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kartlib's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Reading this was like a warm hug with the best amount of angst and thrill. The starting had me in chokehold and it is written so amazingly well, the wait was so worth it. Their meet-cute was the best. And I love the way their interactions progressed and all the details.
Avery and their relationship with their friends was the highlight for me. It was authentic and amazing and aligned very well with how they are a person. And I loved the way the issue with his ex was addressed and put to rest.
The book also didn't shy away from exploring sensitive topics. We see a reflection of how mechanisms like rumours and bullying are prominent in high school and how they're not always black and white. And confrontations and apologies are important in environments like these.
I love the cleverness and thoughtfulness that went into this. Also that last scene has my entire heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Avery and their relationship with their friends was the highlight for me. It was authentic and amazing and aligned very well with how they are a person. And I loved the way the issue with his ex was addressed and put to rest.
The book also didn't shy away from exploring sensitive topics. We see a reflection of how mechanisms like rumours and bullying are prominent in high school and how they're not always black and white. And confrontations and apologies are important in environments like these.
I love the cleverness and thoughtfulness that went into this. Also that last scene has my entire heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
bookishsystem's review
5.0
Pleasantly surprised and pleased with this book! I thought i had predicted who K was but didn’t see it coming. I enjoyed that the side characters weren’t treated as only pieces to comfort and listen to the MC, the mc was there for them in return! Lots of good discussions and dynamics!!
walrus420's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Bullying
doriansread's review
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
raychl's review
4.0
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As a straight, white, cis-female, obviously I can’t imagine how much worse it would be for an agender pansexual teen to navigate. But I can definitely relate to the profound friendship, teen angst, drama, struggle with self-esteem and uncertainty that was expertly portrayed in this novel.
I loved the way the author chose to write this story with the anonymous pen pal slow burn. The main character, Avery, is super sweet! Parts of their story felt super familiar to my own time in high school - the boy trouble, the strong friendships getting them through everything, being relentlessly bullied, and being unsure of themself and where they stood with their classmates. All of that could’ve come from my own highschool diary. The characters were all well-rounded and relatable. The problems they find themselves in felt real and very believable. And the ending was perfect, though I would definitely read more of their story.
As a straight, white, cis-female, obviously I can’t imagine how much worse it would be for an agender pansexual teen to navigate. But I can definitely relate to the profound friendship, teen angst, drama, struggle with self-esteem and uncertainty that was expertly portrayed in this novel.
I loved the way the author chose to write this story with the anonymous pen pal slow burn. The main character, Avery, is super sweet! Parts of their story felt super familiar to my own time in high school - the boy trouble, the strong friendships getting them through everything, being relentlessly bullied, and being unsure of themself and where they stood with their classmates. All of that could’ve come from my own highschool diary. The characters were all well-rounded and relatable. The problems they find themselves in felt real and very believable. And the ending was perfect, though I would definitely read more of their story.
bellavictoria's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ARC review!
This book had me smiling sooooo much. I fell in love with these characters and their support for each other. The queer rep was so refreshing and comforting.
I thought this story was really unique I desperately wanted to know who K was. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
My only real complaint is that I wish this story was longer. I love a food slow burn and this mostly gave me that until the end. But I could have read another 60 pages before that. I also wish we got to see Max and Sophie dating and having their cute smitten moments as a couple. Their slow burn lasted years and it felt like a tease to not actually read them engaging as more than friends.
Overall this book was adorable front to back. Avery is a sweetheart and I was rooting for them the whole time♡
This book had me smiling sooooo much. I fell in love with these characters and their support for each other. The queer rep was so refreshing and comforting.
I thought this story was really unique I desperately wanted to know who K was. It kept me on the edge of my seat.
My only real complaint is that I wish this story was longer. I love a food slow burn and this mostly gave me that until the end. But I could have read another 60 pages before that. I also wish we got to see Max and Sophie dating and having their cute smitten moments as a couple. Their slow burn lasted years and it felt like a tease to not actually read them engaging as more than friends.
Overall this book was adorable front to back. Avery is a sweetheart and I was rooting for them the whole time♡
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying
honeycloouds16's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.75
Got a copy via Booksprout, but am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Unexpected favorite. A bit of a slower pace, but in a way where you know it’s needed to create a beautiful ending. Two very sweet, but realistic romances. I also was able to take some good lessons with me.
Review is a little all over the place but I really had no idea how to write my thoughts down in a way where I could describe how much I enjoyed this book lol
This quickly became a very unexpected favorite, surprising because it included a few things I tend to avoid in a book. But this was written in a way where I felt like I was learning the more I read.
I was honestly hooked right from the start up until the end, and I didn’t think I would finish this so fast since I’ve been reading a fantasy series- but I was able to finish in this in one go. I was supposed to be a few pages read before bed but I ended up reading it past midnight and there’s absolutely no regret !!
The characters were all so diverse and they all fit so perfectly together, whether as friendship or a romantic relationship or even the bond between family. It was all so beautiful woven together to create this wonderful story. The romantic relationships were both very sweet, at times frustrating but in a way where it’s realistic. It’s easy to admit you like someone, but it’s hard to bring those feelings up when you think everything might get ruined because of those feelings.
There was just so much to a character, they all just felt human. Most of the time we read about perfect characters- but these characters had flaws that actually make them relatable. I was also pleasantly surprised on how situations were handled, and even how there was always more to a person that we really know- especially when listening to rumors, we should always realize that there’s more to the story that we will even know as outsiders. And that people grow, we aren’t the same people we were five years ago or even two years back. We change, whether it’s for the best or worse.
I was able to relate to a lot of things Avery brought up, a lot of things they said made me feel seen and heard. Made me feel that a character can really be this relatable. They struggle with going forward with new information, but they always work things out in a way that they feel fits them best. And I thought that was beautiful.
Things might feel a bit slow, but it’s also something that needs to be said or down to create a perfectending.
Unexpected favorite. A bit of a slower pace, but in a way where you know it’s needed to create a beautiful ending. Two very sweet, but realistic romances. I also was able to take some good lessons with me.
Review is a little all over the place but I really had no idea how to write my thoughts down in a way where I could describe how much I enjoyed this book lol
This quickly became a very unexpected favorite, surprising because it included a few things I tend to avoid in a book. But this was written in a way where I felt like I was learning the more I read.
I was honestly hooked right from the start up until the end, and I didn’t think I would finish this so fast since I’ve been reading a fantasy series- but I was able to finish in this in one go. I was supposed to be a few pages read before bed but I ended up reading it past midnight and there’s absolutely no regret !!
The characters were all so diverse and they all fit so perfectly together, whether as friendship or a romantic relationship or even the bond between family. It was all so beautiful woven together to create this wonderful story. The romantic relationships were both very sweet, at times frustrating but in a way where it’s realistic. It’s easy to admit you like someone, but it’s hard to bring those feelings up when you think everything might get ruined because of those feelings.
There was just so much to a character, they all just felt human. Most of the time we read about perfect characters- but these characters had flaws that actually make them relatable. I was also pleasantly surprised on how situations were handled, and even how there was always more to a person that we really know- especially when listening to rumors, we should always realize that there’s more to the story that we will even know as outsiders. And that people grow, we aren’t the same people we were five years ago or even two years back. We change, whether it’s for the best or worse.
I was able to relate to a lot of things Avery brought up, a lot of things they said made me feel seen and heard. Made me feel that a character can really be this relatable. They struggle with going forward with new information, but they always work things out in a way that they feel fits them best. And I thought that was beautiful.
Things might feel a bit slow, but it’s also something that needs to be said or down to create a perfectending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Bullying, and Homophobia
fanboyriot's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
♡ Pen-Pals
♡ Bad Movies
♡ Wholesome Friendship
Healing from a past relationship Avery struggles to get their life together; through this process they end up falling in love with an unexpected person—someone they wouldn’t have guessed—at least when they find out that the pen-pal they had been talking to through notes exchanged in the school library is the person that was the nail in the coffin of Avery’s relationship.
Such a cute and lighthearted read. The queer rep was amazing!! It was so lovely how the author wrote the agender rep with the main character. Showing the struggle Avery had about being too feminine and/or too masculine, being able to understand their emotions in general was written so well. Overall, the characters had great depth, the main romance had nice chemistry, and the friendships were great as well. Even the cover was lovely and fit the vibe of the book perfectly.
The mystery of finding out who the pen pal was and getting to understand why they didn’t want to meet in person. Going through the past trauma with them as well. I was so happy with who it was, surprised for sure, but loved the character depth with the love interest as well. From the bad movie recommendations to always using the correct pronouns the pen pal was a great match for Avery.
A big thank you to Booksprout and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Spice Level: n/a
Spice Level: n/a
POV: First Person
Release Date: 07, April 2024
Rep: Pansexual and Agender (Main Character), Asexual (Side Character), LGBTQIA+ (Main and Side Characters)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Grief
sunnoahh's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readbylory's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
AAAAAA I loved this book so much! It was funny and deep with a spark of mistery and a lovely romance.
I really liked K back story because it made them feel real and gave a dept to the story.
The story was perfectly carved for its 200ish pages but honestly I would have loved to read more because I got attached to Avery, K, Sophie and Max. Please Twoony consider a double date extra story!!! or a Sophie and Max book!!!
Also I decided to read this book for the pan rep and I was so happy to find ace rep too, thank you!
And shout out to @c_leadraw for this cover because she captured perfectly the sweetness of Avery and the comfort of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked K back story because it made them feel real and gave a dept to the story.
The story was perfectly carved for its 200ish pages but honestly I would have loved to read more because I got attached to Avery, K, Sophie and Max. Please Twoony consider a double date extra story!!! or a Sophie and Max book!!!
Also I decided to read this book for the pan rep and I was so happy to find ace rep too, thank you!
And shout out to @c_leadraw for this cover because she captured perfectly the sweetness of Avery and the comfort of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.