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citrus_seasalt 's review for:
Stars in Your Eyes
by Kacen Callender
I’m a little conflicted? But first of all, I just want to say that Kacen. Dude. Don’t get me with that “grumpy/sunshine, fake dating” Ao3 tag nonsense when I just read HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF TWO CHARACTERS TRYING TO HAVE THAT KIND OF TROPEY ROMANCE BEFORE REALIZING THAT THEY CAN’T BC THE TRAUMA THEY’RE ACTIVELY PROCESSING MAKES THAT IMPOSSIBLE!!?!?!?!?
Anyways! Messy gays.
I appreciate what this novel is trying to do. It shows a messy relationship where both leads can both help and hinder each other. It hooks you in with a typical romance premise, and decides to bring more depth to the emotional ethics of it. There were points where I was nervous because of the toxicity of the relationship—even though both characters were trying their best. My nerves lessened, though, once it was clear that this was not only purposeful, but Logan’s self-destructive tendencies and Mattie’s hero complex were fatal flaws that both characters would go on to realize and overcome.
But a lot of that realization happens off-page, which I thought was disappointing. Although, I still liked the results of Mattie and Logan’s development. To finally see them happy and healthier for each other after everything was a relief. (The other issue I have, though, is that the Therapy Speak was a little too strong for the last 20 or so pages.)
There are a couple other problems I had: 1.) While I appreciated the conversations on colorism and the ethics of fame, I think they could’ve been explored a little more in-depth than they were? 2.) Logan’s “give no fucks” characterization at the beginning of the novel drove me nuts because Mattie(and Logan in his POV, too) would quite literally describe him like that, and the “golden retriever” and “cinnamon roll” metaphors/descriptors for Mattie were so clichéd. I get they were included for cynicism. But it felt too Tumblr-esque for my taste?? 3.) And pun intended, I had mixed feelings about the mixed media incorporation? While interesting at times, it either felt too on-the-nose for different points of the story, or (briefly) interfered with the pacing. (God, how I wanted Angel’s account to be banned and have their last update be a very angry and upset one posted from another.)
Hesitant to say if I would recommend this or not. It’s not entirely my cup of tea, but I understand people who were more emotionally affected by this than I was, and others who didn’t mesh with the overall story. But hey, regarding messy book romances, I would much prefer to have something like “Stars In Your Eyes”—a story that still pushes healthier relationship practices and coping mechanisms—recommended on Booktok instead of the usual glamorized abuse. Maybe that can happen in an alternate reality. (But alas.)
Anyways! Messy gays.
I appreciate what this novel is trying to do. It shows a messy relationship where both leads can both help and hinder each other. It hooks you in with a typical romance premise, and decides to bring more depth to the emotional ethics of it. There were points where I was nervous because of the toxicity of the relationship—even though both characters were trying their best. My nerves lessened, though, once it was clear that this was not only purposeful, but Logan’s self-destructive tendencies and Mattie’s hero complex were fatal flaws that both characters would go on to realize and overcome.
But a lot of that realization happens off-page, which I thought was disappointing. Although, I still liked the results of Mattie and Logan’s development. To finally see them happy and healthier for each other after everything was a relief. (The other issue I have, though, is that the Therapy Speak was a little too strong for the last 20 or so pages.)
There are a couple other problems I had: 1.) While I appreciated the conversations on colorism and the ethics of fame, I think they could’ve been explored a little more in-depth than they were? 2.) Logan’s “give no fucks” characterization at the beginning of the novel drove me nuts because Mattie(and Logan in his POV, too) would quite literally describe him like that, and the “golden retriever” and “cinnamon roll” metaphors/descriptors for Mattie were so clichéd. I get they were included for cynicism. But it felt too Tumblr-esque for my taste?? 3.) And pun intended, I had mixed feelings about the mixed media incorporation? While interesting at times, it either felt too on-the-nose for different points of the story, or (briefly) interfered with the pacing. (God, how I wanted Angel’s account to be banned and have their last update be a very angry and upset one posted from another.)
Hesitant to say if I would recommend this or not. It’s not entirely my cup of tea, but I understand people who were more emotionally affected by this than I was, and others who didn’t mesh with the overall story. But hey, regarding messy book romances, I would much prefer to have something like “Stars In Your Eyes”—a story that still pushes healthier relationship practices and coping mechanisms—recommended on Booktok instead of the usual glamorized abuse. Maybe that can happen in an alternate reality. (But alas.)