Personal Opinion: A gay love story inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, what more could you possibly want? What makes this a fairy tale, you might ask? Simple. Nate and Cam are perfect for each other. They met once and yet they seemed to understand each other perfectly. However, when Nate finds out that Cam is a Pierce, things go downhill from there. Will Cam be able to find his Cinderfella or were they doomed from the start?
Couple Classification: Nathan Mitchell Grisheimer X Richard Cameron Pierce Jr. = Artist X Artist/Prep
Do I Own This Book? Nope.
Spoilers Below For My Likes & Dislikes:
Likes:
- This is one of those books that have a saccharine ending that rots teeth. I love it. Firstly, this story takes inspiration from Cinderella so it’s no surprise that it has a fairy tale feel to it. The way Cameron and Nate just feel perfect for each other is that fairy tale aspect. Their love is perfect. Secondly, there’s no homophobia. At least none that is significant to the story. Cam seems totally secure in his sexuality and his dad never references it in a negative light. Instead, Nate and Cam are out here boldly kissing in front of the paparazzi in the final chapter. Fairy tale love indeed. Thirdly, the “evil stepmother” turned out not to be so evil. Because Tonya was only 21 when she married Mick and suddenly became the sole guardian of Nate. She was just as lost as he was. It’s really no wonder she struggled to be a parent but I think she did well in the end, apologizing for not doing better and promising to do better from then on.
- I mentioned Cameron and Nate being perfect together, didn’t I? Well they are. They seem to get each other on an almost spiritual level where they complete each other’s sentences and fill in the blanks for each other’s songs. It’s so sweet how much Cam cares for Nate even when Nate was angry at Cam. It’s so sweet how Nate was touched by Cameron’s song for him. It’s so sweet that Cam wrote a song about Nate that was apparently sexy and powerful. I just, ugh, I wish more couples were like them. Actual communication, treating each other like equals, being on the same wavelength on something they love: music.
- Victor is such a great friend and hilariously, not-so-subtly, possibly repressed bisexual. He is Nate’s ride-or-die. When the paparazzi hounded Nate, Vic (and his family) offered his home to Nate to hide out. He then helped Nate go on the run by getting him a dream gig being a roadie for his favorite band, Liquid. He’s constantly ready to be Nate’s ride almost anywhere and he pushes Nate to pursue his dreams.
- Tess is the same in that last aspect for Cam. Cameron was so insecure in his singing and Tess, his twin, was constantly pushing him to pursue that dream. She’s also great as an individual as well. I mean, making a foundation that helps women achieve greatness? Iconic. Her eye and skill for business are so impressive too and honestly? She’s just a queen and we stan.
- I’m not done talking about how sweet Nate and Cam are. They stayed up until like four in the morning just writing songs! They noted how the other like to take coffee for reference in the future! Cam cooked for Nate and helped Nate write a song about his dad! Nate encouraged Cam to open up about his insecurities about his father and helped him stand up to him too! Like that is a power couple right there. When they truly bring out the best in each other. Cam really is the most unselfish person too somehow.
Dislikes:
- Bruh, Nate got doxxed by Tess’s fans. That is so fucked up. The people that put his address on the internet should be punished because I feel like we glossed over that. And Tess really should have known better.
- I have my issues with Cam’s dad but honestly, that’s sort of irrelevant? Shockingly. I don’t know, for a guy that’s so busy, he tries for his family and he even cares about his artists. I honestly can’t be too mad at him.
- The dialogue feels contrived sometimes. Like half the time, the characters were giving whole ass monologues that seemed way too scripted. But again, I’m not too mad at it because there is the fairy tale aspect to take into account here.
- Also, Cam describes Nate as having a muscled back but Nate spends at least 10% of the book stress eating unhealthy foods. There is no way. I know that this is fiction and everyone can be pretty in fiction but after reading so many books with plus-sized characters that are still written as attractive, I just feel like the same could have been done with Nate.
March is turning into the month of bookstacks! Here's a pile of the contemporaries I'm attempting to get read.... some of these titles have been on my TBR shelf for years. So it's time to #BeatTheBacklist!
Currently Reading: Sometime After Midnight by L. Philips
It’s been a while since I’ve done a currently reading post, and I thought since it’s almost Christmas, I’d tell all you guys about this adorable romance I’ll be reading by my metaphorical fire this week. This is a Cinderella retelling, so of course I HAD to check it out. The official synopsis from Barnes and Noble says:
Late one night in a dingy Los Angeles club, Nate and Cameron meet and discover they have much more in common than their love of an obscure indie band. But when Nate learns that Cameron is the heir to a soul-sucking record label—the very one that destroyed his father’s life—he runs away as fast as he can. The only evidence of their brief but intense connection is the blurry photo Cameron snaps of Nate’s Sharpied Chuck Taylors. When Cameron’s sister Tess—a famous model and socialite—posts the photo on Instagram for her legions of fans, the internet just about breaks with the news of this modern fairy tale. “Anyone know the owner of these shoes?” she writes. “My Prince Charming brother is looking for his Cinderfella!” But while the viral sensation begins to bring the pair back together, their own demons and pasts might get in the way of any happily ever afters.
So far I am absolutely loving this! I think Nate and Cameron are great, and I love the dual POVs. Their stories felt really authentic to me and it surprisingly has tackled some heavier issues that I wasn’t expecting. I genuinely can’t wait to see where this goes (even though of course we already pretty much know) so if you’re looking for a more modern fairy tale retelling than the ones I normally post about, check this out! Philips is also the author of Perfect Ten. Happy reading and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone!
In a dingy Los Angeles club late one night, Cameron and Nate meet and find they have much more in common than their love of an obscure indie band. But when Nate learns that Cameron is the heir to a record label, the very one that destroyed his father's life, he runs away as fast as he can. The only evidence of their brief but intense connection is a blurry photo Cameron snaps of Nate's Sharpie-decorated Chuck Taylors as he flees.
Considering that Cameron is a real life Prince Charming--he's handsome, famous, and rich--it's only fitting that he sets out to find the owner of the Sharpied shoes. Cameron's twin sister, a model and socialite, posts the picture of Nate's shoes on Instagram to her legions of fans with the caption, "Anyone know the gorgeous owner of these shoes? My hottie brother is looking for him." The internet just about breaks with the news of a modern fairy tale and the two become entwined in each other's lives in this sparkling story about the power of music, the demons that haunt us, and the flutterings of first real love.
Disponible en version papier et numérique — 313 pages
Âge conseillé : à partir de 15 ans
Résumé :
Après deux longues années de célibat, Sam, dix-sept ans, est désespéré : retrouvera-t-il un jour un copain ? Il décide donc de lancer un sort pour faire de nouvelles rencontres… et trois garçons débarquent aussitôt dans sa vie ! Gus, le beau Français en échange scolaire. Jamie, l’artiste timide. Travis, la future rock-star. Sans compter Landon, l’ex de Sam, qui voudrait bien une nouvelle chance… Après le désert affectif, Sam a maintenant l’embarras du choix. Mais lequel des quatre candidats est son garçon idéal ?
Identité représentée :
Garçons gay (dont le héros) et un jeune homme bisexuel
Thématiques :
Romance, humour, homosexualité
Avis de Cordélia :
Une romance mielleuse et drôle comme on en voit tellement version hétéro. On ne révolutionne absolument pas la romance, c’est cliché à souhait, mais super feelgood dans le sens où pour une fois ce sont des garçons qui se pécho <3
Look no further than PERFECT TEN, a YA romance about 17-year-old Sam Raines trying to find love in his maddeningly heterosexual hometown.
Sam has already dated the only other gay guy at his school, his ex-lover turned best friend Landon. But now, two years after breaking up with Landon, Sam is ready to love again... but where could he find his perfect ten? He and his Wiccan friend Meg cast a spell on a list of what Sam considers to be the ten traits in a perfect boyfriend. And suddenly, boys are popping out of the woodwork! There’s the suave new french exchange student, the hot rock-and-roll singer, and a sweet young artist, all of whom seem suddenly drawn to Sam. Which one could be his perfect ten? You’ll just have to read it to find out!
Perfect Ten comes out June 6th, so preorder today!
Fave Five: Contemporary YAs in Which the Gay MC is Already Out History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera You Know Me Well by David Levithan and Nina LaCour…
