Antisocial

It was a sweet and interesting story for the first half. Skylar the sauve, connected exec type is (unfortunately) a frat boy but a nice one who believes in working for his community. Xander is an introverted, talented artist with a history of abuse and Skylar is going to bring him out of his shell..and then the story changes a bit and Xander is helping Skylar to see HIS true self.The plot suddenly gets lost though as the boys begin to date. It becomes all about how to express their sexuality and goes on about non-binary genders. For a long time. The fun “it’s a piece of Japan set in America” vibe gets too much with everyone turning in shounen manga otaku.When we finally get back into the plot, all the college kids are defying their parents expectations and getting cut off but no one is running out to get jobs or finishing their final projects, which was the point of the first half of the book. Instead they giving each other amateur therapy and deciding to move to Japan to live like anime characters.I wish the plotting had been tightened up and the story kept on track. It would’ve flowed more, and perhaps continued to be a story i was cheering for.

Was supposed to be via Netgalley but I had an issue with the file(my fault) so I bought a copyI wasn't sure this would be a book for me, but I was interested. I've never really read Manga or watched Anime before so I don't know very much about them. But even without really understanding the nods to the genre, I still enjoyed this. I loved the characters. Xander's grumpy antisocialness was great, he wasn't a jerk he just wanted to be left alone, even if he was named after one of my most hated pop culture figures. Skylar's learned charm was just what was needed to open Xander's world. I really enjoyed their relationship. It always felt equal. They both balanced the other. I struggled with the setting, it was hard to remember it was set in a made up New York town when everything is so influence by the Japanese culture, however the author does address and explain it. It's still weird though. I appreciate the subplots and how they furthered the main plot, it sounds like a given but it's not always done well. I loved how Xander stood up to Skylar's dad and how Skylar helped smooth things over with Xander's family. But the thing that probably made me the happiest, was the focus a different sexuality. Skylar isn't sure how he identifies, so he puts on an act that no one notices...until Xander. It's weird to say I liked his struggle, but I did. It felt real. I loved how nonplussed Xander was. It was just a given, a non issue. No gold star for understanding expected. I would love a revisiting, I'm a little bummed we didn't get to see Skylar connect with a certain someone mentioned in the epilogue on page, I'd like to see what happens when they return stateside.

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.There is a companion audible version available narrated 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.

If you are or may be somewhere on the asexual spectrum, read some of the more critical reviews of those aspects.If you are Japanese, ditto.I am neither, but there are some glossed-over bits and one joke that I disliked, and obvious cultural appropriation. IMHO, the novel could've been shorter and punchier and less offensive were a great deal of the second half cut away. That fake college was bad enough.And yet.And yet.Skylar, as Xander brought him out to meet himself, was worth the journey, for me. Their romance alone is where all four stars from me are aimed.

This book deserves ten stars not five for the sheer amount of effort the author put into it. First off, showing a delicious, beautiful, sensual Love story with the always promised HEA featuring unique characters and giving aces heaps of representation. Secondly, the glorious, well researched, and respectful representation of Japan, a country I fell in love with, and also Shintoism which for the casual observer can seem vague and unattainable. Demystifying and enrapturing her audience in their lore in glorious modern context, I applaud her every effort. Thirdly, I love these college romances that she writes and read them at the start of a new semester as I once again head back to campus on a seemingly endless journey. Her characters make new lines, go where their initial plans didn't have them originally heading and following their hearts and their dreams. In this particular I felt pulled along on the journey as I too plan on living and working in Japan. This is the first time I've had characters with similar dreams to my own. As always, I pre order my books the first day I can as Heidi cullinan is always an author I trust.

I Found this book very interesting, right from the start. It is a kind of opposites attract, but as the characters become closer and learn from each other. You find that maybe’s they are not so different after all.Xander is anti-social, he keeps to himself and only communicates with others when he must. He avoids all social situations and even social media. And this is where the story Starts and how Xander meets Skyler.Xander needs to promote himself and his art as part of his qualification. And Skyler’s Frat House members have destroyed a piece of art at the Collage, so he feels bad and wants to do more than just make things right. He offers his services as a business promoter to the ART dept. and to Xander in general.Now you will have already read other reviews warning that there is NO SEX in this book, but if that is usually a problem for you, I’d say give this book a try. No sex does not mean no intimacy or even no love making. One partner is not sexual but between them they find a way to be intimate and I dare say in their own way make love, which to me makes this book so much more intimate.The story is very well thought out, and each scene brings things to the whole picture. The characters are chalk and cheese at the beginning, but by the end you realise that neither is quite what you expected, as a team they are a force to recon with.I really enjoyed every word of this story, so much so that I have bought the Carry me Ocean series, that was mentioned in Meredith Kings review.

This book was recommended in a group on facebook, and I am so glad I went for it.Skylar and Xander are beautifully written characters. They are true to themselves from beginning to end of the book. They evolve beautifully within their own boundaries.The relationship between these two is beautiful to read and the story very well written. The surrounding characters are great, and the inter-relationships were delightful.Overall, I really recommend this book, great read, lots of feels

Cullinan is one of my favourites, and this was no exception.Cullinan has a particular knack for writing about young people on the cusp of leaving youth behind, with layered, complicated characters building their own family in the face of adversity.This story is sensual rather than sexual and about cultural appreciation and adoration, rather than appropriation.

I have read most this Authors books but was a little thrown by the cover. How glad I am I went with it. This is not a trouser ripping, romp. This is the slow, gentle, heartbreaking at times growth of love between two very people who complete each other. I loved it.

Ive read this book for the first time a couple years ago, absolutely loved it. I wanted to reread it and checked some reviews, and a lot of people were saying they only liked the first half because the MCs changed abruptly. So I reread it, and I still loved it. Skylar was first introduced as a "snake" ; always smiling when he needs to obtain something, knows how to talk and convince people, lives in a frat, goes on many dates. That's how Xander saw him at the beginning. Skylar always wanted to please his father, or his family, and didn't know who he was, so he put on different masks his whole life. Then, Xander enters the picture and makes him realize that it's not worth it at all. That those masks are not who he is. Skylar's whole life just did a 180°. At first, Skylar's uni project was to create a new Xander ; less antisocial for the public, just like he did. But now that he realizes that Xander doesn't need a new "personality", this project is put aside and the plot focuses on them getting into their relationship, Skylar discovering his true identity, and Xander doing his project (that ends up being Skylar's story, how Xander sees him). I think it was beautiful, and the book contains MANY scenes that blew my mind and I find so wholesome; fan-brush scene, the way they make love by only touching hands, the kiss scene, the body painting scene, Xander's final project. This was simply a masterpiece.