Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - A Mark on My Soul

So I had no idea this was originally published in 2019 but I'm guessing the cover I picked up was a reprint / anniversary upgrade. This does involve a coming out storyline for our two male characters. Noah, whose family is more accepting than his love interest's family. The pacing and storyline was well done. There are a couple of month skips but they serve a purpose. Unfortunately, the ending was devasting (even though I'm the type of person that doesn't always anticipate a happy ending this threw me for a loop) I think there are more books in the Noahverse so here's to hoping the college life for Noah is not as heartbreaking.

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dreamingofsmiles's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I didn’t cry but it was like a cinderblock fell through my stomach. Beautiful novel.

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lettuce_read's review against another edition

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kickitupanotch7's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Haven’t cried while reading a book in so long. The last few chapters had me sobbing.

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skittlesnz's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Needs a Trigger Warning...

Had to roll my eyes at the beginning with the knock off of “Love Simon” by Becky Albertalli and the communication via emails. The book even references the book / movie! Run of the mill book about two boys falling in love with each other and dealing with homophobia, one family being heavily religious / christian and keeping their relationship secret. Was an okay read but needed big warnings. Read at own risk.

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tankytoon's review

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I liked the book more than I expected, even though the beginning gave me whiplash with Noah's nervous thoughts going all over the place.

The first half of the book read like a rom-com as Noah navigates his first relationship as an out gay man.

It's all light and fluffy until it wasn't.

The second half of the book tackles with more serious issues, and the tone goes heavy and dramatic as Noah struggles with bigotry and hate from some of their peers and some of the parents.

After reading the conclusion, I keep wondering, that if I was in Noah's shoes, how I wish I could turn back time

just so that I would have kept quiet and be satisfied with Parker being my best friend for 50 odd years than being my boyfriend just for one.

Like Noah, I would keep blaming myself: if I hadn't told him I liked him; if I didn't keep suggesting that I'd be happier if we could make our relationship public, basically forcing Parker to come out; if I just answered that last phone call; etc.

. A lot of "should have"'s and "would have done"s, cannot erase the Mark on My Soul.

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kelliemw's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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