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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book did what a LOT of YA contemporaries have not been able to do for me for a while: it made me feel.
And man, I felt everything.
This book broke me, ripped me apart, and put me back together again. It was so hard to me to read, but so worth it.
This book, this is it. Read this book.
And man, I felt everything.
This book broke me, ripped me apart, and put me back together again. It was so hard to me to read, but so worth it.
This book, this is it. Read this book.
"If you think you need to earn enough points on someone’s rubric for them to accept you, then either you’re wrong to assume they won’t love you for who you are, or they never loved you in the first place."
I took so long to read this because I was in such a reading slump. Turns out this book helped me get out of it in a way I didn't even know it was possible. Took me less than a day to finish it, and that says a lot when it comes to my reading habits.
The story is just so interesting and I always wanted to know what would happen next. It never got boring. Not even once. And this is the first book in a really long time that doesn't have at least one boring chapter. It made me laugh, gasp and cry. Perhaps it was just what I needed right now.
All I have to say is PLEASE READ THIS. YOU WON'T REGRET IT. This is going straight to my "you'll never be the same after reading it" list.
I took so long to read this because I was in such a reading slump. Turns out this book helped me get out of it in a way I didn't even know it was possible. Took me less than a day to finish it, and that says a lot when it comes to my reading habits.
The story is just so interesting and I always wanted to know what would happen next. It never got boring. Not even once. And this is the first book in a really long time that doesn't have at least one boring chapter. It made me laugh, gasp and cry. Perhaps it was just what I needed right now.
All I have to say is PLEASE READ THIS. YOU WON'T REGRET IT. This is going straight to my "you'll never be the same after reading it" list.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a really hard read in that it's visceral and real, with a lot of shocking moments and a twist at the end that I didn't see coming (though it's obvious in hindsight).
It's from the POV of a Catholic school boy (Nathan) who is befriended by a new student (Cam) that very literally changes his world - from his views of religion, sexuality, and life itself. It starts after the end with Nathan giving a deposition to a lawyer about his life since he met Cam in class until the event that landed Cam possibly going to prison. While Nathan gives off the façade (that he himself seems to believe) of a perfect Catholic boy, what's behind it is a lot of family issues, abuse, and confusion that takes the reader on one hell of a dramatic rollercoaster. You want to reach in and really help Nathan out while also shaking some sense into him, because his life is trash and he just takes it because that's "just how it is."
The only issues I had is that these are younger high school boys and some of the dialogue is definitely not within that age group's purview, even those well educated. Also, the ending isn't quite satisfying but then it's also more realistic, because there aren't happy endings in real life and that adds to the realism of the narrative. Overall, a really good read.
It's from the POV of a Catholic school boy (Nathan) who is befriended by a new student (Cam) that very literally changes his world - from his views of religion, sexuality, and life itself. It starts after the end with Nathan giving a deposition to a lawyer about his life since he met Cam in class until the event that landed Cam possibly going to prison. While Nathan gives off the façade (that he himself seems to believe) of a perfect Catholic boy, what's behind it is a lot of family issues, abuse, and confusion that takes the reader on one hell of a dramatic rollercoaster. You want to reach in and really help Nathan out while also shaking some sense into him, because his life is trash and he just takes it because that's "just how it is."
The only issues I had is that these are younger high school boys and some of the dialogue is definitely not within that age group's purview, even those well educated. Also, the ending isn't quite satisfying but then it's also more realistic, because there aren't happy endings in real life and that adds to the realism of the narrative. Overall, a really good read.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you netgalley for my review copy of this book. Cameron is the new kid in school. He approaches Nate and asks him to be friends. From the start the 2 are inseparable. At a party on New Years Eve their friendship takes a turn into a new territory that Nate just isn’t ready to accept even though he shares Cameron’s feelings. And to complicate matters further there is Nate’s girlfriend to consider. How can he have these feelings if he is in love with her?
Between Nate not being able to accept his feelings and his aunt being a controlling lunatic, Nate and Cam’s relationship quickly becomes toxic. Now Nate is being deposed for a fight between the 2 boys that led to Nate being stabbed in the stomach. Everyone wants Nate to tell the story that will send Cameron to prison. But the story isn’t as simple or straightforward as it seems. Now Nate has to decide whether to own up to the events that led up to that night or let his best friend go to prison for something he may not be responsible for. How do you make a choice between your best friend that you love and your family who has always been there for you?
This book was a beautifully written and fantastic debut. It tackles so many important topics that kids and even adults face. We have a large number of people that come into my store asking for young adult books focusing on LGBT characters so I will definitely be recommending this title!
Between Nate not being able to accept his feelings and his aunt being a controlling lunatic, Nate and Cam’s relationship quickly becomes toxic. Now Nate is being deposed for a fight between the 2 boys that led to Nate being stabbed in the stomach. Everyone wants Nate to tell the story that will send Cameron to prison. But the story isn’t as simple or straightforward as it seems. Now Nate has to decide whether to own up to the events that led up to that night or let his best friend go to prison for something he may not be responsible for. How do you make a choice between your best friend that you love and your family who has always been there for you?
This book was a beautifully written and fantastic debut. It tackles so many important topics that kids and even adults face. We have a large number of people that come into my store asking for young adult books focusing on LGBT characters so I will definitely be recommending this title!
4.5 stars
Ok, I just finished this book and I need to catch my breathe.
Holy moly this book is making me want to burst into tears and curse the universe for creating circumstances that led to the ones in this book. Nate was such an interesting character with real flaws and his struggle to accept his bisexuality was painfully realistic to read about. This book held me by the collar the entire way through and I loved it. The ending made me want to cry because of how raw and real it was. The confusing love cam and Nate feel for each other rings true for so many people and the ending just broke my heart with the reality and maturity of it. Although I completely understand and agree with Cam’s decision to end the relationship, my heart can’t accept they’re not together
Ok, I just finished this book and I need to catch my breathe.
Holy moly this book is making me want to burst into tears and curse the universe for creating circumstances that led to the ones in this book. Nate was such an interesting character with real flaws and his struggle to accept his bisexuality was painfully realistic to read about. This book held me by the collar the entire way through and I loved it. The ending made me want to cry because of how raw and real it was. The confusing love cam and Nate feel for each other rings true for so many people and the ending just broke my heart with the reality and maturity of it. Although I completely understand and agree with Cam’s decision to end the relationship, my heart can’t accept they’re not together
So, I devoured this. It's so suspenseful and fast-paced that you almost miss its depth, but then a moment just punches you in the gut. It's complex and trusts its readers to work through that.
