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heyitsmeg777's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with Leo since the first page!! I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!
It all starts with this junior named Leonidas (named after a famous general). Ironically, Leo suffers of anxiety, and often prefers to be alone, engaging in things like knitting and photography. Given his estranged relationship with his dad after his mother's death and the recent death of Yia Yia, Leo is left feeling more empty and more anxious than ever. When he ends up in a fight with a guy named Drake (who eventually becomes his friend) Leo is forced to take a self-defense course by orders of his dad to engage in something more "masculine"
While looking for a way out, he begs to the secretary to change him to another class. When he finds out Evey Paros, a girl from an old family rivalry is the one who chooses to help him in exchange for a favor..... he ends up in a hot yoga class, in a crazy revenge plot, all while learning more about himself, making more friends, and reaching an understanding with his father as well as falling in love.
This book deals with topics like anixiety, toxic masculinity, shaming, and I think the author does a flawless job depicting Leo's anxiety as well as his journey with yoga and life. I definitely enjoyed the journal entries and yoga pose descriptions that made me crack up so much!
While Evey wasn't the love interest I expected for him, nor were her intentions the best at the beginning, she does go through character development that in the end, shows how much she has grown. The ending was a happy one, and I do wish to hear more about Leo and his crazy adventures in the future.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me enjoy this book!
It all starts with this junior named Leonidas (named after a famous general). Ironically, Leo suffers of anxiety, and often prefers to be alone, engaging in things like knitting and photography. Given his estranged relationship with his dad after his mother's death and the recent death of Yia Yia, Leo is left feeling more empty and more anxious than ever. When he ends up in a fight with a guy named Drake (who eventually becomes his friend) Leo is forced to take a self-defense course by orders of his dad to engage in something more "masculine"
While looking for a way out, he begs to the secretary to change him to another class. When he finds out Evey Paros, a girl from an old family rivalry is the one who chooses to help him in exchange for a favor..... he ends up in a hot yoga class, in a crazy revenge plot, all while learning more about himself, making more friends, and reaching an understanding with his father as well as falling in love.
This book deals with topics like anixiety, toxic masculinity, shaming, and I think the author does a flawless job depicting Leo's anxiety as well as his journey with yoga and life. I definitely enjoyed the journal entries and yoga pose descriptions that made me crack up so much!
While Evey wasn't the love interest I expected for him, nor were her intentions the best at the beginning, she does go through character development that in the end, shows how much she has grown. The ending was a happy one, and I do wish to hear more about Leo and his crazy adventures in the future.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me enjoy this book!
eetishmeh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This was my first YA book in a long while, and honestly I forgot YA characters can swear so much (I usually read middle grade lol) (I am not a middle schooler.)
I loved reading about Leo's journey of dealing with anxiety, grief and the expectations of his father. This is also the first time I've read anything that touches heavily on Greek culture, and I always love learning about other cultures, especially through stories!
I originally picked up this book because its synopsis told of a boy who does needlework and has anxiety, whose parent doesn't like how not-traditionally-masculine he is, and these highlighted traits are also shared by a character of my own, who has his own story. I was curious to see how similar and different they were. (Answer: They're a lot different!)
Also, I've been wondering if I have a form of anxiety for quite a few years now, and I was hoping this book could lend some insight. Of course, a fictional book is no mental health diagnosis, but it's nice to know that Leo and I go through some of the same things.Speaking of, I enjoyed the part where Drake understood what Leo meant when he was getting a panic attack from sensory overload, since Drake probably has to deal with something similar as he'a implied to have ADHD :'D ADHD is another thing I've been wondering about too hahaha
About Drake, I've seen people say in other reviews that he has more romantic chemistry with Leo than Evey does, and while I could see Drake and Leo as romantic partners, I disagree that Evey is a bad love interest for Leo. In a similar vein, I've seen people call Evey a 2D character, and that's just not true! She's stoic and reserved, so I think people have been mistaking that for lack of personality.
However, this also brings me to my next point: I believe Leo and Evey's relationship could be better developed. Don't get me wrong: I love their current dynamic and how it unfolded, but I do think it could've had more depth. I didn't like how a lot of what Leo found out about Evey wasn't shared with him by Evey herself, which lessened her presence a little. There were three big things that, in my opinion at least, should've been addressed by Evey herself, and in the end only one of them was. BIG SPOILER: What happened with her ex that caused her to break things off with him, her ambition, and her ex leaking her private photos.
That's why their chemistry felt shallow; while they didn't lack communication, it was mostly done for them. Another thing ai didn't like was that the Big Mystery of her real motives behind the revenge photoshoot felt really dragged out and anticlimactic
Oh, I wanna mention that I like the inclusion of the March 25th Greek Independence celebration, and the Greek superstitions Leo's Yia Yia told him about. Thanks to the author once again for sharing her culture through Evey and Leo!
This review got way longer than intended, oopsie. That's all from me, haha!
I loved reading about Leo's journey of dealing with anxiety, grief and the expectations of his father. This is also the first time I've read anything that touches heavily on Greek culture, and I always love learning about other cultures, especially through stories!
I originally picked up this book because its synopsis told of a boy who does needlework and has anxiety, whose parent doesn't like how not-traditionally-masculine he is, and these highlighted traits are also shared by a character of my own, who has his own story. I was curious to see how similar and different they were. (Answer: They're a lot different!)
Also, I've been wondering if I have a form of anxiety for quite a few years now, and I was hoping this book could lend some insight. Of course, a fictional book is no mental health diagnosis, but it's nice to know that Leo and I go through some of the same things.
Oh, I wanna mention that I like the inclusion of the March 25th Greek Independence celebration, and the Greek superstitions Leo's Yia Yia told him about. Thanks to the author once again for sharing her culture through Evey and Leo!
This review got way longer than intended, oopsie. That's all from me, haha!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, Vomit, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Cancer, and Alcohol
Please research if you're concerned about the topics this book touches on, as this is not an extensive list and is only based on what I can remember. Stay safe! <3booksnbeanies's review against another edition
4.0
Leo knits when his anxiety becomes too much for him to handle. No matter where he is; school, home, the cemetery. On this specific day, Leo’s knitting got him in a fight and now his dad wants him to take a self-defense class that Leo has no desire to take. Lying to his dad, he ends up taking the yoga class that takes place at the same time as the self-defense class. To add to his punishment, Leo must spend a period of time every day in the consoler’s office with Drake, the guy that punched him in the first place.
Leo is also a skilled photographer, but of course, his father thinks photography isn’t a ‘manly’ profession so Leo keeps his work hidden in his portfolio. When his portfolio goes missing, and he gets a strange text from Every Paros, his life only begins to change.
I liked this book almost as much as I liked, Words on Bathroom Walls, which is by the same author. This book is also written kind of similar, in which both main characters tell their story by writing in some kind of journal. I happen to really like this writing style, so I really enjoyed it.
The story itself is really relatable. I mean I think everyone has some form of anxiety, whether it happens often or it that happens very rarely. We all also have our own ways of dealing with said anxiety and I believe that as long as someone isn’t hurting anyone else or themselves, you should let them be or try to help.
I loved reading this book and seeing Leo’s character grow and gain confidence in himself and make friends. On top of being really relatable, Leo’s character is really funny and easy to care about. I really enjoyed his story.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Leo is also a skilled photographer, but of course, his father thinks photography isn’t a ‘manly’ profession so Leo keeps his work hidden in his portfolio. When his portfolio goes missing, and he gets a strange text from Every Paros, his life only begins to change.
I liked this book almost as much as I liked, Words on Bathroom Walls, which is by the same author. This book is also written kind of similar, in which both main characters tell their story by writing in some kind of journal. I happen to really like this writing style, so I really enjoyed it.
The story itself is really relatable. I mean I think everyone has some form of anxiety, whether it happens often or it that happens very rarely. We all also have our own ways of dealing with said anxiety and I believe that as long as someone isn’t hurting anyone else or themselves, you should let them be or try to help.
I loved reading this book and seeing Leo’s character grow and gain confidence in himself and make friends. On top of being really relatable, Leo’s character is really funny and easy to care about. I really enjoyed his story.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
zbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this story. Leo, of Greek heritage, suffers from extreme anxiety. He makes his way through the world focusing on photography, knitting and talking to his YaiYai as a way to cope. His relationship with his dad isn’t great; there’s a big lack of communication between the two since Leo’s Mom and YaiYai have died. Plus there’s a long standing curse hanging over his head, hindering a growing relationship with Evey, the great-granddaughter of the woman who placed the curse on Leo’s family. I loved how his relationship grew over time with Evey, Drake and Jen. This book was so well written, allowing me as the reader to walk in the shoes of a young man who deals with high anxiety on a daily basis.
jonseyjaguar's review against another edition
3.0
My students asked me to read this with them for a book club they do on our late start days.
I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, and it wasn't until about halfway through that I became more invested in the characters. It was a nice read with some poignant parts that can strike a chord.
I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, and it wasn't until about halfway through that I became more invested in the characters. It was a nice read with some poignant parts that can strike a chord.
epilieaspiechick's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
I love this story front to back because it's such a unique representation of anxiety. It's common for these stories to have female characters, so to see a male lead who doesn't feel the need to appear in that typical male bravado style is different and empowering. We need more guys to realize that anxiety happens to everyone and that thing that helps you relax? It doesn't have to be something stereotypical associated with men.
I love this story front to back because it's such a unique representation of anxiety. It's common for these stories to have female characters, so to see a male lead who doesn't feel the need to appear in that typical male bravado style is different and empowering. We need more guys to realize that anxiety happens to everyone and that thing that helps you relax? It doesn't have to be something stereotypical associated with men.
lydiaewinters's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I wasn’t expecting to like this book so much. It was an impulse purchase, a book i set aside and picked up yesterday thinking I’d dnf if i wasn’t feeling it.
I felt it.
Julia Walton does a beautiful job of portraying Leo’s anxiety without making it the entire focus of the story. As a fellow anxious Greek knitter, I was destined to like him.
Evey was a bit of a manic pixie dream girl, but I’m willing to overlook it. Drake was an awesome addition to the cast. And the yoga class was hysterical and as well as heartwarming.
So thanks Ms. Walton. I’ve been in a reading slump and you just tugged me back up and made me smile.
I felt it.
Julia Walton does a beautiful job of portraying Leo’s anxiety without making it the entire focus of the story. As a fellow anxious Greek knitter, I was destined to like him.
Evey was a bit of a manic pixie dream girl, but I’m willing to overlook it. Drake was an awesome addition to the cast. And the yoga class was hysterical and as well as heartwarming.
So thanks Ms. Walton. I’ve been in a reading slump and you just tugged me back up and made me smile.
lookingformarissa's review against another edition
4.0
The biggest strength of this book was its depiction of mental illness and the progression of grief on individuals. I also loved the development of the relationships throughout the novel. There are times in which I was just so frustrated and wanted characters to make better decisions, but they often learned from their mistakes and were able to grow throughout the course of the book.
The relationship between father and son was beautifully illustrated, as was the healthy male relationships between friends. There was the turning of toxic masculinity on its head, and it was wonderfully done.
I think I would have liked to see more about characters seeking mental health resources rather than seeming to be "fixed" by other characters, and this would have brought it to 5 stars.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
The relationship between father and son was beautifully illustrated, as was the healthy male relationships between friends. There was the turning of toxic masculinity on its head, and it was wonderfully done.
I think I would have liked to see more about characters seeking mental health resources rather than seeming to be "fixed" by other characters, and this would have brought it to 5 stars.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
bidadari's review against another edition
2.0
There’s just a lot of yoga in this book. I think I was just reading about yoga and then there it was, the last page. Yeap. That was it.
leonas_library's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good story dealing with anxiety loss as well teen issues plus a peek into Greek culture. I really enjoyed it.