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mxsallybend's review
4.0
QUILTBAG Content: This was a bit odd, especially at first, but I really like that Cecil Wilde didn’t settle for comfortably pinning characters to one part of the rainbow. Instead, Tom is bisexual and gender-queer, while Cin is bisexual and transgender. It’s perhaps a little too convenient, allowing a man-on-boy crush to develop into such a diverse sort of relationship, but I cannot deny the joy it brought me. Just to add to the confusion, Tom’s sister is transsexual, and the fact that he doesn’t feel that uncomfortable in his own skin makes him feel as if his gender issues aren’t worth discussing. Again, it’s probably a little too convenient, a little too much, but it really brings the story together.
Fetish Content: When you’re dealing with bisexual lovers who are between and beyond genders, there’s guaranteed to be some fetish fun in the mix. Here we get a lot of anal rimming and pegging for both Tom and Cin. There’s even a bit of a tease/denial/chastity fetish here as well, when you consider the fact that Cin’s vagina is off-limits (but her clitoris is fair game), and that Tom’s penis is off-limits as well (hence the pegging for both lovers). It may come across as odd to some readers, but it’s sincere and very, very sensual.
Literary Quality: Okay, the good stuff first. This a very well-written story, with some realistic dialogue, wonderful scenes, intriguing characters, and some decent pacing. That said, it’s also a story that wavers between clinical and erotic, as if it’s trying too hard to educate some readers while entertaining others. Also, as much as I can appreciate a romance that crosses ages as well as genders, Tom is just far too innocent and naïve for a man of his age, especially one who has dealt with and supported a transsexual sister.
Spank Bank Rating: This is more romance than erotica, with most of the explicit details left off the page, but there are still some very sensual scenes that linger in your imagination between chapters. So long as you’re comfortable moving the scene to your own head, it is a very arousing tale.
Overall: Despite the few flaws or weaknesses I mentioned above, I really did enjoy this. It’s an unusual romance, but all the more enjoyable for being so diverse. Tom is a character with whom I could identify, and Cin is a character with whom I would very much enjoy being in a relationship. Some readers may find the ending a little too perfect for reality, but it’s perfectly appropriate for the romance here.
As reviewed by Trevor at Bending the Bookshelf
Fetish Content: When you’re dealing with bisexual lovers who are between and beyond genders, there’s guaranteed to be some fetish fun in the mix. Here we get a lot of anal rimming and pegging for both Tom and Cin. There’s even a bit of a tease/denial/chastity fetish here as well, when you consider the fact that Cin’s vagina is off-limits (but her clitoris is fair game), and that Tom’s penis is off-limits as well (hence the pegging for both lovers). It may come across as odd to some readers, but it’s sincere and very, very sensual.
Literary Quality: Okay, the good stuff first. This a very well-written story, with some realistic dialogue, wonderful scenes, intriguing characters, and some decent pacing. That said, it’s also a story that wavers between clinical and erotic, as if it’s trying too hard to educate some readers while entertaining others. Also, as much as I can appreciate a romance that crosses ages as well as genders, Tom is just far too innocent and naïve for a man of his age, especially one who has dealt with and supported a transsexual sister.
Spank Bank Rating: This is more romance than erotica, with most of the explicit details left off the page, but there are still some very sensual scenes that linger in your imagination between chapters. So long as you’re comfortable moving the scene to your own head, it is a very arousing tale.
Overall: Despite the few flaws or weaknesses I mentioned above, I really did enjoy this. It’s an unusual romance, but all the more enjoyable for being so diverse. Tom is a character with whom I could identify, and Cin is a character with whom I would very much enjoy being in a relationship. Some readers may find the ending a little too perfect for reality, but it’s perfectly appropriate for the romance here.
As reviewed by Trevor at Bending the Bookshelf
katriddell's review
5.0
It’s short! It’s sweet! Is there an incredibly unrealistic amount of sex? Yes! Do I care? No! It’s delightful! These sweeties deserve all the multiple orgasms and healthy communication they want!
iam's review against another edition
5.0
Reread September 2019: One of my all time favourite comfort reads. I absolutely adore the genderqueer and trans rep in this book, and beyond that the characters and romance between them is wonderful, and the humor made me laugh out loud.
Original review 2018:This is probably one of my all time favourite reads.
Content warnings include. semi-explicit sex on-page, detailed discussions about and descriptions of various forms disphoria and medical transition, unsupportive and straight up horrible parents, transphobia, age gap of around 20 years, class difference; mentions of child abuse.
Plot-wise it's entirely focused on Tom and Cin's relationship, and it's truly beautiful the entire way through. It takes place over the course of about two years, from their first meeting to their HEA.
There is lots of talk about gender identity and gender expression, and how sex and consent factors into it, and it's incredibly nuanced in the detailed discussions and it's ownvoices trans rep.
Cin and Tom's relationships is one of my favourites I've ever read about. They are open with each other and talk a lot about... anything and everything, but especially about how they can be comfortable with each other and what their relationship means to them, both sexually and in the broader sense.
Their relationship features a very active sex life that is frequently discussed. The sex itself is semi-explicit, the details around it are more often described than the acts themself.
This book made my heart melt so much at so many times and it made me a lil teary at times by how beautiful it is and how much I could relate to it. It's also incredibly funny and has a great sense of humor. There is a tiny bit of angst and a little bit of conflict, but it's always resolved fast and through honest discussion, and overall it's a very happy and hopeful book.
Original review 2018:This is probably one of my all time favourite reads.
"What's the cute boy's name?"A Boy Called Cin is a wonderful romance novel about Cin, a trans art student, and Tom, a bisexual genderqueer self-made billionaire.
"Cin."
"Is he a stripper?"
"No, no. C-I-N. He's an art student. He thinks I'm a capitalist pig. It's great."
Content warnings include. semi-explicit sex on-page, detailed discussions about and descriptions of various forms disphoria and medical transition, unsupportive and straight up horrible parents, transphobia, age gap of around 20 years, class difference; mentions of child abuse.
Plot-wise it's entirely focused on Tom and Cin's relationship, and it's truly beautiful the entire way through. It takes place over the course of about two years, from their first meeting to their HEA.
There is lots of talk about gender identity and gender expression, and how sex and consent factors into it, and it's incredibly nuanced in the detailed discussions and it's ownvoices trans rep.
Cin and Tom's relationships is one of my favourites I've ever read about. They are open with each other and talk a lot about... anything and everything, but especially about how they can be comfortable with each other and what their relationship means to them, both sexually and in the broader sense.
Their relationship features a very active sex life that is frequently discussed. The sex itself is semi-explicit, the details around it are more often described than the acts themself.
This book made my heart melt so much at so many times and it made me a lil teary at times by how beautiful it is and how much I could relate to it. It's also incredibly funny and has a great sense of humor. There is a tiny bit of angst and a little bit of conflict, but it's always resolved fast and through honest discussion, and overall it's a very happy and hopeful book.
doitsushine92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
driedfrogpills's review
2.0
I rather liked the idea of this book, as I rarely see bisexual or transgender characters, let alone characters who are both, let alone a supporting cast including trans characters. As an exercise in exploring gender issues and dysphoria I appreciated the story. Having characters frankly discuss their sexual preferences and negotiate how their sex lives together would progress instead of making assumptions or coercing each other was fantastic to see in a romance novel. A++ would recommend to every romance author - it's a good thing to have the adult characters discuss their sex lives like adults without judgment or condemnation. And with transgender and gender-queer characters too!
But this book fell flat for me as a story. Tom and Cin felt more like instructional characters when it came to sex, and their actual romance felt like a 2-D wish-fulfillment than a real relationship. I don't know. I wanted to like their relationship but it just felt like there was no substance to it outside of gender issues. And maybe I'm too jaded (or really I just read a lot of trashy novels) but even the kinky bits felt a little too dry and/or educational to be racy.
Overall I was glad to see bisexuality and transgender alongside sex-positive attitudes and accepting relationships. I just wish the characters and their relationship felt more substantive.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.
But this book fell flat for me as a story. Tom and Cin felt more like instructional characters when it came to sex, and their actual romance felt like a 2-D wish-fulfillment than a real relationship.
Spoiler
Most of the problems that crop up Tom solves with money or influence. Of course, Tom is going to get Cin an apartment, and pay for breast reduction surgery, and we'll even throw in a new car! I mean, I get romance novels aren't always realistic, and maybe the frank sexual discussion gave me false expectations of the rest of the novel but come on. It felt like Wilde was trying to convince the reader that Tom wasn't a sugar daddy, when all of his actions felt like that was exactly what he was. It was like Tom had this "How to Romance: Transgender Edition" checklist he was diligently checking off.Overall I was glad to see bisexuality and transgender alongside sex-positive attitudes and accepting relationships. I just wish the characters and their relationship felt more substantive.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley.
misssusan's review
3.0
this is pure wish fulfillment and it's very good at it
seriously, cin gets a hot millionaire boyfriend who's perfect for him and pays for his transition AND gets him a job straight out of school
that last point especially, as someone who's been job hunting for awhile now i would probably cry if some millionaire hooked me up with my dream job
plus tom is cute and gone enough on cin that the grumpy proleteriat in me who is always at least low key irritated with billionaire heroes (you stand upon the shoulders of the underclass! resdistribute your wealth and pay your workers fair wages!!!!) was like okay, fine, this one can stay. THIS ONE TIME and only because you two are super cute
anyways if you want to read a romance featuring steve-jobs-if-he-was-a-nice-guy-and-also-bi-and-genderqueer and a sassy transdude art major who's living the dream check this out
3 stars
seriously, cin gets a hot millionaire boyfriend who's perfect for him and pays for his transition AND gets him a job straight out of school
that last point especially, as someone who's been job hunting for awhile now i would probably cry if some millionaire hooked me up with my dream job
plus tom is cute and gone enough on cin that the grumpy proleteriat in me who is always at least low key irritated with billionaire heroes (you stand upon the shoulders of the underclass! resdistribute your wealth and pay your workers fair wages!!!!) was like okay, fine, this one can stay. THIS ONE TIME and only because you two are super cute
anyways if you want to read a romance featuring steve-jobs-if-he-was-a-nice-guy-and-also-bi-and-genderqueer and a sassy transdude art major who's living the dream check this out
3 stars
eloise_bradbooks's review
4.0
Wow that was cute.
There was more smut than i'd first expected but actually, it was so well done. All the discussions about gender and dysphoria and respect in sexual activities despite dysphoria... All of that was beautiful and a great example of how to act and react.
The two characters are at different places in their gender discovery but they are so good for each other, helping each other and simply loving each other in the best possible way.
You can't help but smile and laugh and be super happy for these great people.
There was more smut than i'd first expected but actually, it was so well done. All the discussions about gender and dysphoria and respect in sexual activities despite dysphoria... All of that was beautiful and a great example of how to act and react.
The two characters are at different places in their gender discovery but they are so good for each other, helping each other and simply loving each other in the best possible way.
You can't help but smile and laugh and be super happy for these great people.