So-so

Not sure how I feel about this book to be honest. I loved the start and the idee behind it but around the middle I sadly just wanted it to be over. I usually dont mind agnst but this was to depressing even for me. Had a lot of funny charachters and it defenally had its moments, but it felt like they were walking in cirkles for a while. Not one of Heidis better works, sad to say it disapointed me. Iggy were probably the winning point in this one, even if his japanece made me laught and cringe at the same time lol
Can just say this book isnt for everyone.

5 people found this helpful

Great narration, story wasn't for me

I am a huge Heidi Cullinan fan, of her sweeter romances at least, so finding myself not liking one of her books was a surprise, but Antisocial just didn't work for me. I mean there is slow-burn and then there is glacial and this book sadly ends up in the latter category.

We have Xander and Skylar, two university students thrown together for their senior projects. After some initial disgruntlements and reluctance a friendship is formed. A friendship that slowly grows into something more. And we follow them through all the struggles of self discovery and first loves.

This book was just too longwinded a lot of the time, we stood still, stomping and not really moving forward. While I understand a need for a slower pace for this kind of romance, I still wished for things to move a little faster. Not the relationship per se, just everything surrounding it. I don't need or want every single detail of absolutely everything. I found myself spacing out at times and when I "woke up" I hadn't missed a thing...

What really surprised me though was the ending. It came out of nowhere, it felt abrupt and things were left unresolved. Going by the pacing of the rest of the book this just didn't fit.

I also have to mention the elephant in the room (it keeps staring menacingly at me), the whole gray-ace thing she was trying to portray. Trying, and failing. Now I know that no two people are the same or experience things the same way, but still this was borderline offensive to ace people out there. It highlights the opinions that you are not a whole person without that special someone - and that special someone can and will save you. I will spare you from my rant, but if this is something that bothers you, don't pick up this book.

I loved Iggy Toma's narration of this book, it was spot on, he is made for these kinds of stories. These kinds of characters. He's truly brilliant for them. But not even his amazing talents were enough to save this story for me.

While this book didn't work for me I will look for more books by Cullinan's. She is a great author with wonderful stories to tell, but sadly you can't win them all.

A copy of this audiobook was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes

4 people found this helpful

Great Ace Romance

I adored this book. Heidi is amazing at finding underdogs and underrepresented stories for main characters, and then giving them dignity and depth. I hadn't heard of Grey-Ace before, but I've enjoyed a couple of other Ace romances so I took a shot. the visuals and narrative style is amazing and unique. The only complaint I have is that the pacing is so stilted. Pretty large gaps of time happen throughout and pushes all of the actual action of the book towards the end. The End is VERY rushed and the epilogue feels slapped on there without getting to experience any of the resolution. (we finally hit the peak, and then the book is just over.)

Iggy Toma is one of the best. he could read a phone book for 8 hours and I'd finish it.

Bloody brilliant and beautiful!

I have always loved the work of Heidi Cullinan and this book is a prime example of why her stories are so delicious. Succinctly, this is a story of the sorrow caused by emotional abuse carried in the hearts of our two young protagonists, Xander and Skylar. Missed opportunities from stereotyping and the bravery involved in a willingness to let go as well as the absolute joy found in unconditional love. The two college students meet serendipitously and a relationship develops which significantly changes the lives of both men.

Three things stand out for me. First, in addition to it being an absolutely delightful and fascinating story, it is extremely well written. It’s so annoying when syntax is incorrect or words are used incorrectly. Penultimately the book serves as an enlightening and educational vehicle that sensitively and accurately portrays the different types love...all of which are beautiful and normal. Finally we are introduced to a different belief system which is delicately woven into the fiber of the story.

The narration is by the brilliant and extremely talented voice actor, Iggy Toma. You really could not ask for a better artist to audibly act this story. Kudos to Ms. Cullinan and Mr. Toma for a job well done.

Erotic and exotic by turns

Quirky artist meets not-so-run-of-the-mill frat boy: good plot and pacing, although just a little too much angst at times, and occasionally the painting theme tips over into the weird. But it holds together overall and there are some great scenes. It’s a real romance with an excellent and versatile narrator.

Great story and fantastic narration

Antisocial is a fantastic novel. I loved everything about it. The characters are fantastic. Xander, grumpy art student and Skylar, the seemingly happy go lucky guy. Heidi did an amazing job with this two guys. Skylar especially. I found his character fascinating. He journey of self discovery is beautiful. You would think that Skylar would be the protector of the sensitive artist but it’s totally flipped in this case. Xander goes all out to protect Skylar and to make his dreams come true. This book is full of Heidi love of manga and aspects of Japanese culture and religion. As someone who know almost nothing about that I think she did a good job making sure the reader didn’t feel lost or overwhelmed. A great story that I highly recommend.
Iggy Toma did an amazing job with the narration!!

Must Read

This story is so awesome and the narrator is wonderful. I love the characters and the setting.

Crashing down Walls!

If your looking for a read with steamy sexy hot scenes this isn’t the book for you.
To me this book was about emotional and family bonding, walls tearing down, plus at times erotic as hell book!!! 🙀😻
Based on the book description you would have thought it was just two characters involved but there was so much more to this story. I fell in love with the whole group and the one person I didn’t care for at first Zelda, turned out to be true rock for Skyler.This audio at the end had me I tears I was so emotionally moved!!! 😍

Captivating and compassionate

I was a bit sceptical when I purchased the book as I normally like a bit more passion than the description advertised. But as usual Heidi Cullinan delivers.

There is a lot of passion, albeit not the standard variety. There is also love, friendship and Angst. The characters are sometimes strong, sometimes they need rescuing. It's impossible not to feel with and for them.

I also appreciated the insight into asexuality or being in 'the grey spectrum'. I knew very little about that before this book and is happy to have gained more knowledge.

adorable

This is a romance between two guys in college trying to figure out who they are and what their future will be. Both have issues with their parents and struggle with career choices. Both guys are virgins. One isn't sure what his sexuality is and doesn't quite want to label it for certain. It doesn't contain actual sex, but there are some really erotic moments. One is an artist so some fun with art comes into play. Mostly this is about a diverse group of friends supporting each other and enjoying mutual loves like manga and anything Japanese. Antisocial is a sweet romance with lots of openness and diversity. I'd like to see it turned into an anime.