Thank you NetGalley for the review copy!

Incredible queer book that has everything you want - from friendship to sexuality and diversity.
Highly recommend! :)

An Epic Construct is a highly enjoyable and meaningful read. The LGBT+ representation, mental illness representation, and the ways the two intersect is relatable in a way that I don't often see in media. I have a million and one praises to sing about this book and can't articulate all of them, but it boils down to An Epic Construct being a validating experience for me as a queer, mentally ill twenty-something. It addresses the layers of how scary dating can be in a way that makes failed past experiences feel less like outright failures and more like bricks in the path towards something happy later on. And the book also has charming, sometimes even ridiculous moments that will make you laugh and smile. Also cute pets. Overall, an amazing book about the importance of open communication but also taking things at your own pace in both your relationships with others and your relationship with yourself.

This was a really cute novel dealing with real issues. I loved the expression of gender and all the characters. This was a special read.

Thank you Netgalley, Paper House publishing and most importantly Dawn Cutler-Tran! This book was moving and important and beautiful. Not just coming of age, but learning about one self and how we identify all while trying to live in this wild world. I will be telling my friends about this book in hopes they also enjoy it!

A beautifully written story about finding yourself, and finding love. This is one of most diverse casts I’ve ever seen in a book, with characters of various races, genders, ages, sexualities, and backgrounds. The representation was very well-done - this book clearly made the distinction that its characters weren’t stereotypes, but characters will full lives of their own, and for all identities that I can speak for (I’m nonbinary and asexual), I must say that the representation was respectful and relatable. I loved seeing Penelope meet Riley and the two of them work on each other and themselves through the course of the narrative. Penelope’s conversations with Taylor were something that I haven’t often seen - characters talking about their queerness so frankly and in such depths - and it was really well done. Each POV felt distinctive, the characters were likeable and if not relatable written to be understandable. The plot moved forward naturally as did the relationships - I never once found myself bored. The author has a lovely writing style that seamlessly blends dialogue, thoughts, and actions, and it was a joy to read. I will say, though, that you definitely have to be reading with a keen eye! I skimmed some parts of the earlier chapters when I was in a hurry and suffered a little for that later. Take the time to read this one - it’s definitely worth it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes romance novels and wants to learn more about the LGBTQ community, and anyone who is in the community - you’ll surely find yourself or a friend in some characters, or see how their experiences are different to yours.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!!

An Epic Construct was a very good read. It followed Penelope, Taylor, and Riley as they find themselves and go on dating adventures.

An Epic Construct was entertaining, cute, heartwarming, and enjoyable. It was an easy and fun read. I enjoyed the characters and how they all had very good support systems. There was so much queer representation as well! The plot twist was pretty predictable. The writing was amateurish at times but overall decent.

The book did cover some darker topics like depression, so fair warning for that and please check the trigger warnings!

If you have ever questioned your sexuality, or even moreso, your gender expression and gender identity, read this book. Even if you haven't questioned it, if you enjoy discussions of it, read this book.

Penelope gets pressured into a dating app by her asexual roommate and quickly becomes interested in Riley. Riley is very sweet, but struggles with anxiety and depression and disappears for days at a time (though is extremely well supported by other friends). In the meantime, Penelope's brother begs her to emcee at his cafe's drag brunch, where she meet Taylor. Penelope and Taylor quickly strike up a deep texting relationship, particularly discussing gender. Is Penelope falling for both of them?

Honestly, the romance aspects in the books almost feels more of a cover for the large discussions around sexuality and gender, but I am 100% here for that. And I really like a lot of the characters. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next book in the series holds for us!

Note: I received a free review PDF of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, but reviews are my own.

This book was not for me. Granted, I am an adult and the intended target audience is younger. But I am a frequent reader—and fan—of both children’s and YA titles. The issues for me were stylistic. First of all, this copy of the text was so riddled with typos and words missing letters that it was almost illegible. I tried to power through, but they were so numerous as to make reading all but impossible. I recognize this may not be the author’s fault. However, from what I could read the style was very dry and not terribly engaging. I determined it would not be worth the effort to proceed.

I can already tell this is going to be one of my favourites for 2023.

An Epic Construct follows Penelope as she navigates a new queer dating app as she tries to find love in her late 20's. What follows this is an incredible journey of friendship, love, sexuality, gender, consent, boundaries, communication, self discovery and acceptance. This book has so much depth but is presented in a way that's light-hearted and funny which made it such an enjoyable read.

The characters in this book have my entire heart, although the book primarily centres around Penelope, Riley and Taylor, there were so many incredible side characters who also had amazing representation and diversity. I find with books I sometimes get overwhelmed when there are so many pointless side characters, but each side character in An Epic Construct had a clear purpose and added so much more depth to the storyline and I could imagine the book without them.

I don't think my review could ever show how much I loved this book but I'll be recommending this book to everyone who will listen. An easy 5 Stars and an incredible debut from Dawn Cutler-Tran.

Thank you so much to The Paper House & NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review.

This novel took me by surprise. This explores all the topics such as sexuality and gender. Then the meaning of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. This is so good. It made me really think. The characters are a tight-knit group within the LBGTQ+ community which I appreciate. They learn about romance and themselves on this journey. I loved the writing and the plot pacing. I enjoyed this.

Wow. What a fantastic book! I wasn't even halfway through and I was already recommending this book to friends.

This book is a beautiful exploration of sexuality, gender, friendship, and romance. While the book centres around the characters of Penelope, Riley, and Taylor, we are also introduced to their close friends and family, all of whom are incredibly supportive, compassionate, kind, and with the exception of one straight character, are part of LGBTQPI+ community. Penelope, Riley, and Taylor are each on a journey of coming into their best and favourite selves, something I think so many of us are trying to do. In the case of these characters, it is largely concerning their gender and sexuality, but also how to be one's favourite self in a relationship, especially when it's new, tentative, and trust is slowly growing. I also love how the characters are trying new things, for example, Penelope hosting a drag brunch as a drag king. As she steps outside of her comfort zone, she is able to become more in tune with who she is and who she/they want to be.

The relationships that Penelope, Riley, and Taylor have with their friends are beautiful and, I think, something that we all deserve to have. Friends who love us, care for us, support, challenge us, cheer us on and cheer us up, who want the best for us. This book shows how powerful friendships can be, how important they are for our health and happiness.

This is a romance, so I would be remiss if I didn't speak to this element of the book. Well, the romance is extraordinarily well done, and even comes with a bit of a twist! While I clued in on the twist fairly early on, doing so only made me appreciate the writing of the book even more, the details and clues that are present.

Something I was so impressed with is how consent is approached in this book. It is explicit. It is often. There are discussions about boundaries, about needs, about preferences. And the characters are respectful, listen, and change their behaviours accordingly. When a character makes a mistake, even inadvertently, they own it and apologize.

Overall, I love this book. It is fantastic and I will happily recommend it to others. To note, while the characters are in their late 20s, I do think this is a book that people in their late teens could read and enjoy.
I understand there will be a second book and I will happily read it when it becomes available!

Thanks to NetGalley, The Paper House and the author for an e-ARC of the book. Opinions are entirely my own.

An Epic Construct is a sweet story about dating, gender, and self-exploration.

Penelope and Riley independently decide to start dating again using a queer app and they match together. From the first date, their respective anxiety helps break the ice while they start to learn more about each other and themselves.

I love their support networks and how healthily they communicate, even when they miscommunicate. Respect and consent are huge to them both, and it shows.

Rep: Sapphic, Achillean, Asexual, Pansexual, Bisexual, Trans, Nonbinary, Gender-fluid, Anxiety, and Depression

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏳️‍🌈🐈‍⬛🐇☕🎤

Honestly, this book is everything for a person struggling with their identity needs to read. Even if you identify as cisgender, then you need to read this book just so you know how those who are non-binary, gender fluid or trans feel about themselves, which will teach you how to treat them with the respect that they deserve.

This book is beautiful. It is informative, had a great storyline, and even though I had a feeling where it was headed, it was written so beautifully that when it came about I still cried. (in a good way)

I loved all the characters and how they just merged into one big queer family. I loved how everyone was supportive, always there for each other and helped each other through depressive states. I loved the connection between Nels and Riley. I loved everything. I can't wait for the next book.

I loved how everyone was queer. Pansexual, Nonbinary, Lesbian, Asexual, Bisexual, Transgender, Gay, Genderfluid and not to mention Drag Queens and Kings! This book had everything and it was truly beautiful.

Just like this cover.

Thanks to Dawn Culter-Tran and NetGalley for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.