A review by mformato
How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

 A very charming coming of age/coming out story. Read it in just a few hours as it kept me invested the whole time wondering how the twists and turns of the story was going to go. I liked the format of the story, though I wish Amir's family's interviews were explored a bit more (but I understand this was his story so it makes sense why it focused mainly on him). I didn't give it five stars because everything seemed a bit too perfect with how nicely all the events unfolded for Amir and how all the loose ends wrapped up; but in my limited knowledge of LBGT+ books I am aware that most of them aren't as nice and fluffy so I can understand wanting a story that just ends positively.

Would recommend this story to anyone who wants an exciting coming of age story. 

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