Thank you to #netgalley for providing the e-arc! This book is set to publish on Oct 21st, 2024.

Reading this book made me feel so loved. Like I am an important person and very much matter. This sentence alone probably explains why I felt that this book would've been invaluable to me had I read it when I was younger. Not only did the author take care to make sure their words are kind and affirming, they would also honestly acknowledge that the limitation of their knowledge as a result of growing up white in the west. They would always mention how intersectionality plays a role and how power imbalance from the differences of age, class, gender etc. complicates the picture, even if they were not necessarily writing from an intersectional perspective. In this way, they ensure that their advice are generally applicable while not excluding or invalidating anyone with different experiences. 

Even though it's titled "The Ace and Aro Relationship Guide" and it's definitely written in a language very approachable to young readers (making it a tad repetitive at times though not a huge issue for me), this book will be helpful for anyone interested in learning more about building, sustaining (and knowing when to end) any kinds of relationships, not just aspec folks. Not to mention the more people who understand the ace-aro spectrum, the better.

I also think that it will come in handy when one hopes to build a community trying to survive in the face of violently crumbling empires. After all, a community is also a network of many relationships, and I for one would very much like to radically re-imagine a future where we decouple certain actions and feelings from exclusively romantic and familial (by blood only) love and all care for and support one another.