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ladylaurenexplorer's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This left very unfinished to me, especially for a YA book.
Nothing really felt resolved, at all! Also this whole scenario felt very unrealistic. Especially, with all he couples drama and partner hopping going on.
Not for me!
Nothing really felt resolved, at all! Also this whole scenario felt very unrealistic. Especially, with all he couples drama and partner hopping going on.
Not for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
krhe's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
- 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
Muy rápido de leer pero algo frustrante cuando al protagonista le daba la pájara (badumtss porque se apellida Bird). Me ha asesinado a plena luz del día en la calle con algunas cosas que se han dicho en el libro porque ouch.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
sapphicreaderlucy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I am a big Kacen Callendar fan and have read lots of their books already because of how much I love their writing style. That definitely shined through for me in this book. I love how Callendar writes plot and moves across time, it's just really pleasant to read and follow. The Seattle/Capitol Hill setting was so fun to read and done really well. However, I can tell this is their first YA novel. I love that Callendar writes flawed characters, but there wasn't enough development here to make the character likeable even when they make questionable decisions. My favorite character was Florence and I found myself wishing the story was from her point of view. I did really appreciate the deaf representation in the book. I have limited knowledge on the deaf community and really appreciate the insight that Ollie's communicating/experience brought to my knowledge. Something else I have come to realize that I like about the book is that it feels pretty accurate to high school as far as the social dynamics go. For example, there was rapid constant change in Nate's friend group which I feel is very characteristic of high school, big growing pains and growth, and friends taking turns dating (or attempting to date) each other over the years. It was funny and reminded me of what it is like to be a teenager. The reasons I disliked Nathan was because it seemed that he was often mean to his loved ones out of a defense, but it was hard to root for him when he created so much hurt with his words to the people trying to help him. I understand he has abandonment issues and that is why he was doing that, but I just wasn't attached to him enough to still be rooting for him. He took Ollie on such an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end, and I felt bad for Ollie. This story was good and I liked the writing style but the character development just wasn't there enough to keep the reader rooting for the character despite their flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
2busyreading's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
quasinaut's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Cute! Some awkward character interactions (and, like, gaslighting?) that didn't sit well with me, but overall I liked the romance -- and the Deaf and ASL representation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
steffiraquel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, and Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent
I really loved the diversity and the rollercoaster ride the main character was on, but unfortunately, that is where it stopped. I chose not to rate this because I think we should encourage writing with this much diversity, especially the inclusion of ASL and how it seamlessly was integrated into dialogue. However, the amount of cheating was extremely unnecessary and I'm trying to not be so hard on everyone because they're teenagers, but surely you know cheating is wrong when you're that age. I have to admit, I really don't like Flo and especially after (whether unintentionally or intentionally, it doesn't matter) insisting her and Nate stay friends after they broke up (not to mention his not-so-secret feelings of still being in love with her) because she cheated on him feels frustrating. Not only that, there are some things she'd do/say that would be contradicting to her character. It felt as if one minute she likes to air everyone's dirty laundry and then the next minute she's disapproving of things that I feel as if she would have agreed with. With all the characters, it was easy to see that their behaviour was linked to something happening at home which I could empathise with, but Flo kind of just was not a nice person and didn't have any issues (apart from feeling guilty of cheating, which to me doesn't matter) as far as I was concerned so I went through the whole book really not liking her.rayne_1906's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.25
Audiobook - 3 hours 57 minutes - I have an affinity for LGBTQ YA contemporary books, even if they don't end up being amazing pieces of literature, which is why I keep reading them, and will continue to keep reading them, regardless of how low the average rating I give them may be. This book was nothing groundbreaking - it followed the same sort of pattern that a lot of YA contemporaries do. Some good points: it included a lot of diversity without the book being focused on the diversity. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it is nice to see books where the characters can just be, and have problems outside of discrimination. For example, the two of the main characters in this book are bisexual, but there is no plot/sideplot about coming out/struggling with self-acceptance. As I have previously said, there is nothing wrong with books which do focus on these issues, it is just a nice and refreshing change, making for a more relaxing read. However, this book did feel repetitive at points. The main character often repeated the same trains of thought over and over which became a little tedious and boring at times. On the whole though, this was a perfectly decent book, nothing special, but okay and fun to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
This is a gorgeous book. I cannot wait to read more of this author's work. What an incredible book for young LGBTQ+ folks. Just gorgeous and natural and complicated and beautiful. Everyone needs to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
anniereads221's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
HP references