Hello, my name is Kevin. I'm just here to share the books I've been reading lately and my thoughts on them. For reference, I am Chinese, gay, and 25 years old so the content I like lean toward those aspects of my identity. Although I do have a bit of a preference for YA novels. Anyway, if you're looking for book recs, you've come to the right place. I'm also a writer working on a novel of my own that I hope to publish someday!
Genre: Fiction | Drama | Romance | Friendship | LGBTQ+
Content Warnings: Homophobia | Drug Usage | Sexual Assault Mention
Overall Rating: 10/10
Personal Opinion: Outrageously hilarious. The interactions between Alex and his friends will have you cracking up. But the steamy romance growing between Alex and Henry will have your heart melted into a pile of goo. There’s just no way to put this book down as you read the way Alex, son of the first female president of the US, and Henry, heir to the throne of England, fall in love with each other, creating the hottest international scandal in decades.
Couple Classification: Alex X Henry = Nerd/Prep X Prep
Do I Own This Book? Yes! It was one of multiple Christmas gifts that I bought for myself!
Personal Opinion: I was already convinced that Robbie Couch was my favorite author and then he goes and releases this banger? It is so riveting, unique, romantic, and refreshing. Something Couch does really well is not putting the romance dead center. He focuses on the friendships that the protagonist cultivates first and foremost and the romance naturally comes forward after. And every pairing feels so genuine to me. Clark and Beau especially. They make me believe in destiny.
Do I Own This Book? Technically yes. My friend bought it (and also Blaine for the Win) for me when he was in NY visiting but he also borrowed it so it’s not physically with me at the moment. But yes, I do own it.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- I love the way everything is connected. I love the way everything has a reason for being. Down to the last detail. Everything from why Clark couldn’t find David Dopamine’s time loop video to why Thom freaked out on day 310 when Beau showed up. It doesn’t matter how small or big the detail was, it was important. The significance of Beau’s errands too, being the key to Clark curing his loneliness is so special to me. Because I love every person Clark came into contact with on day 310.
- Let’s talk about the people Clark met on day 310. Starting with, of course, Beau. Oh my god, the guy is nuts. But his spontaneity was truly magnetic and I can see why people so easily gravitate toward him. He can be a bit over-the-top with his shenanigans but he shines brightest when he is acting over-the-top.
- Otto is my favorite though. I just love burly bakers. Gentle giants. He deserves a hug. In the loops where he gave Clark the recipe to his blue velvet brownies, I was breaking down in tears. And then when he finally talked about Ben, I just about lost it. My emotions were a mess but Otto is just so kind and so friendly with everyone, I just can’t. I’m getting emotional all over again just thinking about him.
- Emery was an unexpected joy. He feels like a supporting actor in this story which is, well, exactly what he is. Like he fits the role to a T. What I mean by that is that I didn’t really expect much from his interactions with Clark but as they learned about each other, became friends in some loops, I really felt a bond with him. It’s like when you get attached to minor characters in shows and you cheer when they come on screen. That’s how it felt with Emery. Like he was just some guy you want to support and see thrive away from the antics and chaotic messes of the main cast. I hope he gets his breakout role someday.
- Dee is a delight. I mean, she is a whirlwind. And I find it so hilarious that she would reject Clark so vehemently in some loops. Which is reasonable! She is a woman alone at night, she has every reason to have her guard up. But on day 311, when she invited Clark out for BLTs and milkshakes, I could feel her cry for help. Her need to not be alone. And wow, when she explained everything that happened at The Wrinkles concert, it’s no wonder why she felt like she could die from embarrassment. But I love that she found courage in Clark’s vulnerability and was able to share her secret. Not only that but I am just overjoyed that she and Emery are likely going to get their fairy-tale ending!
- Now for the people Clark has known since before day 310. I am talking about Sadie! Oh my god, that ominous, “I need you” text deviation on day 310 had me in a chokehold. I was so fucking worried about her and it turns out she was just lonely without Clark. Not to downplay her loneliness at all! She just moved to a new place before her senior year, that’s nuts. I get why she’s sad. But oh my god, when Clark Facetimed her and she started crying because she missed him, I was all up in my feels because I truly felt their friendship. It was palpable every time they Facetimed but that last one on day 364 had me in a vicegrip.
- Clark’s family! I had already guessed that his dad had an affair. Or at least, I knew he was the one who was actually at fault for the divorce. It was obvious but also still a surprise enough to gut punch me. Like, you see it coming but the impact still surprises you. But god, when Clark decided to check in on his dad for the first time on day 364, I was a mess again. I just can’t handle a family crying session. And I love that Clark was mature enough not to end things on a bad note even if time was going to loop again.
- Then we have mom and Blair. Mom was really trying her hardest to connect with her son and Clark did not make it easy on her. And I understand why. A divorce is a big deal. Combined with their fight and Sadie moving, it’s no wonder why Clark erupted on day 311. But on day 364, when he decided to finally bake with his mom and apologize for what he put her through, I was going to go ballistic. My emotions were everywhere. As if it was not enough for Blair to say, “You’re a great big brother and I love you.” Like stop. Sibling love gets me worse than parental love.
- Ms. Hazel is such a good therapist. Oh my god, I just, I love when characters actually seek help. And I love that Clark took his therapy homework and therapy itself seriously. It can be so easy to ignore that stuff, to not take that leap of faith, but he did it. And I love how he openly appreciates her sessions. That’s a beautiful thing.
- Now, as if all of these new and old relationships weren’t enough, we have Professor Copeman. Oh the regret and shame she had for not corroborating Runyon’s story, I felt that in my soul. But the fact that they were destined to meet and change each other’s lives in such a big way is just so beautiful.
- And that’s the last thing I need to talk about. The time loop itself! The fact that it happened because Clark and Beau were meant to meet! I’m glad it wasn’t just a romantic soulmates thing like Beau thought. It’s just about two people who will have a deep impact on each other’s lives. Like that is so special to me.
Dislikes:
- Here is my one real gripe. How can Clark even consider that Mr. Thunderburnt’s theory is correct? Firstly, he doesn’t mention Loop Partners. Secondly, if getting trapped in a time loop has to do with a breakup, then why is Clark experiencing it too? Obviously Runyon’s theory is the correct one in this situation! I guess if I was in Clark’s situation, I would not be the most rational but the soulmate theory is just stupid to me. And it kind of upsets me that Beau just refused to believe any other theory. He wasted a lot of days after giving up when he could have enjoyed them with Clark.
- Also soulmate is written as two words and that bugs me.
- Thom. I don’t really like that he was framed as being wrong for wanting a subtle partner. I do think it was wrong of him to try to change Beau into something that fit his needs better, yes. But I don’t know, maybe it’s because of my culture but I just hate the narrative of a relationship being good only if it’s out. The Long Run and The Minus-One Club have shown me just how wonderful in-the-closet relationships can be. When both partners can wait until they’re ready to come out. But yes, I do see why Otto didn’t like Thom or at least, didn’t think he was a good fit for Beau. I just feel so sympathetic toward Thom! As someone who knows people that have been disowned, rejected, and spurned by loved ones after coming out, I can’t not feel some sympathy for Thom. I just hope he finds a relationship that suits his needs from the start.
Personal Opinion: As always with Mark Oshiro, you can expect grim reality mixing with the most powerful kindness you’ve ever read about. This time, we venture into the world of a corrupt foster care system and grooming by religious zealots. It’s scary but absolutely worth reading about. Manny has been through hell. He lost his sister, he was abandoned, he’s been preyed on, but still he found some light in the form of a kind family, the Varelas. This journey that he takes us on is emotional and raw and it deserves to be brought into the light.
Do I Own This Book? Nope.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- If nothing else, I found this very entertaining. The twist that Manny and Eli were once one and the same was pretty obvious but it was set up so well. Eli’s chapters were few and far in between at the start. He said he resembles Elena in his first chapter. And the big clue was when Carlos saw Eli in one of Deacon’s videos and thought it was Manny and yet Manny could not remember being in it. It’s wild. It’s crazy. Am I not entertained? I am. I thought it was some sort of repression or amnesia though, I was not anticipating Manny to have somehow split into two. That is so disturbing. I am so perturbed. It’s great.
- The kindness of the Varelas made me emotional at times. I mean, they were already living out of a van, driving around to find kids that were ejected from their church and providing all of them with means of living and I love that. But then they went out of their way to protect Manny, a stranger, from Stan, an old pervert. And then they proceeded to continue helping him for a whole month. I just love Monica and Ricardo so damn much. They protected Carlos too and I have so much respect for them. Even if they made their mistakes, they’re out here atoning in the best way possible.
- Manny’s reluctance to trust even the Varelas was totally reasonable. After everything he went through and after what he did to them (stealing their money and their son’s iPad), I get why he felt like he couldn’t stay with them. I’m glad that he changed and realized his sister was right about one thing. He does choose to be miserable. Not anymore. The ending, where he chose to be happy and chose Carlos’s family was just so sweet.
- Oh also, the other twist with Rakeem showing up in the end. Oh my god, for a second, I thought Rakeem was the dead body. I truly thought Eli was alive. It was written so well to make you think it was Rakeem because at this point, we had no idea Eli “came out” of Manny. We didn't know that supernatural shit was going on! So that twist was a gut punch and a great one.
- Manny having a crush on both Carlos and Ricardo is so hilarious and also so me-coded. I too would have a crush on my love interest and his dad. But the budding romance between Manny and Carlos was so sweet. I could feel the way they cared about each other in those little touches and night time conversations. And the way they could both relate to that feeling of abandonment but wanting to be close to each other anyway is so good. I love when touch-starved individuals find each other.
- It’s implied that Elena burns Reconciliation down to the ground and honestly? Good. I hope it never rises from the ashes again. I also hope that Deacon and the Sullivans had burned with it. God, they were so fucking creepy.
Dislikes:
- I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about the supernatural aspect of this story. I mean, it’s cool and unexpected, don’t get me wrong, but it also felt wildly out of place. It reads like a CreepyPasta. And it’s also sort of glossed over? No one really questions it. I mean, the proof is right there I guess but like still, it’s a wild supernatural occurrence in a non-supernatural setting.
- Fuck Deacon and Lester and Stan and anyone else who preys on the most vulnerable. Children. It was disgusting to read about but unfortunately very real.
- I’m also so disturbed by Diana and Elena. Diana for basically being a bystander and giving kids away to Deacon’s families with no proper background checks. And Elena for falling for all of Deacon’s bullshit so easily. Yes, she is a victim in this too, but my god, the way she did everything the Thompsons asked of her without question was just bad.
- These are all necessary evils for the story to take place so I can give them all a pass.
- I’m going to be honest (again), I expected so much worse from the conversion camp. Not that it wasn’t awful. Mrs. Thompson backhanding Rakeem in the face and Deacon reading their darkest secrets out loud was fucked up. But I think I was expecting things closer to torture because of the way Manny dodged so many of the Varelas’ questions and the way Carlos said, “They never should’ve done that to you. They never should’ve done that to me either.” I don’t know, I was just holding my breath for something horrendous and then when we saw what happened, it just… wasn’t so bad to me? Or wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Again, it is very bad. I was just bracing myself for the worst.
- Oh god, is Simone okay? I just realized she’s still with the man that raped her and forced her to get an abortion. Somebody save her because oh my god, I legit gagged at that. Well… at least Maddie and a few others are okay.
Personal Opinion: Maybe not the most romantic story but it’s hard to be mushy when you’re still grieving the death of your sister. The person you always had in your corner. This book takes a serious look at how grief can affect a person and how important it is to have people around you that understand that grief. But my absolutely favorite thing about this story is the ending. The growth that Kermit and all his friends in the Minus-One club go through. It is satisfying and a breath of fresh air. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Do I Own This Book? Nope.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- I’m just going to be brutally honest, most of this score is because of the ending. Richie Corner got expelled, yeah fuck that bitch! How dare he be blessed with a nice ass and then be homophobic while also sexually harassing the only out gay kid. Anyway, I actually screamed out loud when he got expelled. It was just so satisfying. But I also love that the club went from being a “fight club support group” to an activism group. That is beautiful. They are taking their pain and transforming it into a weapon to enact real positive change in their community and I love that.
- Alex is a good friend. He got jealous that Matt was “stealing” his best friend and blew his top but the very next day, he went to apologize sincerely. And he also knew already that Kermit liked Matt and he supported him wholeheartedly. I respect the fuck out of him because of that. That’s a good friend. He even covered for Kermit when Kermit went to visit Matt in the hospital!
- I really like the concept of the Minus-One club and I think all the members were really cool and honestly, such a good friend group. Patrick is so kind and observant with everyone’s habits. He noticed Matt wasn’t okay even when he acted like he was. Simon is fun, Celia is artsy, and Janna is cool. But all these people are still always there for each other no matter what. I respect that.
- I need to know the video game that Matt and Kermit had played. It sounds like a lot of fun. I mean, what gay kid didn’t imagine their beefy game characters making out?
- Also, I think they had good chemistry. Part of it did feel like “Oh, we’re the only two gay boys around so let’s make out” which is always a peeve of mine but I like how much their bond grew as they continuously hung out one-on-one rather than as a group.
- I love that Matt never pushed for Kermit to come out. As much as he wanted to go out on real dates, he understood why Kermit was hesitant. He understood that it isn’t always safe or better after you come out. Sad that it’s like that in their little Indiana town but at least they’re taking steps to make it better.
Dislikes:
- A lot of things are fucked up in this story. But the most fucked up are Kermit’s parents. At first I was giving them the benefit of the doubt. I thought they would love and accept their son if he came out. But then they called Matt “troubled.” AFTER his suicide attempt! Just the way they talked about him after finding out he’s gay was so disturbing. I felt bile.
- That being said, Kermit was still such a shit toward his parents. At the same time, his parents were being very unreasonable. There were no winners in that relationship. I hated them all. In the context of that relationship, I love Kermit in general.
- These teenagers and their repression man. Talk about your goddamn feelings! I’m glad that Kermit decided to get help through mental health resources but goddamn, it should not have taken his boyfriend’s suicide attempt to push him to it.
- My biggest peeve, as I’ve already mentioned, the “We’re the only two gay boys around so let’s make out” syndrome that gay love stories suffer from. Listen, I get it, sometimes there aren’t a lot of options. But it truly felt like, at times, Matt was just stringing Kermit along because he wanted a cuddle buddy and not because he genuinely liked Kermit.
- Also, what was the purpose of Kermit’s fart dream? It was just weird to be honest.
Personal Opinion: Sebastian “Bash” Villeda and Alessandro “Sandro” Miceli are one of the cutest book couples I’ve ever met. They’re track and field athletes who know of each other. Until a fateful party in the woods leads to them getting to know each other. Thus comes an intense friendship that evolves into a wild roller coaster of romance. And you won’t want to miss a single twist or turn on this ride.
Do I Own This Book? Not yet I don’t.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- Oh my god, they’re such a cute couple. I was worried I wouldn’t be into them at the start but they have such good conversations. They mention it multiple times throughout the book that they “talk well” and it’s just true. They really do talk well together. It’s this mix of funny, honest, and vulnerable that I always love to see in couples. And they get so fucking vulnerable with each other. They get real and it’s their thing to get real and it’s so good. I was just so deeply invested in every one of their conversations.
- Their first kiss in the ditch had me screaming. Legit, I had my hand to my mouth and my eyes wide with shock. I could not believe Sandro just did that! And then Bash kissed him back and I was flailing like a fish out of water. The chemistry between them was palpable. It was electric. I wanted them to make out in that ditch forever. And I’m just glad that Bash went to find Sandro the next day after their awkward goodbye.
- But the first time they had sex on Halloween while dressed as each other? That blew me away. It was so tender and special. I mean, it started out as this blur but then Bash wanted to slow things down and just wanted to look at Sandro and he called him sexy and that was it for me. As an insecure guy myself, the idea of someone just looking at me, really looking at me, and then calling me sexy is all I could ever want. Everything that Sandro was insecure about, Bash loved. Everything Bash was insecure about, Sandro loved. Like the hair on Dro’s shoulders or Bash’s machine gun laugh or Sandro’s big ass smile. Ugh, it warmed my heart to see them complimenting and complementing each other so well.
- Lucy Jordan is cool as shit. I can see why Bash loves her too. She doesn’t take any shit, she keeps Bash humble, and she was the one who gave him the push he needed to go fix his relationship with Sandro. She is so cool and so funny too. The way she argues with Sandro is hilarious. And when she called them kinky for being all over each other on the lawn had me rolling. She’s the type of best friend any person would love to have.
- Ronny DiSario and Phil Reyno (Panic! and The Disco) are hilarious too. And Sandro is right, they are dicks. But I like the way they made Sandro feel included in their weird dynamic. I like how they knew he was a good guy. I like how they talked with no filter but still showed support to each other in their own ways. Not to mention, without Ronny and Phil, we wouldn’t have gotten that “hell of an apology” from Sandro when he said sorry for all the shit he said.
- Del Branch is cool too. He’s Bash’s stepfather but he really cared about Bash as his son. He made some missteps, not making the effort to talk more, but that was a two-way street. Once the blockade lifted from that street and Del and Bash talked, it was the sweetest fucking thing. They cared about each other. And the way Bash wanted to get to know more about Del toward the end really warmed my heart. Del also has a queer older brother who is married with kids and that is awesome.
- Claudia Miceli is a mess. The entire Miceli family is a mess. But I want to give her credit in the end, she really tried. She gave it her all to fix her relationship with her son and she acknowledged that she fucked up in multiple ways. I was almost crying when she was crying and telling Sandro that she thought they would have more time. Looks, it’s not enough to make up for the bullshit she put him through but it’s a step in the right direction. Just the fact that Sandro has SOMEONE in his corner in that house is really great.
- Little kids in books are often the funniest characters. GJ is the best. He was rude for no reason to Bash when they first met and it was hilarious. Even better was the mega-meatball he made. I don’t know why, but a little kid answering the door is funny enough. A little kid answering the door while holding a giant wad of ground beef with a face on it is going to kill me with laughter.
- Sandro and Bash agreed to go long-distance! You have no fucking idea how happy that makes me! They want to put in the effort to try and I love that.
- Also, Bash wanting to go by Sebastian Branch when he goes to college made me tear up. The fact that he wants to take his stepfather’s name is so beautiful and really shows his growth as a character.
Dislikes:
- Gay book couples, please stop going months without speaking to each other, my anxiety can’t take it! This is like the third or fourth time I read a book where that happens and I just want y’all to be happy. But I get it. Shit hit the fan and it’s hard to say the things you want to say. But I just wanted to shake Bash and Sandro and tell them they’re being stupid and they still loved each other and they could make it work if they just tried! Okay, I’m cool. I’m chill.
- Fuck the Miceli men. All of them except Sandro. They have no idea how lucky they are to have such a good kid who does so much for the sake of the family. Gio Sr., Gio, and Raph can all go fuck themselves in their gross machismo asses. I can see why Sandro found it hard to be himself in an environment like that.
- Fuck Ant Lewis and Matty Silva too. The former for being racist and the latter for just being an overall dick. They didn’t deserve Bash and his good heart. But I do kind of wish we got a cleaner break between Bash and Matty. Something that clearly states they’re done and here’s why. But Bash doesn’t owe Matty a thing and sometimes friendships just have to die. I get it.
“Books are too expensive” -> GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!
“E-books are too expensive” -> GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!
“Audiobooks are too expensive” -> GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!
“Video games are too expensive” -> GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!
“Subscriptions to magazines/newspapers are too expensive” -> GET A LIBRARY CARD!!!
For real, get a library card for your local public library and you will have almost unlimited access to all kinds of media for free. Libraries also often have many different kinds of classes you can take, often for free or very cheap. Oh, and don’t forget the computers and internet access you can also use for free.
Content Warnings: Homophobia | Sexism | Mentioned Sexual Assault
Overall Rating: 9.8/10
Personal Opinion: One of my favorite stories ever. It’s a bittersweet journey as we follow Taichi Ichinose, Toma Mita, and Futaba Kuze navigate their last year of high school together. Along the way, they struggle against gender norms and the curse of falling for someone you can never have. I love these characters with my whole heart. They actually inspired one of my novel ideas, the only one I ever finished so this manga has a special place in my heart.
Do I Own These Books? Yes! The photos I used for this post actually are of my own copies.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- That ending! Holy fucking shit! Taichi is presented as the main protagonist in this series so when we reach the epilogue, we naturally assume that we’re in Taichi’s POV. We’re led to believe that since one of the first things that character does is write the name “Ichinose” at Futaba’s wedding. But then post-wedding, we see Taichi! By process of elimination, the only possible character that could be the POV is Toma! Meaning Taichi and Toma got married! And we know they are married because they live together, they hold hands in the epilogue, and they’re both wearing rings. I squealed. It was such a twist but it also didn’t come out of left field. Toward the end of the series, there were hints that Taichi had reciprocated Toma’s feelings, he just never knew loving men could be an option for him until Toma confessed! Ugh, that epilogue was just so good.
- Anyway, let’s talk about some of the other stuff. I adore the art style. It’s cute and wholesome and each of the characters have their own flavor. Toma exudes big dog energy. Taichi is indeed a tiny gremlin with a good heart. And Futaba is a hamster through and through. The way their drawn matches their personalities so well. And specifically, I love the way the artist drew Toma’s smile. It’s just so radiant and beautiful, I had a crush on him by the end of the series.
- Mami speaks to me on a spiritual level. Why can’t men and women be just friends? Why can’t a girl just hang out with the bros? Why can’t guys wear makeup and why can’t girls play video games? Why should she be cut out from friend groups just because she interacts with a guy? It’s ridiculous and the unfortunate part is, I’ve seen girls treated the way Mami has and it disgusts me. So to see her find a friend in Taichi and Toma and Futaba after everything she went through in middle school, I just wanted her to be happy. And honestly, she had such a badass moment when she said, “Screw everyone else, I’m doing what I want when I want.”
- Mad respect for Shingo for always being there for Mami even when his girlfriends would tell him they were jealous of her. Like fuck you, he was friends with Mami first, why should he stop hanging out with her just because you’re insecure? He also only fought Toma to protect Mami and I love that. But he has no ulterior motives, no romantic interest in Mami, he sees her as a woman but more importantly, as his best friend.
- The deep conversations where Masumi would allude to her sexuality were always so gripping. Like, I really felt for her whenever she was lamenting being in love with a girl and being unable to find happiness with a guy. But Mami was also right that Masumi needed to meet people halfway. Seeing them cry together really tugged at my heartstrings.
- The board game that Taichi and Toma came up with together is such a cute ass detail. Landing on a space where everyone gets friendship power? Ingenious. But the part that really got me was Toma putting their character pieces inside of the charm he gave Taichi, that got me so emotional. “Friendship Power” fuck you, I’m in tears.
- One of my favorite moments was the festival. Toma in a yukata and the girls in kimonos was so great, they looked amazing! But also, that was when Toma gave Taichi his birthday present and I just about bawled my eyes out over it.
Dislikes:
- Kensuke. The source of all the homophobia and vulgar sexism in this series. I hate him. I do understand where some of his homophobia comes from considering his past but the girls were right when they said that has nothing to do with Toma. Anyway, Kensuke isn’t even who I have a big problem with. No, it’s actually Shingo. Yo, he said to the girls that they were just like Kensuke for not tolerating his intolerance. BITCH! And the story framed it like he was right. Ugh, that’s fucked up.
- I wanted more of Taichi and Toma. I want to know how they got together. What happened in between the main story and the epilogue, please tell me KAITO! I need to know how they found each other and fell in love!
Personal Opinion: A wholesome story about acceptance, unconditional love, and unrelenting support. Told from the perspective of a mother who thinks her teenage son is gay (and he definitely is), you will absolutely fall in love with how she learns about the best ways to support her son and unlearn certain behaviors and thoughts. I truly wish and hope that every queer kid has a parent like this mom.
Do I Own These Books? Yes! I own the first four volumes!
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- First of all, I think these comics are incredibly relatable. Personally, for me, Hiroki represents my queer experience growing up. I don’t care for male idols much but I adore female idols. I fall for more masculine-presenting people. And I have definitely looked up “muscle men” on the internet when I was thirteen. Not everything about Hiroki is relatable. Some things are exaggerated for comedic effect obviously, like when he gets super-focused on attractive masculine men. But even then, I feel like he’s representing my inner thoughts and I appreciate that.
- Obviously the best part of the manga is the mother’s undying love and support for her son. She wasn’t thrilled when she first found out he might be gay but she realized, if he wasn’t hurt or hurting others, then there’s nothing wrong with him being gay. She makes mistakes, she slips up, but above all else, her love for her son will prevail in the end and she will respect him and any choices that he may or may not make. That’s the ideal kind of parent to me.
- But the other best part is Yuri, the little brother. I adore him so much. Because he knows (or suspects) that Hiroki is gay as well and doesn’t care. But when someone tries to pry into Hiroki’s life, Yuri is there to defend him. There’s a scene where Hiroki’s dad is grilling him about something and Yuri gives Hiroki an out by saying Hiroki isn’t obligated to tell the dad anything. He’s such a smart and kind boy and I love that he and Hiroki have such a healthy relationship as siblings. I think that further shows that their mother did a great job raising the two of them.
- Hiroki’s obvious crush on Daigo is adorable. He sees Daigo as this cool and dependable person that is capable of doing anything he sets his mind to. But he doesn’t treat Daigo like a machine that will do anything for them like their classmates do. To him, Daigo is a friend first and foremost and he treats Daigo as such and it’s so wholesome. I love how he treasures gifts, photos, and words from Daigo because I would be the same.
- However, that being said, I love how Hiroki took a step back when Daigo got a girlfriend. He didn’t panic or cry or get angry about it. Throughout the series, he’s depicted as a very emotional person but he’s also very emotionally mature. He wants Daigo to hang out with his girlfriend and he wants Daigo to be happy even if that means not being together romantically. I find that so sweet.
- Toono-san! An actual, confirmed, explicitly stated gay man exists in this manga. He has a partner and he’s open about that if he’s asked about it. He has his past and his problems but he’s happy and that’s all I could want for a queer character. For them to be thriving. Best of all, he’s Hiroki’s mom’s co-worker and I find it so adorable how she comes to him when she needs advice about raising her son or a queer perspective on her son’s experiences. But she also learns through him that gay men aren’t a monolith, not all of them are going to act or react the same way in a situation as another. And I just love that.
- This manga series is so education for queers and non-queers alike and I think just about everyone should read it.
Dislikes:
- The older lady co-worker who said, “What a waste that he’s gay” about Tonoo-san. I hate those words. She also stereotyped him later on when she learned he was gay. But you know what, this story isn’t about her. It’s about what we can learn not to do from microaggressions like her’s.
- I’m not sure I’m a fan of Hiroki’s dad. I just have to hope that his love for his sons will overcome any judgment and prejudice he may hold against queer people. I also hope that his wife calls him out on his bullshit more. Overall, I do appreciate his character’s presence and what it adds to the narrative.
Personal Opinion: Quite possibly my most favorite manga of all time. I own a lot of Tagame’s works so I’ve always been a big fan of his art style. To see it in a mainstream book all about educating people on queer folks? That is just chef’s kiss perfection. It’s wholesome, it’s intelligent, it’s refreshing, and it will break and fix your heart over and over again. Please purchase a copy for yourself.
Do I Own These Books? Yes! I own both volumes and I even have the first volume signed by Tagame himself!
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- First and foremost, the art style. I personally love it. And not just because of the details of Yaichi’s and Mike’s muscles when they’re bathing. No, I just adore all of their character designs and the vibes they give off. Yaichi is a single dad who is a bit unsure of himself, I can see that in how he stands in volume 1′s cover. Kana is a precocious child but a child nonetheless, I see that in how she stands in volume 1′s cover. Mike is Mike. I see that in, well, you know already.
- Kana is the most adorable thing. She has a very pure view of the world that was unaffected by her father’s bigoted views because he never taught them to her. And it is mainly through her that Yaichi, her father, begins to understand queer folks better. When she says she doesn’t get why gay people can’t marry, he pauses and rethinks his position. It’s adorable and inspiring witnessing a parent learn from their child and being open to learning from them too.
- That’s the thing I love most about these books. Yaichi has a lot of bigoted and narrow-minded opinions concerning his brother’s sexuality. But a lot of that is because he was never educated on it. After Ryoji tragically passed away and Mike came into his life, he realized it wasn’t too late to learn more about his estranged brother. Because here was someone still connected to Ryoji and probably knew him better than most people. Mike taught Yaichi a lot and Yaichi was open to learning. He kept his bigoted thoughts to himself, never actually voicing them out, and instead took in everything Mike told him and grew from it. By volume 2, Yaichi was even prepared himself to tell people about his brother’s husband from overseas and how it’s perfectly normal.
- Mike is just a giant teddy bear and I find him to be adorable and hot. Mainly though, I just like him for being such a big-hearted fellow. He’s proud of himself, he’s open about his sexuality, he’s curious but respectful of the culture around him. He’s the ideal man in my opinion. And I just love the role he took up as the jolly uncle in Kana’s life. They were so wholesome playing together in basically every chapter. Ugh, my heart still breaks for Kana when Mike had to go back to Canada. She loved him so much.
- Speaking of Mike being open about his sexuality, it’s a little hard to see (for my color blind eyes anyway) but his shirt on the covers include a pink triangle. It was once a badge of shame employed by Nazis to identify LGBTQ+ people but was later reclaimed to be a symbol of pride. Mike knows this and that’s why he wears that shirt and that’s why I love him so much. Yes, know your history Mike!
- Kana’s mother, Natsuki, and Yaichi are divorced. But they maintain a healthy and friendly relationship. I fucking love that. They acknowledge that they were a bad match when they were married and that they’re better as individuals and as Kana’s parents when they’re separated and I find that to be so wholesome. But I also just love that Natsuki was so open-minded about Mike herself when she met him. These four characters all together make such an adorable family unit.
Dislikes:
- Yaichi admits his mistakes and homophobic outbursts were wrong but damn did I cringe at some of the things he thought. The story is mainly about his growth though so I’ll give it a pass.
- There’s honestly nothing I really dislike about this story. Everyone should go purchase a copy for themselves.
Personal Opinion: I think this story depicts one of the purest, most wholesome relationships in the YA genre. Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson are absolutely adorable together. From their meet-cute in the classroom to their developing friendship outside of school, their relationship is one anyone can admire because it’s full of mutual respect and communication. Some days are hard for Charlie though in the later comics, but with Nick by his side, he’ll make it through it. Is idealized? Maybe but I read for escapism.
Do I Own These Books? No
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- Charlie and Nick are just plain adorable together. Charlie is just a little guy and Nick is the human embodiment of a golden retriever. That makes for a wondrous combination. Because Nick brings Charlie out of his shell and Charlie gives Nick something to fight for.
- Nick really fights for Charlie. Everything from wanting to make sure that Charlie eats to telling off his older brother for being a bigoted dick to scaring off Charlie’s sorta-ex. That’s love.
- The scene when they were in the hotel room in Paris (I think) and Nick came out to everyone was gripping. The way everyone showered the couple with their support made me so happy. So giddy. I just loved it so much. But I admit, if the bullying was so bad for Charlie before, how did they manage to find a group that really supports them only a year later? Eh, I’m not going to question it when it makes me happy.
- I know people make fun of the show’s depiction of Nick trying to find out if he’s bi but that’s a real thing. Every queer person my age or older with access to the internet in their teens looked up those “Am I gay?” quizzes. As silly as it may seem, Nick Nelson is a very real portrayal of teen queerdom. Especially during the questioning stage. Bless his mom for accepting and loving him so easily when he came out to her.
- Victoria is hilarious. She enters panels from out of nowhere and delivers one-liners that absolutely kill me. “I don’t think he’s straight.” Girl, neither do we! Not to mention, she kicked David’s (Nick’s brother) phone out of his hand when he was talking shit and I respect the hell out of her for that. She has her brother’s back and that’s what a true sibling should do.
- All their friends are adorable too. Tao and Elle, a beautiful couple. But also, I just love how Tao is so protective over Charlie. He may have been at fault for Charlie getting outed but you can really tell that he cares for Charlie. And for Elle too.
- Then we have Tara and Darcy! Lesbeans! They’re so cute together too but also, I love how Tara is there to be a friend for Nick. Supporting him wholly while giving him advice when he needs to hear it.
- I know this list seems short but it’s only because my head is mixing up some of the details from the show with the comics. I don’t want to say something that only happens in the show and not the comics. But speaking of the show? Just brilliant casting. Everyone looks and acts exactly like their characters do. I am still a tiny bit upset that Tao is so tall but whatever. William Gao captures his essence still.
Dislikes:
- I think we all know. It’s the homophobes (Harry) and internalized homophobe (Ben). That’s pretty much it. Nick’s brother in particular though, fuck him.
Genre: YA Fiction | Romance | Friendship | Fantasy | LGBTQ+
Content Warnings: Bullying | Physical Violence
Overall Rating: 9.9/10
Personal Opinion: The plot is honestly nothing remarkable but that’s kind of why I love it. I love slice of life and seeing the world through A’s lens, hopping from body to body every day, that’s slices of many lives. But what’s great about this sequel to Everyday is that we get to see others like A too. How do they cope? What questions do they have? How do they live their unusual life? It’s truly fascinating.
Do I Own This Book? No but it’s on my wish list.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- I’m going to start with the part that made me the most giddy. Aemon and Liam. Oh my god. They are both entities like A, changing bodies every day. By sheer chance, they met at a book festival and fell for each other. Neither of them thought they could ever have more than words on a screen until Liam finally stopped being a coward (his words) and went to see Aemon/Peter anyway. And boom! They now know each other for real. Oh my god, when I read that part, I about exploded with excitement because it was such a plot twist. And it wasn’t even part of the main plot. It was like a 6 page intermission at best. But I just love love and I love that these two found each other.
- Okay, on to the main plot. It’s honestly nothing remarkable and that’s kind of why I love it. The thing that drew me to Everyday was the fact that it was slices of many lives. The simple, the complicated, the happy, the sad, the good, the bad. A has to live those lives and they did it alone. After sharing parts of themself with Rhiannon, they were not used to being alone again. I felt their heartbreak but I also felt the bits of the people that they embodied. It created this lens that was so unique to reading this book and I was just so enraptured.
- It was also so interesting to see A living the lives of people who are neurodivergent. Of course, I mean, Alvin. Clearly, something is going on with his brain because he was all over the place. There were two pages that had zero indents. It was just one long paragraph crammed into the pages. It was fascinating. And I understood the purpose it had served in the story. It was the story’s way of reminding the reader why A and Rhiannon couldn’t work. Because A had no idea who they would wake up as and what they would be experiencing. Some simply don’t have access to the internet. Others go through a crisis and need help. It is impossible for A and Rhiannon to always be together because there’s no telling what sort of obstacles an individual’s life will present.
- I know A feels like they fucked up Moses Cheng’s life but I would argue that they helped Moses. First of all, his bullies were clearly racist and therefore deserve to have charges pressed against them for hurting Moses. Second of all, A was right to confess everything that had happened to Moses to the adults. It was the right thing to do and I think it will serve Moses well in the long run. I just hope Moses finds good friends to help him get through life in the future.
- I fucking hate X, oh my god. He (potentially) ruined Pat’s life. He killed Reverend Poole. He kidnapped Wyatt. He beat the shit out of Nathan. But my god, what a wild ride seeing the opposite of A at work. He is evil personified, abusing his power to ruin lives and harm innocent people while avoiding the consequences. But the crazy part is that he’s not wrong about some of his points. I mean, redistributing the wealth to the poor? That’s iconic. He still sucks ass for his violent tendencies though. Of course he identifies as a man too. It’s just like Amanita’s dads said in Sense8, “It’s always a man.” “Violence has a gender.”
- But yeah, glimpsing other entities like A at work was just so fascinating. People like that 98 year old lady who passed away uses God to cope with their waking up every day in a different body. People like Dawn who go to the MET every day and sit in front of the same painting for a constant. People like Helmut who have stayed in the same body for forty years because he wanted to stay. People like Morris who still don't understand how they work yet. It’s amazing seeing them exist because A and X aren’t the only ones. There’s more than just two ways to exist as them. And also A got to meet M on an online chat forum and therefore, neither of them are alone anymore. That makes me so happy too.
- I was worried that Alexander would be heartbroken by the end of this book but he and Rhiannon are still somewhat together. They have something and it’s theirs and it’s implied that Alexander learns about A too. And that makes me happy too. Plus, we also have Nathan and Wyatt starting their own support group of two to cope with being possessed. That makes me happy too. The fact that characters don’t have to be alone with their traumatic experiences makes me happy.
Dislikes:
- As I said, fuck X. I just wish we knew what happened with Pat. I hope he doesn’t remember all the shitty stuff. It’s also implied that he’s gay. And I hate that X used Pat’s body to have sex with a woman. And then treated that woman like trash. Oh my god, I hate X. He ruined another life too! That college guy who had a girlfriend! Oh my god, I hope they’re okay. God, seriously, fuck X. He acts like he’s a gift for “restraining” himself from doing worse things. The things you do are still pretty bad you sicko.
- That’s pretty much it, I hate X. I hate that he ruined lives. I understand why A feels conflicted about disposing of him but the world is better off without him. That’s it.
Personal Opinion: This is The Half of It but set in a progressive town. But it’s a pretty good story formula if I’m being honest. Girl helps the boy get another girl but ends up falling for the girl herself. You can’t really go wrong with it, especially with characters with as much depth and personality as Sam, Ros, and Christian. Sam views love as a game, Ros thinks love can only hurt you in the end, and Christian thinks love is a light. Who’s right? Well, the answer is pretty obvious. But there isn’t just one way to view love, as this book will show.
Do I Own This Book? No.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- The depth of the characters is what I really like. Sam wants to be like Emma Watson when she grows up. She doesn’t want to be a nobody so she pushes herself to the point of breaking just to prove that she can be somebody. Ros saw the way losing his husband broke her dad. She became fearful of letting people close because she was so afraid of losing them. Her idea of love is that it’s tragic. Christian is a genuinely nice guy who is always agreeable even when something doesn’t necessarily agree with him. He’s a doormat like his best friend says. These three people are so different but the connection they have makes them so interesting to read about. Seeing Ros open up to Sam and Christian, seeing Christian become braver because of the girls’ influence, seeing Sam realize that she doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody (definitely not to a mother that basically abandoned her), that’s where the story is.
- The people in the main three characters’ lives are also truly special. Monty is a good best friend for watching out for Christian and urging him to do better for himself. Aimee is just downright adorable. Nana is so sweet for always supporting Sam in every endeavor and making her a priority in her life. And Ros’s dad is such a good man in general! He’s a wise man whose love for his kid is almost palpable.
- Ros’s final submission for the Bellerose Assembly was just perfect. I mean, I thought her original idea was very cool even if it was morose. But I love that she took what everyone’s idea of love was and put it into her presentation. I do wish she would’ve gone up to the lectern and finished it off by saying what love meant to her but this was still good. And I think a good way to show Sam that she still cared about her.
- I’m sort of obsessed with Loredo too now. I think it’s such an interesting detail to include about a character. Sam, as a little girl, wanted so badly to go to Loredo but then her mother denied her. Told her nobody important came from Loredo. It became their inside joke to always talk shit about tiny towns like Loredo and Sam used that as her motivation to push herself. She even kept the map! It’s such an intriguing character trait.
- I was most interested in the Will storyline to be honest. He just disappeared and Christian never questioned it because his parents were okay with him being gone. But it makes me so happy that Christian made contact with Will and even went to New York to find him.
Dislikes:
- I’m not sure Sam and Ros had the most chemistry. I felt it, it was there. But I guess I just wasn’t sure if I felt the love between them since most of their starting interactions and thoughts about each other were largely negative. We spent so much time with all the characters assuming things about one another, we don’t get to delve as deeply into their interactions. I know, I know, Ros fell for Sam through the bits she saw in Christian. But I didn’t feel the love between them! I just didn’t. I don’t know, maybe it’s because my love languages are physical touch and quality time so I don’t get it.
- Fuck Christian’s parents! It’s no wonder Will decided to leave. I know parents like that. The kind that expect their children to be carbon copies of themselves and impose their values/beliefs/wants onto them. It’s wrong. And I am glad Christian is learning to fight it and that Will got to escape from that situation. Hopefully Aimee doesn’t have to suffer as much as her brothers did.
- Ros using Christian like that as, what, some sort of petty revenge against Sam was so wrong. But I get why she did it. Still, going that far? Yuck. Girl, I know virginity is a construct but you still deserve something better than that.
- Sam and Christian didn’t know that Ros found out about them lying to her. So why was it written like they did know that? All they knew after Monty’s party was that Sam confessed her feelings to Ros and then Ros and Christian had sex. Why were they talking to Ros later like the problem was the lying? It just feels like a mistake in the editing process.
Personal Opinion: No more books where characters know the solution and do not act on it. Please. Especially if the solution is: talk. That aside, I did find parts of this book to be charming. And if you’re into messy WLW love stories where the girls have through-the-roof romantic/sexual tension then this is definitely the book for you. I may not be the biggest fan but maybe you will. Art is subjective.
Couple Classification: Fallon X Chloe = Nerd X Prep
Do I Own This Book? No.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- My favorite aspect of this book? Jami and Prisha. They are such good best friends for always being there for Fallon every time Fallon needed them. The support they give her while also being honest with her is respectful. I also love how well—Jami especially—can read Fallon. Unlike how badly Fallon and Chloe can read each other.
- The conversational tone of Fallon’s narration was certainly charming at times. It provided some levity and comedy during the more tense moments which I really appreciated.
- I love how much Fallon and Chloe care about their moms. They saw Maggie and Carmen stressing out about the deal and they knew they had to do all they could for their moms. It was so sweet.
- The ice cream truck is so cute. I love the flavor names and it actually makes me want ice cream. But seriously, the concept is adorable and I think it’s a unique and compelling device to use to have Fallon and Chloe together in the same space.
- Esther and Layla are so cute and such a good couple. They did everything they could to help Fallon and Chloe when their truck got vandalized and they were so cute together. I also just love seeing elder queer couples thriving. As they should be!
Dislikes:
- Fallon and Chloe can’t read each other for shit. And you’re telling me they’ve been besties since birth? No way. They had to have been deliberately acting blind because there was no way. Since it was from Fallon’s POV, I am inclined to hate her more. Especially because she had said that she hated when characters don’t talk things out in a story. Not only that but Jami and Prisha both advised her multiple times to tell Chloe the full truth and Fallon just straight up refused. It was so frustrating because the solutions were right there! Fallon knew it and yet she didn’t act on it! For fuck’s sake woman.
- Chloe isn’t much better. She knows Fallon so well that she can finish her sentences and she knows when Fallon is directing her “mind movies.” But she can’t tell that Fallon is in love with her? Jesus Christ woman, just confess your own feelings instead of jumping to conclusions!
- And then the moms went and lied to their daughters. I hate that. Because I’ve fucking been there. My parents lied to me and my brother about something once to get us to do something and it ended up being one of the most traumatic experiences in our lives. Legit, the moms are so fucking lucky that their lie ended up working out for Fallon and Chloe because otherwise, they’d be spending a lot of time in therapy for this.
- Fallon couldn’t even try to be civil toward Chloe. That’s what I hate most. She was deliberately acting like a child. And she’s the rational responsible one???
Have you read or going to do a review of Heartstopper?
I have read Heartstopper (and enjoyed it) and I do plan on doing a review for it. Not sure when but maybe during the new year, I'll do reviews for queer comics because there are a bunch that I've read but never reviewed.
Personal Opinion: There is so much to love in this book. The diverse cast, the chosen families, and the sweet romance of reconnecting with someone you had once lost. If you don’t fall in love with this book then there’s something wrong with you. Although it can be hard to keep up with and differentiate the friends at times because there are so many of them. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Do I Own This Book? No.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- Diversity win! Pretty much the entire cast is in some way a person of color, queer, or both. We have Black kids, brown kids, Asian kids, trans kids, gay kids, non-binary kids, and so many more. But best of all, they are all thriving. We have Cola Carter, a Black lesbian who is a top star and creating new stars that are queer and POC like her. Aya is Latina and queer too and she gets to live her dream making music and even inheriting Cap’s legacy of leading the Sunshowers. Suwa and Santi are both gay Asians and they are in love. Suwa is a rising star making music that matters to him and Santi is just living his best life painting and teaching art to kids. Everyone is thriving and I love that for them.
- Found/chosen family is just so important in this story. Santi and Aya are not blood related but they care about each other very deeply. Aya is so cool too, giving Santi enough freedom to explore while also being heavy-handed enough to discipline him when he needs it. Suwa, on the other hand, lives with Cap, who took him in when home became unsafe for Suwa. He even refers to Cap as “Dad” sometimes and that is so cute to me. Cap is honestly the best, he really cares for all his students and wants the best for them. Even after retiring, he still wants to give students a love of music. I love that.
- But we also have so many friends! Every single one of them are so kindhearted and cool. Mira, Octavian, Ari, Reva, Feli, and I’m likely forgetting someone but they’re all good people. They care for Santi and Suwa and the way they plot to get them together was hilarious. But I just love how easily they accept Santi into their group and how easy it is for them to forgive Suwa for leaving them for a year and a half. They’re ride-or-dies, really good friends.
- The scene where Suwa goes (to his dad’s) home after that interview just makes me tear up. Especially when he went into his old room to get the hanbok his dad gave him. It was just so precious to see his relationship with his dad mending. Even though it’s far from perfect and his dad was abusive in the past, I love seeing them both grow.
- Mira was absolutely right, Santi is a hunk. He’s clearly athletic and he’s covered in tattoos so that already makes him physically hot. But then he’s also an artist and a chef! A perfect package! Not but seriously, when Suwa messed up in the kitchen and Santi jumped in to help him, I felt my heart grow three sizes. The love was still there! The care was still there! The domestic tenderness was still there!
- Suwa being Memo was not at all surprising but it was also enough of a twist to really have an impact. By which, I mean, I was also rationalizing to myself like “No, it can’t be.” But when it was confirmed, I was like, “I fucking knew it!” It’s good, like a loose end being fixed.
- I also love all the references in this book. Mainly the Agumon bobblehead. Digimon is one of my favorite animes so of course I was going to love that. But also, Mugen Glider. The way they describe it in so much detail made it sound like an early, Showa-era Ghibli-esque show. I genuinely thought it was real! But it’s not! But it sounded so real and that’s what I like about it. I just wish I could watch it.
Dislikes:
- One thing I don’t like? Suwa abandoning his life in LA for Japan for a year and a half after dumping Santi. Bruh. I just, it was so bad. Suwa was acting so toxic too when he came back, reeling Santi in while also keeping him at arm’s length like Santi was the poisonous one. But at least Suwa apologized for his behavior. Because otherwise, I would not have wanted them to stay together. And I hope he does get serious about therapy again like he said he would.
Personal Opinion: This is a book about horny teenagers trying to get it on with their prom dates and everything goes wrong to prevent them from doing such. It is comedy-centric and I find it hilarious. The antics these kids get into are just absolutely wild. But especially for Julia and Kevin. They were my favorite couple along with Alex and Leah. And not just because they included Asian men. But because they were wholesome and hilarious.
Do I Own This Book? No.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- This is a comedy-centric book and I will grade it as such. It is hilarious. Chaotic but hilarious. With Julia being the center of most of the chaos. Her fear of cats, the fantasy roleplay, the trapped in the closet, the all-caps texting, she really brought the funny in this book. She is easily my favorite and it’s not just because her boyfriend is Kevin, the fat Chinese guy who is just so sweet on her. Finally, decent Kevin representation!
- Okay, let’s break down some of the comedic points. The cat. First of all, Bulldog is a horrible yet hilarious name for a cat. Just the mere fact that this cat existed in the vicinity of these horny teenagers is funny. But what makes it funnier is that he ended up on the roof with Madison and Jake. He kept on interrupting couples and just popping up in random places, it was hilarious.
- The excessive amounts of lube on the bed, oh my god. I can absolutely imagine the first time jitters involved with sex and the fact that Julia just emptied an entire bottle of lube onto her hand kills me. And especially because Kevin just had to point it out. Why does it make it funnier? I don’t know but it does.
- The fantasy roleplay killed me. Not only because Kevin had no idea what a fantasy elf was and based his idea of it on Santa’s elves but the fact that he thought it would be sexy is hilarious. But the best part was when Julia got into the role playing while trapped in the closet and Kevin had to yell out their safe word to get her to listen to him. That just ended me. Can you imagine trying to be sexy and then your boyfriend just screams “PIGEONS!”
- The visual of Zoe angrily and aggressively kneading dough while her girlfriend obliviously celebrates her getting into Yale is also hilarious. A little sad because how can Morgan not see how upset Zoe is? But mostly funny because they’re supposed to be fucking and instead, Zoe decided to make scones at ass o’clock because her uncle has a room that’s just a shrine to Yale.
- Speaking of the bedrooms, the other bedroom with the animal heads is also hilarious. The fact that Jake named them and Madison felt a kinship with one of them is so funny.
- Alex’s scenes were honestly much more endearing than funny. He was going through a lot with his grandmother in the hospital for surgery. But he had Leah by his side the entire time and their Romeo & Juliet, star crossed lovers thing had me hooked. I am a sucker for that trope. The fact that they were the only couple to actually have sex is hilarious to me too. Like I was truly laughing my ass off when he showed up to the house and Julia was like, “Well, at least the sex pact wasn’t a total failure.”
- I think the best part of this book is that everyone is just good people. Julia set up Alex and Leah. Leah stayed at the hospital to support Alex. Alex cares for the elderly and their park and the GEESE. Kevin didn’t mind not having sex with Julia immediately and read a whole book series just to make her happy. Morgan selflessly wanted her girlfriend to get into Yale and didn’t try to hold her back at all. And Jake! Sweet Jake. Now he was a surprise. He was actually really sweet to Madison and he accepted her breaking up with him with grace and humility. I respect that so much. He may be a dumb jock but he’s a good heart.
Dislikes:
- Uncle Ross didn’t show up much and he honestly wasn’t that scummy but his obsession with Yale does make me feel gross. It doesn’t help that my association with men who graduated from Yale is in the toilet currently. So I just did not like the man whatsoever. But he did lend his cabin to his niece and her friends and that was pretty cool of him, I guess.
- The actual reason why this book doesn’t get a perfect rating is Zoe. She’s supposed to be the smartest person in their grade and the most rational person in their friend group. But instead of talking things out with everyone about her not wanting to go to Yale, she let it silently eat away at her until she was basically crying and yelling at others. That was especially not fair to Morgan. Especially because Zoe acknowledged that she should’ve told Morgan and instead of telling her, she continued to keep it inside. That’s so frustrating. When characters know the solutions to their problems and just don’t act on them.
Personal Opinion: This story is an old favorite of mine. It was the first book I’d ever purchased for myself and I fell in love with it. The very concept of A, waking up in a new body everyday, is truly fascinating to me. But the fact that they fall in love with a girl, Rhiannon, and end up wanting to be with her regardless of which body they’re in is so utterly romantic.
Do I Own This Book? Yes.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- Something I loved was seeing all kinds of identities and relationships. The messy sibling dynamics of the Wongs, the bro-fest of the twins. The honeymoon phase of Zara and Amelia, the sweet story of acceptance between Vic and Dawn, and the year-long “are we still sure about this” vibes of Aaron and Hugo. There are so many different types of characters, different lives, we got so many glimpses and it felt special. The uniqueness of every human being just made me love each and every one of them.
- I was curious about some of the lives. Like for Kelsea, I had wondered if she got the help she needed. Luckily, Levithan likes to sate my curiosity by implying that yes, Kelsea does get help. And yes, Michael will make it to his sister’s wedding in Hawaii on time. A disrupts these lives for Rhiannon but it is such a relief that they’re not destroying them. In fact, they may have helped Kelsea.
- A and Rhiannon have some powerful chemistry. It might also be because A kept on pursuing her regardless of what body he was in. Like he put in the work to show that he loved her. Taking her to the beach as Justin, dancing with her as Nathan, making a giant heart out of chopsticks and sugar as George, inviting her to the tree house as Alexander. Like A really knows how to make a girl feel special.
- Also, the last body he was in before he left was Alexander Lin! He’s Asian and he’s such a good boy. He got the most wholesome anniversary gift for his parents, his best friend is a gay guy he once slipped money to so he could pay for his share of dinner, and he’s a creative too. How can I not love him? Obviously, you can’t force a romantic connection between Rhiannon and Alexander so I worry about Alexander’s heart in the sequel but for now, I am transcendent.
- I don’t blame Nathan for reacting the way he did after everything that happened to him. I too would freak out if I was suddenly found on the side of the road by police when previously, the most trouble I’d get in is forgetting to do a homework assignment. It added this other layer to the story that was just super intriguing. Basically by calling A the devil, A really began thinking about the potential of chaos he could bring into a person’s life. It was fascinating. Not to mention, it basically set everything up for the potential of a sequel.
- Reverend Poole is scum but he is a necessary scum. I like what he adds to the story as an entity similar to A. The implication that there are others like A.
Dislikes:
- Justin is trash. He apparently gaslights Rhiannon and also barely gives her the time of day. I am glad they broke up. Granted, it shouldn’t have happened the way it did but man, they are so much better apart. The thing that really bugs me though is that Rhiannon still did a bunch of things with A while still with Justin and honestly, I don’t like that. She should’ve dumped him first. Look, I’m not against her cheating specifically because let’s be honest, Justin sucks, but she still should’ve dumped him when she had the chance instead of just waiting to get caught hugging A as Michael.
- Reverend Poole gives me the creeps. I know he’s technically possessed by an entity like A, and therefore not completely Reverend Poole, but I don’t care. I do not like him.
- Rhiannon, baby, A told you that Vic identifies as a boy and you still misgendered him the entire time. How fucking dare you. I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you. But I guess it just shows her ignorance because it has been implied before.
