Yvon

I'd say this book is overall mid and cliche but the last chapter made me realize that the moral of the story can be interpreted in more than one way.

The good: Even though im not a fan of sci-fi it wasn't too hard to read and understand what was going on. Its a battle of good vs evil, but what exactly was the good and what was the evil? The hero, Meg, is a young girl full of flaws and big emotions. The bad guy, is the “brain” who just wants everyone to be the same, perfect, sticking to a format, assuming thats how equality can be achieved. But Meg wins bcz she realizes “hey im a human with a soul and i cant change that and that's ok”. I really liked this message.

The bad: Can someone explain why poor Calvin got involved? Poor boy was just used to comfort Meg (even though he had issues of his own). Then the genius little boy Charles Wallace....another prop. And this might be just me but the bible verses made no sense.

Overall: not outstanding and very cliche, but the ending and the message of the story were good. Quick effortless read too

This book is great for anyone (young) and new to the LGBT+ community. Its great for the starters because this book is specifically made to make you question the traditional view of gender. (Added “young” because this book is targeted for 7-12 kids, and that can be noticed through the use of language).
Even for me though, a more experienced queer, i could find new information, and im talking about the prominent representation of queer activists and role models.
This book can be picked up by anyone who feels lonely or isolated from the queer community. The author has a way with their words which makes you feel like you're listening to a caring parental figure, and that was oddly affirming.
Only 2 complaints: 1. I felt like the subject of “time” was being unnecessarily repeated in more than one chapter. And 2. I would've appreciated a short mention of how polyamory can be a queer identity and how that's an equally valid type of relationship some people engage in.
4.5/5 (rounded to 4)

TL;DR: Good emotional support book for young and lonely questioning queers.

I was not prepared to awaken my fears, insecurities and traumas through someone else's lense. It hit back home, hard.
And I appreciate the author for sharing such vulnerable thoughts and experiences with the world. In the end, it gave me hope that our lives aren't meaningless, just bcz of our struggles. That we can still pursue our personal goals and that the path to healing is still a viable option, be it full of obstacles.

Never would've thought I'd 5-star a book which had thrown me into depths of sorrow but here I am.

I was almost yawning in the first 2 parts of the book but then “it” happened. And i had to reread the beginning again because I got a completely different perspective.
I was not ok afterwards. It was too painful to keep reading Aaron's story, but I still did, hoping everything would turn out fine.
The ending was brief, and more bitter than sweet, but I couldn't have done it better.
If you're in for an emotional (depressing) rollercoaster, this the book for you.

I also have conflicting feelings about Aaron. On one hand, I empathize with him and relate to some of his struggles. On the other hand, I think he's a pretty shit person (for cheating, for being disrespectful towards Thomas' identity etc.). So my rating is mostly based on how amazing the story was written.

Thank you netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

6.3% into this book and I'm afraid I'll stop here (DNF). The book started off with scenes of pregnancy/birth + complications. Those are major triggers i have which make me feel too uncomfortable to keep reading. And by the looks of it, the book has long chapters and long paragraphs which make it even harder for me to continue.

DNF at 43.7%

While i really liked Addie's personality and found it relatable I feel like she acts 18 when she's well into her 20s. Also, the way she keeps saying she's straight even after having sex w Marry is off-putting (i feel like the denial is going for too long). I also feel like none of the characters have a life outside of their relationship. The only reason why i had kept reading is because it was easy to read and was waiting for something a little more “shocking” to happen.

One of the most confusing books I've ever read.
The good: i liked the art style. Cricket (side-character with way too little impact on the story) was my favorite because she was a genuinely cool, funny and considerate person and i wish more would have happened with her. I also liked how diverse the characters were (bipoc and queer) (and even a romanian character which probably no one cares about but i do cuz hey that's me). I also liked how passionate Dylan was, about Leighton and about becoming an astronaut.
The bad: this book has dual POV (Leighton and Dylan) and the scenes would way too often switch from present to past which made it hard for me to understand what's going on. I also felt like some of the flashbacks were unnecessary and weren't 100% chronological. The ages of the characters make no sense. All the action happened before they got in highschool which makes them 14 at most. They were sent to a summer camp for troubled kids because they had a car accident after Dylan stole a car because they ran away after they pushed Mandy (the bully) into the pool who hit her head and lost consciousness temporarily. Besides that, Dylan (who's supposed to be the poor kid) got a permanent tattoo of a rocket on their hand. Also, Leighton being rich feels like such a random trait because it doesn't influence her that much.
The worse: In the present we're shown how Leighton is playing hot and cold with Dylan. In the past, we are shown how they were best friends and how BOTH of them caught feelings for each other. Leighton initiated the first kiss with Dylan. Later on, Leighton takes a picture of them kissing. And suddenly, Leighton ghosts Dylan and goes to a school dance with a random guy she has no feelings for. And now Leighton is asexual. Asexuality is NOT the same as aromanticism. If she truly became aromantic we don't know how and why. And if she truly was asexual, that shouldn't have been a problem for someone who is still in middle school.
The cherry on top: remember Mandy? Stereotypical long blonde haired, blue eyed, pink dress girl bully? The story ends with her in the first day of high school looking very badass (half shaved head, black dress) and being genuinely nice to Dylan for no reason.

Honestly, i would've given this 2 stars for the suspense and the plot twist at the very end, but no.

During the whole book i hated everyone. The MC is a disrespectful homewrecker, the love interest is a cheating husband, and Verity was portrayed as the most detestable human being on earth. The characterization is also lacking, i dont even know what they look like.

Also the romance has misogynistic undertones. 2 women sexually obsessed w a man fighting over his attention? “He fucked me like I was his virgin”??

Loved this, the art, the plot, the characters (especially Landlady, she's so mysterious i need to know more about her). And it's not as sexual as i thought it'd be, they are mostly portrayed in domestic scenarios.

However, the whole contract thing is morally dubious at best. Landlady kinda knew Chiyo was straight. Even if Chiyo starts questioning her sexuality, i wish she wasnt labeled as straight from the beginning.

Overall, I'd still recommend

This book could've been a new favorite if it wasnt for the rushed ending.

I loved everything. The characters. The chemistry between Dylan and Theo. The rich family drama. The Singaporean culture and the food making. The side characters. And the writing style too.

I was rooting for the boys, the author did a great job at making me feel the feels. And every chapter something new had to happen. Very little filler, or boring scenes. I was invested the whole time.

Having all that said, the last 4 chapters were....not it. They were unrealistically perfect after a heart wrenching climax. The villain of the story literally went “nvm, im not gonna stand in your way anymore”. While i was hoping for a HEA, it felt rushed and unrealistic.

Would still highly recommend this book. My rating would be closer to 4.5 tbf

Thanks to Netgalley i received an e-arc in exchange of an honest review.

I think this was overall an enjoyable read. MC Poppy is a sex worker from the 1800's and i really liked the way this was portrayed in a positive light. One day, she becomes the victim of old vampire Cane's attacks and that's how Poppy becomes a vampire herself. Roisin will take her under her wing and they will live and bond together in a secluded place. Later on, Roisin wants to track down Cane so she leaves Poppy with her new found family: the Brood. (This is where i feel like the pacing goes very slow). By the end of the book, there's a very graphic scene of a fight with Cane and the Brood and after lots of tension Cane gets killed and their human friend almost die so they decide to turn her. And in the epilogue we get to see Poppy and Roisin getting engaged.

Pros: • i liked the writing style a lot, very unique
• the horror in this book was just enough to shock you, not too much nor too little (mostly gore/body horror, violence and profanity)
• fav tropes, found family, grumpy x sunshine, pining
• lesbian MC, trans lady side-character, gay male character (just queer vampires in general)
• favorite parts of the book were the beginning and the ending
• the romance was quite nice
• sex scenes were bearable

Cons: • a little too uneventful for my taste
• slow pacing
• plenty of details didn't make sense to me (especially Cane's motivation)

TLDR; enjoyable read, but i can see how it might not be for everyone

This could've been a 5 stars if it wasn't for the FMC being so young (15?) and portrayed in a sexual manner.
As someone who's barely legal this book would've probably made me so uncomfortable if i picked it up as an older adult.
I can understand the whole horny teen part, but what i don't like is their portrayal and the target audience.
Other than that, i love the characters' dynamic (cosplayer x costume maker) and that's the main reason I'll pick up the 2nd volume.
I also really like how the FMC had a few moments of wisdom that stuck in the MMC's mind? Those contributed nicely to fleshing out the characters

This is type of book that shows its value by the end of it. I really couldn't connect to the characters at the beginning thinking it was too confusing with the dual timelines. But by the last third it made me realize i can actually relate to the mc's story which hits pretty hard. Very satisfying ending

Unexpected ND and queer rep?
The FMC has social anxiety disorder and has a hard time talking to people face-to-face. A really hard time. However, with the right support, she manages to make small progress which helps her in achieving her goal: make 100 friends.
Tadano, the MMC, will be the one to help Komi in helping her all the way through her friend-making journey. #1
Najimi doesn't use labels but they are portrayed as a gender non-conforming/genderfluid very sociable and bold student. This is Komi's friend #2.
Agari also has some sort of social anxiety but she expresses herself outwardly, she's very hyper and loves to put Komi on a pedestal, considering herself her dog. #3
I really like how Komi is perceived like an “otherwordly god” by others, while in her POV shes just an ordinary girl who struggles with verbal communication.
I also noticed a cute detail: whenever Komi is feeling silly she's illustrated with cat ears and i love that.

Not a 5 stars bcz i feel like the pacing is a bit too slow for my taste, but i still recommend it