Alice Oseman

WINNER OF THE YA BOOK PRIZE 2021 The fourth novel from the phenomenally talented Alice Oseman, author of Solitaire and the graphic novel series Heartstopper – soon to be a major Netflix series.

Loveless

It was all sinking in. I’d never had a crush on anyone. No boys, no girls, not a single person I had ever met. What did that mean?

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?

This wise, warm and witty story of identity and self-acceptance sees Alice Oseman on towering form as Georgia and her friends discover that true love isn’t limited to romance.

JJay Jones

‘Type?' I asked, my mind immediately going to Pokémon types and then wondering whether it was a food question of some and looked down at my pasta. 

“Type of guy”said Rooney, mouth full.

while Tommy was saying, Holy shit, holy shit, over and over and I was just standing over him, watching him burn. The first thing I felt was shock. I felt frozen. Like this wasn’t really happening. The second thing I felt was anger about my jacket. That was my favourite fucking jacket.

Wann endlich beginnt meine Story? - Ausgezeichneter und geistreicher Roman über das A in LGBTQIA+

»Oh, ich hab einen großen Vorteil: den beständigen Zorn kleingeWwachsener Menschen.«

maddie

"I hate the idea of people knowing me because... surely then they'll hate me the same way I hate myself."

"We must all play our part in this bitch of a world."

I was really quite lonely, and I wanted to be loved. Was that such a bad thing? To want an intimate connection with another human?

There were never any romantic feelings between Pip, Jason, and me. But what we did have -- a friendship of many years -- was just as strong as that, I think. Stronger, maybe, than a lot of couples I knew.

jana 

It's not in films. It's hardly ever in tv-shows, and when it is, it's some tiny sub-plot that most people ignore. When it's talked about in the media, it gets trolled to hell and back. Even some queer people out there hate the very concept of being aro or ace, because they think it's unnatural or just fake.

Suze

“I don't think I need to try everything to know I don't like it.”

“In the end, that was the problem with romance. It was so easy to romanticise romance because it was everywhere. It was in music and on TV and in filtered Instagram photos. It was in the air, crisp and alive with fresh possibility. It was in falling leaves, crumbling wooden doorways, scuffed cobblestones and fields of dandelions. It was in the touch of hands, scrawled letters, crumpled sheets and the golden hour. A soft yawn, early morning laugher, shoes lined up together dy the door. Eyes across a dance floor. I could see it all, all the time, all around, but when I got closer, I found nothing was there.”

...wondering why picturing myself in any sort of romantic or sexual situation made me feel like I was going to vom and/or run a mile, while romance in movies felt like the sole purpouse of being alive.

i want that too...I want at least one solid friendship...i have friends from last year of middle school but idk if we're at this level yet...i also found out that i don't talk much about me when i'm out with my friends and idk why (maybe because my life is uneventful or maybe because i think they'd judge and be uninterested or maybe because i don't feel comfy sharing or maybe because of smth else), it's just like that :/

blue

I mean I’m going to be here, annoying you, until we’re old ladies, sitting in the same care home, talking about putting on a Shakespeare because we’re all old and bored as shit.

‘But why are, like, most teen movies focused around the fact that teenagers feel like they’re going to die if they don’t lose their virginity?’ I asked, then almost immediately figured out what the answer was. ‘Oh. This is an asexual thing.’ I laughed at myself. ‘I forgot other people are obsessed with having sex. Wow. That’s really funny.’

i just want to be able to come back to this later

Then Ellis said, ‘But I’m older now. I’ve learnt some things.’ ‘Like what?’ I asked. ‘Like the way friendship can be just as intense, beautiful and endless as romance. Like the way there’s love everywhere around me – there’s love for my friends, there’s love in my paintings, there’s love for myself. There’s even love for my parents in there somewhere. Deep down.’ She laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile. ‘I have a lot more love than some people in the world. Even if I’ll never have a wedding.’ She took a big spoonful of ice cream. ‘There’s definitely love for ice cream, let me tell you that.’

THIS!!!I really like that the author touched on multiple issues and i have felt understood for once while reading a book...friendships are so underrated...your friends are the ones to pick you up when you have a breakup and to cheer you on when you're about to confess...they support you through every phase in your life...to me, friends come before partners...so it makes me sad to see how obsessed people are with romantic relationships

Friends are automatically classed as ‘less important’ than romantic partners. I’d never questioned that. It was just the way the world was. I guess I’d always felt that friendship just couldn’t compete with what a partner offered, and that I’d never really experience real love until I found romance. But if that had been true, I probably wouldn’t have felt like this. I loved Jason and Pip.

vmknmy

Bella Paterson

I didn't know what my hobbies were any more, except yearning for romance and reading fanfiction.

౨ৎ 

'But you know what I realised on my walk?' she said. 'I realise that I love you, Georgia.' 

'Obviously, I'm not romantically in love with you. But I realised that whatever these feelings are for you, I...' She grinned wildly. 'I feel like am in love. Me and you this is a fucking love story! feel like I've found something most people just don't get. I feel at home around you in a way I have never felt in my fucking life. And maybe most people would look at us and think that we're just friends, or whatever, but know that it's just... so much MORE than that.' She gestured dramatically at me with both hands 'You changed me You you fucking saved me, I swear to God.' 

I felf lonely first because I hadn't experienced that. I felt even lonelier when I stadted to believe I never would. 

I could have guessed, really. Because the universe seemed to have it in for me already. 

i've never read anything more relatable my entire life

Picturing fanfic characters having sex? Great. Fine. Sexy. But picturing myself having sex with anyone, guy, girl, whoever, didn’t interest me.

In the end, that was the problem with romance. It was so easy to romanticise romance because it was everywhere. It was in music and on TV and in filtered Instagram photos. It was in the air, crisp and alive with fresh possibility. It was in falling leaves, crumbling wooden doorways, scuffed cobblestones and fields of dandelions. It was in the touch of hands, scrawled letters, crumpled sheets and the golden hour. A soft yawn, early morning laughter, shoes lined up together by the door. Eyes across a dance floor. I could see it all, all the time, all around, but when I got closer, I found that nothing was there. A mirage.

this is my big question..like yes i know i'm ace but am i aro too? and sunil is right, accepting yourself is the biggest happiness but not being able to fall in love kinda scares me and makes me sad

Just because I’d never liked anyone didn’t mean I never would … did it? And I wanted to fall in love. I really, really did

it’s a little obvious on some parts, but i can’t believe alice oseman, the same author of heartstopper, wrote loveless. this isn’t a jab on heartstopper by any means because i’ve only read the first volume—regardless, i wasn’t all that amused by that volume, just had to remind myself that during 2020 this was either a norm or what was most appealing to middle school-high school teenagers—but partly because i’ve heard of heartstopper before, hadn’t bothered to know the author, borrowed loveless from my school library after being reminded of an online friend’s recommendation, finished the book, looked up the authors other works, and here I am mulling all about it on a monday winter break. whew, that was a long run-on sentence. anyway, i believe the pacing was great on this book. having read solitaire right after and compared the two, loveless really outperformed it by a long margin, which should also be attributed to how both works are a decade apart from when alice oseman debuted at seventeen. the characters, i love and won’t elaborate on. (I didn’t know that it was pip on the right of the front cover for a long time until i arrived into that portion of the book. Wow. It felt like whiplash.) the plot was also entertaining. a character also appears in the book—one that reminds me of when people would tell stories of how their dads would cook one the best meals unimaginable every once a blue moon and never serve them again. had to base this idea off other people’s anecdotes because my father is the sole, amazing cook of the house. it’s like that, this character. she comes in, says this raw and honest line that none of the characters could ever outmatch, and just—disappears. Like dad’s five star cooking. Utterly impressionable to me.

“You know why people pair up into couples? Because being a human is fucking terrifying. But it's a hell of a lot easier if you're not doing it by yourself.”

It’s not much, looking at it without context. But it’s like—like being told “well done” or “you’ve done great” after what was probably the most draining, soul-sucking, demanding performance of your life. On its own it’s not much. Redundant. But, and especially when you’re a child or inexperienced, performing on the big stage, this little redundancy that is so obvious to everyone, being told it, affirmed of it, makes it so, so special. At least to me. These lines are in no way redundant, yet, i think. But it’s similar. It’s similar. It’s an analogy, for goodness sake.

south-getaway

it’s a little obvious on some parts, but i can’t believe alice oseman, the same author of heartstopper, wrote loveless. this isn’t a jab on heartstopper by any means because i’ve only read the first volume—regardless, i wasn’t all that amused by that volume, just had to remind myself that during 2020 this was either a norm or what was most appealing to middle school-high school teenagers—but partly because i’ve heard of heartstopper before, hadn’t bothered to know the author, borrowed loveless from my school library after being reminded of an online friend’s recommendation, finished the book, looked up the authors other works, and here I am mulling all about it on a monday winter break. whew, that was a long run-on sentence. anyway, i believe the pacing was great on this book. having read solitaire right after and compared the two, loveless really outperformed it by a long margin, which should also be attributed to how both works are a decade apart from when alice oseman debuted at seventeen. the characters, i love and won’t elaborate on. (I didn’t know that it was pip on the right of the front cover for a long time until i arrived into that portion of the book. Wow. It felt like whiplash.) the plot was also entertaining. a character also appears in the book—one that reminds me of when people would tell stories of how their dads would cook one the best meals unimaginable every once a blue moon and never serve them again. had to base this idea off other people’s anecdotes because my father is the sole, amazing cook of the house. it’s like that, this character. she comes in, says this raw and honest line that none of the characters could ever outmatch, and just—disappears. Like dad’s five star cooking. Utterly impressionable to me.

“You know why people pair up into couples? Because being a human is fucking terrifying. But it's a hell of a lot easier if you're not doing it by yourself.”

It’s not much, looking at it without context. But it’s like—like being told “well done” or “you’ve done great” after what was probably the most draining, soul-sucking, demanding performance of your life. On its own it’s not much. Redundant. But, and especially when you’re a child or inexperienced, performing on the big stage, this little redundancy that is so obvious to everyone, being told it, affirmed of it, makes it so, so special. At least to me. These lines are in no way redundant, yet, i think. But it’s similar. It’s similar. It’s an analogy, for goodness sake.

I liked it but I found the romance (Apart from the lesbeans!) a bit annoying, other wise it is good!

Dora Joan Shilling

The book was good, i related to some of the things in it. And i definitely recommend this to those who are confused about their gender or sexuality, this book is for you! 

I really enjoyed the book as it explores the sexuality of the main character in a very realistic way. The story doesn’t have much of a plot which could be a downside for some people.

Sid Ewing

Loveless is a truly special book, and Georgia is the perfect character to take you through this journey of self discovery. In media, there has been and always will be a heavy emphasis on sex and romance, however media - including books - often neglects some of the most important relationships, friends. Georgia was a very well written character, same with Rooney. However, my reason for rating Loveless a 3, is party due to Pip and Jason. Their characterisation annoyed me, and I found it to be quite shallow. Rooney and Georgia were the only characters who really had depth. But overall, I liked Loveless, it holds a special place in my heart just like my friends.

Charlotte Squire

Bria

Alice Oseman never fails to write a relatable book. She never misses

Me hizo repensar muchas cosas y recordé cómo fue al principio pero siento que le faltó más aventura.

Natalia Cerrillo

envee

after the disappointment that was 'solitaire' i decided to give oseman's prose another chance and i'm so glad i did.

this was wonderful.

georgia warr is soooo me coded lol i opened this book for funsies why am i suddenly being perceived

kayla 

Danielle Annika

i can’t believe i finished 2 alice oseman books on the same day. safe to say that she’s my favorite author of all time. i absolutely love everything about this book—the depiction of platonic love, the aro ace representation, THE ENEMIES TO LOVERS??, and even the gen z slang that was used. this is the kind of book i think everyone should read at least once in their life.

i also wanted to mention that the voice acting was phenomenal !!!!! i actually laughed so hard and gay panicked the entire time i was listening to this. there were even times when i nearly cried because of how touching this books was (thank goodness i was exercising for majority of the book so i didn’t have the energy to lol).

Julie Rubens

Wawa

Okay, to be really honest, it took really long for me to finish this but eh, I enjoyed it though the early until mid part are a little bit boring that I skipped a few chapters. But it turned out it was pretty enjoyable to read from the mid ‘till end part. And this book could actually help people figure out their sexualities and know more about asexual and aromantic because not a lot of media talk about these. So yeah.

chen

Loveless follows a group of friends starting off at university, their adventures, their drama, and their heartbreak. Georgia is the main character, and we follow her as she grows, meets new people, and comes to understand her sexuality in a world that isn't especially understanding of asexuality. 

Georgia is a total sweetheart, as are all the friends she knows and makes along the way. Loveless is very "baby's first aro-ace explanations" but there's nothing wrong with that,  really, and having Georgia's insight is helpful to understand what it's like to be aro-ace. While there a tough moments that deal with self esteem and mental health struggles, overall this was such a cozy and sweet read. 

Krys C

Loveless follows a group of friends starting off at university, their adventures, their drama, and their heartbreak. Georgia is the main character, and we follow her as she grows, meets new people, and comes to understand her sexuality in a world that isn't especially understanding of asexuality. 

Georgia is a total sweetheart, as are all the friends she knows and makes along the way. Loveless is very "baby's first aro-ace explanations" but there's nothing wrong with that,  really, and having Georgia's insight is helpful to understand what it's like to be aro-ace. While there a tough moments that deal with self esteem and mental health struggles, overall this was such a cozy and sweet read. 

Nomin-Erdene Tsogtgerel

having kind of an existential crisis 🥰

Hannah

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the representation of identities I don’t tend to see represented in books (or have not yet at least). The characters were all compelling and I was very invested in all of them

 Upon my second read I am still so obsessed such a good book

treena

Elliot

This book wasn't good. I mean, at the start. It was like a monologue of repeating words and phrases that was written over and over until it got really quite annoying. Sex this, sex that, oh no I don't feel love towards boys, oh no,' I mean the meaning behind it was a brilliant and inspiring yet the characters got too long to get into. Georgia felt like she was drawn, 2 dimensional until the end. And of course, I loved Rooney and Pips cat fights but it got too much after time, you know, like having to read about two bickering children. And there are many other Alice Oseman books that are better than this one, in my opinion. 

    Yet. near the end it was really getting somewhere. I kind of liked the characters, they had developed, their acceptance and flaws getting shown finally. The plot had something to it, like some power. Overall, I think it was a brilliant background to this story, about asexuality and aromantic love, that was probably a 4.5/5. For the plot 3/5 and for the characters 3.75/5.

♥️ Layla Diez ♥️

This book wasn't good. I mean, at the start. It was like a monologue of repeating words and phrases that was written over and over until it got really quite annoying. Sex this, sex that, oh no I don't feel love towards boys, oh no,' I mean the meaning behind it was a brilliant and inspiring yet the characters got too long to get into. Georgia felt like she was drawn, 2 dimensional until the end. And of course, I loved Rooney and Pips cat fights but it got too much after time, you know, like having to read about two bickering children. And there are many other Alice Oseman books that are better than this one, in my opinion. 
    Yet. near the end it was really getting somewhere. I kind of liked the characters, they had developed, their acceptance and flaws getting shown finally. The plot had something to it, like some power. Overall, I think it was a brilliant background to this story, about asexuality and aromantic love, that was probably a 4.5/5. For the plot 3/5 and for the characters 3.75/5.

The aro/ace representation in this book is really great and especially the message, that platonic relationships can be just as meaningful and full of love as romantic relationships, is so important, but besides that Georgias character was so bland. As she proves in the book, Alice Oseman CAN write layered and relatable characters and you sure can relate to Georgia, but her personality really only consisted of figuring out her sexuality. Idk, that saddened me. 

Tabea

if you want to learn something about ace/aro experience, I absolutely recommend reading this book 

mirta <3

Ellie Alderson

Absolutely loved this book, so heart warming ❤️

Loveless

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