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thebookishnurse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure it would be my jam as I have only read Christina Lauren's more adult content but this YA story is one I will be recommending in future. Tanner was a likable character even though he has his own flaws, and most definitely makes mistakes. Although I haven't read Simon Vs the Homosapiens agenda, it gave me the same vibes as that film - Tanner was sort of outed by his friend which creates all sorts of drama for him and his love interest.
The element of the LDS church definitely added some tension to the story. Although it was already going to be difficult to come out as queer, the added guilt that is added due to religion was interesting.
In a couple of reviews there was comments about it ending a little too neatly - I agree with that, perhaps a more ambiguous ending would have been more realistic but I suppose it was nice to have some closure on these characters.
For 2 female writers, I think they embodied a teen-boy mindset in an authentic way.
The element of the LDS church definitely added some tension to the story. Although it was already going to be difficult to come out as queer, the added guilt that is added due to religion was interesting.
In a couple of reviews there was comments about it ending a little too neatly - I agree with that, perhaps a more ambiguous ending would have been more realistic but I suppose it was nice to have some closure on these characters.
For 2 female writers, I think they embodied a teen-boy mindset in an authentic way.
elyseo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ciuli's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, deep breath, I don't even know where to start. Let me just say that there might be some spoilers in this review, nothing major, but I wanted to give a heads up just in case.
To be honest, when I started reading this book I wasn't really sure I was going to finish it because I'm no fan of first-person narrator. I don't like this kind of pov and I was so bummed at first because I liked the blurb and heard so many great things, so I pushed my dislike aside and kept reading. IT WAS SO WORTH IT. Also because by the 3rd/4th chapter (I think?) you understand the reason behind this choice and from then on I loved it. Me. Someone who loathes first-person narrators LOVED it.
Now, moving on to the story itself. My heart literally ached along with Tanner's and Sebastian's. So many times while reading I wanted to hug them both and tell them that everything was going to be alright and that they were loved. It seems stupid, I know, because you're just reading a story, but while reading you understand that this is an issue that so many LGBTQ people have to face and it breaks my heart because it's so unfair. I think the part that affected me the most, that had me literally crying my eyes out, was when Seb told Tann that he had never felt that worthless. And it was his family that made him feel that way and all I could think about was that that was wrong on so many levels, but that it actually happens. Pretty often too, unfortunately.
Anyway, going back to the main plot. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down, so be prepared. It leaves you hanging until the very last page, stuck in a limbo of "Is he going to choose Tann or his family? Even if they don't end up together, will they be okay?". Because, tbh, by the end of the book you will love both these characters so much that yeah, a part of you wants them to be together, but a bigger part of you will want them to be okay and happy.
I loved this book both because of the plot and the endless issues it addresses heads on. Being queer in a Mormon society I think is kind of an extreme situation to describe but that doesn't make it any less real. The lack of recognition and the distrust towards bisexuality. How even a progressive family like Tann's, who accepts every aspect of their son's life, can still be oppressive and try to manage his life (yeah, I know they're trying to protect him from the heartbreak, but I still found them a little bit overbearing). How religion is not just something that is imposed on someone, but it can be a choice.
There is so much more I could say about this book, and it would probably take me a week to review it all, so I'm just going to say GO READ IT. NOW. You won't regret it.
To be honest, when I started reading this book I wasn't really sure I was going to finish it because I'm no fan of first-person narrator. I don't like this kind of pov and I was so bummed at first because I liked the blurb and heard so many great things, so I pushed my dislike aside and kept reading. IT WAS SO WORTH IT. Also because by the 3rd/4th chapter (I think?) you understand the reason behind this choice and from then on I loved it. Me. Someone who loathes first-person narrators LOVED it.
Now, moving on to the story itself. My heart literally ached along with Tanner's and Sebastian's. So many times while reading I wanted to hug them both and tell them that everything was going to be alright and that they were loved. It seems stupid, I know, because you're just reading a story, but while reading you understand that this is an issue that so many LGBTQ people have to face and it breaks my heart because it's so unfair. I think the part that affected me the most, that had me literally crying my eyes out, was when Seb told Tann that he had never felt that worthless. And it was his family that made him feel that way and all I could think about was that that was wrong on so many levels, but that it actually happens. Pretty often too, unfortunately.
Anyway, going back to the main plot. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down, so be prepared. It leaves you hanging until the very last page, stuck in a limbo of "Is he going to choose Tann or his family? Even if they don't end up together, will they be okay?". Because, tbh, by the end of the book you will love both these characters so much that yeah, a part of you wants them to be together, but a bigger part of you will want them to be okay and happy.
I loved this book both because of the plot and the endless issues it addresses heads on. Being queer in a Mormon society I think is kind of an extreme situation to describe but that doesn't make it any less real. The lack of recognition and the distrust towards bisexuality. How even a progressive family like Tann's, who accepts every aspect of their son's life, can still be oppressive and try to manage his life (yeah, I know they're trying to protect him from the heartbreak, but I still found them a little bit overbearing). How religion is not just something that is imposed on someone, but it can be a choice.
There is so much more I could say about this book, and it would probably take me a week to review it all, so I'm just going to say GO READ IT. NOW. You won't regret it.
warmcamomiletea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
jilly_bean_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
fallenstarr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
monalisalisa's review against another edition
5.0
This novel follows the love story between Tanner and Sebastian. Tanner is a bisexual teenage boy who is out to his family but his family doesn’t want to be out in their heavily Mormon community. Sebastian is the son of the bishop of the community. And you can only imagine what happens from there.
This book was definitely worth the hype! It lived up to all the expectations I put up for it in my head. Tanner is my favorite character in this novel. I love how honest and truthful he is to his friends, family and to Sebastian. I also really loved the relationship he had with his family and how supportive they were of him. You don’t really get that a lo in LGBTQ+ fiction novels but in this one it was really beautiful and refreshing to see. Sebastian I also really liked because he felt realistic and seeing him come to terms with his sexuality and stand by that revelation was amazing to read. Overall a full 5/5 stars for me.
This book was definitely worth the hype! It lived up to all the expectations I put up for it in my head. Tanner is my favorite character in this novel. I love how honest and truthful he is to his friends, family and to Sebastian. I also really loved the relationship he had with his family and how supportive they were of him. You don’t really get that a lo in LGBTQ+ fiction novels but in this one it was really beautiful and refreshing to see. Sebastian I also really liked because he felt realistic and seeing him come to terms with his sexuality and stand by that revelation was amazing to read. Overall a full 5/5 stars for me.