it (or rather, him). He's willing to forgive Stephen's evilness and death threats and object throwing because he feels beneath all that is something good and lovable. It is his persistence that gradually wears down Stephen's defenses, and I'm glad that this process was not rushed for the sake of getting them together. Doug, in his infinite simpleness, earns Stephen's love. And also Stephen becomes less evil.
This novel was entertaining with lots of humor and plenty adorable clashing of personalities. Doug is an extrovert who enjoys being social and making friends. Especially with Stephen. On the other hand, Stephen hates people. He hates Doug most of all. He drew a diagram in case that was misunderstood.
Their romance is sweet and, on occasion, saucy, but not sexually graphic. Feels like it missed an opportunity, but not everything needs to be erotic. Although would have been fun watching Stephen squirm.
The real reason this got 4/5 stars was because much of Doug's memories and flashbacks didn't serve a purpose except to highlight his stream of consciousness. While a lot of it was good character building in the beginning, much of it could be cut later on without detracting from the story.
It was still fun to read, so I can't complain much. Just a little. In between not being able to put the book down.