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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
A trans gay pianist is determined to win back his ex boyfriend who broke up with him when he came out as trans. He’s also determined to beat his arch-nemesis, Cameron Hart, at the biggest piano competition in the Midwest. However, things get complicated when he meets queer artist Eric, and starts to fall for him.
I have very complicated feelings about this book, from the plot to the characters. So let’s start with the positives, shall we?
First off, I absolutely adored Miles’ journey of self discovery of who he truly is, learning that he is more than enough just being who he is, and his struggles with dysphoria and becoming comfortable in his body. He is a very flawed main character, the epitome of angst and mistakes and all the other things that come with being a queer teen. He’s messy, but extremely earnest and passionate. The other characters were great too. I felt like all of them were properly fleshed out. I also really loved the development of his relationship with his parents, especially his dad. I loved the way Eric’s queer identity was handled, he’s not gay, or bi, he just likes people. It’s not often that we see a queer character who doesn’t have a defining label. The way trans joy was portrayed really touched me, I wish there were more books that showed this!
Spoilers ahead!!!
No really, there are going to be spoilers, don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled for a major plot point.
I really enjoyed the plot for most of the book, right up until we got too: The Cheating Plot. Why must so many queer YA books include cheating? I’m noticing a harmful pattern here. First, Miles cheats on Eric (who btw is the sweetest character in the book and I adore him, so I was VERY upset that Miles would do that, no matter how confused he was) and then Paige cheats on Rachel. Cheating, no matter the reason, is never okay and I felt like the book tried to show that but then somewhat brushed over it because everything ended up all hunky dory. Which I get, since this book deserved a happy ending, but there were so many other avenues to explore for conflict between all the characters instead of resorting to cheating. Maybe it’s just because I am the kind of person who would never be able to forgive cheating, but I just found it a little unrealistic that both Eric and Rachel just decided it was all fine in the end. Another thing is that this book is described as having the fake dating trope. I would argue that it barely qualifies as fake dating, since the fake dating lasts like one chapter, and then they’re together.
I guess my feelings are complicated because while I adored certain aspects of this book, like the emphasis on trans joy, I really did not like other parts. I really struggled to find a rating to give this book, and I settled on four stars, since again, I did enjoy and love the majority of the book, and I think this book has some really important messages for queer and trans teens. 4/5 stars.
A trans gay pianist is determined to win back his ex boyfriend who broke up with him when he came out as trans. He’s also determined to beat his arch-nemesis, Cameron Hart, at the biggest piano competition in the Midwest. However, things get complicated when he meets queer artist Eric, and starts to fall for him.
I have very complicated feelings about this book, from the plot to the characters. So let’s start with the positives, shall we?
First off, I absolutely adored Miles’ journey of self discovery of who he truly is, learning that he is more than enough just being who he is, and his struggles with dysphoria and becoming comfortable in his body. He is a very flawed main character, the epitome of angst and mistakes and all the other things that come with being a queer teen. He’s messy, but extremely earnest and passionate. The other characters were great too. I felt like all of them were properly fleshed out. I also really loved the development of his relationship with his parents, especially his dad. I loved the way Eric’s queer identity was handled, he’s not gay, or bi, he just likes people. It’s not often that we see a queer character who doesn’t have a defining label. The way trans joy was portrayed really touched me, I wish there were more books that showed this!
Spoilers ahead!!!
No really, there are going to be spoilers, don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled for a major plot point.
I really enjoyed the plot for most of the book, right up until we got too: The Cheating Plot. Why must so many queer YA books include cheating? I’m noticing a harmful pattern here. First, Miles cheats on Eric (who btw is the sweetest character in the book and I adore him, so I was VERY upset that Miles would do that, no matter how confused he was) and then Paige cheats on Rachel. Cheating, no matter the reason, is never okay and I felt like the book tried to show that but then somewhat brushed over it because everything ended up all hunky dory. Which I get, since this book deserved a happy ending, but there were so many other avenues to explore for conflict between all the characters instead of resorting to cheating. Maybe it’s just because I am the kind of person who would never be able to forgive cheating, but I just found it a little unrealistic that both Eric and Rachel just decided it was all fine in the end. Another thing is that this book is described as having the fake dating trope. I would argue that it barely qualifies as fake dating, since the fake dating lasts like one chapter, and then they’re together.
I guess my feelings are complicated because while I adored certain aspects of this book, like the emphasis on trans joy, I really did not like other parts. I really struggled to find a rating to give this book, and I settled on four stars, since again, I did enjoy and love the majority of the book, and I think this book has some really important messages for queer and trans teens. 4/5 stars.
This was the sweetest! I love a romance that is just as much about loving yourself as it is about loving another person. The characters are all really interesting and you can't help but root for almost everyone. The descriptions of finding yourself in music are the real beauty of this book and were a treat to read.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I say this has been one of my most anticipated releases from debut author, Edward Underhill, that doesn't even begin to describe how hyped I've been for this book. So I might have shrieked just a tiny bit when I got the email with an ARC for this one. And I was kind of terrified - how could it possibly live up to all of my expectations?
Oh, readers, it did. And more.
Always the Almost is the story of trans pianist Miles Jacobson, having just recently come out to his friends and family and trying to achieve two very teenage New Year's resolutions: win back his ex-boyfriend, and defeat his arch-nemesis in the state's biggest piano competition. It's hard to focus on any of that, though, when there is also new-to-town Eric Mendez, queer cartoonist who is so kind and respectful and caring and...
Where Always the Almost is so magical is in how beautifully and messily it depicts teenage life. Miles is not a perfect character; he's a bit of a wreck who doesn't know what he wants out of life or romance or the people around him, and that is so very accurately teenager that even when you're frustrated with him as a reader, you understand exactly why he acts like he does. Yet, even through all of that, the angst and struggles that Miles faces in his life from his friends and family are never because of his trans or queer identity, and that was lovely to read. Of course there is queer angst in the story, but it's reserved for background and unnamed characters. More of the focus is on queer joy and discovering your identity and place in the community. The secondary characters are well-developed, especially Eric (who is so so SO lovely), and add interesting pieces to the story themselves.
Always the Almost is such a delightful read and I cannot wait for everyone to be able to get their hands on this debut novel!
When I say this has been one of my most anticipated releases from debut author, Edward Underhill, that doesn't even begin to describe how hyped I've been for this book. So I might have shrieked just a tiny bit when I got the email with an ARC for this one. And I was kind of terrified - how could it possibly live up to all of my expectations?
Oh, readers, it did. And more.
Always the Almost is the story of trans pianist Miles Jacobson, having just recently come out to his friends and family and trying to achieve two very teenage New Year's resolutions: win back his ex-boyfriend, and defeat his arch-nemesis in the state's biggest piano competition. It's hard to focus on any of that, though, when there is also new-to-town Eric Mendez, queer cartoonist who is so kind and respectful and caring and...
Where Always the Almost is so magical is in how beautifully and messily it depicts teenage life. Miles is not a perfect character; he's a bit of a wreck who doesn't know what he wants out of life or romance or the people around him, and that is so very accurately teenager that even when you're frustrated with him as a reader, you understand exactly why he acts like he does. Yet, even through all of that, the angst and struggles that Miles faces in his life from his friends and family are never because of his trans or queer identity, and that was lovely to read. Of course there is queer angst in the story, but it's reserved for background and unnamed characters. More of the focus is on queer joy and discovering your identity and place in the community. The secondary characters are well-developed, especially Eric (who is so so SO lovely), and add interesting pieces to the story themselves.
Always the Almost is such a delightful read and I cannot wait for everyone to be able to get their hands on this debut novel!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-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
a book w a queer trans main character about self acceptance and queer love and joy :’)))))))) crying. there were obviously some parts that frustrated me with miles character, but i still really enjoyed this book!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy for review.
Miles is a 16-year-old trans boy who is wanting to win back his ex and annihilate his rival in the upcoming piano competition. What he wasn't expecting was Eric. But is Miles so super focused on revenge and winning back his ex that he can't see what's right in front of him?
I truly loved this book. It is very well written and is such an excellent book for everyone to read. The author isn't shy about putting on paper the thoughts along with the internal and external struggles that Miles is going through as a newly out trans boy in high school. I felt for him and wanted to just wrap him in a hug and take on his battles.
I definitely recommend this for anyone.
Miles is a 16-year-old trans boy who is wanting to win back his ex and annihilate his rival in the upcoming piano competition. What he wasn't expecting was Eric. But is Miles so super focused on revenge and winning back his ex that he can't see what's right in front of him?
I truly loved this book. It is very well written and is such an excellent book for everyone to read. The author isn't shy about putting on paper the thoughts along with the internal and external struggles that Miles is going through as a newly out trans boy in high school. I felt for him and wanted to just wrap him in a hug and take on his battles.
I definitely recommend this for anyone.
What a charming, heartfelt, well-crafted debut — YA contemporary is BACK, my friends
this book was so sweet and heartfelt! i enjoyed the romance and miles’ journey of self discovery mixed with piano! i was hoping for more substance but from what i understand the book was deliberately meant to be joyful and focusing on positives which works but wasn’t my cup of tea. it made me feel like something was missing (as romance books generally do) but if you are a lover of the ya rom-dram genre then this is the book for you!
thank you netgalley for the arc
thank you netgalley for the arc