joey_schafer's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
midi's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was provided this book as an ARC through NetGalley by Peachtree Teen ahead of the publication date and this is my honest review:
I've always liked having the word asexual. I like how it makes me feel like I belong somewhere even when the rest of the world thinks I'm not quite right.
Wren Martin Ruins It All was a book I could barely put down and whenever I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it! It's an easy heart-warming read with lots of good humour but also touches on serious topics about grief, sexuality and identity that give it so much soul. Wren is a charming character, even through his struggles and his more annoying teenage moments and I couldn't help but root for him.
The book starts with Wren becoming student council president and finally being able to put an end to the St. Valentine's dance. In his words, it's too expensive and the money could be used elsewhere, but the truth is it's simply too focused on romance and relationships. Wren is asexual, and with everything else he already has going on, the fact everyone around him seems to be obsessed with Buddy - an app to make connections anonymously but that everyone is using as a dating app - is just too much. Unfortunately for him, Leo, the too tall, too handsome, too perfect guy that seems to always get in his way, comes up with a solution where they can both keep the money and have the dance. Then begins their attempt at working together to make the dance a success while Wren also tries to keep under wraps the fact he not only downloaded Buddy but is also actively using it.
There's many other characters to this book and all of them were interesting in their own right but the moments between Wren and Leo were the best for me. I'd gladly read a sequel to their story.
Lastly, I'm now an adult but I wish this book was around when I was a teenager and figured out that I too was asexual. That said, as an asexual, this book hit many right spots for me. I could see my younger struggles through Wren as he tried to navigate the world that so often makes you feel wrong for being different, sometimes even in LGBTQ+ circles. I feel having stories like this and diverse representation is important both for the current and future generations and I'm now very curious to read the author's previous book as it too has ace characters!
krin's review against another edition
4.0
This book was exactly four stars for me. This young adult novel is told from the POV of 17-year-old Wren who is simultaneously charming and annoying. Like most 17 year olds? While the pacing did not always work for me - sometimes it felt like it was dragging - I didn't really want to put it down and I had fun. Really this is Wren's book and despite his flaws, his is likable and just doing his best with his circumstances. I also thought the ace rep was lovely. While some of the plot was super predictable, there were some surprises in there so I would suggest jumping in without too much pre-reading and just enjoy the ride but for one big content warning (spoiler re grief:) of parental and other family loss due to cancer.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Peachtree Teen in exchange for an honest review.
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
This was an heartfelt and adorable read! There is so much humor and light in it. I was very excited to be granted an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wren is newly appointed as student council president and has BIG plans for this year, like allocating funding for things that really matter, like fixing major repairs inside of the school. The last thing he wanted to do was plan a school dance... Finding the idea of school dances and all that go into them daunting as an asexual person, he feels that these kinds of events aren't inclusive to people like him.
The student council vice president, and bane of his existence, Leo is all about the dance, suggesting they find a sponsor... like this new "not dating" app that everyone is raving about, BUDDY. Doing his due diligence, he checks out the app, secretly making a profile and soon finds someone he really enjoys talking to, though he would never tell anyone... besides, the app is completely anonymous.
Meanwhile, working so closely with Leo, he learns that there may be more to the perfect on paper boy than he previously thought. Now, he is even more confused because he finds himself traversing dating life as an asexual person, which, for Wren, is uncharted territory.
Told with such humor and a cast of lovable characters, this book was super sweet and holds a very special place in my heart.
Wren is newly appointed as student council president and has BIG plans for this year, like allocating funding for things that really matter, like fixing major repairs inside of the school. The last thing he wanted to do was plan a school dance... Finding the idea of school dances and all that go into them daunting as an asexual person, he feels that these kinds of events aren't inclusive to people like him.
The student council vice president, and bane of his existence, Leo is all about the dance, suggesting they find a sponsor... like this new "not dating" app that everyone is raving about, BUDDY. Doing his due diligence, he checks out the app, secretly making a profile and soon finds someone he really enjoys talking to, though he would never tell anyone... besides, the app is completely anonymous.
Meanwhile, working so closely with Leo, he learns that there may be more to the perfect on paper boy than he previously thought. Now, he is even more confused because he finds himself traversing dating life as an asexual person, which, for Wren, is uncharted territory.
Told with such humor and a cast of lovable characters, this book was super sweet and holds a very special place in my heart.
haydemoone's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
piperclover's review against another edition
I can see where this would appeal to some readers but I'm just uninterested. I'm a third of the way through this and nothing has really happened to make me want to stay and I'm just not really invested in the plot as a whole.
smillas_tales's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I finally finished my eARC of Wren Martin Ruins it All by Amanda Dewitt and it was nothing short of delightful!!! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC <3
IThis novel is so incredibly, wonderfully queer, and with all its wit and all its heart, it has been such a lovely break from all the stress of real life these past few weeks! I cannot recommend it enough! <3 <3 <3
IThis novel is so incredibly, wonderfully queer, and with all its wit and all its heart, it has been such a lovely break from all the stress of real life these past few weeks! I cannot recommend it enough! <3 <3 <3
Wren is a wonderful main character, and I loved getting to know him, his humor, his grief, his big oblivious heart!!! Following along as he slowly figures out his own feelings was such a joy, and I adored the chemistry between the characters! The entire student council team has my heart <3
It was also SO refreshing to read a queer YA novel where queer-phobia or coming out isn’t the focal point of the story. Those stories are important, but this one is too! A story where the main characters are allowed to just deal with their messy feelings and their grief.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
zombiiex's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
I smiled the whole dang time and for so many reasons, so just like Wren does in the book, let me give a list of why i think this was great :
1. ASEXUAL AND QUEER REPRESENTATION. ❤️
2. Wren is a fantastic main character. I think he was so fun to follow and i enjoyed his chaos alot. I seriously could read a 12 books series of Wren’s adventures without getting bored. I love him. His voice and narration were really refreshing.
3. i laughed out loud SO MANY TIMES. This books is hilarious
I smiled the whole dang time and for so many reasons, so just like Wren does in the book, let me give a list of why i think this was great :
1. ASEXUAL AND QUEER REPRESENTATION. ❤️
2. Wren is a fantastic main character. I think he was so fun to follow and i enjoyed his chaos alot. I seriously could read a 12 books series of Wren’s adventures without getting bored. I love him. His voice and narration were really refreshing.
3. i laughed out loud SO MANY TIMES. This books is hilarious
theliteraryel's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was freaking cute. Super slow burn, lots of awkwardness of age 17, coming of age with real struggles, self discovery journey.
Wren is dealing with the pain of growing up, trying to find his place in high school, in world and the rest of his life, trying to navigate grief, he is also navigating through his sexuality, afraid his asexuality will affect his romantic relationships. He has unresolved feelings towards Leo, which he thinks it is hate.
Leo, on the other hand, is a more popular, taller, good looking, seemingly, happily and easily acquiring what he wants in life. But he has his own battles in life, which we discover along with Wren and changes the perception of him.
They are forced to work together in student council, which leads to a lot of awkward moments, and an awkward friendship and lots of insight on both Leo and Wren’s lives. I loved how slowly their friendship grew and evolved. I also loved their interactions because they were genuine.
I liked the writing style most, Wren’s lists for everything were super cute, but most importantly, dialogues, events and characters were written age-appropriate, without being cringy or forced. The communication between students, and how they reacted, yes sometimes they are silly but they are 17 so they have to be but even in those times, it felt genuine.
I liked Wren’s quirky brain a lot, he was stubborn and biased a lot of times but one by one those biases were demolished, it was really nice to watch his growth.
I liked the banter between them, as the whole group, even with their teacher! Dialogues were entertaining.
I like the cat, Beep!
There were a few things I wished different;
The biggest plot twist around Buddy app was predictable, very early on. I wished that mystery had more suspense.
The slow burn was slow, I wished we had seen more of their relationship, how they interacted as a couple a little.
The ending felt a bit short. Because when they finally made peace with their feelings, it just ended, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Obviously on a happy note which was nice but also a bit loose. I wished we got a more elaborate epilogue or more solid end.
Overall, it was fun and cute read, I enjoyed a lot, smiled throughout the book because Wren is just awkwardly charming.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Dewitt for the ARC.
Wren is dealing with the pain of growing up, trying to find his place in high school, in world and the rest of his life, trying to navigate grief, he is also navigating through his sexuality, afraid his asexuality will affect his romantic relationships. He has unresolved feelings towards Leo, which he thinks it is hate.
Leo, on the other hand, is a more popular, taller, good looking, seemingly, happily and easily acquiring what he wants in life. But he has his own battles in life, which we discover along with Wren and changes the perception of him.
They are forced to work together in student council, which leads to a lot of awkward moments, and an awkward friendship and lots of insight on both Leo and Wren’s lives. I loved how slowly their friendship grew and evolved. I also loved their interactions because they were genuine.
I liked the writing style most, Wren’s lists for everything were super cute, but most importantly, dialogues, events and characters were written age-appropriate, without being cringy or forced. The communication between students, and how they reacted, yes sometimes they are silly but they are 17 so they have to be but even in those times, it felt genuine.
I liked Wren’s quirky brain a lot, he was stubborn and biased a lot of times but one by one those biases were demolished, it was really nice to watch his growth.
I liked the banter between them, as the whole group, even with their teacher! Dialogues were entertaining.
I like the cat, Beep!
There were a few things I wished different;
The biggest plot twist around Buddy app was predictable, very early on. I wished that mystery had more suspense.
The slow burn was slow, I wished we had seen more of their relationship, how they interacted as a couple a little.
The ending felt a bit short. Because when they finally made peace with their feelings, it just ended, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Obviously on a happy note which was nice but also a bit loose. I wished we got a more elaborate epilogue or more solid end.
Overall, it was fun and cute read, I enjoyed a lot, smiled throughout the book because Wren is just awkwardly charming.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Dewitt for the ARC.
skylar_cr_wolf's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Something I must say is that Amanda DeWitt knows how to still add some sense of humour and irony into a story. It is something I loved with Aces Wild and now with Wren Ruins It All, you get a total different story and setting but you still get this sense that it is DeWitt’s writing. I absolutely love it! And look forward to add this book to my physical shelf.