A review by kai_ash
May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor

challenging emotional hopeful
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Note: This is not a rom-com, no matter what it says on the back of the book. It's a coming of age story about two emotionally messy teenage boys who happen to adore each other in a very chaotic way.


Review:

It took me a few chapters to warm to this book. I did not like the main characters at first, particularly Jeremy. But page by page, things shifted, until I felt like I finally got where he was coming from. Understanding him better meant I became far more invested in his journey. Same with Lukas. It's not that I disliked Lukas from the first, but he seemed a bit one-dimensional. That also changed as the story progressed and we saw other shades of him.

I particularly liked the way this book dealt with anger. I feel like not enough queer books tackle the emotion of fury enough.

Note that the story is set in the US and the (very strange) traditions surrounding "homecoming" make up a big part of the plot. There are cheerleaders, homecoming kings and queens, and American Football (i.e., gridiron) players.
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