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dashtaisen's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Very charming
danwyn's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Probably more like a 4.25 or even 4.5 star read.
This book was just insanely readable. I could've read it one sitting had I not needed sleep. Even so, finished it in less than 24 hours. I was fully invested in the main couple from the first tag tuck. The narrative does rely pretty heavily on miscommunication and the character's making assumptions without clarifying. But they’re also teenagers so that doesn't bug me as much as books about adults. The actual break up lists conflict also only happens because the main character straight up lies to multiple people. If that sort of thing bugs you in building a plot, this one might not be for you.
Outside of the romance, there's a few levels to the narrative. Jackson's experience with the theater department, and the way he navigates it being deaf in particular, was really compelling for me. I did find the (minor spoiler) mid-play apology a little much.
Between this and another YA romance I read recently and loved, I may be recentering my YA era.
This book was just insanely readable. I could've read it one sitting had I not needed sleep. Even so, finished it in less than 24 hours. I was fully invested in the main couple from the first tag tuck. The narrative does rely pretty heavily on miscommunication and the character's making assumptions without clarifying. But they’re also teenagers so that doesn't bug me as much as books about adults. The actual break up lists conflict also only happens because the main character straight up lies to multiple people. If that sort of thing bugs you in building a plot, this one might not be for you.
Outside of the romance, there's a few levels to the narrative. Jackson's experience with the theater department, and the way he navigates it being deaf in particular, was really compelling for me. I did find the (minor spoiler) mid-play apology a little much.
Between this and another YA romance I read recently and loved, I may be recentering my YA era.
kimmyp's review against another edition
3.5
I started out loving this book, but unfortunately that started to ebb a bit as the story went on. I don’t think Liam should’ve started Jasmine at all, but the way she handled it was awful. She was bad from beginning to end and Jackson was apologizing to her. She admitted that the only reason she liked him was because he was good-looking, but acted like he was the worst person for breaking up with her. You are allowed to break up with someone if you don’t end up liking them the right way and that does not make you a bad person. And what she did to Jackson after she found out was unforgivable. She kind of apologized, but not enough and said she was still mad at him. One of the biggest problems for Jackson throughout the whole book is that he lets everyone walk all over him and never stands up for himself and after everything is resolved at the end, he still pretty much lets everyone do it and is apologizing to other people. I like the voice of the main character and his perspective of the story. I like the love interest Liam and Jackson’s best friend is great. I just wasn’t happy with the main storyline and I don’t like the resolutions, or lack there of.
lettuce_read's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't stop grinning while listening to this book. The romance was just so sweet. I also LOVE when characters in books demonstrate how to apologize and actually take accountability for the harm they've caused.
Bonus points for including an aroace side character! (the MC's best friend, who is also non-binary)
Bonus points for including an aroace side character! (the MC's best friend, who is also non-binary)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
v_gonz's review
4.5
This book had me gasping and grinning like crazy, Adib Khorram knows how to write dramatic and compelling books for sure! Queer theater kids have my heart always, and the ones in this book were no exception. I loved all of the representation too (deaf MC, queerness galore, Iranian MC, bonus aroace rep). I devoured this one in two hours, absolutely obsessed. Also enjoyed the Kansas City cameos as a KC girl myself.
smokedshelves's review
4.0
thank you to dial books and penguin teen for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
this book was truly such a blast! my previous experience with adib khorram was with their short story included in an anthology collection, which i had adored. instantly, i knew i wanted to read more from him and especially a full length novel. so when i saw that he was publishing the breakup lists, a book about a theater-loving, queer teen i had to get my hands on it!
and i’m so so glad that i did. not only was the theater nerd out in full force in this book, but there was competitive swimming AND disability representation (which i truly had no idea what present in this book). i wish there was more people shouting about how khorram portrayed our deaf main character (who is wearing hearing aids on the cover i just totally didn’t realize!). while i can not speak personally on the representation as i’m not deaf/hard of hearing, khorram’s depiction of jackson’s disability felt quite accurate. he doesn’t hear everything which is representative has jackson physically missing the words and attempting to fill in the black. his assumptions aren’t always correct. people will get frustrated with him. he communicates with his friends through ASL. it was so incredible to see and was truly the highlight of this books.
as for the writing structure, while i didn’t personally love jackson’s internal monologue crossing things out on page, it does get toned down as we progress through the story. and did sometime’s lead to a laugh. so while it took a while to get used to that stylistic choice, it did become quite workable.
okay, moving onto liam. i love liam. i think he is the sweetest soul, and while he think’s he is a people pleasure, i just know he has the best intentions, even if it does end in disaster. i was so curious to see how his story would play out and i loved how it was executed. while jackson can be very strong with his lists, and his worries, i loved seeing liam’s calm demeanor. i think they were such a great pairing and while they took a while to get where they were, it was worth the trouble.
this book was truly such a blast! my previous experience with adib khorram was with their short story included in an anthology collection, which i had adored. instantly, i knew i wanted to read more from him and especially a full length novel. so when i saw that he was publishing the breakup lists, a book about a theater-loving, queer teen i had to get my hands on it!
and i’m so so glad that i did. not only was the theater nerd out in full force in this book, but there was competitive swimming AND disability representation (which i truly had no idea what present in this book). i wish there was more people shouting about how khorram portrayed our deaf main character (who is wearing hearing aids on the cover i just totally didn’t realize!). while i can not speak personally on the representation as i’m not deaf/hard of hearing, khorram’s depiction of jackson’s disability felt quite accurate. he doesn’t hear everything which is representative has jackson physically missing the words and attempting to fill in the black. his assumptions aren’t always correct. people will get frustrated with him. he communicates with his friends through ASL. it was so incredible to see and was truly the highlight of this books.
as for the writing structure, while i didn’t personally love jackson’s internal monologue crossing things out on page, it does get toned down as we progress through the story. and did sometime’s lead to a laugh. so while it took a while to get used to that stylistic choice, it did become quite workable.
okay, moving onto liam. i love liam. i think he is the sweetest soul, and while he think’s he is a people pleasure, i just know he has the best intentions, even if it does end in disaster. i was so curious to see how his story would play out and i loved how it was executed. while jackson can be very strong with his lists, and his worries, i loved seeing liam’s calm demeanor. i think they were such a great pairing and while they took a while to get where they were, it was worth the trouble.