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donttellmomwhatimreading's review against another edition
4.0
Nate is living a perfectly okay life. He has his two best friends, a raging case of stage fright, and plans to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousins wedding. Naturally things start to get complicated. His friendships are great, if you don’t count the small detail that he has a massive crush on his best friend Jai. This massive crush prompts him to come to Jai’s rescue and offer to be the lead singer of their band for an upcoming festival, stage fright be damned. In return Jai offers to come to South Africa as Nate’s plus one, that way he doesn’t have to face seeing his ex alone. Jai might have some anterior motives if his own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Colonisation, Car accident, Alcohol, Racism, Violence, Homophobia, and Classism
shania_siobhan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
kiki_15's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
unwise_samwise's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic relationship, Car accident, Classism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Racism
bronsonmh's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
3.5
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a good coming of age queer story about a young boy named Nate who is in love with his best friend Jai and is getting ready to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousin's wedding. When he finds out that Tommy his ex boyfriend will be there he freaks out, but one of his best friends Jai says he will go with him. I also like how music is incorporated into the book and how the relationship between Nate and Jai is very organic. I also love how this story touches on family and how important it is. I love how Nate was able to go to the place where his father grew up.
I thought this was a good coming of age queer story about a young boy named Nate who is in love with his best friend Jai and is getting ready to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousin's wedding. When he finds out that Tommy his ex boyfriend will be there he freaks out, but one of his best friends Jai says he will go with him. I also like how music is incorporated into the book and how the relationship between Nate and Jai is very organic. I also love how this story touches on family and how important it is. I love how Nate was able to go to the place where his father grew up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Homophobia
kalynaobyrne's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Nate Plus One was a fun quick YA! I really enjoyed this book. I liked both main characters a lot and loved learning more about South Africa. I do wish we could have gotten Jai POV because I think it would have fleshed out his character more. I felt like it ended a little abruptly and wished we could have gotten a little more at the end. This was such a fast read for me and I read it one day which I don’t do very often. Overall, this was a 4.5 for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So the blurb for this book is a bit misleading because it seems like it might be a battle of the bands kind of book. While that is an aspect of the story, it's definitely way more focused on Nate and Jai in South Africa for a wedding. Which is fine! I just think the summary could have been worded a bit better!
That being said, this is absolutely a fun rom-com kind of book, even if it has one of my least favorite romance tropes. Miscommunication (AKA noncommunication). This is definitely a trope employed in a lot of romance books, but it just drives me crazy. Stop assuming things and just talk! I was literally yelling that at the book as I was listening to it.
Nate was a pretty full developed character, I just wish some of the side characters had gotten the same treatment. Jai especially. We only really get to see one side of him, and I wish he could have been fleshed out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is entertaining! Just be warned it might not be what you were expecting.
That being said, this is absolutely a fun rom-com kind of book, even if it has one of my least favorite romance tropes. Miscommunication (AKA noncommunication). This is definitely a trope employed in a lot of romance books, but it just drives me crazy. Stop assuming things and just talk! I was literally yelling that at the book as I was listening to it.
Nate was a pretty full developed character, I just wish some of the side characters had gotten the same treatment. Jai especially. We only really get to see one side of him, and I wish he could have been fleshed out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is entertaining! Just be warned it might not be what you were expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, and Infidelity
decklededgess's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
trigger warnings: death of parent (mentioned), homophobia
No because what the fuck who writes a book this cute!!!! It was such a sweet and warm story of two queer boys waffling around each other trying to figure out if the crush is mutual while literally cowriting a love song FOR EACH OTHER. Insufferably cute.
No because what the fuck who writes a book this cute!!!! It was such a sweet and warm story of two queer boys waffling around each other trying to figure out if the crush is mutual while literally cowriting a love song FOR EACH OTHER. Insufferably cute.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
pey333's review
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol