This review was written by: B
Received: Borrowed from Library
Date of Publication: October 2018
Genre: YA Contemporary, LGBTQ+ Romance
Genre: YA Contemporary, LGBTQ+ Romance
Stars: 3.75/5
Official Synopsis:A fresh, charming rom-com perfect for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Boy Meets Boy about Nathan Bird, who has sworn off happy endings but is sorely tested when his former best friend, Ollie, moves back to town.
Nathan Bird doesn't believe in happy endings.
Although he's the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate's seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.
Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel -- but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.
I don't really know what's worse: living without love so that you don't get hurt, or getting hurt repeatedly in an attempt to find it.
I also want to mention that the relationship between Nathan and his sister was so pure and sweet. Despite barely being in the book because she was away at college, his sister was such a kind soul. The two are sibling goals, and they are perfect. Okay?
I also think that one of the book's messages was so powerful and one I never actually believed to be true until Callender brought it up: All love stories are epic. A romantic relationship doesn't have to be the most sweeping chain of events in all of history. It can be soft and subtle or loud and bold, and each type is just as precious and deserving of existing as the next. In fact, love in and of itself is epic, so recognizing that the various shapes and forms it can take are all valid if healthy is one idea that I now take away from this book fondly.
Lastly, the ROMANCE. I can't forget about that! The romance was definitely up and down in terms of the characters' feelings and wanting to go through with their relationship, so I was seriously wondering if they would or wouldn't end up together. I was having heart palpitations in those last hundred pages, freaking out about the outcome. I needed something hopeful. When it comes to romances, I don't require a perfect HEA but brownie points for those that do have them! I'm just looking for something that doesn't crush the light from my soul, devouring it into a black hole or decimating it into unrecognizable shards that can't be pieced back together again because the despair overtakes every inch of my body, you know? That's all I ask. Callender had me worried, though, and they certainly knew how to keep me anxiously waiting. That build up! I can't say more about the specifics without major spoilers, but I was not disappointed. In terms of the couple, I was able to some degree appreciate Nathan's trepidation surrounding entering a relationship and his internal struggle. Additionally, Oliver James was precious. I consider him to be what kids on the street are calling a "soft boy" and I adore those characters. He is one of those humans you wish you were friends with. His personality is one that I gravitate towards, and I wish nothing but absolute happiness for him.
First and foremost, what rubbed me the wrong way was the cheating. It was not so much even that the cheating occurred and instead about how the cheating was handled. Unfortunately, people are unfaithful to their significant others, and that's just a reality, so I'm not going to fault an author for including that subject matter. I'm a strong believer in allowing writers to include whatever content they want, whether that includes immoral behavior or not. I'm also not one of those people (at this point at least) who gets upset because bad behavior isn't addressed. I can understand that if unsavory subject matter occurs that it's best if it is challenged, addressed, or shot down. The argument that it can perpetuate those unwanted behaviors or attitudes is valid and even right in some circumstances depending on the reader. However, I also don't think that every wrongdoing has to be argued against because in real life, they don't always get confronted. This is unfortunate, but also the truth, so representing stories that way doesn't irk me in any way whatsoever. I also like to think the average reader is smart enough to know that just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's okay in real life. I find it so patronizing when someone says "This is teaching readers that x, y, and z are okay because they are in the book." Just because unsavory subject matter is a plot point doesn't automatically mean the author condones it or is trying to get readers to follow in their characters' footsteps, and I think this mindset is degrading to the intelligence of readers. Why do we think readers are such blind followers? But I digress... So we know that Nathan was cheated on by Flo and that Flo wants to make up for her infidelity and enter into another relationship by finding someone for Nathan. (We all want to fix our karma, right?) It's extremely clear to the reader how hurt Nathan is by Flo's inability to remain faithful and tell him how she fell out of love with him. This is something Nathan dwells on quite a bit, exploring the pain of being left behind for someone else, especially when the desire to break up wasn't mutual. There's no doubt that this situation has adversely affected the protagonist, and yet he perpetuates the cycle. Whaaaaat? Someone eventually comes along that Nathan is interested in, but this person is already involved with someone else. Knowing this information, Nathan proceeds to kiss this individual and wants to do it again even though doing so is putting the other person in a position where this is clearly cheating. Why agonize over what Flo did only to do it yourself? SUCH. STUPIDITY. DOES. NOT. COMPUTE.
But at least he asked to kiss the person another time? That has to count for something? I don't know anymore. But to say that I was frustrated was an understatement. I don't think brushing off the situation on teenage stupidity is going to work, and saying that it was the "heat of the moment" doesn't cut it either. However, the person in the relationship did shoot down the other kiss, repeating that they are trying to make it work with someone else and that wouldn't be right. THANK YOU. Ugh.
Another thing about the book that frustrated me was the convenience of one particular situation. (I think from the synopsis of the book that it is pretty clear who I'm talking about, but I don't want to be a spoilery human being, so I will refrain from using names just in case. Thus, please excuse me if this gets confusing because I'm trying to be vague with names.) This person that Nathan is interested in is already in a relationship with someone else, but one can guess from the synopsis that the relationship is doomed from the start. I understand that so many books are based on events that line up conveniently to move the plot forward, which I'm fine with. However, I felt like it got to a point where it felt way too convenient in the sense that it was easy for the person to break it off with their significant other in order to pursue the main character when the time came. I might be getting a bit too nitpicky, but it felt so strategically done that it lacked any depth or emotional repercussions. One could argue that the two were never in love, so it wasn't a decision that left regret or pain. Also, because the book focuses on Nathan, we might not get what the other character was going through after ending things. Perhaps it was even the case that the person was so into Nathan that breaking it off with someone else hurt so little because Nathan was waiting. And yet, I think it was just a lack of attention that led to my frustration. In order to make the story work with an obstacle in the way, the obstacle had to be removed, end of story. If I was the reader I was a year ago, I know that I wouldn't have blinked an eye, but I have definitely changed how I look at plots. Everything was too formulaic, which isn't necessarily a flaw, but what was so unsatisfactory was the lack of any noticeable impact on the person who was involved in the breakup. I'm fine with books falling into cliche territory, but at least make me feel something so that the events come across as realistic and not just played out. Personally, the lack of expressiveness damaged the impact of the plot and my desire to swallow the pill I was given.
One of the final elements of This is Kind of an Epic Love Story that lessened my enjoyment of the book was something Flo tried to do again and again. She's clearly moved on from Nathan and wants to maintain a genuine friendship with him, but she also wants him to be friends with her current significant other. (I don't quite remember exactly why or if a reason was given. Perhaps she thought it would be easier if everyone got along?) This sounds great in theory, but let me set this up for you. Nathan and Flo agree that they still want to make their friendship work, and Nathan insists he's over Flo even though it's not the case. Additionally, Flo even suspects Nathan's not being honest about moving on from her and yet proceeds to put him in situations where she purposely makes it so that Nathan has to interact with her new partner. There's nothing wrong with wanting those you love to feel comfortable when in the presence of one another, but her disregard for how Nathan was feeling and then forcing him to make nice with someone he wanted nothing to do with felt off for Flo. Why would she think "Yeah, Nathan doesn't seem to be completely over what we had" but then in the next breath be like "But I should totally have him hang out with me and who I cheated on him with!" These two thoughts do not coincide with one another in the least. For me, it just felt like characters were acting in ways that didn't match with how they were portrayed. Why do they consider themselves to be such great friends when this is how they act? Twice now, characters (Nathan and Flo) have had experiences and revelations but disregard them and act in ways that make it seem like they never even had those experiences or revelations to begin with. Why put Nathan in the line of fire when you know in your heart that something's off? I understand that there is selfishness there and selfishness is part of the human condition, but I couldn't wrap my head around how the characters seemed to note things but then act like they never paid attention to those details later on. In my opinion, there was a lack of cohesion.
Also, this book talks about sex quite a bit. To be clear, I am not offended by this subject matter. In actuality, I thought it was great how specific conversations took place between this one couple, demonstrating the importance of consent and waiting until both parties are ready. However, there was also what I would call shunning and shaming specific characters for being virgins. At one point, someone lied about having sex because it was such an embarrassment to them that they were juniors in high school and still had their v-card. I think feeling that way in a friend group shows that something is wrong. Flo, in particular, kept bringing up sex and even (jokingly?) offered to get back with Nathan so that he was no longer a virgin. This talk just irked me.
Lastly, so many of the characters were unlikable. I once argued that I don't need likable characters to enjoy a book (at least if it had an interesting enough plot). I'm not so sure anymore. I think unlikable characters can really bring down a reading experience and make it difficult to get through a book. (I know I sound like a hypocrite after what I talked about above regarding letting authors do what they want even when it's not heroic or kind, but I'm annoying that way. I'm really sorry.) To be more clear, Nathan has his issues. Who doesn't? His father's passed away, leaving him behind to grieve and deal with a mother who turned to being overprotective for fear of losing the only child she has left at home; his girlfriend dumped him after kissing someone else; he can't finish a script; and he thinks love is too dangerous a journey to embark on because loss will surely come in one form or another. Life sucks right now. But that doesn't excuse the fact that he treats people so horribly. Once again, we have a case of someone recognizing their actions but going forward in a direction that disregards that conscientiousness. For example, Nathan takes out his frustration on his mom's behavior by verbally ridiculing her. Nathan later says how terrible that was of him, but then proceeds to act the same way time and time again, saying hurtful things he knows will sting her. His mom is not the only person he acts poorly towards. Having a front row seat to this behavior made it difficult to reach that final chapter. At times, Nathan was making those around him miserable. Why recognize a behavior but then act like you never did and continue acting the same way? I suppose this might actually be showing Nathan has a pattern here, meaning him hurting his mother and putting the person he's interested in in a position where it is cheating is actually characteristic of him. Interesting.
Overall, any romance book is going to have its ups and downs. Authors portraying flawed and realistic characters is a breath of fresh air. However, there are just some instances where the characters act in ways, despite the lessons they've learned, that get slightly infuriating. Like, you know people learn lessons in real life and repeat the same mistakes yet again, but when it happens in books, ya just kinda want to smack your head against a desk because it's not real life and you're a viewer outside of the story looking in and thinking, "The hell is wrong with this kid? Get your shit together man! I've been rooting for you this entire story!"
And why the fudge is this marketed as a rom-com? Where was the com????
My Thoughts:
I don't really know what's worse: living without love so that you don't get hurt, or getting hurt repeatedly in an attempt to find it.
~Nathan Bird
I have so many conflicting feelings about This is Kind of an Epic Love Story, which is strange because I either really like a book or I don't. There's rarely any middle ground for me. I think there is just so much for me to digest, so let's hope it comes across coherently.
Let's first discuss the positives because starting off on a good note is important when doing anything, right? In a video, Callender expressed the desire to write a story with intersectional representation for younger generations. This was done by creating a heartwarming story about queer people of color. Instead of writing a contemporary that portrayed the marginalization and pain some people of color and LGBTQ+ community members face, Callender purposefully took a different yet immensely satisfying approach in which people's sexuality and skin color do not exclude them from having just as epic a love story as anyone else. Everyone deserves happiness and the feeling of being loved, which is exactly what the book demonstrated. I think Callender's approach is so necessary in today's world, and I applaud the author for pinpointing such an important fact that I think can get forgotten through other approaches. (There is obviously nothing wrong with romances that depict the struggles of being a queer person of color falling in love, but I also think there is absolutely nothing wrong with a characters' sexuality and ethnicity not creating controversy or hardship in the story. In the end, there are so many possible experiences that people face, and it is important to allow each and every one to have its own spotlight.)
Also, it would be a disservice not to mention the epic friend group Callender concocted. Everyone in it is dynamic yet dysfunctional, supportive but realistic with disseminating the truth when it's hard to hear, and boy do they bicker amongst each other. They were the perfect blend of people who realistically went through periods of highs and lows but came together when it mattered. There was the artist, the film buff, the gamer nerd, and the sports jock who still remained humble to his original outcast roots. Together, they formed the friend group I wish I had. They could talk to each other about anything and were willing to provide one another the space necessary to process or speak on their own terms the majority of the time. I was admittedly particularly interested in the relationship between Nathan and Flo because of the history of their relationship. Revealed at the very beginning (so I promise it's not a spoiler), the two decided to take their friendship and allow it to bloom into a romantic relationship. However, Flo cheated on Nathan and consequently ended their romance because she no longer felt emotions towards him other than those associated with a dear friend. Amazingly, the two were able to keep their previous friend status alive, and Flo is now determined to find Nate love because of how she ruined their relationship in the first place and is currently seeing someone else. I don't know how often couples end things and still retain their best friend status to each other, but I feel like it's not that common. Thus, I sincerely enjoyed seeing how the two rekindled and maintained a genuine friendship against the odds. Was there deliberate unclear communication to keep emotions in the dark and prevailing misunderstandings throughout the course of the entire novel because of Nate and Flo trying to return to what they once were? Absolutely. Their relationship did not automatically become platonic without any repercussions from what Flo did, but experiencing forgiveness did occur alongside an honest effort not to lose a great friendship that meant the world to each of them. I thought it was beyond admirable and enjoyed being able to see the sweet but rocky journey because the two knew it was worth another shot.
I also want to mention that the relationship between Nathan and his sister was so pure and sweet. Despite barely being in the book because she was away at college, his sister was such a kind soul. The two are sibling goals, and they are perfect. Okay?
Another great aspect about this book's characters, other than a significant portion of the main ones being intersectional, was that the main love interest Oliver James is hard of hearing. Thus, he frequently communicates in ASL when he is not using a phone's texting features to facilitate the flow of the conversation. What's significant about this is that the author doesn't just mention that he signs something but actually describes what the signing looks like. I've rarely read about a deaf character in YA let alone one that tries to educate people on ASL, which we need more of! Thus, I'm ecstatic the author decided to actually take readers through the steps instead of glossing over it all. However, I will admit that it was definitely hard to visualize the movements the author was elaborating on. I wouldn't say that this is Callender's fault, though. My brain just has a hard time trying to process descriptions like that and instead prefers actual visual examples, so the signing went in my brain and then sadly escaped. The author did explain the meanings with the hand movements, though, so do not be frightened away. The only frustration, or really confusion, I felt was when, if I'm not mistaken, Oliver James previously signed and an explanation followed but then that sign came up again without its explanation because I think the reader was expected to remember what previous signings meant, which didn't happen in my case. Thus, I did miss out on some dialogue, especially because I didn't have the time during the school year to read books through in a couple days. Sometimes I read a book over the span of a month and a half because of time restraints, so some things get lost or forgotten in the old noggin. Plus, I'm terrible at retaining things in general, so reiterating the ASL would have helped me out immensely, but I am sure the author had their reasons for writing the way that they did.
I also think that one of the book's messages was so powerful and one I never actually believed to be true until Callender brought it up: All love stories are epic. A romantic relationship doesn't have to be the most sweeping chain of events in all of history. It can be soft and subtle or loud and bold, and each type is just as precious and deserving of existing as the next. In fact, love in and of itself is epic, so recognizing that the various shapes and forms it can take are all valid if healthy is one idea that I now take away from this book fondly.
Lastly, the ROMANCE. I can't forget about that! The romance was definitely up and down in terms of the characters' feelings and wanting to go through with their relationship, so I was seriously wondering if they would or wouldn't end up together. I was having heart palpitations in those last hundred pages, freaking out about the outcome. I needed something hopeful. When it comes to romances, I don't require a perfect HEA but brownie points for those that do have them! I'm just looking for something that doesn't crush the light from my soul, devouring it into a black hole or decimating it into unrecognizable shards that can't be pieced back together again because the despair overtakes every inch of my body, you know? That's all I ask. Callender had me worried, though, and they certainly knew how to keep me anxiously waiting. That build up! I can't say more about the specifics without major spoilers, but I was not disappointed. In terms of the couple, I was able to some degree appreciate Nathan's trepidation surrounding entering a relationship and his internal struggle. Additionally, Oliver James was precious. I consider him to be what kids on the street are calling a "soft boy" and I adore those characters. He is one of those humans you wish you were friends with. His personality is one that I gravitate towards, and I wish nothing but absolute happiness for him.
Now, for what I did not love so much:
First and foremost, what rubbed me the wrong way was the cheating. It was not so much even that the cheating occurred and instead about how the cheating was handled. Unfortunately, people are unfaithful to their significant others, and that's just a reality, so I'm not going to fault an author for including that subject matter. I'm a strong believer in allowing writers to include whatever content they want, whether that includes immoral behavior or not. I'm also not one of those people (at this point at least) who gets upset because bad behavior isn't addressed. I can understand that if unsavory subject matter occurs that it's best if it is challenged, addressed, or shot down. The argument that it can perpetuate those unwanted behaviors or attitudes is valid and even right in some circumstances depending on the reader. However, I also don't think that every wrongdoing has to be argued against because in real life, they don't always get confronted. This is unfortunate, but also the truth, so representing stories that way doesn't irk me in any way whatsoever. I also like to think the average reader is smart enough to know that just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's okay in real life. I find it so patronizing when someone says "This is teaching readers that x, y, and z are okay because they are in the book." Just because unsavory subject matter is a plot point doesn't automatically mean the author condones it or is trying to get readers to follow in their characters' footsteps, and I think this mindset is degrading to the intelligence of readers. Why do we think readers are such blind followers? But I digress... So we know that Nathan was cheated on by Flo and that Flo wants to make up for her infidelity and enter into another relationship by finding someone for Nathan. (We all want to fix our karma, right?) It's extremely clear to the reader how hurt Nathan is by Flo's inability to remain faithful and tell him how she fell out of love with him. This is something Nathan dwells on quite a bit, exploring the pain of being left behind for someone else, especially when the desire to break up wasn't mutual. There's no doubt that this situation has adversely affected the protagonist, and yet he perpetuates the cycle. Whaaaaat? Someone eventually comes along that Nathan is interested in, but this person is already involved with someone else. Knowing this information, Nathan proceeds to kiss this individual and wants to do it again even though doing so is putting the other person in a position where this is clearly cheating. Why agonize over what Flo did only to do it yourself? SUCH. STUPIDITY. DOES. NOT. COMPUTE.
But at least he asked to kiss the person another time? That has to count for something? I don't know anymore. But to say that I was frustrated was an understatement. I don't think brushing off the situation on teenage stupidity is going to work, and saying that it was the "heat of the moment" doesn't cut it either. However, the person in the relationship did shoot down the other kiss, repeating that they are trying to make it work with someone else and that wouldn't be right. THANK YOU. Ugh.
Another thing about the book that frustrated me was the convenience of one particular situation. (I think from the synopsis of the book that it is pretty clear who I'm talking about, but I don't want to be a spoilery human being, so I will refrain from using names just in case. Thus, please excuse me if this gets confusing because I'm trying to be vague with names.) This person that Nathan is interested in is already in a relationship with someone else, but one can guess from the synopsis that the relationship is doomed from the start. I understand that so many books are based on events that line up conveniently to move the plot forward, which I'm fine with. However, I felt like it got to a point where it felt way too convenient in the sense that it was easy for the person to break it off with their significant other in order to pursue the main character when the time came. I might be getting a bit too nitpicky, but it felt so strategically done that it lacked any depth or emotional repercussions. One could argue that the two were never in love, so it wasn't a decision that left regret or pain. Also, because the book focuses on Nathan, we might not get what the other character was going through after ending things. Perhaps it was even the case that the person was so into Nathan that breaking it off with someone else hurt so little because Nathan was waiting. And yet, I think it was just a lack of attention that led to my frustration. In order to make the story work with an obstacle in the way, the obstacle had to be removed, end of story. If I was the reader I was a year ago, I know that I wouldn't have blinked an eye, but I have definitely changed how I look at plots. Everything was too formulaic, which isn't necessarily a flaw, but what was so unsatisfactory was the lack of any noticeable impact on the person who was involved in the breakup. I'm fine with books falling into cliche territory, but at least make me feel something so that the events come across as realistic and not just played out. Personally, the lack of expressiveness damaged the impact of the plot and my desire to swallow the pill I was given.
One of the final elements of This is Kind of an Epic Love Story that lessened my enjoyment of the book was something Flo tried to do again and again. She's clearly moved on from Nathan and wants to maintain a genuine friendship with him, but she also wants him to be friends with her current significant other. (I don't quite remember exactly why or if a reason was given. Perhaps she thought it would be easier if everyone got along?) This sounds great in theory, but let me set this up for you. Nathan and Flo agree that they still want to make their friendship work, and Nathan insists he's over Flo even though it's not the case. Additionally, Flo even suspects Nathan's not being honest about moving on from her and yet proceeds to put him in situations where she purposely makes it so that Nathan has to interact with her new partner. There's nothing wrong with wanting those you love to feel comfortable when in the presence of one another, but her disregard for how Nathan was feeling and then forcing him to make nice with someone he wanted nothing to do with felt off for Flo. Why would she think "Yeah, Nathan doesn't seem to be completely over what we had" but then in the next breath be like "But I should totally have him hang out with me and who I cheated on him with!" These two thoughts do not coincide with one another in the least. For me, it just felt like characters were acting in ways that didn't match with how they were portrayed. Why do they consider themselves to be such great friends when this is how they act? Twice now, characters (Nathan and Flo) have had experiences and revelations but disregard them and act in ways that make it seem like they never even had those experiences or revelations to begin with. Why put Nathan in the line of fire when you know in your heart that something's off? I understand that there is selfishness there and selfishness is part of the human condition, but I couldn't wrap my head around how the characters seemed to note things but then act like they never paid attention to those details later on. In my opinion, there was a lack of cohesion.
Also, this book talks about sex quite a bit. To be clear, I am not offended by this subject matter. In actuality, I thought it was great how specific conversations took place between this one couple, demonstrating the importance of consent and waiting until both parties are ready. However, there was also what I would call shunning and shaming specific characters for being virgins. At one point, someone lied about having sex because it was such an embarrassment to them that they were juniors in high school and still had their v-card. I think feeling that way in a friend group shows that something is wrong. Flo, in particular, kept bringing up sex and even (jokingly?) offered to get back with Nathan so that he was no longer a virgin. This talk just irked me.
"...you're a junior and you're still a virgin," she said with a wince.
I pause. "I'm happy being a virgin."
"Oh, please. No one's happy being a virgin."
Excuse me? Why do we have to put people down for whether or not they've had sex? The mentality here is infuriating. It just didn't sit right with me how it makes it seems like there's something inherently wrong when you haven't slept with someone. Discussions like this left a sour taste in my mouth. There's so much slut-shaming out there, and turning the tables to start virgin-shaming doesn't seem appropriate in any context. Everyone should respect the level of intimacy others are comfortable with, and there shouldn't be any type of shaming across the board regardless of who does or doesn't have a v-card.
Lastly, so many of the characters were unlikable. I once argued that I don't need likable characters to enjoy a book (at least if it had an interesting enough plot). I'm not so sure anymore. I think unlikable characters can really bring down a reading experience and make it difficult to get through a book. (I know I sound like a hypocrite after what I talked about above regarding letting authors do what they want even when it's not heroic or kind, but I'm annoying that way. I'm really sorry.) To be more clear, Nathan has his issues. Who doesn't? His father's passed away, leaving him behind to grieve and deal with a mother who turned to being overprotective for fear of losing the only child she has left at home; his girlfriend dumped him after kissing someone else; he can't finish a script; and he thinks love is too dangerous a journey to embark on because loss will surely come in one form or another. Life sucks right now. But that doesn't excuse the fact that he treats people so horribly. Once again, we have a case of someone recognizing their actions but going forward in a direction that disregards that conscientiousness. For example, Nathan takes out his frustration on his mom's behavior by verbally ridiculing her. Nathan later says how terrible that was of him, but then proceeds to act the same way time and time again, saying hurtful things he knows will sting her. His mom is not the only person he acts poorly towards. Having a front row seat to this behavior made it difficult to reach that final chapter. At times, Nathan was making those around him miserable. Why recognize a behavior but then act like you never did and continue acting the same way? I suppose this might actually be showing Nathan has a pattern here, meaning him hurting his mother and putting the person he's interested in in a position where it is cheating is actually characteristic of him. Interesting.
Overall, any romance book is going to have its ups and downs. Authors portraying flawed and realistic characters is a breath of fresh air. However, there are just some instances where the characters act in ways, despite the lessons they've learned, that get slightly infuriating. Like, you know people learn lessons in real life and repeat the same mistakes yet again, but when it happens in books, ya just kinda want to smack your head against a desk because it's not real life and you're a viewer outside of the story looking in and thinking, "The hell is wrong with this kid? Get your shit together man! I've been rooting for you this entire story!"
And why the fudge is this marketed as a rom-com? Where was the com????
