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akswhy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.25
A surprisingly deep YA dramedy unafraid to tackle multiple big issues. The main characters are definitely thawed and undoubtedly teenage, but not unrealistically so. They don’t solve problems perfectly and none of them are without fault; that makes all the conflict ring more realistic. A little dated in fashion and technology, but the story doesn’t revolve around either so it’s not a big deal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
evanthebooknerd's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
aspencross's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The main characters in this book need 👏ther-👏a-👏py👏
Naomi and Ben also deserved better and both deserved to be homecoming king and queen.
-Jeremy is an asshole who’s only consequence is getting punched by a bully when he is such a shit friend to everybody
- the boy also complains about not wanting to be a victim and then victimizes himself all the time
- Jeremy does so much shit in this book and we’re told that he’s popular and was popular before he transitioned and I do not understand how when he’s so insufferable
- I was on Lukas’s side untilhe lit the school on fire, cheated on Naomi, almost ruined Ben’s Life by not admitting he cheated on a test by stealing the answers . I get he’s going through a lot but he went way too far.
- I have never rooted for 2 characters to never get together as much as Jeremy and Lukas
- The ending was horrible because there’s so many plot points that are left unopened like Terry stealing 30k from the school and never facing consequences, principal not getting reprimanded for giving a teenager a card with thousands of dollars, the potential updated code of conduct, what universities the students got into, how their lives went after not winning homecoming court, Lukas’s parent’s divorce .
Side note: the author has also apparently done some shit and is lesphobic. This Reddit post has links and more information https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/s/JuVfSwXcrt
Naomi and Ben also deserved better and both deserved to be homecoming king and queen.
-Jeremy is an asshole who’s only consequence is getting punched by a bully when he is such a shit friend to everybody
- the boy also complains about not wanting to be a victim and then victimizes himself all the time
- Jeremy does so much shit in this book and we’re told that he’s popular and was popular before he transitioned and I do not understand how when he’s so insufferable
- I was on Lukas’s side until
- I have never rooted for 2 characters to never get together as much as Jeremy and Lukas
- The ending was horrible because there’s so many plot points that are left unopened like
Side note: the author has also apparently done some shit and is lesphobic. This Reddit post has links and more information https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/s/JuVfSwXcrt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
imandubose's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
fanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read For:
Rivals to Lovers
Second Chances
Homecoming King
Cheerleader x Football Player
Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
The only thing that comes to mind when I think of this book is: “I love it and hate it at the same time” and really I kind of do.
The queer kids in this book were amazing, everyone else just kinda sucked. The trans rep in this was so painfully well written. The things Jeremy thought and the way he described how he felt was as heartbreaking as it was relatable.
But wow, were these characters so toxic.
Naomi was such a horrible friend it was laughable. She was jealous constantly and she just goes and asks out her best friend’s ex, who had made it clear he didn’t like her like that?? Like why?? All because of some banters that were messed up, I get being petty but bro have a good reason.
Lukas was so toxic. One minute he was fine, going through a lot at home and having to always be the best at everything. He had to get into an amazing college, he had to win homecoming king because if he did that then he would get into a good school, then his family would care about him like they did his dead brother… yeah, because that's how it’s going to work. So he took his anger out on Jermey.
Jeremy was also toxic, just not as bad in my opinion. He was selfish and breaking up with his boyfriend when and how he did it was so incredibly messed up but people acted like he was the worst person ever. He literally had no one. His mom was so desperate to have a daughter she failed her son in the process. Jeremy might have been a mess but wouldn’t you be when everyone failed you and had no problem telling you that they hated you, he was bullied, harassed, and misgendered constantly.
The last few chapters were the best. Everything coming together, the person who got the crown, the drama being resolved finally, and the relationships being settled.
(Switching, First Person POV)
Spice: Lightly Mentioned
Rep: trans (ftm) MC, Autistic MC, Non-Binary SC, Latinx SC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.5
I had really really high hopes for this but it fell kind of flat for me.
I desperately wish that we had seen more of Jeremy and Lukas as an actual couple so that we could understand their chemistry and the depth of their feelings because right now I understand that they want to get back together but I don't feel like I've seen enough to root for them as a couple. If this had 2 or 3 chapters exploring the beginning of their relationship after they get back together, I would've rated it higher.
As for the representation, I thought it was great. Theres a ton of discussion and portrayal of how society and men tell boys to act and how that's detrimental. Jeremy's anger at his difficult transition festers until it boils over and he lashes out, effectively ruining all his relationships for a while. We see his inner turmoil and fear for his safety. We see Lukas struggle to feel wanted in his family and how his diagnosis impacts his self esteem and confidence people will still see him as a man.
Theres also such good commentary about how Jeremy's mother is a hardcore liberal feminist but she feels disconnected from Jeremy as her son rather than as her daughter. Its a really great representation of how the mother is a good person and does fight for equality but she's spent so long fighting for women's rights, she's at a loss for how to fight for trans rights. She's not perfect but she does love Jeremy.
Similarly, one of the classmates Debbie is a terf, so she doesn't think Jeremy's experiences matter bc he's trans. She discounts his experience living as a girl for 16 years because she thinks Jeremy is a traitor for "switching sides" Another classmate Connor says that Jeremy will never be a real man or a real gay because he lived as a girl for so long so he can't just swoop in and start acting like he is part of the gay male community. I was so thrilled to see both of these characters say these things because they're such prominent ideas within the LGBTQ+ community but not discussed enough.
I desperately wish that we had seen more of Jeremy and Lukas as an actual couple so that we could understand their chemistry and the depth of their feelings because right now I understand that they want to get back together but I don't feel like I've seen enough to root for them as a couple. If this had 2 or 3 chapters exploring the beginning of their relationship after they get back together, I would've rated it higher.
As for the representation, I thought it was great. Theres a ton of discussion and portrayal of how society and men tell boys to act and how that's detrimental. Jeremy's anger at his difficult transition festers until it boils over and he lashes out, effectively ruining all his relationships for a while. We see his inner turmoil and fear for his safety. We see Lukas struggle to feel wanted in his family and how his diagnosis impacts his self esteem and confidence people will still see him as a man.
Theres also such good commentary about how Jeremy's mother is a hardcore liberal feminist but she feels disconnected from Jeremy as her son rather than as her daughter. Its a really great representation of how the mother is a good person and does fight for equality but she's spent so long fighting for women's rights, she's at a loss for how to fight for trans rights. She's not perfect but she does love Jeremy.
Similarly, one of the classmates Debbie is a terf, so she doesn't think Jeremy's experiences matter bc he's trans. She discounts his experience living as a girl for 16 years because she thinks Jeremy is a traitor for "switching sides" Another classmate Connor says that Jeremy will never be a real man or a real gay because he lived as a girl for so long so he can't just swoop in and start acting like he is part of the gay male community. I was so thrilled to see both of these characters say these things because they're such prominent ideas within the LGBTQ+ community but not discussed enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
kaydawn's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Physical abuse, and Transphobia
Minor: Death and Sexual assault
CW: drunk driver (resulting in a death)—off page but mentioned, misgendering, R word used, dead name used (name is never written but we know the characters just said it), trans/homophobia, SA mentions but no details at allgigi785's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The chapters are written off of one of the main character’s POV which makes it all very easy to get frustrated by the decisions they make😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lulunyx's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
2.25
Conflicted as I like the premise and themes of the book I just didn't like a lot about it:
- Really love the themes explored but some topics were brushed over and not handled well.
- The two leads are both dicks, and got worse. You can have unlikeable characters just don't try and pass them off as good.
- They also have zero chemistry. Toxic as hell.
- Writing style kind of bugged me
- Plot was predictable
On the plus side:
- Side characters are better than the leads
- The way Meehan, Philip and the world treat Jeremy really struck me (I still want to punch many people in the face, especially Connor).
- Really important topics (even if some of the topics brought up are not fully explored) and has good diversity of characters.
Media definitely needs more stories with trans, neurodivergent and non-white characters. The human race is diverse and amazing with so many views, media should reflect that. But this book, brushed over so many of the topics it brought up and didn't go into any real depth especially for Lukas' autism. My brother is trans and the way Jeremy is treated is realistic to what my brother has experienced, which made it difficult at times to read but also made me super mad at the reality the ignorance of some characters like Connor and Phillip shows. Overall, an important story to tell just wish it was done better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, and Dysphoria
Minor: Racism and Sexual assault
kaltenmark24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Violence, and Classism