Loveless
Beautiful
Touching
Sweet

Loveless

Alice Oseman2020
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.
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Reviews

Photo of Dora Joan Shilling
Dora Joan Shilling@bringer_of_death_kitties
4 stars
Dec 12, 2024

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

Photo of ً
ً@fairytale
4.5 stars
Oct 18, 2024

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!

This review contains a spoiler
Photo of Sid Ewing
Sid Ewing@sometnotsid
4 stars
Jul 18, 2024

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.

+2
Photo of Charlotte Squire
Charlotte Squire@tempest
3 stars
Jun 26, 2024

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.

+4
Photo of Bria
Bria@ladspter
4 stars
May 31, 2024

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

Photo of Natalia Cerrillo
Natalia Cerrillo@natoodle
2.5 stars
May 26, 2024

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

+1
Photo of envee
envee@wutheringshelves
4 stars
Apr 14, 2024

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.

Photo of E
E@pyschoes
4 stars
Apr 9, 2024

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

Photo of kayla
kayla @kayellng
3 stars
Mar 14, 2024

3.5

Photo of Danielle Annika
Danielle Annika@danisaurxd
5 stars
Mar 5, 2024

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).

Photo of Julie Rubens
Julie Rubens@julierubens
5 stars
Feb 15, 2024

Ik hou van dit boek

Photo of Wawa
Wawa@letterlight
4 stars
Jan 8, 2024

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.

Photo of chen
chen@emorenaissance
3 stars
Jan 7, 2024

writing could be better

Photo of Krys C
Krys C@bearsbeetsbooks
4 stars
Jan 6, 2024

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.

This review contains a spoiler
+6
Photo of Nomin-Erdene Tsogtgerel
Nomin-Erdene Tsogtgerel@wanderingnomio
5 stars
Dec 30, 2023

having kind of an existential crisis 🥰

Photo of Hannah
Hannah@nothannnah
5 stars
Dec 26, 2023

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

Photo of treena
treena@treephaba
4.5 stars
Oct 9, 2023

4.5💫

Photo of Elliot
Elliot@madeinmothh
3 stars
Sep 30, 2023

3.5

Photo of ♥️ Layla Diez ♥️
♥️ Layla Diez ♥️@pandareader
3 stars
Aug 26, 2023

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.

Photo of Tabea
Tabea@attako
3 stars
Aug 9, 2023

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.

+2
Photo of mirta <3
mirta <3@marga
5 stars
Aug 8, 2023

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

Photo of Ellie Alderson
Ellie Alderson@ellreads
4 stars
Jul 17, 2023

Absolutely loved this book, so heart warming ❤️

Photo of Brenda 🌙
Brenda 🌙@aquarius14
4.5 stars
Jun 26, 2023

Amaaazing

Photo of Aistė
Aistė@lunarlxtte
4.5 stars
Jun 9, 2023

Really brilliant story, it was so heartwarming and relatable, I loved it.

The first time I read the book, I connected on a really deep level, and, while it wasn't necessarily as strong this time around, I still related to many scenarios and feelings, which was fantastic.

To be honest, I grew a little tired of the constant self hatred, but I definitely understand that that is what it's like for many people, particularly those who go through the same experience, and so I wouldn't say that those moments took away from the plot at all.


I absolutely adore the message behind the book too; that romantic relationships are not more important than platonic relationships, and I would say it was explored beautifully.

I'm so glad I found this book when I was questioning my identity, and I hope it continues to help and educate others in the future, I would absolutely recommend!

+6

Highlights

Photo of JJay Jones
JJay Jones@jay_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.

Photo of JJay Jones
JJay Jones@jay_jones

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.

Photo of D
D@pia2000

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

Page 125
Photo of maddie
maddie@king

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

Page 335
Photo of maddie
maddie@king

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

Page 108
Photo of maddie
maddie@king

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?

Page 53
Photo of maddie
maddie@king

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.

Page 11
Photo of jana
jana @osnapitzjana

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.

true <\3

Photo of Suze
Suze@suzee

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

Photo of Suze
Suze@suzee

“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.”

Photo of jana
jana @osnapitzjana

...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.

Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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.

Page 323

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 :/

Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

‘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.’

Page 310

lmao mood

Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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.’

Page 249

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

Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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.

Page 237

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

Photo of vmknmy
vmknmy@vmknmy

Theres nothing you have to do except be

Page 284
Photo of vmknmy
vmknmy@vmknmy

'God, I am sad, gay and alone.'

Page 6
Photo of Bella Paterson
Bella Paterson@binchicken18

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

Page 89
Photo of ౨ৎ
౨ৎ @lucamariee

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

My mouth dropped open.

'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.'

Page 413
Photo of ౨ৎ
౨ৎ @lucamariee

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

Page 300
Photo of ౨ৎ
౨ৎ @lucamariee

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

Page 277
Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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

Page 178

i've never read anything more relatable my entire life

Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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.

Page 162
Photo of blue
blue@bluelien

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

Page 161

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