Firstly, thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am not asexual or aromantic so this isn't an own voice review, but I want to start off by saying that this novel both blew me away and taught me so much. I have of course heard of Aro/Ace being in the LGBTQ+ community, but haven't ever really heard from the point of view of someone who identified that way. This book was eye-opening and insightful but also beautiful and such a cute story. 

It covers heavy topics of sexuality, but aside from that it is a wonderful Shakespeare-filled story about love in many forms, sexual, platonic, familial and everything in between. Each character was wonderful in their own quirky unique way, and I actually felt like they were all real, breathing people that I had grown to know. They were believable and so well developed.

This was my first Alice Oseman book, and it will not be my last. I was so excited for it, and for good reason it seems. It was everything I wanted and more and I felt happy and content reading it.

An interesting take on the first year at uni story, uni is all about finding yourself and quintet in this really do a lot of discovery. I didn't go to the same uni as my friends so not sure on that bit of the story but I liked the growing self awareness and the message of it's ok to be different.

A charming YA book about a young person going to university with their friends and discovering their sexuality, unusually this book is about an asexual/aromantic person, something rarely covered in fiction and explored here with respectful gentleness. There is some drama on and off stage as the friends group together to put on a different production that highlights Shakespeare's work and some affection shown for Scooby-Doo and lots about the power of friendships. A delightful engaging story for anyone who is asexual and/or aromantic or who would like to to have a better understanding 


With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Alice Oseman has done it again. I read her second book Radio Silence when it first came out and fell in love with Alice’s style, writing and most of all her incredible ability to craft amazing, real characters. 

Asexuality is something I hardly ever see in fiction, so I was impressed when I found out about this book, especially as it’s written by one of my favourite authors 

I loved how she explored the feelings and thoughts associated with being a sexual, how the protagonist feels like there’s something wrong with her even though there isn’t. I loved how it followed her through figuring out who she was and all the feelings that came with it. How we follow her journey from the beginning and see the denial and confusion along with her eventual acceptance. 

The only character I didn’t like was Rooney. She was just so annoying and I wanted to reach into the book and give her a shake. 

Finally, I loved the underlying message - that love comes in all shapes and sizes, and relationships aren’t just the way most people imagine. Five stars!

100% Alice Oseman's best novel yet!

I adored this book so much- the LGBTQ+ representation was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed that, as well as Georgia discovering she is aro/ace, the book showed that they are separate through Sunil and his best friend. 

ROONEY is the best character Alice Oseman has ever written- I LOVED how we saw her battling not only her sexuality, but also relationship trauma, and how it can complicate emotions and actions.

I was first I introduced to this author when reading her graphic novel series which I adored and this book did not disappoint either. The perfect balance between hard topics went along perfectly with the beautiful writing style. It has made it a priority of mine now to read more books written by the author.

This was such a touching and funny exploration of one girl's exploration and acceptance of her sexuality. It tells the story of Georgia, a quiet 18 year old, obsessed with romance but having never been in a relationship herself. As she embarks upon her first year of university with her two best friends, she discovers that identity and sexuality are far more confusing than she realised. Firstly, I thought the tone of this book was fantastic. It felt like a really authentic portrayal of new adults making their way in the world and never veered too far into saccharine sweetness or similarly, never felt too maudlin. I really liked Georgia and although she makes some truly horrible choices, she holds herself accountable and recognises where she has gone wrong. I also thought that the book did a great job at discussing difficult topics, such as masturbation and abusive relationships, in an open and honest fashion. This book was not written for me, and I would be fascinated to read reviews from people who identify as ACE, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as a coming of age story and would definitely recommend it to anyone who can remember what it was like to be 18.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There were so many aspects of this book I loved. I thought this book is a really important representation for anyone who identifies as asexual or aromantic or for anyone who is experiencing what Georgia goes through in the book. For ages, I’ve been searching for more books set at university and this book is just what I was looking for. Reading a book of someone starting university and seeing a character feel everything you feel when you start university, I related a lot from that aspect of the book. I thought this book was written so realistically of what university is like and it very much felt like I was there whilst reading this book.  The characters are what made this book, the friendships throughout this book are so wholesome and I just loved every one of them.

(full review: https://isobelsbookishthoughts.wordpress.com/2020/08/04/book-review-loveless-by-alice-oseman/ )

This is a really important book. I am not an own voices reviewer but my friends who are on the ace spectrum absolutely love the representation in this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it as well and would highly recommend

Ow.

I'm not a reader who has to see myself in a character to enjoy a book, I don't have to relate to them, because I so rarely do on any level. Reading this, and seeing a part of myself so clearly actually hurt to read. I'm struggling through a lot of what Georgia goes through in this novel, and I'm still not out the other end of it, and reading her lows and seeing my own fears in them made me so emotional in a personal way that I've never experienced reading any other novel.

Yet, I'm so thankful for this book. Reading it felt like a journey, it made me really think about myself and what I want, and who I am. I'm still not sure, I'm still confused, but reading the start of this book and thinking Yes! This is it, this is the feeling, and going through Georgia's journey, and watching her surpass the stage I'm at, was both uplifting and utterly devastating.

Beyond this, I adored all the characters. They all felt so real and raw on the page, and my heart called out to every one of the main five. Jason was a sweet baby cake (why can't we have more boys like him in our lives?), Sunil was wise and struggling and reminded me a lot of people I know, Pip and Rooney! Ah! Amazing, both together and with Georgia.

I loved that this was a love story! But not a romantic love story, and that it still managed to give me all those warm gooey feelings.

It was so difficult to read their lows, but so exhilarating to read their highs.

My only critique is Shakespear? Really? As someone who really dislikes Shakespear, I always wonder why people can love it with that much enthusiasm. I'm kind of joking here, as it didn't impede my adoration and love for this book, but it did make me roll my eyes again, as that was one thing I really couldn't relate to haha.

Please, read this book. (Also also! I adored this was set in university, and I want to read more books in uni!)

REVIEW: ‘Loveless’ by Alice Oseman blew me away with its realism and heartfelt messages

There is something for everyone in this beautiful tale of self-discovery, friendship, and love.

Part of me doesn’t know where to begin with this review: there are so many amazing things to talk about!

From the Blurb:
Georgia has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush — but as a fanfic-obsessed romantic she’s sure she’ll find her person one day.

As she starts university with her best friends, Pip and Jason, in a whole new town far from home, Georgia’s ready to find romance, and with her outgoing roommate on her side and a place in the Shakespeare Society, her ‘teenage dream’ is in sight.

But when her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia ends up in her own comedy of errors, and she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. With new terms thrown at her — asexual, aromantic — Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever.

Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along?

'Loveless' has perhaps one of the most realistic representations of being a teen in the UK (or just being an 18-year-old in general) that I have ever read. I saw myself in Georgia, Pip, Jason, and Rooney in a variety of ways. They were so familiar to me as someone who grew up and went to university in the UK. Their expressions, actions, thoughts and experiences resonated so deeply within me. I was truly blown away to read something so close to home.

The theme of this novel is sexuality and love, and with this theme comes a cast full of diverse characters. From the openly-gay Pip, to gay asexual Sunil, to questioning Georgia, there are so many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community explored and I adored every one. The openness and kindness with which Oseman treats her subject is beautiful and gives her readers a safe space to consider their own sexuality.

Not only this, but the theme of love is explored with immense passion. For the first time, romantic love isn’t the be all and end all — platonic love is given the limelight, which I hope to see much more of in the future. Reading about the importance of friendship, and the different types of friendships a person can have, made my heart sing.

Although I didn’t identify with Georgia in terms of sexuality, I saw myself in her in so many other ways. Her life as a hopeless romantic, as someone desperate to fit in and to make lots of friends spoke to my soul. Her lack of action irritated me at times, but I felt an immense connection with her that kept me rooting for her success.

Our other characters are equally as fantastic. Each has their own issues to work out which only serves to make them more realistic. Not only that, but their connections with each other were beautiful to read about. It isn’t always plain sailing amongst the relationships of Loveless, but whenever something goes wrong the offender takes stock and seeks to apologise in a meaningful, heartfelt way. I couldn’t help but think Alice Oseman is teaching some amazing lessons about owning up to your mistakes and setting things right — as well as about sexuality and relationships.

The arc of 'Loveless' unfolds before your eyes in an unsurprising yet overwhelmingly satisfactory way. I knew the path I was on and was happy to settle into the comfort of it. The book reminded me of the teen films I love to watch, like ‘Wild Child’, that give me a sense of deep-seated comfort, with just a hint of nostalgia.

There is so much more I could say about Loveless, but to sum up, I completely adored it. From the heartfelt treatment of sexuality, to the diverse cast, to the intense connection I felt with it, this is undoubtedly going to be a long-term favourite of mine. And Alice Oseman just might be a new favourite author.

Although I didn't necessarily adore every character, I could appreciate their personalities and how well they worked together in their various relationships. I wasn't completely sold on some of the character development, but Oseman never promises solutions. She simply weaves a tale of self-discovery that allows you to consider your own feelings along the way. 

4.8 stars!

Georgia has never been in love, never even had a crush; she's obsessed with the idea of romance and believes she'll find her person one day. But the journey to finding that romance is paved with havoc and discovery.

Over the course of time she realises she's in fact asexual and aromantic. Her fear of being loveless lay in the preconception that romance is the only kind of love that matters, the one that trumps all, when in reality there are so many bonds that your Person can hold with you, and it's just as powerful.

Alice Oseman is at it again being all brilliant and writing a book so heartfelt and effortless to read. One of discovery, friendship, love, acceptance. A good one.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had my ups and downs with this (clearly mainly ups, it was just a very small part which has knocked this down a star)

From the very first mention of Moulin Rouge I just knew I was going to enjoy it, I mean... Alice Oseman AND lots of References of Moulin Rouge, Scooby Doo and plants being named.

I think the thing that threw me off this book was at times many of the characters were just bad friends and I know that they're going through it, figuring things out for themselves, but I dunno at the same time if you know things abot your friends you kind of try and help them out and don't do something behind their back.

HOWEVER saying that, I loved the efforts that were made to reconnect those friendships... Dressing up as Scooby Doo Characters, serenading with Moulin Rouge Songs, I laughed so much at this.

I really enjoyed Sunil and how he helped Georgia come to terms with her identity.

Would highly recommend!

I have never felt more seen by a book. Bless Alice Oseman for writing this, full of confusion, figuring things out and coming to terms with an asexual identity. It was such a comfort to see myself reflected and know that there's a happy, accepting future of love out there for me in friendships deeper than any romance

Grab yourself an emotional support cupcake and settle in while I ramble on about how Alice Oseman is probably the best UK YA  contemporary writer around.
Is anyone doing it quite like Alice Oseman? Sources (and those sources are just me reading a lot of contemporary UK YA) suggest not. Every book she writes is so compulsively readable and so hard to put down.
Alice writes the most realistic teen voices I’ve ever read - well, realistic to me, in my twenties, maybe they don't sound like this anymore! How do you do fellow kids etc. etc.


Our story centres around Georgia, an anxious bean who is starting university and terrified about the overwhelming pressure to have the perfect "uni experience". Talking to people! Joining things! Gross nightclubs! All a hard pass from both Georgia and myself when I first went to uni. Reading about a character who also hates clubs but tries to join in anyway even though she knows she'll hate it was too real, clubs are a noisy sweaty hellhole and I for one plan on never going into one ever again. If you're reading this review/book and haven't been to a club and don't think you'll like it? Honestly, save yourself the trouble. I truly believe that nobody has ever actually had a good time in a nightclub, and anyone who says different is lying.


This is the first book I've read with an Aromantic Asexual protagonist, and I absolutely love that this representation is out there for people to see themselves reflected in a story. Oseman handles Georgia's figuring herself out and knowing who she is so carefully and so well. A lot of the questions other characters ask her are likely questions real Aro-Ace people face a lot, so giving Georgia a voice to respond to these people in turn gives real people reading the book the armour to respond with and the reassurance that they are not alone with their feelings (or lack of).


Georgia is paired with a roommate, Rooney, who is essentially the opposite of Georgia. She's loud and bubbly and seems to make friends wherever she goes. She's a fan of casual sex and going clubbing. Sometimes an unlikely friendship bond can turn out to be just the relationship you need,it's good to be friends with people who aren't exactly like you; you can each bring to the relationship something which helps the other thrive. As much as Rooney is also the opposite of me in almost every single way, I'm glad she knows the virtue of a post-night-out cup of tea. I am a firm believer in that, also in the morning cup of tea, afternoon cup of tea, and that a cup of tea any time solves just about anything.


Pip and Jason went to school with Georgia, and now they're all at uni together. Pip is a lesbian who is ready to spread her wings at university, and Jason is a gentle, nerdy Scooby Doo fan. Close friendships are something that's not always explored in YA books enough, and either focus on toxic friendships or, most often, get sidelined when the romantic interest shows up. It's so important - especially in fiction for teenagers when this sort of thing seems like the most important worry in the world - to show the importance of friendships, of finding someone who will be there for you when other aspects of your life aren't going the way you want, and who you care about enough to be there for in return. It's not always easy when a friendship tries to make a transition, from school to university, from roommates to actual friends, or future relationships such as work colleague to actual friend, or staying friends with someone while one of you is in a relationship, but their importance cannot be understated. You will fuck up, they will too, but the strength is in working through it.


We round off our little core cast with Sunil, my favourite character. A wiser older character who befriends Georgia, offers sage advice and is just unapologetic about his existence. What a gem. I want to be Sunil and also I need a friend like him; I am accepting applications.


The tiny details of worldbuilding in this might be my favourite from an Alice Oseman book yet; Roderick the houseplant, copious amounts of pizza, the live action Scooby Doo films, all excellent. (If anyone is not aware of the delight of the live action Scooby Doo films, I cannot recommend them enough. Sarah Michelle Gellar ones only though.) A main subplot of this book revolves around different Shakespeare plays - and only the fun ones - is so brilliant. I'm a Shakespeare lover, so I really hope this book, in addition to the excellent rep work it's doing, also introduces The Teens to the idea that Shakespeare has some really fun plays.


There's such a lack of books set at university, so this was a really welcome read. Why is this? Why are the only books set at universities I can think of set at Oxford or a fictionalised version of? (You know why). I mean, I do like the "posh people do terrible things at University" trope, but come on now, there needs to be so much more.


Finally, "You're all really out there craving genitals and embarrassment" might be my favourite quote from the book. Or any book I’ve read lately. You need to read this book.

I'm not normally one for literary fiction, I normally like something a little fantastical to be a part of the books I read, and I don't really read much queer fiction, despite being quite gay myself. But there was something really special about Loveless that made it really hard for me to put down.

One of the biggest appeals of this book was the subject matter, not necessarily a young queer girl going to university and discovering their sexuality, because that's not too uncommon; instead, it's that the book gives representation to asexual and aromantic people. This is a part of the LGBTQ+ community that are often not given a voice, and in some cases are even denied their identity actually existing. My computer has even tried to get me to change aromantic to aromatic.

I know some people who fall into these categories, some of them are people that I love, and it's so good to get to read a book that gives this community a chance to take centre stage.

The story follows Georgia as she and two of her best friends, Pip and Jason, move to Durham University. Georgia has never kissed anyone, and is plagued by this. She thinks that there must be something wrong with her, and really thinks that she should be in a relationship or in love because shes a big fan of love stories, but nothing ever feels right to her. She tries to kiss her 'crush' on prom night and the result is pretty spectacularly disastrous to say the least.

With the help of her friends and her outgoing room mate Rooney, Georgia tries to explore her sexuality and discover if dating and relationships are really right for her. As these are teenagers, there is of course a lot of drama involved, and things don't always go well for the group, leading to misunderstandings, arguments, and break ups.

Despite this, Georgia makes a new friend, the head of the Uni's Pride Society, and learns more about asexuality, and more begins to make sense to her about her life. Now Georgia has to learn to come to terms with her sexuality and her worries about her future, whilst repairing her friendship circle.

Loveless is full of drama and teen angst yes, but it's way more than that. It's about love. And whilst there is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance in here, it's not about romantic love. The book makes a big, clear point that platonic love is a real, important thing. The love that you have for your friends is real, and it matters. It might not be the same as love for family, or love for a romantic partner, but it can be just as strong and just as meaningful. This is an important thing for aro-ace people, and it's a big part of Georgia's journey in the book, but it's something that applies to everyone.

The book shows the reader through Georgia how important love is in all of its forms, and that you should never feel ashamed or weird for saying that you love your friends. Friendships can be so powerful and important, and you should be able to tell your friends that you love them dearly. Loveless is about learning to discover your true self, but also learning to not be afraid of your future or trying to force your life to fit the shape that society says it should. It doesn't matter if your life and your love isn't what society demands it should be, what the boring straight cis people would call 'normal'. We're all amazing and wonderful, our lives all matter, and everyone deserves to finds happiness in whatever form that takes.

I'd never read Alie Oseman's work before, but am definitely planning to read more of her stuff now. I'm going to be recommending this book to so many of my friends, especially the queer ones. And I hope that this kind of story becomes more common, that aro-ace people aren't a rarity in fiction, and that their stories aren't about having to 'fit in' or being 'fixed', but them just getting to live their own lives. This is amazing queer content, and I absolutely adored every minute of reading it.

I loved this book so much. It is representative, diverse and challenges stereotypes, even within the LGBT+ community. Each character had their own storyline within the book as a whole and I feel like it was a lovely story that discussed problematic themes throughout as each character worked on their personal growth. It is set during the first year of University and is a brilliant English novel. 

It is a good intro to asexual/aromantic (ace/aro) sexual identity which is particularly refreshing to read as there is not a lot of representation in the media - the characters realise how insensitive it is to say "maybe you just haven't met the right person yet" and how it invalidates their experience. 

Overall, well recommended!

This book was a breath of fresh air! I love Heartstopper but this is the first Alice Oseman novel I've read. I don't read much YA anymore but this just sounded wonderful, and there was has been so much hype about it.

This book looks at female friendships and relationships, university life and best of all, the main character is aro-ace. I loved learning about this alongside the main character and seeing how how she was supported by a brilliant group of friends. It felt so real and raw. All of the characters were awesome in their own way as well. I can't think of many books where I genuinely loved all of the main characters!

This is a really excellent and absorbing coming=of-age book and I highly recommend it.

This book was everything!!! I love Alice Oseman and this book solidifies the love that I have for her and her writing. Loveless is now my favourite Alice Oseman book but is also now in my list of favourite books of all-time. 

I wish I had read this book before I started university, because everything Georgia felt was exactly how I felt during my first year at university and I wish I had had this book to make me see that the things I felt were completely normal. 

I loved being in Georgia’s head and seeing her discover who she was throughout the book. Georgia discovering that she was aromantic asexual and her seeing that that was a normal thing, and that she was not ‘weird’ for not wanting to be in a romantic or sexual relationship with someone had me feeling very emotional. Honestly, the whole book had me laughing and crying with Georgia, Rooney, Pip, Jason and Sunil and I just wanted to be part of their friendship group. 

I absolutely loved Rooney’s character. Rooney and Georgia’s friendship was so beautiful to read about and I loved how they were so different and yet so similar to each other. I loved that this book did have a love story and that was the love that grew between Georgia and Rooney, as it showed that you don’t need romantic love to fall in love with someone else. 

‘Loveless’ is a book that will stay with me for a long time and is a book that I recommend that everyone should read.

Georgia has never been in love, never had a crush on anyone - so when she heads off to university she is determined that her (love) life will change. After all, she's been reading romantic fan fiction for years, there's someone out there for everyone, right? 

With best friends from home by her side, even though not in the same halls of residence or college, Georgia prepares to take on the challenges of uni and the acting world. Her new roommate eagerly takes on the challenge of helping Georgia - but as her romantic plans cause havoc among her friends, she starts to evaluate exactly what she wants from life. 

This is a witty and considered coming of age novel about identity, friendships and family.