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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Synopsis: Ben is kicked out by their parents after coming out as non-binary, and is left with no choice but to call their sister, Hannah, who ran away 10 years ago and left nothing but a note, and hope there’s a home for them somewhere. Luckily, Hannah and her husband take Ben in, and get them started at a new school. Ben plans to lay low until the end of their senior year, until Nathan comes along. This charming, kind, and caring boy who makes Ben doubt that being alone is the best option. Ben works on finding their own voice and their own way through the end of high school.
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Thoughts: I was really moved by this book. I thought Ben was an interesting main character with a lot to say, and as a reader you just feel like rooting for them the whole time and hoping the world will turn around. I found Hannah to be a REALLY good character, because I felt she had the perfect balance of good and bad, and their relationship together was heartwarming. As much as I absolutely loved Nathan while reading, I found him to be just a bit too flawless, though to me to me I feel the romance was not the main point of the book. One thing that didn’t quite sit right with me was a conversation that perpetuated an unfortunate stereotype about bisexual people that never really got refuted. However, overall I enjoyed reading this book!
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Thoughts: I was really moved by this book. I thought Ben was an interesting main character with a lot to say, and as a reader you just feel like rooting for them the whole time and hoping the world will turn around. I found Hannah to be a REALLY good character, because I felt she had the perfect balance of good and bad, and their relationship together was heartwarming. As much as I absolutely loved Nathan while reading, I found him to be just a bit too flawless, though to me to me I feel the romance was not the main point of the book. One thing that didn’t quite sit right with me was a conversation that perpetuated an unfortunate stereotype about bisexual people that never really got refuted. However, overall I enjoyed reading this book!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
god fucking awful. heavy, uncomfortable topics that are dealt with so poorly i genuinely had to skim through the last half of this rather than actually read it. the eating habits written into this are also really weird.. like, by the end of the third chapter it feels very clear that the protagonist has an eating disorder or something but then it’s just. NEVER DISCUSSED?
the plot is basic and goes nowhere (just like the character development) & the main characters have zero chemistry. a total waste of time ❤️
the plot is basic and goes nowhere (just like the character development) & the main characters have zero chemistry. a total waste of time ❤️
inspiring
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
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
This book is truly beautiful—wonderfully written, deeply emotional, and incredibly important. I genuinely believe it will have a profound impact on so many young people. I only wish books like this had existed in my life when I was a young adult—not because I’m non-binary myself, but because we all need beautifully crafted stories that reflect the full spectrum of human experience.
I’m not usually a big fan of romance, but this story was definitely an exception. It took me on a complete emotional rollercoaster, and I felt every moment of it.
I’m not usually a big fan of romance, but this story was definitely an exception. It took me on a complete emotional rollercoaster, and I felt every moment of it.
4.25 ✨
This has been one of the most original coming out stories I’ve read in the YA contemporary category. I, personally, rarely read one where all of it blooms from a negative coming out experience and it’s nice that Mason Deaver has brought that to the table.
Was this novel perfect? No. There were tons of mistakes, and based upon the beginning of the book’s dialogue and voice, it’s easy to believe this is a debut novel. Did that make me love it any less? No. It was still really enjoyable, funny, witty, and overall a joy to read.
This has been one of the most original coming out stories I’ve read in the YA contemporary category. I, personally, rarely read one where all of it blooms from a negative coming out experience and it’s nice that Mason Deaver has brought that to the table.
Was this novel perfect? No. There were tons of mistakes, and based upon the beginning of the book’s dialogue and voice, it’s easy to believe this is a debut novel. Did that make me love it any less? No. It was still really enjoyable, funny, witty, and overall a joy to read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated