gentlewallflower's reviews
169 reviews

The Reprise is a heart-warming novella about embracing forgiveness. The story follows two timelines—past and present—to tell the story of our main character Quinn, and their relationship with Wesley. Once again, Connor Bryan does a spectacular job showcasing the diversity within the cast without making it a major plot point, and once again, I fell in love with every character.

The dynamics within the group are realistic, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging. I’ve never done A Capella, but I did sing in a band during high school so I maybe there was a nostalgia factor there as well.

The romance between Quinn and Wesley was sweet but had enough of an edge to keep me entertained and wanting to know more and despite the page count, Quinn’s grows so much throughout the story. I was so proud of them by the end!

I was expecting a “there’s only one bed” moment (who doesn’t love some wholesome forced proximity?) which I didn’t get, but there were a ton of other swoon-worthy moments.

If you’re looking for a short and sweet queer love story with themes of forgiveness, redemption, and letting go of the past, this is the perfect read.

The writing of this book was beautiful, and I really wanted to like it, because I love a “tough issues” book, but the it felt too juvenile for the things happening/being discussed. (E.g. unnamed “white powder” drugs being referred to only as “ziplock bags”, even as the characters are snorting said unnamed drug.)

I was curious to finish it, but after what happened with Liam I knew these characters wouldn’t grow on me. I found a spoiler about the mystery narrator and I guessed correctly, so no loose ends. Happy to put it down when I could be reading something I enjoy more.

I might pick up Amy Zhang’s next book The Cartographers because she’s older now and, hopefully, her writing has a bit more substance.

I really liked a few of these short stories, and I found myself skim-reading others. I find it hard to rate short story collections generally, but I think I liked this one more than I disliked it. About midway I realised I was not the intended audience, and that's okay.

i've been trying to finish this book for over a year, it's not going to happen

3.5 rounding up

every time the 9/11 stuff came up it caught me way off guard. longer than i personally thought it needed to be. 

I think I have found my new favourite poetry collection. Elly uses words and metaphors so beautifully and themes of sexuality, growing up and womanhood are perfectly woven throughout.

Really resonated with some poems, less with others. Not a fault of the author, simply personal preference!

the twists kept coming and i loved every one!

i got through this with the help of fanmade audiobooks on youtube. love your work besties <3

physical tbr read: 1/40