Scan barcode
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet coming of age, friends to lovers story. I enjoyed the switching POV. It was always clear who whose head I was in and I appreciated knowing both sides of the story. I loved how devoted Owen was even though he was good at keeping things from himself. I also liked that Jordan didn't push and wanted the best for his friend. The epilogue was great.
My favourite was this quote
"No matter what you do with your life during the day, there's always hat moment when you have to wake up with yourself, with yourself and with the person that's sleeping beside you. That's the person that you make a home with, discuss life's big decisions with, share your finances, eat, shop, maybe parent with. That's the person you share your body with forever, kiss, touch, the one you sit on the couch with and watch movies, the one who gives you a hug when you've had a rough day. That's the person you put up a Christmas tree with and arrive home with for the holidays, the person you watch grow old and still love you when you're not as nice to look at, the one who holds your hand when you're dying. And none of that had anything to do with wrestling."
My favourite was this quote
"No matter what you do with your life during the day, there's always hat moment when you have to wake up with yourself, with yourself and with the person that's sleeping beside you. That's the person that you make a home with, discuss life's big decisions with, share your finances, eat, shop, maybe parent with. That's the person you share your body with forever, kiss, touch, the one you sit on the couch with and watch movies, the one who gives you a hug when you've had a rough day. That's the person you put up a Christmas tree with and arrive home with for the holidays, the person you watch grow old and still love you when you're not as nice to look at, the one who holds your hand when you're dying. And none of that had anything to do with wrestling."
lalauren04's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - I gave this one a go because I love the author, but I'm not really a fan of young adult novels. I think that's reflected in my rating, because it really wasn't bad at all. The writing was excellent and downright charming in places and the story was good, but it was the YA theme that sort of put me off here and there. Plus I found myself skimming paragraphs to get to the good bits. I also got pissed off with Owen a couple of times. But, having said that, it's still a nice easy read. I'm sure you'd have better luck with it if you like YA titles :)
iam's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-ish stars (??)
I'm kinda torn about this one.
On the one hand, it felt like one of the most honest portrayals of queer teenagers growing up, and it doesn't shy away from the heavy, uncomfortable or embarassing parts of growing up. On the other hand it certainly did make me uncomfortable at parts.
Content warnings include:
Jordan and Owen have been friends since they were kids. Owen is a popular wrestling jock while Jordan is a skinny art kid. Jordan realizes he's gay and head over heels in love with Owen when they are 12, and it's not an issue between them. The book follows them from when they first meet in second grade onwards up to college, though most of the book plays during their sophomore, junior and senior years.
Their friendship is almost never at risk, and most of the tension and drama comes from outside sources that mostly have their origin in homophobia. The two of them have a wonderful relationship and I liked reading from both their POVs. Especially Jordan's felt authentic to me.
I'm kinda torn about this one.
On the one hand, it felt like one of the most honest portrayals of queer teenagers growing up, and it doesn't shy away from the heavy, uncomfortable or embarassing parts of growing up. On the other hand it certainly did make me uncomfortable at parts.
Content warnings include:
Spoiler
homophobia, bullying, suicide, sex on page, sex between minors, sexual acts between an adult and a minor, sexual assault.Jordan and Owen have been friends since they were kids. Owen is a popular wrestling jock while Jordan is a skinny art kid. Jordan realizes he's gay and head over heels in love with Owen when they are 12, and it's not an issue between them. The book follows them from when they first meet in second grade onwards up to college, though most of the book plays during their sophomore, junior and senior years.
Their friendship is almost never at risk, and most of the tension and drama comes from outside sources that mostly have their origin in homophobia. The two of them have a wonderful relationship and I liked reading from both their POVs. Especially Jordan's felt authentic to me.
robazizo's review against another edition
4.0
Just lovely. A wonderfully natural transition from a beautiful friendship into a longlasting relationship.
elle_reads_lots's review against another edition
5.0
Short and very sweet. Loved the characters, good pacing. High school cutenesss
nicola949's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful coming of age story with a perfect blend of emotional and sexual awakening. Happy, sad, warm, funny, special...
What makes this book perfect are the characters, both of whom I just adored. It was wonderful to see the friendship grow between Jordan and Owen from the time they bond in the playground, starting a life-long friendship and this friendship develop into love.
Told in alternating POVs, we get insight into both boys/young men and a real sense of their thoughts and feelings. For Jordan it is very much about his love for Owen and the heartache he faces knowing friendship is all they will have. For Owen it is about his confused feelings and struggle to be the son his parents want.
I liked the way the story was told, with Owen always knowing that Jordan is gay and standing by his friend. He doesn't let Jordan's sexuality stand in the way of or change their friendship. This continues from the time of Jordan's first admission to him (after a wrestle/kiss in the pool at age twelve) to Jordan's final coming out at school when Owen's sporting buddies pressure him about his friendship with a gay guy.
Sex plays a role, particularly as Jordan lusts after Owen, deeply attracted but knowing (well, thinking really) that Owen is straight. An "accidental" fumble in the pool when they are young, is still something Jordan thinks about years later... "I'd spun that one kiss in the pool into so many variations I could probably claim a Guinness World Record for Most Exhausted Fantasy.". But it is one encounter much later that really sets the ball rolling for changing their lives.
The story is an emotional roller coaster from hilarious one minute,"Holy sexual paradise, Batman, I was so fucking glad I was gay!" to weepy, within the space of a paragraph or two! "The reality sunk in. I would never had Owen like that again. An intense, burning pain spread through my chest. It was so strong it took my breath away.
"It hurts," I whispered.
"I'm sorry, Jordan." He hugged me tighter. I could feel his tears on my cheek, but I had none of my own to give."
I loved the strength of Owen, whether it was his support of anti-bullying at school or his strength in making the right decisions about his future with Jordan. His maturity when considering his options and making the choice to follow his heart gives faith that their future is secure.
I loved the pure love that Jordan had for Owen and I loved the way they both want the other's dreams to come true - Jordan wants Owen to have a successful wrestling career and Owen wants Jordan to fulfill his artistic talent.
I loved the ending and the way the story was resolved. By the time I read the last chapter I had happy tears and was smiling stupidly at my Kindle.
And thanks to Mandy for pushing me to read this one now! :)
I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
What makes this book perfect are the characters, both of whom I just adored. It was wonderful to see the friendship grow between Jordan and Owen from the time they bond in the playground, starting a life-long friendship and this friendship develop into love.
Told in alternating POVs, we get insight into both boys/young men and a real sense of their thoughts and feelings. For Jordan it is very much about his love for Owen and the heartache he faces knowing friendship is all they will have. For Owen it is about his confused feelings and struggle to be the son his parents want.
I liked the way the story was told, with Owen always knowing that Jordan is gay and standing by his friend. He doesn't let Jordan's sexuality stand in the way of or change their friendship. This continues from the time of Jordan's first admission to him (after a wrestle/kiss in the pool at age twelve) to Jordan's final coming out at school when Owen's sporting buddies pressure him about his friendship with a gay guy.
Sex plays a role, particularly as Jordan lusts after Owen, deeply attracted but knowing (well, thinking really) that Owen is straight. An "accidental" fumble in the pool when they are young, is still something Jordan thinks about years later... "I'd spun that one kiss in the pool into so many variations I could probably claim a Guinness World Record for Most Exhausted Fantasy.". But it is one encounter much later that really sets the ball rolling for changing their lives.
The story is an emotional roller coaster from hilarious one minute,"Holy sexual paradise, Batman, I was so fucking glad I was gay!" to weepy, within the space of a paragraph or two! "The reality sunk in. I would never had Owen like that again. An intense, burning pain spread through my chest. It was so strong it took my breath away.
"It hurts," I whispered.
"I'm sorry, Jordan." He hugged me tighter. I could feel his tears on my cheek, but I had none of my own to give."
I loved the strength of Owen, whether it was his support of anti-bullying at school or his strength in making the right decisions about his future with Jordan. His maturity when considering his options and making the choice to follow his heart gives faith that their future is secure.
I loved the pure love that Jordan had for Owen and I loved the way they both want the other's dreams to come true - Jordan wants Owen to have a successful wrestling career and Owen wants Jordan to fulfill his artistic talent.
I loved the ending and the way the story was resolved. By the time I read the last chapter I had happy tears and was smiling stupidly at my Kindle.
And thanks to Mandy for pushing me to read this one now! :)
I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
chambersaurusrx's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ssjonoyoung's review against another edition
4.0
Okay it may have been a little explicit for my usual book taste but when it wasn't being explicit the relationship between Jordan and Owen was kind of beautiful. It was so obvious from the intro that Owen was in denial. No doubt about it. Really good but some of the sex just seemed overly described....