This book was WILD. It really was a thought provoking book on who we let into our lives and the choices we make that define us, but don't make or break us. The trans rep was amazing and this book will make you both love and hate the characters. I definitely recommend this one but I will say that the trigger warnings are strong for transphobia and violence against trans people in this book so if you are sensitive to that please keep that in mind
(4.75 stars)

this had me laughing while also crying the entire time. it's always a bit sad leaving some characters and their stories behind so i'll definitely be revisiting this later on down the road!

Absolutely love Dianan's writing - probably 3.75 because I didn't like this one as much as Bellies. This book discusses forgiveness and the shackles/benefits of heteronormativity for cis and trans individuals. Unfortunately all the characters disappoint you at some point, which I can see was intentional, but didn't leave me with much hope or closure at the end.

I really loved this. Reads like the love child of Hanya Yanagihara and Sally Rooney without the trauma porn and with slightly more plot (so basically it's a lit fic that contains non-excessive and well-placed placed reflections on life, identity, desires etc.). Highly recommend. Will be keeping an eye out for more from Nicola Dinan.

The subject and theme of this book are totally captivating. The exploration of identity, acceptance, and relationships were excellent.
The tone, however, was less endearing- it is a very specific style of writing that I personally struggle with. It feels almost exclusive, meant for younger millennials in boozy artistic circles.

Soft DNF @30% - would probably request finished copy from library

I wasn't familiar with Nicola Dinan prior to this, but I tore through DISAPPOINT ME, and then tore into BELLIES, her debut. Loved this story of growing up, first loves, art and art-making. The primary POV is the strongest, but I still found the moments in which we hop into the love interests' interesting in their own right.

Thanks to the publisher for this e-galley!

This is my first encounter with Dinan's work, but she has secured herself as an instant-read author with Disappoint Me. The book's protagonist, Max, is a thirty year old mixed-race trans woman navigating the modern dating scene and general feelings of unfulfillment. She meets the ever romantic Vincent whose only downside seems to be his traditional leaning Chinese parents who hesitate to accept Max. Yet more unfurls as the novel continues. Readers are faced with the central question: Are we defined by our worst actions? How do you move forward when the cruelest part of you is laid bare?

Thoughtful, funny, and endearing, I heartily enjoyed this story. My critiques are the ending which felt rushed and a few of the side characters, such as Max's best friend Simone, who felt slightly two-dimensional. Overall I rate Disappoint Me a 4.25 out of 5.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the ARC via NetGalley!

Sometimes you get a bit of brain damage that may potentially be life ending, and you decide to maybe try that whole upper class trad wife thing, and maybe the person you fall in love with has a pretty relevant dark secret, and you have to figure out what it is you ultimately want out of your life. Took this in three doses over the holiday, and was an absolutely fantastically plotted read. Absolutely go and preorder this.

Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan follows Max, a trans woman navigating love, identity, and family dynamics. The novel explores her relationships with Vincent, a new romantic interest, and her close bonds with friends and family, including Simone and her brother Jamie. Dinan’s writing is sharp, relatable, and introspective, capturing Max's emotional journey with humor and depth. Themes of forgiveness, grief, and self-acceptance are central to the story, though the open-ended conclusion may leave some readers wanting more. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking and character-driven novel about the messy complexities of life and relationships. Highly recommended for fans of introspective fiction.

It’s well written and honest in a raw sort of way… but it is forgettable. I’ve read many stories that are just the same as this… but yet the big draw back is the lead doesn’t make me care enough that this story will stick with me.

In Disappoint Me, we follow Max and Vincent as they navigate the messy realities of queerness, identity, and forgiveness. Dinan’s characters feel real and she does not shy away from their flaws. Nothing felt heavy-handed and it all felt possible, a world that was easy to live in but didn’t feel fake. Some of the marriage monologues felt trite, but the book showcases an impressive grasp of the complications of the real world and how there’s always a bit of hope even with the negative.

This book was phenomenal. Max’s character was so relatable and I loved the way she was written. I appreciated the friendships and relationships and the scene with the confrontation with Fred was amazing. Ending with a poem is one of the best I’ve ever seen!

This is a bittersweet book about Max and Vincent and their many escapades as Max is born a woman but is now trans. She's a lawyer who falls down the stairs at Caspar's New Years Eve party and is humiliated. She meets Vincent on a dating site and says he's never slept with a woman before. Many escapades later, Max has bad news for Vincent....and...who knows what's next? It's a crazy, heartwarming book about misfits, weddings, and characters who will live in your thoughts with laughter and tears!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up.

Disappoint Me is a smartly written, moving story about Max. The first third or so felt intelligently amusing—I chuckled immediately to learn at the outset that Max works as a lawyer impersonating an AI software for her firm (is that im-computer-ation? Can you impersonate a computer?). Then the story got rolling and it felt just as strong, but much less humorous; instead, there were some deeply sad moments Max is Chinese and trans. Both of these characteristics come into play as we follow a few months of Max’s life, including her new romantic relationship with Vincent.

I loved Max’s relationship with Simone the most, her childhood best friend that has lasted into adulthood. I also enjoyed Max’s relationship with her brother Jamie, a work-obsessed protector and confidant.

The book also shares some stories from Vincent’s perspective, mostly about 10 years in the past. It takes a while for these two things to come together, but they do.

This could have been a straight 5-star read to me, but the ending left me wanting more. Overall, highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not prepared on how much I would love reading this book. I couldn’t put it down. This is the first novel I have read by Nicola, and now I am obsessed with her writing style.

Max is entering a new year and trying to find a different outlook for her personal and love life. Her recent breakup has her questioning what she should look for in a partner. She is also continuing to navigate her family and their connections with each other. I felt that Nicola knew how to describe each of their relationships and why some members continue to be at odds with each other.

The part where Max and her dad have a moment over her poetry melted my heart. I felt like crying.
When Max finally finds out what Vincent wasn’t sharing, I again was on the verge of tears.
The epilogue? I cried.

I think my favorite part was about Max and Vincent and how their relationship didn’t always feel so perfect. Their relationship felt real and their feelings so raw. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen to them.

This book is very well-written and the cover is gorgeous.

Unfortunately I found the contents to be too triggering for my mental health currently and had to put the book down. I plan to purchase this book physically after it publishes to get the full experience when I am in a place that I can handle the specific triggers.

If you are someone trying to quit drinking, struggling with sobriety, or are triggered by alcoholism and the talk of it, I would pass on this book for now. It was a pretty constant talking point and it became too much for me very quickly. I should have known this as it does literally say it in the book's blurb, but I didn't realize how much it would be emphasized.

I loved the call out of the AI companies in this book though, and found many parts of what little I did sample to be validating and fascinating.

Thank you for allowing me early access to this!

I thought this book was very well written and thought provoking. The characters were all interesting and complex. I was a bit disappointed by the open endedness of the ending, though.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. Themes of forgiveness, grief, family, and complicated relationships stood out to me. I really like Dinan’s writing style, it’s beautiful and there were some one-liners that stuck with me. I am eager for a sequel to this book !! It’s very character-driven for most of the story, so when we get some plot without a clear ending, it left me a little bummed (but also, I get it).

This was just really...perfect. I'm sad to leave these characters and their lives and the introspection they have brought out of me.

Nicola Dinan has such a beautiful and brutal way with words. And Max and Vincent were so real to me while reading.

Disappoint Me is a witty and introspective novel that explores millennial dissatisfaction, identity, and the messy intersections of relationships. Max is a relatable yet often frustrating protagonist. Her voice is sharp and distinct, carrying the narrative with a blend of humor and vulnerability, though her frequent detours into self-deprecation and cynicism can sometimes feel repetitive.

The relationship between Max and Vincent provides the story’s emotional core, offering both tender moments and pointed commentary on the challenges of navigating intimacy while carrying individual baggage. Vincent’s struggle with his past and his attempts to reconcile his family’s expectations with his present life are compelling, though they sometimes overshadow Max’s own journey. Their dynamic highlights the complexities of gender, race, and societal pressures, even if certain conversations feel underdeveloped or overly convenient.

This novel offers a unique and voice-driven perspective on modern relationships and identity. While it may not satisfy readers looking for a tightly plotted story or profound revelations, it’s a worthwhile read for those who appreciate character-driven narratives and a dose of millennial angst.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.