Kay Kerrr

Published: September 1, 2021

Genres: Romance, Disability, Mental Health, Young Adult, Australian literature

Pages: 288

Overall, the writing of this book feels slightly dry and flat. There are moments were it gets better, but it’s not worth the wait. Sometimes it was an effort to read the book. Which is a shame, since the concept had a lot of potential.

The main character, Zoe, almost resembles the embodiment of a stereotypical thriving autistic girl. Perhaps if it weren’t for the fact that there’s so many autistic characters like her, I would’ve been okay with it. But we always see the same typical (or should I say atypical) autistic character; the ones who have a strict life structure, whose minds are almost like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. In this case, Zoe would be the female version of him, however leaning towards different interests.

When it comes to the other characters, there’s a lot of one dimensional personalities. I understand it’s difficult to write complex characters when there is so many of them in such small story, but some felt as bland as the writing. When there was uniqueness within the story, it seemed almost forced for the sake of diversity. And even then, that diversity is simplified.

It’s interesting how the characters appear realistic (enough), but they feel almost too normal. Everyone talks very similarly, as if they’re all sharing the same mindset. They’re either too good or too mean, there’s no characters who are morally in between. There are cliche bad characters like the ex-bully (who seemed better but never had the time to apologise), ex-girlfriend (whose personality is nothing but mean), and the wine date (which I appreciate the truth about dating, but it felt super forced).

There was a random police scene that appeared out of nowhere, which was completely irrelevant to the story. I have to admit, it was a little hilarious how quickly the situation escalated. I didn’t feel that this topic was needed, considering there was no mention of it in the book’s description. Which is a little worrying, since some readers may have expected a light hearted story without triggering scenes.

It was slightly annoying how Zoe seems to stereotype people again and again, this time it’s a man with a sensory overload. Autism isn’t the only neurological disability, yet she assumes he is autistic. Which makes me wonder if she would still empathise with him if he wasn’t autistic. Coincidentally, the man happened to be autistic, perhaps for the sake of Zoe being right.

Despite the happy ending, it was a little lacklustre. The conflict with Leo ended so interrupted and it felt unsatisfying to leave Aidan without a proper goodbye. I’m definitely glad that the bully to lover trope didn’t exist in this book, but there could’ve been different ways to resolve the past.

my nitpicks with Zoe

It’s a little weird when Zoe thinks about Sara on her date with Jake (and right after the kiss). It’s even weirder when she likes Gabe, who she assumes has a girlfriend.

my nitpicks with Gabe

Like any other character, he’s almost perfect. Gabe is the sort of love interest who has “likeable flaws”. The sort who appears to be flawed, but it’s only convenient to the protagonist. In this case, Gabe treated Zoe differently due to her autism, even made a presentation of it, but he doesn’t know any better. It’s his way of showing that he cares so much about her autism.

Then there’s the fact Gabe broke up with Brooke roughly three weeks ago, yet Gabe acts as if Zoe was the only one who he loved. Which is a little unflattering when a guy dates a girl who he doesn’t like. It doesn’t really add up when Gabe says he never had the opportunity to confess his feelings (which he’s seemingly had forever), however chooses to date another girl (I guess it wasn’t that important if he forgot unless he dated a girl while liking another).