Reviews

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

uwidinh's review against another edition

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Dnf at 32% 

The writing is fantastic and I can imagine the characters quite well

But there in lies the problem….the dislike I feel for the character is extreme. Grant is so moody…which is whatever because which teen isn’t moody. (But also he’s technically graduated high school and a year into college, if he had went) 
His emotional immaturity is appalling. Like whatever Ben stole your guy back when y’all were younger. I get it. It sucks, but it feels like it’s Grant’s personality to feel like he’s the victim. 

Vero Roseto is about to be closed and he’s just running around screaming and kicking walls. 

I keep on trying to remind myself that they’re young and Al that, but there are still limits to how much I want to read of a character’s immaturity and “woe is I” mindset. 

bettielovesbooks's review

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5.0

It would be so easy just to say what a cute book about second chances! But it was definitely way more than that, it was about family, love, self acceptance and forgiveness of others and of ourselves, and how we might try to sabotage ourselves and ruin our own happiness because we don’t think we deserve it, but Grant did it! He grew and stand up for himself and what he deserves and for he loves, and for others kids like him.
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

apat10's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

hobbithopeful's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Honest, funny, and all too close to home, Adam Sass stuns yet again in a thorny romance about curses, love, and the raw emotion of dealing with a brain that would rather be a beast than a bunny.
Grant would rather stay hidden in his depression pit, yet ends up instead at the suggestion of his family, helping to facelift and bring back from despair his aunt's vineyard and B&B. Add in one hot gardener who is also his ex best friend, and who broke his heart and things get...complicated. And very, very, messy. Sass has such a unique writing style and I've yet to find another author who so perfectly captures complex and messy characters who aren't perfect. Characters who are terribly, honestly human, and struggling to figure themselves out. When I think of writers who capture (my at least), queer experience, Sass is always at the forefront of my mind.
Part of the reason I had trouble with Grant as a character at times, is because it is never easy reading a book that is basically holding a mirror to yourself and all of your (quite frankly unresolved) issues. I myself struggle will pulling frequent "Grant moments", retreating from the world for weeks or months, only emerging like a shade to sometimes eat, and haunt my apartment like a wraith of some terribly dramatic play or period drama.
A quote that very succinctly captures who Grant is at a character, in all his glory and mental health issues:
"I emerged from a three-day depression hole less than an hour ago, and I'm still gonna be the cutest one in the room. Who else but me? I can do it all! Lowest lows, highest highs."
There were moments when reading, when I turned and looked at a non existent camera b, as if to say, 'I feel attacked right now', because so many moments it felt more as if Grant's growth and troubles was parallel to my stupid brain and everything I struggle with. Even at times where I wanted to bemoan how messy he was being, or get annoyed at his pettiness or jealousy, I had to take a step back and think, 'no but for real, I would/have done the same thing.'
I really enjoyed the depictions of food and the messy family relationships. I did grow quite hungry reading this, which is always a sign that that the prose and imagery had thoroughly reached my appetite. Speaking of hungry, the boys in this book were Thirsty, with a capital T. The chemistry between Grant and Ben was written so well, it didn't feel forced or out of nowhere. Their banter and flirting was done so well, reading two characters fight against their own yearning and feelings is always such a treat when they finally come together.
One more quick thing I loved, the mention of therapy, medication, and the very real reality of dealing with mental health and the never ending journey that is. Spot on in a way that was so raw and honest, yet again hitting me in my chest because it so very much resembled my own.
"She's such a good friend- no matter how long we go without talking, she's there for me when I come back." This is another sentence that felt like it was plucked straight from my life, and perfectly encompasses anyone who has those who stick by you even when you tend to ghost everyone at frequent occurrences.
I think it could be argued that there were moments when Sass took out a proverbial soap box, to educate the reader as much as characters in the story, such as when talking about how to give space to a queer child. Though I won't lie, it was healing, cathartic and realistic in how the family interacted. Especially how Grant was able to pinpoint that his nephew would be having a when not if coming out.
At the same time, there are a times sentences like this, where words like 'my thorniest thorn', and 'childhood ashes like phoenixes,' were likely intended to be taken seriously but it was difficult too.
He saw my weirdest, most serial-killer behavior- my thorniest thorn-and it only made him want to help me more....Adult Ben and Adult Grant have emerged from our childhood ashes like phoenixes." These moments and other moments of choice writing broke me out of my reading at times to just blink, pulled out of the immersive story I had been so far loving.
I did find the ending one of the weakest parts of the book, apart from how perfectly everything lined up and how the main characters were perfectly fine with wearing someone else's robes and staying in a stranger's apartment, it lacked what the rest of the story had in terms of strong writing and felt a bit plot convenient. (On the other hand I am torn because I am always delighted to read a queer story where there is a happy ending and no one is killed off or other angsty things happen. (Looking at you, nearly every show ever with queer characters!) If the last chunk had stayed as strong and consistent as the rest of the book, this would have easily been a five star read for me.

I do recommend this book, especially perfect for fans of Adam Sass's writing style, this story is sweet and full bodied, worth every page.

Thank you to Penguin for this ARC, NOTE any quotes are subject to change since this is an ARC that I read and reviewed

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colinbrooksbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jbalkovec's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I knew I was gonna love this. Adam Sass does it again. I am obsessed with the way Adam sass writes the mcs and their relationship; it’s relatable and alive. I liked the depression representation. I appreciated the family drama bc lord knows we all have it. I did think the whole rose festival storyline was a little boring for me though. Overall 4/5

fanboyriot's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Summer Read
♡ Second Chances

Definitely a book you should read the author’s note too, it really makes the reading experience even better.  The rom-com vibes in this were great, adding in some more relatable content as well.  While it was mostly lighthearted, there are some more emotional parts; the main character works through a breakup, depression, and a rather cruel moment in eighth grade he was still hung up on.  The relationship itself was a bit of a fast-paced read but their dynamics worked well, especially as more was revealed about their past.

The highlight for me was the setting, it was genuinely so amazing, the house, the vineyard, all the history behind it was so lovely and the little details made for a great read.  While the ending seemed a bit rushed as it tied everything together it was still a really enjoyable book.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧(1/5)
POV: First Person
Release Date: 16, July 2024
Rep: LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters) Depression

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undeadmanwalking's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

gmdelrio's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hidees13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts" is a beautifully crafted YA tale that left me eager for more. The setting and characters set the stage perfectly for a rom com.(I could easily see this as a netflix adaptation!) While Grant's journey took a while to unfold, the glimpses of him and Ben together were delightful. Although I wished for more development in their relationship, I still enjoyed the story. Once Grant finally got over himself, there just wasn't much time left for us to see them together! I’m a sucker for those soft romantic moments. (Give me more!) As a newcomer to Adam Sass's work, I'm definitely going to explore more, starting with "The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers." This book earns shaky 4 out of 5 stars from me, offering valuable queer representation that deserves a spot in YA literature. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!