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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
2,5 czytałam to juz jakis czas temu, ale troche o tym zapomniałam. Ogólnie troche nudnawe.
Niby słodkie, niby dobrze kończące się, ale jednak coś mi nie pasowało i po zastanowieniu daję 2 gwiazdki. Bardzo denerwowało mnie zachowanie Milesa wobec jego byłego chłopaka i to co później (Miles) zrobił Ericowi (pewnie przez swoje doświadczenia jestem na to bardziej drażliwa, ale nie pozwala mi to ocenić tej książki wyżej)
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
Read For:
✓ Music
✓ Hurt/Comfort
✓ Cheating (Kissing)
✓ High School Setting
✓ LGBTQIA+ Characters
˗ˏˋ ★ REVIEW ★ ˎˊ˗
Well… I have thoughts now. While I enjoyed this book there are a few things that kinda annoyed me; the main thing being the cheating. Two couples cheat the main relationship and a side relationship. And while the main relationship went smoothly and worked things out it still doesn’t sit right with me. The side relationship really pissed me off because the character has a whole other significant other and then tried to play the victim?? Like huh? Bestie if you’re not happy in your current relationship you should break up with them, not cheat. Clearly you’re not happy with them. People content and happy in their relationship don’t cheat.
Rant said, I did enjoy the trans and queer representation, there was really nice diversity in this book. Miles’ parents were so sweet even if his dad was a bit annoying sometimes. Miles had good character development but I was so frustrated with him being hung up over his past relationship with Shane. At some points it was just overkill.
Overall, Eric deserves the world. He was my favorite character, he was such a sweet and sunshine character all the while having good character depth. Rachel also deserves the world, I really liked her and she did not deserve the relationship drama she had.
Spice Level: 🌶️
Angst Level: 💧💧
POV: First Person
Release Date: 14, February 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Dysphoria
Minor: Cursing, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, my thoughts are my own.
This book was nice, reminiscent of "I wish you all the best" by Mason Deaver, it was a book about self acceptance, becoming/discovering who you are as a person when you grow older and more into your true self.
The writing style was easy to read and the main characters likeable. Unfortunately in the first half of the book the side characters lack dept, I would've preferred to have a more seamless way to get to know them more spread throughout the book rather than very condensed in the second half of it.
The pacing of the story is well kept, plot wise, there is enough information about both MC's to get a sense of who they are and see the personal growth each get by the end of the book. I did however find myself putting it down for no apparent reason in the first 30-40% of the book. There wasn't a particular reason I just felt meh about it, not loving or hating it just okay. Things really picked up for me once I got more attached to our MC's.
Overall I enjoyed the book, while not perfect it was entertaining and fun as a whole.
After thinking about the book more there is a lot that feels icky about the way sexuality is presented. And how one of the MC ex is expected to stay with them though they aren’t gay when the MC transitions to being a man.
Bookarina
This book was nice, reminiscent of "I wish you all the best" by Mason Deaver, it was a book about self acceptance, becoming/discovering who you are as a person when you grow older and more into your true self.
The writing style was easy to read and the main characters likeable. Unfortunately in the first half of the book the side characters lack dept, I would've preferred to have a more seamless way to get to know them more spread throughout the book rather than very condensed in the second half of it.
The pacing of the story is well kept, plot wise, there is enough information about both MC's to get a sense of who they are and see the personal growth each get by the end of the book. I did however find myself putting it down for no apparent reason in the first 30-40% of the book. There wasn't a particular reason I just felt meh about it, not loving or hating it just okay. Things really picked up for me once I got more attached to our MC's.
Overall I enjoyed the book, while not perfect it was entertaining and fun as a whole.
After thinking about the book more there is a lot that feels icky about the way sexuality is presented. And how one of the MC ex is expected to stay with them though they aren’t gay when the MC transitions to being a man.
Bookarina
"I see you as everything you tell me you are or want to be."
4.5 stars!
I really loved Miles, Eric, and most of their friends. The third act breakup was expected, but just a bit frustrating. The way identity was discussed throughout the book was respectful but realistic, which I appreciated. I think stories with queer and trans joy are always important, but this one in general is a very good example of celebrating queer romance while still acknowledging various issues the couple may face.
4.5 stars!
I really loved Miles, Eric, and most of their friends. The third act breakup was expected, but just a bit frustrating. The way identity was discussed throughout the book was respectful but realistic, which I appreciated. I think stories with queer and trans joy are always important, but this one in general is a very good example of celebrating queer romance while still acknowledging various issues the couple may face.
lots of really sweet moments and i loved miles' growth throughout the novel and how he really found himself. some parts just fell a bit flat for me
content warnings: non-malicious mentions of the main character’s deadname, brief instances of misgendering, online transphobia (anonymous nastiness directed at trans character), mentions/discussion of racism experienced by a character, discussion of trauma as a result of bullying, body dysphoria, mentions of previous (off-screen) sexual harassment experienced by a side character
content warnings: non-malicious mentions of the main character’s deadname, brief instances of misgendering, online transphobia (anonymous nastiness directed at trans character), mentions/discussion of racism experienced by a character, discussion of trauma as a result of bullying, body dysphoria, mentions of previous (off-screen) sexual harassment experienced by a side character
Always the Almost is a great fluffy romance palate cleanser when you’re not looking for anything too dark or troubled. It’s that light in that shines through the sun and makes you remember that ah yes, things can be good.
I loved how easy this was to read through and how the music was as much a part of the story as Miles and Eric were. While I didn’t play the piano, I was in band and I felt Miles’s nerves like my own waiting for solo and ensemble.
I do wish the whole Shane mess wasn’t a thing and felt a bit like a third act breakup cop out but I understood the story needed a bit more drama to shake it up.
I did however, enjoy the trans part of this story. It felt so authentic but not in a traumatic way. It was just there because that’s all it had to be.
Overall a good read and something I would recommend to someone looking for a cute, quiet YA romance!
I loved how easy this was to read through and how the music was as much a part of the story as Miles and Eric were. While I didn’t play the piano, I was in band and I felt Miles’s nerves like my own waiting for solo and ensemble.
I do wish the whole Shane mess wasn’t a thing and felt a bit like a third act breakup cop out but I understood the story needed a bit more drama to shake it up.
I did however, enjoy the trans part of this story. It felt so authentic but not in a traumatic way. It was just there because that’s all it had to be.
Overall a good read and something I would recommend to someone looking for a cute, quiet YA romance!
This is a solid debut romance that does an excellent job highlighting the way our protagonist, Miles, navigates his sense of self and his relationship with others as he comes out as trans. I appreciate the way Edward Underhill depicts Miles' ex, Shane, and how both guys come to terms with their feelings toward one another, but I was also glad to see Miles' heartwarming relationship with Eric (who deserves all the good in the world, perhaps more than Miles could give at the beginning of this book). I could have done without some of the cheating, gaslighting, and other drama because I wanted to see Underhill explore more of Miles' family dynamics and other vulnerable moments, but I guess this also serves to highlight Miles and his friends as flawed humans and, well, teenagers.
It felt as though the humor was written by a 35 year old trying to act like a 16 year old, but that 16 year old was also a millennial that was reminiscing on their teenage years.