Cover Image: All the Better Part of Me

All the Better Part of Me

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Member Reviews

I really enjoyed a great many things about this book. Characters were fleshed out and the plot was well spaced. Some of the secondary storylines could've used a bit more page space but all in all an enjoyable read!

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honestly i can't comprehend how this book made it past lgbtq+ sensitivity readers as the author claims it did

i really wanted to love this book - i was so excited when i saw the cover plastered in the bi flag colors and the premise sounded fantastic. i couldn't wait to read it

and then i was massively disappointed. don't get me wrong, there are several things i really liked about this book, but i cannot give it a higher rating when there are also several points that are really hurtful to read about as an lgbt reader.

first, Sinter, the main character, believes that he needs to prove his bisexuality by having sex with both a man and a woman. he barely acknowledges that he is "fully bisexual" until he starts thinking of having sex with his best friend, a guy, and doesn't call himself bi until he fools around with this friend. this is hurtful to read about because lgbtq+ people do NOT need to prove their sexuality by having sex with the people they are attracted to. i don't need to have slept with both a man and a woman to somehow prove that i am bisexual. i am bisexual if i say i'm bisexual, and that's enough and it's valid. i understand this is definitely a struggle that lgbtq+ people have (having been through it myself) but it's dangerous because allies or other lgbtq+ people may read this and then think that having sex proves your sexuality or that every lgbtq+ person needs to experience this to feel valid, when that isn't true.

secondly, this book approaches the topic of coming out in a very damaging and toxic way. Andy, the best friend, tries to pressure Sinter into coming out so many times because he is out and "not hiding" anymore. Andy talks about coming out as if you're lying by not being out to people. This is not true and it's a really toxic thing to think. Sinter was not really safe to come out at the time that Andy kept pressuring him to do. it is not lying if you are not in a safe space to come out to people. not everyone is able to come out as soon as they feel comfortable in their identity, and others never come out at all. this doesn't change the validity of their identity, and it certainly does not make them liars. don't even get me started on the fact that Andy, an out gay man, gave Sinter an ultimatum when he knew that Sinter grew up in a homophobic household and is just beginning to explore his sexuality and come to terms with it himself

thirdly, this book uses a near-fatal car crash as a plot device to drive the story forward. this was meant to make Sinter realize he loved Andy and bring them together, but it's completely unnecessary and hurtful. it's just another example of the gay character being hurt just to create more drama.

I understand that these are incidences that occur very frequently in the lgbtq+ community because they've all happened to me. however, this book should have addressed that these are not healthy or true at all, and that they are hurtful to those in the community somehow because people might read this book and think that these need to happen in order to be valid in the lgbtq+ community, or think these harmful stereotypes are true and "normal".

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a lyrical coming of age book that i believe everyone should read! i really enjoyed this novel, it definitely brought me to tears at some point. these characters were just so relatable

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I enjoyed the book. To me, it felt like a crossover between YA and NA. While it felt confusing at times, I loved the story and the characters.

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3.5/5 stars
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I love seeing new adult fiction, especially with LGBTQ+ representation.
However, there were some overarching issues that prevented me from falling in love with this book. All the Better Part of Me does not completely fit into my idea of a romance novel. About halfway through, the romance takes a backseat. While it makes sense narratively, this along with an excess of subplots left me confused about the direction of the story.
The ending also felt rushed and unearned. While reading, I expected there to be a large time jump because it felt the conflict between Sinter and Andy could not be wrapped up quickly. This conflict was poorly defined in the first place and the sudden resolution did not make sense. The climax was conveniently-timed and unnecessarily dramatic, but I did truly care about the characters, which kept me engaged despite a weak plot.

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All the Better Part of Me is a novel about an actor whose life changes dramatically when he realises he's bisexual. Sinter Blackwell is an American working in London, just cast in a TV movie set in the 80s which suits his love of new wave music and goth style well. His parents don't approve of his career, he finds himself flirting with his director Fiona, and his feelings for his gay best friend Andy might not be quite what he thought them to be. When he moves back to Seattle to see if there's anything between him and Andy, things get very complicated, and Sinter must make a lot of big life choices and work out what he really wants in life.

This is a fun book in the 'new adult' genre, bringing some of the romance and character depth of YA writing with more twentysomething life considerations. Elements bring a lot of the conventions of similar stories (in love with best friend, lack of communication, etc) and it is one for people who enjoy the tension yet overall happiness of fan fiction. Sinter is an enjoyable protagonist to read about, and his goth style and the 80s song chapter titles bring an extra touch to the book. If the blurb sounds appealing it is worth picking up, as it is a light read that still manages to make you feel for the characters.

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This was a quick and easy read but that's all good I can say about this book. I didn't like the main character. I didn't like the love interest. I didn't like the romance. I hated the love triangle. The plot felt ripped of from a bad wattpad book. Needless to say I didn't like this.

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3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review (even though I’m a month late in reading it 🙈)

Look at this cover. Isn’t it beautiful? I think we all know why I wanted to read this one so badly.

For those of you who don’t know, those are the Bi-Pride flag colors slapped all over the cover of this book. It is truly twenty bi-teen out here.

Sinter Blackwell is a 25 year old actor living in London when he realizes he just might sort of have feelings for his childhood best friend, Andy, who happens to be out and proud. But he also has a sort of flirtatious relationship going on with the director of the movie that he’s in. Trying to grapple with his newfound bicuriosity and sort through his feelings, Sinter is also dealing with a toxic relationship with his parents and struggling to stay afloat.

I think there was a lot of things done well in this book but also quite a few things that weren’t.

I love seeing characters having self realizations in regards to their sexuality when they are adults. Not everyone has it all figured out at 16 and all stories are valid. I think if you are someone who grew up loving New Age music and pop culture or if you were one of the outcast type kids in school, you’ll really relate to Sinter. The actual romance scenes were really nice and feel good and I really loved Andy’s character in the first half of the book.

What I didn’t like was how the first half of the book and the second half felt really disjointed, almost like they were two separate novels. I also think that Andy was sort of being a turd and harmful when pressuring Sinter to come out, and that was never really addressed. I personally found Sinter’s personality to be a little over the top with the eyeliner and temporary tattoos but that’s just me.

I also felt like the last chapter should’ve been more of an epilogue but that’s just me nitpicking.

Overall I think this story was just okay, but I am loving all of the representation lately.

TW: homophobia, medically induced coma as a result of a car crash

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Beautiful story. I wish this felt more like an adult novel rather than a YA however. That somewhat annoyed me. But, overall I loved this coming out story. I was in tears part of the story as it really hit me hard.

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All the Better Part of Me was an immensely enjoyable read. Sinter is an amazingly relatable character who's clearly trying to navigate his newfound sexuality throughout the trials of filming a movie, moving coutries, and falling for his best friend Andy. I found the characters all had something special that made me want to learn more about them and empathize with them on their journey.

The storyline had a lot of different facets and twists. At points during my reading I thought "there is SO MUCH happening in this book" but luckily that did not pull me out of my enjoyment too much. I really enjoyed the LGBTQ rep this book boasted as well as it's approach to dealing with bigotry and pushback.

The pregnancy bit with Fiona certainly raised the stakes in the story and was necessary, I think, to drive the plotline but it's not something I'm usually a sucker for. That being said the part where Sinter first holds Verona it's SO WHOLESOME.

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I am so glad I stuck with this book. I was pretty much ready to give up on it at any point during the first half. It´s not like I didn´t like the characters, it was more that I didn´t feel like there was anything to them. They were lacking depth and so was the book in my opinion.

Sinter´s and Andy´s texting sounded like they were teenagers and nothing like 25-year olds and I didn´t particularly feel there was a deep connection between them at that point. The way the story is narrated sounds forced and nothing really happened besides Sinter wondering whether he should or should not embrace his new found interest for his gay best friend.

What I found very unnerving was that there was no mentioning of Sinter worrying whether experimenting, I think that´s what he called it, might have an impact on his and Andy´s friendship. If you´re not sure if you really have feelings for your best friend, who may have been in love with you for a really long time, would you really want to experiment with him/her to figure it out? Many friendships have fallen apart because of this kind of thing and people don´t embark on this lightly. And no, there´s no talk of him being in love with Andy when their relationship becomes sexual. He simply says he´d like to see what it´s like and Andy says he´s happy to be of assistance.

Anyway, enough of the criticism as I really enjoyed the second half of the book. Something happens that Sinter deals with brilliantly, in my opinion, and he also begins to stand up for himself, like the responsible adult I´ve been willing him to be since the beginning of the book.

There were many characters in the book I loved and enjoyed, some in very surprising places, like a conservative grandfather`s birthday party, albeit them being a bit too forthright, others more obvious, like Andy´s family or Sinter´s friends. I also liked Fiona´s character because she didn´t behave like society would expect her to behave, which is something I appreciate.

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I'm going to start off by saying I LOVED Sinter and the fact that he starts to question his sexuality at a later age than what is normally shown! I think this is the first book that I've ever seen this in. It's either when they're teenagers/Young adults (18-19) so that was very appealing.

But I have a few issues;
- The pressure of coming out, it was asked multiple times and I think today the whole "coming out" should always be down to the person when they feel ready it may take them a while, they may never come out (as sad as that is) it is still their choice.
- As Sinter is Bi it just feels like he kind of has to validate it? When that shouldn't be the case at all, if you're Bi you like Men and Women why do they need to prove it?
- At times it kind of felt like what should we do here, in the sense it was one bad thing after the other

Some things that are giving this brownie points;
- Super easy to read
- The interactions of the characters
- The characters!

Overall I found this to be okay, I wouldn't re-read this as some of this was a bit iffy to me but the layout I did enjoy!

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Sinter has feelings for his director, Fiona, but he is also coming to realise that he might have feelings for his best friend, Andy.

I loved the journey that Ringle takes us on as Sinter comes to terms with his sexuality and starts to explore where these feelings might take him. Like all good romances, the path to happily ever after is bound to have some speed bumps and Sinter's is no different!

The romance of the book is relateable, cute, and basically feels perfect and I couldn't get enough!

When the book concludes, everything is really well resolved but that didn't stop the feeling of loss and having no more of Sinter's story to enjoy. I hope to hear more about Sinter in future.

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This review is also posted on the ThoseBibliomaniacs.com website.

So, I read a New Adult novel—that’s a book targeted at college aged adults, 19-25ish (but of course you don’t have to be confined to that age group to read and enjoy)—I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I have to admit I put off reading the novel for the longest time. Mostly because of my jam packed schedule this semester but also because I was unsure if I was going to enjoy it. And that had me a tad nervous because I really wanted to like this book.

So I dragged feet, then dragged feet some more, before I finally started it on a whim before going to bed. I told myself, “You have to start this book. Just give it a chapter. One Chapter.”

And then I blew through six chapters. This book, guys! I loved the beginning—it’s one of those books that just kind of sinks its claws into you making it impossible to put down. After I started it, I wanted to stay up into the wee hours of the night reading it, even knowing I had to be up at 5:45AM, and then wake up and read some more. It was just so beautifully set up. I loved the dynamic between Sinter and Andy—their banter, the flashbacks that helped set up their relationship, and just the overall comfortableness they had around each other. It was all so heartwarming.

The book is basically about twenty five year old actor named Sinter, and his journey once he figures out he’s not only bisexual, but he likes his best friend, Andy. Andy who grew up with him and had been his best friend through all the important happenings. Andy who he’s managed to keep contact with despite living in a different country. Andy who just so happens to be gay.

Like I said I loved the beginning. Seeing Sinter figure out he’s attracted to his best friend and try to come to terms with it. And then his fumblings as he tries to figure out if and how to tell Andy? Molly Ringle killed it.

At first, I didn’t love the middle as much as I loved the beginning because I felt that Sinter and Andy just sort of fell into it. There was no angst—but don’t worry that shows up, I promise! You’ll be sorry you asked for it. The one thing I still stand by and wish the book had included more of was the sort of sweet beginnings of a new relationship. That is one of my favorite things to see when two people come together and I just felt that it was sort of lacking in the novel.

However, overall, the book was beautifully done, because that was probably my only complaint. Other than the interruption of their first kiss. That nearly killed me!! So cute, though. My overall rating would be a 3.75-4 stars. So if you’re looking for a sweet read that won’t kill you with an overly intricate plot (because although those books are the best kind sometimes you just want your mind to not have to work overtime, am I right?) this book fits the criteria. I say just give it one chapter, guys.

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I love a good friends to lovers story. It's one of my favorite tropes. All the Better Part of Me tells the story of Sinter and Andy who have been best friends forever. Molly Ringle's depiction of their friendship from the early days of the two friends being attached at the hip to the growing attraction and flirting makes the friendship come alive. I truly believed from first to last page that these characters truly love each other and are willing to do anything they can to be together.

I loved watching their relationship progress and the moment when Sinter finally confesses that the flirting he's been doing with Andy over text messages was *actually* flirting and not just messing around was one of the sweetest moments of the book for me. The uncertainty of waiting for your love interest, not to mention your best friend as a love interest, to respond to your text and watching the message bubbles appear, disappear, and return again is such a common and nerve-wracking experience.

I especially loved when Any came to Sinter's defense when Sinter's parents were being particularly cruel and dismissive of their son. Andy's behavior is all he more sweet when we learn that he is angry and disappointed in his best friend and lover. But he still stands up for the man he loves, regardless. Their relationship is rock solid.

I think where this book lost me, though, is the conflict around the baby. I'm not a huge fan of baby books, so it was hard for me to care about that aspect of the book. Although it was written well, and I did come to empathize a little.

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This book was a beautiful story about what it is like to be a bisexual. I loved seeing Sinter come to terms with his orientation, and how the environment he was in as a youth effected his view of himself. The growth of the relationship between Andy and Sinter is so well done. It is not perfect. They have ups and downs. They navigate each other, while trying to maintain their long standing friendship. Molly Ringle does a great job of getting inside Sinter's head, explaining how he thinks, and showing how he comes to the conclusions he does. It takes him time. He makes mistakes, but the ending of this book was worth it.

*I received a copy of this from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*

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I absolutely love this story, told in the voice of the main character, Sinter Blackwell. An actor, from the US, Sinter is currently living in the UK. The story starts with Sinter being in the right place at the right time. Normally a stage actor in the theatre, he lands a chance to audition for a lead part in a film.

Sinter's long time best friend, Andy, lives in Seattle. When Sinter contacts him with his news he finds out that Andy's boyfriend just left him. This brings up old memories for Sinter and shines a light on feelings he has for Andy. Sinter soon realises he is curious about experimenting with a man, specifically his newly single best friend Andy.

This story follows Sinter's journey when, in his 20s, he realises that he might actually be bisexual - something he has never allowed himself to consider before now. This choice was definitely impacted by his parent's clear disapproval of such things.

When Sinter decides to admit his feelings of curiosity to Andy, he is excited to learn that Andy is enthusiastic about him coming to Seattle to spend some time with him and explore whether his bi-curiosity is anything more.

What Sinter doesn't foresee is the moment when everything in his life suddenly becomes much more complicated than he ever imagined possible.

I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read that quickly had me invested in the characters and rooting for a happy end.

4.5/5 Stars

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Sinter Blackwell is in London learning about himself. What he likes, what he wants, who he wants... And through this process he ends up following his gut and moving back to the states to live with his childhood best friend, Andy. While with Andy, he becomes more comfortable in the sexuality he identifies with and hears some intense news from London that make his life with Andy instantly more complicated.

I think this book did a great job of showing that any story that has been told about cishets, is far more engaging and emotional when it is about queer people. I cried, that doesn't happen often. I felt so transparently what Sinter was feeling and the relationship with his family was all too cruelly believable. I want all angsty romance lovers to read this. I want them to fall in love with this like I did.

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Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing & Netgalley for providing the arc copy for review.

The synopsis & preview chapters instantly hooked me, however, not much farther into the novel I found myself too frustrated to continue & DNF’ed it at 43%. Personally I didn’t like that tough topics were handled so lightly. Not for me.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of All the Better Part of Me by Molly Ringle. I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All The Better Part of Me is a story about Sinter Blackwell, who is trying to make it as an actor in London. His best friend Andy lives in Seattle and they speak daily via text. Sinter is questioning his sexuality and is beginning to realise that he has feelings for Andy. The story follows Sinter as he's trying to figure out what he wants from his life.

All the Better Part of Me is a quick and cute read. It explores themes as sexuality, acceptance, friendship, career hardships and personal relationships. At times the story really intrigued me, but the middle dragged a bit and lost my attention. I didn't connect as much to the characters as I would've liked. I did enjoy the ending, even though it felt a bit predictable.

I give All the Better Part of Me by Molly Ringle 3 stars.

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