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“Tender subjects such as cancel culture, harassment, and fetish are addressed in this novel with a delicate recklessness that represents the clashing of two ideals: the first is the need to be politically correct with a surface level sense of morality; the second is the need to see the humanity in each individual, which is a deep-rooted sense of morality that transcends the passing of philosophical trend cycles. Holdefer writes from the interior of the characters, even the problematic ones, which gives them shape as three-dimensional, somewhat redeemable characters, despite their flaws.”

—Aurora Blanchard, in Sports Literature Association

“Don’t Look at Me is a satire as generous as it is sharp. Focused on a person who is dealt a strange hand by fate, the book is quirky, and the characters are odd, and it works because the balance is absolutely sure. This is the secret of its enchantment. Catastrophe leads to quiescence, and quiescence to risk-taking. The pattern is shot through the novel, and it is lovely to experience.”

—Vic Peterson, in Dactyl Review