Scan barcode
tinysierra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Breakup Lists is dramatic, fun, silly.
Loved the characters.
Loved the audiobook narrator!
Loved the characters.
Loved the audiobook narrator!
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness and Ableism
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Infidelity, and Sexual content
elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Infidelity
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for an advanced copy of The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram. Ever since reading Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Adib Khorram has been an auto-read author for me. There’s just something about the way that he writes emotions and relationships that feels so teenager, and this book is no different.
Jackson is such a complicated main character, specifically when it comes to love and romance. He has seen so many of the people he cares about that he’s cynical and pushes people away. Eventually to the point that it hinders his relationships. His emotional journey, which includes eventually realizing that talking to a therapist would be useful, is so well written. And it’s all things that teenagers will definitely relate to.
Another thing I really loved was Jackson’s friendship with Bowie, who is asexual (and aromantic, if I remember correctly). The fact that they had such a strong friendship that didn’t need to eventually turn romantic is something I kind of wish was shown more in YA books. Romantic relationships aren’t the be-all end-all (especially when you’re in high school), and the fact that Bowie was shown to be comfortable with that? I absolutely loved it.
Jackson is Hard of Hearing and occasionally uses sign language throughout the book (mostly with Bowie and their family). However, none of his family signs with him, which is a point of frustration for him throughout the book. It seems like Khorram did his research for this particular aspect of the book, but I’m not a part of the community, so I can’t comment on how accurate it is.
All in all, this is a wonderful queer teen romance with a great cast of characters and strong emotional beats. Definitely check it out when it releases in April!
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Infidelity
More...