Name: ReillyJade (Signed) · Date: 16 Jul 2019 03:06 AM · For: Valentine's Day

Hi, Joey! I'm stopping by for the HC final! :)

 

First and foremost, I really appreciate unique angle you took with this. More often than not, eating disorders are explore through the eyes of a girl or woman. Seeing it from the male perspective was a refreshing take, and also one that needs to be more prevalent, as this is something that affects boys and men too. I also think you handled the sensitive subject matter very tastefully. While it was obvious that Scorpius was concerned for Lysander's well-being, he did not once come across as judgmental, and therefore was an excellent depiction of how to support someone struggling with this. He seemed to understand that an eating disorder isn't something someone can fix by snapping their fingers and saying "I'm going to stop this," but rather that it takes time, patience, and care. 

 

I love how normal all of this felt, which is exactly what Lysander needed. Someone who's trying to combat an eating disorder - or any sort of stigmatized disorder or illness, for that matter - doesn't need a constant reminder that something's "wrong" with them. Not every making moment needs to be about how they're progressing, what they're doing to improve, etc. They need to feel like a normal person. So, something like this - Scorpius and Lysander having dinner on Valentine's Day and talking about the most mundane things - is a truly wonderful thing. I think you did a great job of balancing Scorpius's inner monologue/concern for Lysander with how he actually conversed with Lysander. 

 

Your writing, as always, was beautifully executed and perfectly pace. I always know I can come to your author page for a story that's both enthralling and easy to read, and this was no exception. Well done!

 

Cheers,

Reilly

Name: starbuck (Signed) · Date: 10 Mar 2019 12:18 PM · For: Valentine's Day

here for EvS, team emerald!

 

i realise i should’ve probably started this whole thing from the beginning but at the same time i kind of like reading about characters who i briefly saw in misguided ghosts.

 

i loved the line about how lysander’s whole adult life was a rough patch. it just seems like a small sentence that tells us so much about him and foreshadows his difficulties.

 

but! the whole concept of the story – the two of them talking about nothing (small talk) and then the reader being able to see lysander’s inner musings/recollections of his eating disorder and how it manifested, how it caused a rift in his friendships and how he pulled away not just from his friends but from his family as well. but throughout it all scorpius stayed with him which is incredibly sweet and it shows just how much he loves lysander. he’s obviously doing a little bit better now, which is definitely great, but i suspect he has a lot of things to work out to get to a point when he can say he really is healthy.

 

the ending line – how lysander is worth fighting for yet again shows how much scorpius cares about him and i think it’s wonderful. your summary, about them not talking about the elephant in the room really describes the story well and i feel like it implies that maybe scorpius is a little bit enabling lysander’s eating habits? i’m not quite sure if that is the case but from what i read i would assume that scorpius knows how much he can push lysander to make healthy choices and at what point he needs to stop and just be his supportive boyfriend. so maybe it’s about balance between those two things.

 

kris

Name: facingthenorthwind (Signed) · Date: 13 Jan 2019 12:16 AM · For: Valentine's Day

Joey! I am here for Magical Menagerie but also because I wanted to read your stuff!! I'm excited for when you start transferring longer stuff because this was so short and I want to see more of this universe -- you give little hints that it's so rich and so much bigger than this snippet and that is very intriguing!

 

"Some would call his entire adult life a rough patch" ain't that just a real big mood, Lysander. I'm interested in why James's attendance would be in question -- does he not like parties? I do love that Al does poetry readings, and I'm so glad his family and friends support him in that! I'm also so glad that Scorpius is proud of how far Lysander has come, and values that even though Lysander isn't "all better" yet.

 

I loved this, Joey, and I'm keen to read more in this universe and other stuff you've written! You handled Lysander's eating disorder deftly and sensitively, not making it melodramatic but also not underplaying the gravity of the situation either. Thank you for writing this!

Name: Stella Blue (Signed) · Date: 04 Jan 2019 06:58 PM · For: Valentine's Day

Transferring another review :)

*****

Saw your update on the forums and had to stop by!

 

Wow, this was really spectacular. I really like the way you paced the story. It's small talk between a couple on valentine's day, and it's really sweet, and in between the things they say (like... in between the lines) there are hints made to Lysander's eating disorder. And the way only a tiny amount of information is given with each bit, but they add up to a whole.  But at the heart of it, they are in love, moving on with their lives after struggles, and they fight for each other, and Scorpius wants to help Lysander through just by being there. Gah, the whole thing is just so sweet.

 

I also really like that you chose to write this about men. Most often when I read something about an eating disorder (and this is probably due to the media-inflicted pressure particularly on women to be thin and beautiful) it's a girl who has the eating disorder. But of course, it's not only girls who that happens to. So I really appreciate that you took that angle as it provides such a great perspective.

 

I thought you treated the subject matter with a lot of care, as well. That's a difficult topic and you handled it tactfully and didn't sensationalise it, or belittle it. You wrote very honestly and I appreciate that.

 

Also, omg I love that this is in the same universe as YLYL. I totally look forward to seeing more stories in that 'verse :D

 

Well done, Joey!