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jun_liuyue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
callidoralblack's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Infidelity, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
nyquillll's review against another edition
- 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
I think what I appreciated most about the book is the care and intention behind Miles’ experiences that are talked about and how sensitive topics are talked about. As the author, who is also transgender, writes in a note before the novel begins, this book is largely about trans joy but it also doesn’t shy away from some of the harsher realities of being transgender.
The book touches on gender expression, gender identity, gender dysphoria/body dysphoria, sexual orientation, the messiness of dating within a friend group, the highs and lows of high school, the love and dedication of being a musician/a pianist, the confusing and twisting path to finding yourself, the scars we carry from past wrongs and our attempts to find and do better in the present, radical acceptance and love, taking responsibility for the hurt we cause and trying to make amends, the pains of being a teenager in high school and the heavy insecurities, the exhilaration that comes from accepting who we truly are and being brave enough to be who we are even if we’re scared, the importance of building strong community around you, not basing your identity on what you do but who you are, and lots of wholesome trans joy and trans love.
I am grateful to this author and this book for opening my mind to new perspectives, especially as I attempt to navigate my own gender expression and gender identity.
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Some of my favorite quotes:bisonprints's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Biphobia, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
space_pancake's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Dysphoria
Minor: Racism
mel_muses's review against another edition
3.5
"Finding yourself, in spite of everyone else."
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I loved a lot of things about this book, but I think what gets me the most is how YA it feels. I love a lot of things about queer YA: the messy characters, self-discovery, understanding of others, the unparalleled feeling of joy. But I think the true heart of why it means so much and why it is a genre that feels like home is that queer YA authors pour so much love into their books. And that is certainly true for Always the Almost.
So, what's it about? Always the Almost follows Miles, a pianist who's just come out as a trans guy to his friends and family. When New Year's comes around, he finds himself missing his ex-boyfriend, who broke up with Miles after he came out. Logically, as any (un)reasonable teenager would, Miles makes a resolution to win his ex back. He also decides that this year will be the time he beats his insufferable piano rival. Then when Miles comes back to school following winter break, he meets the new kid in town, Eric. Eric is everything Shane (the ex) was not. He's comfortably queer, understanding, intuitive, and cute in an entirely different way. He makes Miles feel things.
Always the Almost is a story about all those typical queer YA feelings; it's about feeling as if everything you do almost enough, but not quite there — like you can never truly be yourself. And while I am not trans myself, just this base feeling of always having to reach farther is something I can painfully relate to. And it also really warms my heart to think about all the trans kids who might pick up this book and see themselves in it — who might relate to Miles even more than I did.
I loved the progression of Miles' music throughout the book. I honestly felt Miles rise up to the challenge, and struggle to find himself in his piano playing. I loved watching his understanding and self-discovery influence his passion. It's such a real, beautiful thing to let your personality seep into your hobbies and passions.
I absolutely adored Eric. He was so understanding and caring, and he always knew what to say — or at least he always clarified. I loved his development as the love interest and supporting character for Miles' journey. Although I gotta say that I was not a big fan of Miles' friends. Maybe they reminded me too much of people I know in real life, or maybe they were just simply a lil too messy for even my messy heart. But I did really appreciate their respective life experiences and character arcs. They felt real, and they weren't perfect, but I could tell they cared. Maybe they weren't always the best friends to Miles, but we've all got our own problems to deal with.
And Miles. Oh, Miles. He made so many mistakes. Like, mistakes that I saw coming chapters ahead and wanted to just grip him by the shoulders and yell at him for. But that's kinda why I'm reading, isn't it? To see him mess up and come back from it. To see the "epic highs and lows" of... piano?? competitions??? (ok sorry, I'll stop now) But anyway I really liked him as a person and a protagonist, messy in everything he is.
Always the Almost is so joyful. It's a story of a gay trans guy. A story of a piano player. A story of a true teenager. It's a story about messing up and finding love and messing up again and coming back and doing it again, and again, and again. It's a story about understanding others as well as yourself. It's a warm hug to queer YA as a genre, and a read to make you smile. It's happiness in the face of darker moments. It's joy.
Content Warnings: transphobia, deadnaming, homophobia, bullying, mentions of racism, infidelity (kiss), gender dysphoria
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism and Dysphoria
conlmar's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Miles Jacobsen finds himself on New Year’s with two things in mind: finally winning the Tri-State Piano Competition and getting back together with his ex-boyfriend, Shane. Then comes in Eric Mendez, who seems to really like Miles for who he is. After a friendship turns into something more after a Valentine’s Day couples party, Miles finds himself wondering
Always the Almost is a book full of joy. Underhill’s writing definitely translates to such beautiful imagery of everything from piano to finding yourself to falling in love. While this book deals with darker topics and not everything is sunshine and rainbows, I think that Underhill really does a great job with illustrating queer joy shown in Miles’ and Eric’s character development.
Miles and Eric’s relationship, for me, was really the star of the show. From the moment you see Miles and Eric first meeting each other, I knew that Eric was perfect for Miles. The way he genuinely cares about Miles throughout the book is prominent and really allows for Miles to grow in finding himself. I really felt for these characters and I continually kept rooting for them throughout the book.
I cannot wait for people to read Always the Almost next year. If you are looking for a heartfelt YA novel about falling in love while finding yourself, you are going to love Always the Almost.
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Racism, and Sexual harassment
nataniel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The conflicts in this book are somehow also frustrating (don't judge me because this is my opinion). But, as a whole story, I'm not hating it because it still have its cute yet wholesome factor. Just sometimes... to put how the MC makes you want to smack their heads with something because you see the worst decision they made.. it was upsetting me. Thank God the ending is sweet and do its justice.
Thank you, Edward for an awesome story you told through Miles Jacobson and Eric Mendez. Also... can't wait for your next book! This Day Changes Everything, let's go!
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, and Dysphoria
Minor: Racism