This one honestly didn't do it for me, but I still enjoyed reading it, which I'm aware is a bit contradictory. I'm usually fine with an unlikable protagonist, but they do need to have some redeeming features, or it's just an unpleasant experience being in their head. The jokes didn't land for me either, and after getting almost halfway without really cracking much more than a wry grin, I realised it wasn't going to be a new favourite. It's fine for an afternoon if you want a book which has something a bit different to say; I liked that it was a book about the older gay experience, and that it was cynical about dating in general, rather than just gay dating (which I think is a bit of an overused trope at this point). I'll even probably reread it at some point. It's fine.

I would give this book a 4 1/2 stars, just on entertainment value. I don't give 5 stars often, so that is saying something. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light, entertaining read. It might also give insight into people trying to understand more about the gay psyche. I saw parts of the main character, Viktor, in several gay men I know. I seemed to hear alot of the book (in my head) in their voices. I loved the mixing of environments, with Viktor going from work, social settings, and to his shrink. I found the psychiatrist in this book to be extremely realistic, as I once had a therapist who behaved very much like Dr. S. Overall, I would recommend this book to almost anyone. It seems like it could appeal to a broad audience. I could certainly see this being turned into a weekly sitcom that follows Viktor and friends around NYC. It would be great viewing! Kudos to Andy Ambrose on this delightful read.

2.5 stars. This is a slice-of-life novel about the titular gay curmudgeon, Viktor a middle-aged man who is depressed after the ending of his long-term relationship. We follow Viktor through journal entries as he talks to his therapist, interacts with friends, attempts to date, goes to his uninspiring job, and generally tries to get his life back on track. Viktor reminded me Ted from Queer as Folk, and I heard a lot of the story in Ted's voice, which improved the story for me, but ultimately this was just okay for me. There were definitely some enjoyable moments that kept me reading, but overall this didn't feel as witty and engaging as this type of plotless book should be, nor did I feel like much had changed in Viktor's life by the end. There were maybe a few signs that he was getting to a different place, but I didn't really feel like I got a lot out of this book.

I was really looking forward to reading this book but it just didn't work for me. After a while the therapy sessions started to get boring and as somebody who's been to a therapist / doctor, they didn't ring true at all. Three quarters of the way through, I couldn't believe he was still seeing his regular doctors.

I wasn't really happy with the way he talked about his female colleague and frankly all his coworkers, they were all stereotypes. I also felt like he was part of the problem with his job, who misses not one but two meetings? Also if there was a meeting, there would have been an invite.

The ending was not satisfying at all because there was no ending, it just ends and absolutely nothing has happened. I read an entire book for nothing.

I'm sure others will love this, perhaps it's just me.

1.5