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asparagusisreading's review against another edition
1.0
Thank you to Morgan Rath and MacMillan for sending me the Netgalley ebook link to review.
Disclaimer: All thoughts and options are my own. I am not a transgender or autistic reviewer. Please seek out reviews from those that are for more accurate thoughts on the representation.
TW + CW: Sibling death, external and internal ableism, misgendering, deadnaming and transphobia, homophobia, bullying, racism, broken bones, sexual assault and harassment, discussion of abusive parents in divorce, underage drinking, cheating on significant others, cheating on assignments, multiple physical assaults, blackmailing, stealing, death of a family member, arson, toxic relationships, grief, parental neglect
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Unfortunately, I found it difficult to enjoy this book to its full extent and found the main reason for this is the characters. This is an example of a book not being very strong due to the disappointing development of the characters.
First, there was Jeremy. Jeremy is the transgender character that is going through their transition and the reactions of the people around them. Understandably so, many of those reactions are negative or still unsure how they feel about the situation because they have yet to fully adjust. However, I felt that some of the actions were little over the top. Jeremy was very closed off to both the reader and the other characters. I found it difficult to really care for him or believe any of the reasoning behind their actions because they never gave anyone else a reason to. They were always upset for others not wanting them, believing them, or seeing them as a man and yet they never really gave each person the chance (equal) to do so. I understand that going through a transition you’ll want people to recognize you as you are, but I feel like the understanding should also comes from Jeremy, that for some people it will take a little bit more time to adjust even if it’s from the people closest to you.
The next character we have is Lucas. Lucas is a difficult character for me to talk about because I felt like he was the character that I was most confused on. Lucas goes through somewhat of a transition of being angry from this break up to realizing that maybe they are still have feelings for Jeremy and maybe they’re not the most straight. While that may seem like a great plot line for a character, I felt the way that this was executed did not go very well especially since a lot of interactions between Jeremy and Lukas were revengeful in nature. Instead, it felt more like bad blood between exes fueling them to compete against each other. The realization that they still love each other felt a little late into the book and was hard to believe after what they’ve done to each other.
Then we have the side characters. The side characters really just side characters. I thought majority of the side characters were there just to have extra plot devices or to help prop up with the main characters. Naomi and Sol (Latinx nonbinary) are perfect examples of this because they weren’t in the book unless they were needed for something involving Jeremy or Lukas. They also often used to say the things that were supposedly happening between Jeremy and Lucas, instead of it being shown that these were happening between Jeremy and Lucas. For example, in one paragraph Naomi states that she sees how in love they are and how they stare at each other. I felt like I did not see that from the characters it was more “ugh Lukas/Jeremy is in presence.” There were also quite a few characters that had a toxic relationship with the main character making their friendship hard to believe.
Some of the characters felt like they were added just for the author to include some diversity. For example, there was both an Asian girl and a Latinx person but neither of them had any representation or anything else other than that physical description. This also happened with one of the characters that is autistic (Lukas). There was a lack of representation about autism. Again, it felt more told to you rather than shown and there wasn’t very much progress or anything that showed that the character has grown with it. For example, they were struggling in school and were unable to use their preferred notetaking method. I expected to see something happen with that like maybe more push back or a change in school policy for disabled students. Instead, the issue was mentioned a few times and then forgotten about. I was hoping the addition of all these representations would mean that I would get to read and learn about these characters but instead I was just told that they exist and never heard about them again.
A few of the characters were introduced at certain points of the story and then we’re gone as soon as they were not needed. Some of the plot lines dropped off at some points and felt forgotten about.
Overall, this book is very character driven but all of the characters were unfortunately disappointing or lacking in some way.
This book is reviewed and discussed in https://youtu.be/exofC2LvwfM
Disclaimer: All thoughts and options are my own. I am not a transgender or autistic reviewer. Please seek out reviews from those that are for more accurate thoughts on the representation.
TW + CW: Sibling death, external and internal ableism, misgendering, deadnaming and transphobia, homophobia, bullying, racism, broken bones, sexual assault and harassment, discussion of abusive parents in divorce, underage drinking, cheating on significant others, cheating on assignments, multiple physical assaults, blackmailing, stealing, death of a family member, arson, toxic relationships, grief, parental neglect
.
.
Unfortunately, I found it difficult to enjoy this book to its full extent and found the main reason for this is the characters. This is an example of a book not being very strong due to the disappointing development of the characters.
First, there was Jeremy. Jeremy is the transgender character that is going through their transition and the reactions of the people around them. Understandably so, many of those reactions are negative or still unsure how they feel about the situation because they have yet to fully adjust. However, I felt that some of the actions were little over the top. Jeremy was very closed off to both the reader and the other characters. I found it difficult to really care for him or believe any of the reasoning behind their actions because they never gave anyone else a reason to. They were always upset for others not wanting them, believing them, or seeing them as a man and yet they never really gave each person the chance (equal) to do so. I understand that going through a transition you’ll want people to recognize you as you are, but I feel like the understanding should also comes from Jeremy, that for some people it will take a little bit more time to adjust even if it’s from the people closest to you.
The next character we have is Lucas. Lucas is a difficult character for me to talk about because I felt like he was the character that I was most confused on. Lucas goes through somewhat of a transition of being angry from this break up to realizing that maybe they are still have feelings for Jeremy and maybe they’re not the most straight. While that may seem like a great plot line for a character, I felt the way that this was executed did not go very well especially since a lot of interactions between Jeremy and Lukas were revengeful in nature. Instead, it felt more like bad blood between exes fueling them to compete against each other. The realization that they still love each other felt a little late into the book and was hard to believe after what they’ve done to each other.
Then we have the side characters. The side characters really just side characters. I thought majority of the side characters were there just to have extra plot devices or to help prop up with the main characters. Naomi and Sol (Latinx nonbinary) are perfect examples of this because they weren’t in the book unless they were needed for something involving Jeremy or Lukas. They also often used to say the things that were supposedly happening between Jeremy and Lucas, instead of it being shown that these were happening between Jeremy and Lucas. For example, in one paragraph Naomi states that she sees how in love they are and how they stare at each other. I felt like I did not see that from the characters it was more “ugh Lukas/Jeremy is in presence.” There were also quite a few characters that had a toxic relationship with the main character making their friendship hard to believe.
Some of the characters felt like they were added just for the author to include some diversity. For example, there was both an Asian girl and a Latinx person but neither of them had any representation or anything else other than that physical description. This also happened with one of the characters that is autistic (Lukas). There was a lack of representation about autism. Again, it felt more told to you rather than shown and there wasn’t very much progress or anything that showed that the character has grown with it. For example, they were struggling in school and were unable to use their preferred notetaking method. I expected to see something happen with that like maybe more push back or a change in school policy for disabled students. Instead, the issue was mentioned a few times and then forgotten about. I was hoping the addition of all these representations would mean that I would get to read and learn about these characters but instead I was just told that they exist and never heard about them again.
A few of the characters were introduced at certain points of the story and then we’re gone as soon as they were not needed. Some of the plot lines dropped off at some points and felt forgotten about.
Overall, this book is very character driven but all of the characters were unfortunately disappointing or lacking in some way.
This book is reviewed and discussed in https://youtu.be/exofC2LvwfM
galacticturnip's review
3.0
Short Review: If you want to read drama, read this book.
Long Review:
My biggest peeve is that the characters make literally EVERY BAD DECISION POSSIBLE. The impulsiveness and stupidity that drive especially Jeremy to make extremely hurtful decisions to people they supposedly care about for the sake of protecting themselves is absolutely painful to watch. This whole book is a dramatic k-drama dumpster fire with the characters spiraling out of control and making every bad situation worse.
I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing though, or even inaccurate on a level. While the drama is absolutely bonkers, I know plenty of queer people who are angry and absolutely self combusting in their stress, loathing, and fear. The frontal lobe of a teenager isn't even fully developed; selfish teens who are threatened aren't going to make smart decisions or know how to handle trauma and PTSD.
I don't hate this book. I think its absolutely bonkers ridiculous, but heck I stayed for the whole show, even though I can't stand the characters. I enjoyed seeing trans and autistic representation, and I'm more than happy to welcome "more cake" on the table, as it were, even if its not perfect cake.
Long Review:
My biggest peeve is that the characters make literally EVERY BAD DECISION POSSIBLE. The impulsiveness and stupidity that drive especially Jeremy to make extremely hurtful decisions to people they supposedly care about for the sake of protecting themselves is absolutely painful to watch. This whole book is a dramatic k-drama dumpster fire with the characters spiraling out of control and making every bad situation worse.
I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing though, or even inaccurate on a level. While the drama is absolutely bonkers, I know plenty of queer people who are angry and absolutely self combusting in their stress, loathing, and fear. The frontal lobe of a teenager isn't even fully developed; selfish teens who are threatened aren't going to make smart decisions or know how to handle trauma and PTSD.
I don't hate this book. I think its absolutely bonkers ridiculous, but heck I stayed for the whole show, even though I can't stand the characters. I enjoyed seeing trans and autistic representation, and I'm more than happy to welcome "more cake" on the table, as it were, even if its not perfect cake.
millibee's review
5.0
I absoloutely loved May the Best Man Win! I felt like I had met these boys, I knew exactly who they were immediately! Jeremy is on a journey of both self-actualisation and being more receptive to the feelings of those around him. He is a frustrating character but that is what makes me love him so much. He felt so real and flawed to me and I think the author did an amazing job of presenting a very specific time in teenage life. I truly loved Jeremy and Lucas' friend, Sol and just really appreciated seeing a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns on page.
pam_i_am's review
One of the main characters (Jeremy) was just really awful to pretty much everyone. It was hard for me to read.
coffeecupsandsketchbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marieintheraw's review
3.0
I knew while reading this it was going to be another hard book to rate. It deals with very difficult topics and appears, that it could be a rom-com. But it is not. It's about rivals who are exes trying to be homecoming king.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
4.0
I really enjoyed the emotional growth of both of the main characters and honestly, this really exceeded my expectations. You know it's a good YA novel when the main characters stress you out.
kitthekazoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jane_bronte's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s an okay book with lovable, diverse characters and a lot of character development but it lacks some depth.