I rated this novel 2.5 stars; unfortunately, I couldn't finish it. Here's a summary of my thoughts:
**Story Overview**
The protagonist discovers his boyfriend cheating and decides to seek revenge. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, he meets someone he believes is responsible for the betrayal. He chooses to pursue this person, leading to a developing relationship with the "other man." Throughout the novel, there's a lengthy journey of misunderstandings before their connection deepens around halfway through. The remaining part focuses on their eventual reconciliation.
**Main Character (MC)**
The MC's character is the main reason I stopped reading. Despite the author's attempt to portray him as caring through his charity work with special needs children and his grandmother's support, his reaction to the cheating is highly implausible. Instead of blaming the ex, he impulsively starts a relationship with the "culprit," displaying a lack of logic and emotional intelligence. His deceitful tactics, like lying about cookies, become increasingly annoying. It's difficult for me to reconcile his compassionate nature with his poor judgment and dishonesty.
**Love Interest (ML)**
ML is older and more mature, seeing through the MC's manipulations. However, he appreciates the MC's genuine efforts to help his sister. Their relationship development is written as ML viewing the MC as somewhat childlike, which I found unappealing. The emotional connection between them felt shallow, with the physical attraction being emphasized more than emotional compatibility.
**Reason for Dropped Engagement**
I couldn't tolerate the constant deception from the MC and the unrealistic portrayal of ML "punishing" him rather than engaging in open communication. Both characters come across as immature, suggesting they might not be the ideal match. While some might find the story cute and light-hearted, it didn't resonate with me personally.
**Summary**
If you enjoy a dense, misunderstood MC causing humorous situations and a doting, older ML, this book might suit your taste. However, if aspects like deception and immature character dynamics bother you, my experience might mirror your reaction. If these points don't affect your reading preferences, I'm sure you'll find enjoyment in the novel.
I appreciate the initial concept and setting of the novel, but I was taken aback by the portrayal of the main character as being brain-damaged. He comes across as weak-willed and incredibly gullible; his assumption about the other person being the third party is utterly unbelievable. The story is riddled with questionable plot points, yet he fails to see the obvious. As for Zhong Ying (the blue-haired character), they seem to be nothing more than a one-dimensional figure. The gratuitous physical abuse is perplexing – is there some head injury explanation? It's crystal clear who the real third party is. Even the lack of depth in the narrative is driving me crazy. The climax of revealing the truth was highly disappointing – it felt anti-climactic and lacked any real punch.
Solid 4/5 Stars. The overall experience was enjoyable, and I didn't feel significantly annoyed, but upon reflection, I can pinpoint a few flaws. First and foremost, the humor was spot-on, with witty moments derived from relatable yet absurd situations, like autocorrect mishaps (e.g., S/M instead of insomnia), which provided laughter and camaraderie with my roommate, who appreciates a blend of comedy in slice-of-life stories.
The handling of disability and homophobia was commendable, without resorting to melodrama. The issues arose organically within the plot, showcasing sensitivity and understanding, albeit with room for improvement in authenticity. Xiao Feifei was my favorite character – while the author's knowledge might not have been perfect, the effort to research and accurately portray her sensory needs and strong sense of self was evident. Her interactions felt genuine, making her a standout in non-verbal character development.
The story offered a delightful balance of sweetness, passionate scenes, and engaging drama. Surprisingly, the more nuanced resolutions were just as satisfying as more straightforward confrontations, in my opinion. The main character's struggles with emotions and self-acceptance added complexity, while the relationship dynamics between the protagonist and the male lead were interesting, with the latter addressing the protagonist's immaturity in a mature, not domineering way.
The supporting female characters, like Grandma, Yan Yan, and Feifei, added depth and charm to the narrative, each representing different stages of development and standing up for themselves. As a long-time reader of BL, these well-rounded characters added a fresh appeal.
In summary, I would recommend this book for those seeking a casual read with substance, akin to "Assistant Architect" but with a quicker pace. It offers a satisfying blend of humor, emotion, and character growth.
Popular Reviews
**Story Overview**
The protagonist discovers his boyfriend cheating and decides to seek revenge. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, he meets someone he believes is responsible for the betrayal. He chooses to pursue this person, leading to a developing relationship with the "other man." Throughout the novel, there's a lengthy journey of misunderstandings before their connection deepens around halfway through. The remaining part focuses on their eventual reconciliation.
**Main Character (MC)**
The MC's character is the main reason I stopped reading. Despite the author's attempt to portray him as caring through his charity work with special needs children and his grandmother's support, his reaction to the cheating is highly implausible. Instead of blaming the ex, he impulsively starts a relationship with the "culprit," displaying a lack of logic and emotional intelligence. His deceitful tactics, like lying about cookies, become increasingly annoying. It's difficult for me to reconcile his compassionate nature with his poor judgment and dishonesty.
**Love Interest (ML)**
ML is older and more mature, seeing through the MC's manipulations. However, he appreciates the MC's genuine efforts to help his sister. Their relationship development is written as ML viewing the MC as somewhat childlike, which I found unappealing. The emotional connection between them felt shallow, with the physical attraction being emphasized more than emotional compatibility.
**Reason for Dropped Engagement**
I couldn't tolerate the constant deception from the MC and the unrealistic portrayal of ML "punishing" him rather than engaging in open communication. Both characters come across as immature, suggesting they might not be the ideal match. While some might find the story cute and light-hearted, it didn't resonate with me personally.
**Summary**
If you enjoy a dense, misunderstood MC causing humorous situations and a doting, older ML, this book might suit your taste. However, if aspects like deception and immature character dynamics bother you, my experience might mirror your reaction. If these points don't affect your reading preferences, I'm sure you'll find enjoyment in the novel.
The handling of disability and homophobia was commendable, without resorting to melodrama. The issues arose organically within the plot, showcasing sensitivity and understanding, albeit with room for improvement in authenticity. Xiao Feifei was my favorite character – while the author's knowledge might not have been perfect, the effort to research and accurately portray her sensory needs and strong sense of self was evident. Her interactions felt genuine, making her a standout in non-verbal character development.
The story offered a delightful balance of sweetness, passionate scenes, and engaging drama. Surprisingly, the more nuanced resolutions were just as satisfying as more straightforward confrontations, in my opinion. The main character's struggles with emotions and self-acceptance added complexity, while the relationship dynamics between the protagonist and the male lead were interesting, with the latter addressing the protagonist's immaturity in a mature, not domineering way.
The supporting female characters, like Grandma, Yan Yan, and Feifei, added depth and charm to the narrative, each representing different stages of development and standing up for themselves. As a long-time reader of BL, these well-rounded characters added a fresh appeal.
In summary, I would recommend this book for those seeking a casual read with substance, akin to "Assistant Architect" but with a quicker pace. It offers a satisfying blend of humor, emotion, and character growth.