jazkc's review
4.0
3.75 stars ✧
the it's always been you but it's a skater boy to his childhood best friend. need i say more? <3
❝If it was legal, I'd marry this grilled cheese sandwich,❞ I tell Chris in appreciation of his culinary abilities.
❝How would you consummate the marriage?❞ he asks with a leer. I grin and poke a hole through the sandwich with my finger. Chris shakes his head and throws a dishtowel at me, so I wiggle my finger a little more until he cracks up. God, I love his laugh.
the it's always been you but it's a skater boy to his childhood best friend. need i say more? <3
adventures_by_nessa's review
5.0
I’m very picky about my YA reads, so I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I felt for Theo. I felt instantly for him and couldn’t stop the audiobook.
This book shocked me. I got pulled in and binged it until the end. Theo had so much going on in his life. The ups and downs pull at every emotion. I laughed, cried, and stressed with and for Theo. His emotions go through the ringer with teenage angst.
This is a new to me author and narrator. Michael Mola was very good, he kept me intrigued while bringing the characters to life. He was good at separating the character voices and Theo’s emotions. I very much would listen to Michael Mola again.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.
This book shocked me. I got pulled in and binged it until the end. Theo had so much going on in his life. The ups and downs pull at every emotion. I laughed, cried, and stressed with and for Theo. His emotions go through the ringer with teenage angst.
This is a new to me author and narrator. Michael Mola was very good, he kept me intrigued while bringing the characters to life. He was good at separating the character voices and Theo’s emotions. I very much would listen to Michael Mola again.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this, and I've found a new author to love. I mean, it's my first book by this author so who knows if I'll continue to love her books, but I'm definitely reading more now :D
This was such a well written young adult romance. The world building was wonderfully done, the characters were enriched with complexity and depth, and the relationships were well crafted and developed.
I adored Theo and Chris together. They just fit, in their friendship and romantic relationship. And they were pretty typical teenagers at times while also showing maturity at times as well.
I always prefer a balance with teenage characters, because I feel that while yes some teenagers come off as shallow or just plain immature (and a few might well be), I also feel that they do have a maturity to them, a depth to them we often don't give them credit for.
So I felt like this author did a good job of writing these two as what their age was, 16 year olds with raging hormones, trying to figure out life and truly start learning how to grow up. And they had their moments of immaturity and stupidity and silliness - like both of them not just talking about their feelings to each other and assuming the others sexuality (*cough*Theo*cough*) and so on, although that isn't really just limited to teenagers lol (god knows I've read exactly that with characters that are supposed to be well out of their teens ;)) - but they also had more to them than that. They had hopes and dreams and fears.
Also, a character like Theo showed a hell of a lot more maturity than his father ever did (he was the worst) but ya know, sometimes people never grow out of their teenage years - meaning they always stay self-centered and immature and complete assholes. And in those cases if they have kids than their kids might become more of a parent than they ever were.
First and foremost, this is Theo's journey (we don't get Chris's POV, which I was bummed about. I think us as the reader can pick up on way more than Theo actually does, but it still would have been nice to get Chris' view on things) and he has some growing up to do. He's starting his sophomore year in high school, but he turns 16 about a month or so into the school year.
So before that, he tries to get over his best friend, because he thinks Chris is straight and therefore unavailable.
And then...*sigh* in comes Dave.
UGH. UGHHH.
.
So no, I never forgave Dave - and I was super happy that Theo never did either. But Theo, being such a good guy always trying for peace never went off on this asshole, which is not what I would have done lol.
Eventually, when the dust mostly settles with the whole Dave thing, Theo gets the courage to not only come out (well, the decision was taken out of this hands, but the decision to confirm that he was gay and tell his mother and sister and Chris and later his father was all his own), but to tell Chris how he feels.
What follows is sweet - and a little hot ;). This book didn't shy away from sex, which I was glad for, because I feel like with this...policing and social justing-ing gone wrong by a lot of people over the past few years, they've made it seem like 16 years olds are children (and while in some ways they can be and they aren't fully adults, they still are not children and in most places 16 is the age of consent. And the law doesn't actually mean what is 'okay' and 'not okay' the law does not determine the morality of things. At least not always.) and cannot have sex or think about sex and it cannot be shown or talked about or anything. It's bullshit, in my opinion.
Anyway, getting back off my soap box, the sex was hot and passionate and sweet. These two are each other's first love, and while first loves usually don't end up being the love of each other's lives, if I'm reading a romance book focused on a first love scenario, I'm gonna assume they do end up together.
So, who knows if these two end up together past the end of this, but I like to think they will. High school sweethearts and all ;).
I definitely recommend this, I adored this book. And I am a fan of this author and can't wait to read more :D
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
This was such a well written young adult romance. The world building was wonderfully done, the characters were enriched with complexity and depth, and the relationships were well crafted and developed.
I adored Theo and Chris together. They just fit, in their friendship and romantic relationship. And they were pretty typical teenagers at times while also showing maturity at times as well.
I always prefer a balance with teenage characters, because I feel that while yes some teenagers come off as shallow or just plain immature (and a few might well be), I also feel that they do have a maturity to them, a depth to them we often don't give them credit for.
So I felt like this author did a good job of writing these two as what their age was, 16 year olds with raging hormones, trying to figure out life and truly start learning how to grow up. And they had their moments of immaturity and stupidity and silliness - like both of them not just talking about their feelings to each other and assuming the others sexuality (*cough*Theo*cough*) and so on, although that isn't really just limited to teenagers lol (god knows I've read exactly that with characters that are supposed to be well out of their teens ;)) - but they also had more to them than that. They had hopes and dreams and fears.
Also, a character like Theo showed a hell of a lot more maturity than his father ever did (he was the worst) but ya know, sometimes people never grow out of their teenage years - meaning they always stay self-centered and immature and complete assholes. And in those cases if they have kids than their kids might become more of a parent than they ever were.
First and foremost, this is Theo's journey (we don't get Chris's POV, which I was bummed about. I think us as the reader can pick up on way more than Theo actually does, but it still would have been nice to get Chris' view on things) and he has some growing up to do. He's starting his sophomore year in high school, but he turns 16 about a month or so into the school year.
So before that, he tries to get over his best friend, because he thinks Chris is straight and therefore unavailable.
And then...*sigh* in comes Dave.
UGH. UGHHH.
Spoiler
Outing someone without their consent? One of the worst things you could do. And ya know, even then, I wouldn't have been as pissed as I became with Dave if he hadn't be for the WAY he'd done it. He took a picture of Theo blowing him - WITHOUT his consent, and without Theo knowing about it to boot- and then he shared the photo with others that led to him being outed without his consent and in such a private, vulnerable moment. HORRIBLE thing to doSo no, I never forgave Dave - and I was super happy that Theo never did either. But Theo, being such a good guy always trying for peace never went off on this asshole, which is not what I would have done lol.
Eventually, when the dust mostly settles with the whole Dave thing, Theo gets the courage to not only come out (well, the decision was taken out of this hands, but the decision to confirm that he was gay and tell his mother and sister and Chris and later his father was all his own), but to tell Chris how he feels.
What follows is sweet - and a little hot ;). This book didn't shy away from sex, which I was glad for, because I feel like with this...policing and social justing-ing gone wrong by a lot of people over the past few years, they've made it seem like 16 years olds are children (and while in some ways they can be and they aren't fully adults, they still are not children and in most places 16 is the age of consent. And the law doesn't actually mean what is 'okay' and 'not okay' the law does not determine the morality of things. At least not always.) and cannot have sex or think about sex and it cannot be shown or talked about or anything. It's bullshit, in my opinion.
Anyway, getting back off my soap box, the sex was hot and passionate and sweet. These two are each other's first love, and while first loves usually don't end up being the love of each other's lives, if I'm reading a romance book focused on a first love scenario, I'm gonna assume they do end up together.
So, who knows if these two end up together past the end of this, but I like to think they will. High school sweethearts and all ;).
I definitely recommend this, I adored this book. And I am a fan of this author and can't wait to read more :D
***ARC provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
nasaje's review
2.0
I have nothing against YA, and I've read and enjoyed many YA books, but this was not for me.
Both MCs read as being 18-19 years old as opposed to 15-16, so their YA actions combined with their late-teen voices threw me off a bit since I had to keep reminding myself of their actual age.
The angst is pretty low, but I see where I was supposed to feel more angst, with the leaked picture drama and unrequited feelings, but I just.. Didn't.. So if that's on me or the book, I don't know.
Also, when you start finding secondary characters (Uncle Theo, Asshole Dave) more interesting than the MCs, then something's wrong.
I did finish it and find some parts interesting, so I’m giving it 2 stars instead of 1, but I was wavering a bit, to be honest.
Both MCs read as being 18-19 years old as opposed to 15-16, so their YA actions combined with their late-teen voices threw me off a bit since I had to keep reminding myself of their actual age.
The angst is pretty low, but I see where I was supposed to feel more angst, with the leaked picture drama and unrequited feelings, but I just.. Didn't.. So if that's on me or the book, I don't know.
Also, when you start finding secondary characters (Uncle Theo, Asshole Dave) more interesting than the MCs, then something's wrong.
I did finish it and find some parts interesting, so I’m giving it 2 stars instead of 1, but I was wavering a bit, to be honest.
iguana_mama's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
susiehill12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.5
kaylers01's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
nina_j5's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
loulou87's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars!
What a delightful charming book this was.
I'm really not surprised because this is LL we're talking about.
I absolutely love her prose and it was no different in this book.
What I loved:
- the fact that these teenagers talked and acted like teenagers.
- the discover of sexuality
- the best friends to lovers trope which was done AMAZINGLY
- CHRIS! I loved him so much!
- The fact that Laura didn't mince words about Theo's dad
- The steam!!! The tent scenes gahhhhh
- The promise of more. so sweet.
Absolutely brilliant book.
What a delightful charming book this was.
I'm really not surprised because this is LL we're talking about.
I absolutely love her prose and it was no different in this book.
What I loved:
- the fact that these teenagers talked and acted like teenagers.
- the discover of sexuality
- the best friends to lovers trope which was done AMAZINGLY
- CHRIS! I loved him so much!
- The fact that Laura didn't mince words about Theo's dad
- The steam!!! The tent scenes gahhhhh
- The promise of more. so sweet.
Absolutely brilliant book.