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totheliteraturelighthouse's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
mellamaron's review against another edition
DNF at 40 pages.
There’s nothing really wrong with this book and it probably appeals to a certain audience but that audience is not me.
I didn’t like that the MC was extremely judgmental and yet hated when others judged him. 🤨 That’s my least favorite combo in an MC, especially in a YA.
Also I read a review that this isn’t a friends to lovers romance and the fact that I really liked Dean makes me sad he’s not the LI. 😢
And at 40 pages into a 270 page book, we still don’t have the main plot. This MC actually seems to be happy in his life? He just is obsessed with this other guy who doesn’t really know him at all which is super High School but also a teeny bit sad to watch. 😅
Just not the book I expected.
There’s nothing really wrong with this book and it probably appeals to a certain audience but that audience is not me.
I didn’t like that the MC was extremely judgmental and yet hated when others judged him. 🤨 That’s my least favorite combo in an MC, especially in a YA.
Also I read a review that this isn’t a friends to lovers romance and the fact that I really liked Dean makes me sad he’s not the LI. 😢
And at 40 pages into a 270 page book, we still don’t have the main plot. This MC actually seems to be happy in his life? He just is obsessed with this other guy who doesn’t really know him at all which is super High School but also a teeny bit sad to watch. 😅
Just not the book I expected.
matthiasdj's review
5.0
Finished this in one night, and it exceeded my expectations!! I loved this book a lot!
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
onceandfuturebooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Okay but this was so cute and camp with some important discussions and ponderings mixed in!! Loved it! 🩷
salainen's review
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
somekindofmiriam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
michaelbereading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Max, an out and proud high school senior, accidentally wishes he wasn't gay anymore during a moment of frustration and insecurity. When he wakes up straight he must navigate old relationships but with new dynamics, and he knows he needs to figure out how to get his old life back.
This was heartfelt, hilarious, and beautiful. From beginning to end I just had such a good time reading this book. The characters were so fun and loveable, but Max, the MC, was quite frustrating and spoiled at times (but I need to remember teen characters are intentionally written that way because teenagers often do infuriating things). This was a short quick read that brought me so much joy! I will be looking out for more from Calum McSwiggan.
I have said it once but I'll say it again, YA books like this would have been LIFE CHANGING for me as a very confused queer kid. I'm so glad the younger generation has access to books like this.
This was heartfelt, hilarious, and beautiful. From beginning to end I just had such a good time reading this book. The characters were so fun and loveable, but Max, the MC, was quite frustrating and spoiled at times (but I need to remember teen characters are intentionally written that way because teenagers often do infuriating things). This was a short quick read that brought me so much joy! I will be looking out for more from Calum McSwiggan.
I have said it once but I'll say it again, YA books like this would have been LIFE CHANGING for me as a very confused queer kid. I'm so glad the younger generation has access to books like this.
joshs_queer_blog's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
This is a book I picked up solely for the premise. 17-year-old gay kid Max is having a hard time navigating trying to have a love life being gay in a small town, and so, in an argument with his friend, wishes he could just have the easy life of being straight instead. Only, his wish comes true. The next day he wakes up, his attraction to men gone, and instead he now has a girlfriend. Will he enjoy his new straight life in this parallel timeline, or will he find his way back to his own world?
I came for the premise of this book, and loved every minute. I liked that the wish changed Max’s sexuality, and yet Straight Max and Gay Max are both the same person, with the same interests and personality.
It delves into what it’s like to be a horny teenager, but didn’t few too uncomfortable or too spicy to read either. And whilst there were a lot of stereotypes, and at times it felt a bit awkward, I think it ended on a high note
This book was sweet, funny, wholesome, lighthearted, and has a diverse cast of queer characters. I’d recommend it to everyone who loves gay YA books, and weird Freaky Friday or Groundhog Day style plots involving parallel universes or time travel.
I came for the premise of this book, and loved every minute. I liked that the wish changed Max’s sexuality, and yet Straight Max and Gay Max are both the same person, with the same interests and personality.
It delves into what it’s like to be a horny teenager, but didn’t few too uncomfortable or too spicy to read either. And whilst there were a lot of stereotypes, and at times it felt a bit awkward, I think it ended on a high note
This book was sweet, funny, wholesome, lighthearted, and has a diverse cast of queer characters. I’d recommend it to everyone who loves gay YA books, and weird Freaky Friday or Groundhog Day style plots involving parallel universes or time travel.
drakoulis's review against another edition
4.0
I have a principle in my reviews: the final taste matters a lot in a book.
This book had me frustrated and a bit disappointed for large parts of it, but the final part was so cute and satisfying!
A problem with a lot of YA romances is that the author doesn't give space for the couple to be together in the end. Calum McSwiggan not only avoided this pitfall but made the final part of the book adorable and swoony!
So the rating is for sweet Oliver Cheng, for his chemistry with Max and for a really strong finale.
Saying that, the execution of what Calum wanted to do is lackluster.
The story revolves around Max, a quite effeminate gay teen who is grumpy about what he doesn't have and unfairly vents to his best friends Dean and Alicia wishing that he was straight.
And whoop, he wakes up in a sort of parallel timeline where he is straight! He has to find a way back and on the way he has to get to know himself better and value what he took for granted (or assumed) for other people. But:
- There's a lot of preaching and telling instead of showing (like racial privilege being mentioned without any storyline) when it comes to the messages, and a very American optic of them despite all the characters being British and the school being in England.
- There is a very stereotypical portrayal of the "feminine gay" (the crop top, the way if walking, the fashion and theater, the girlish nickname, all together is like googling decades old stereotypes for gay people). This was a big wince for me.
- There is a rather confusing message with the parallel timeline that being straight might not be as easy as being gay? I assume the intention was to show that you should always be happy to be yourself and not something else but it wasn't done well.
- Making the main character act like a jerk because he was missing memories of his past in the parallel timeline.
The book was still enjoyable despite these issues, and the romance was super cute!
This book had me frustrated and a bit disappointed for large parts of it, but the final part was so cute and satisfying!
A problem with a lot of YA romances is that the author doesn't give space for the couple to be together in the end. Calum McSwiggan not only avoided this pitfall but made the final part of the book adorable and swoony!
So the rating is for sweet Oliver Cheng, for his chemistry with Max and for a really strong finale.
Saying that, the execution of what Calum wanted to do is lackluster.
The story revolves around Max, a quite effeminate gay teen who is grumpy about what he doesn't have and unfairly vents to his best friends Dean and Alicia wishing that he was straight.
And whoop, he wakes up in a sort of parallel timeline where he is straight! He has to find a way back and on the way he has to get to know himself better and value what he took for granted (or assumed) for other people. But:
- There's a lot of preaching and telling instead of showing (like racial privilege being mentioned without any storyline) when it comes to the messages, and a very American optic of them despite all the characters being British and the school being in England.
- There is a very stereotypical portrayal of the "feminine gay" (the crop top, the way if walking, the fashion and theater, the girlish nickname, all together is like googling decades old stereotypes for gay people). This was a big wince for me.
- There is a rather confusing message with the parallel timeline that being straight might not be as easy as being gay? I assume the intention was to show that you should always be happy to be yourself and not something else but it wasn't done well.
- Making the main character act like a jerk because he was missing memories of his past in the parallel timeline.
The book was still enjoyable despite these issues, and the romance was super cute!
amicarlton's review
5.0
This is a sweet, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will keep you turning the pages to find out how everything turns out.
I devoured this book right up. I’m not sure what I expected when I started reading, but what I got was a fantastic blend of Freaky Friday and It’s a Wonderful Life all blended to perfection. Our main character learns the lesson of be careful what you wish for, and maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side in the biggest and worst way possible. Sure, some things are better, but some things are worse when his wish comes true.
McSwiggan developed beautiful, believable, flawed, but lovable characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. I especially enjoyed the teacher who was on the LGBTQplus kids side, and enjoyed hating the one who wasn’t. The blurb and several reviews called Max spoiled, and maybe he was. But sometimes we have to live life to learn some things. Life is hard and complicated, as he learns very quickly. I especially enjoyed the beautiful interconnectedness of each aspect of life the author showed through this story. How one small detail, Max being gay, impacted so much of his life.
I hope the wonder of seeing books like this for young adults will never wear off for me. Growing up in the 90s and early 00s, especially in the Deep South of the United States, meant very little access to books or other media with LGBTQplus representation. Even today, the Deep South has a lot of work to do in this regard. So it warms my heart every time I read a book intended for young people making it clear that they are okay. Representation matters so much. I’m thankful for authors like Mr. McSwiggan, and authors like him, for making things easier for the next generation of kids. I will absolutely read whatever he writes next.
Who’s It For
If you love a good romance, especially an LGBTQIplus Young Adult one, this one will absolutely tick all the boxes. Homophobes need not apply, because this book is out and proud – even if it needed all of us to learn a lesson along the way. If you like your books to teach a little lesson, provide some social commentary, and have a wonderfully diverse and amazing cast of characters, snap this book up today.
Content Warning: Homophobia, drinking, drugs, adult situations, adult language, racism
First published (with slight differences) on amorinacarlton.com
I devoured this book right up. I’m not sure what I expected when I started reading, but what I got was a fantastic blend of Freaky Friday and It’s a Wonderful Life all blended to perfection. Our main character learns the lesson of be careful what you wish for, and maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side in the biggest and worst way possible. Sure, some things are better, but some things are worse when his wish comes true.
McSwiggan developed beautiful, believable, flawed, but lovable characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. I especially enjoyed the teacher who was on the LGBTQplus kids side, and enjoyed hating the one who wasn’t. The blurb and several reviews called Max spoiled, and maybe he was. But sometimes we have to live life to learn some things. Life is hard and complicated, as he learns very quickly. I especially enjoyed the beautiful interconnectedness of each aspect of life the author showed through this story. How one small detail, Max being gay, impacted so much of his life.
I hope the wonder of seeing books like this for young adults will never wear off for me. Growing up in the 90s and early 00s, especially in the Deep South of the United States, meant very little access to books or other media with LGBTQplus representation. Even today, the Deep South has a lot of work to do in this regard. So it warms my heart every time I read a book intended for young people making it clear that they are okay. Representation matters so much. I’m thankful for authors like Mr. McSwiggan, and authors like him, for making things easier for the next generation of kids. I will absolutely read whatever he writes next.
Who’s It For
If you love a good romance, especially an LGBTQIplus Young Adult one, this one will absolutely tick all the boxes. Homophobes need not apply, because this book is out and proud – even if it needed all of us to learn a lesson along the way. If you like your books to teach a little lesson, provide some social commentary, and have a wonderfully diverse and amazing cast of characters, snap this book up today.
Content Warning: Homophobia, drinking, drugs, adult situations, adult language, racism
First published (with slight differences) on amorinacarlton.com