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cortanasreadingnook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
CWs: Transphobia, Body Dysmorphia, Binding, Racism, Misgendering, and Cyber Bullying
This YA queer rom-com book takes us through the story of Miles Jacobson, a trans boy who is also a pianist as he navigates growing into his self-identity and winning regionals. It has great rep about trans mcs and also traverses through their experiences. The writing was strong as it navigated through each of the characters’ experience as queer individuals in the world. I expected a really endearing and adorable gay story but it started to go downhill due to all the emotional cheating going on. Friendship drama side, it’s NOT cute and I will NOT EVER tolerate infidelity no matter how much justification can be said. I personally don’t recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Transphobia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
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
5.0
Miles only made two New Years Resolutions this year: win back his ex (Shane), and finally beat his arch-nemesis at the state-wide piano competition. The first is proving difficult, since Shane broke up with Miles after he came out at trans. And now, Shane won't even acknowledge his presence--or answer his text messages. And it's distracting him from his piano.
However, when Miles meets the new kid in town, Erik, he feels an almost instant connection. After all, he's one of the first people to immediately ask Miles his pronouns when they meet. They start an easy friendship that evolves into something more. But Miles doesn't get what Erik sees in him. To land the boy and win his piano competition, Miles has to learn to finally feel like enough for himself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of Always the Almost by Edward Underhill to review! From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this book. Plus, who doesn't love a good queer romance for the Valentine's Day season?
From the beginning, I loved the voice in this. Miles has just recently come out as trans, and he's still trying to get used to being out. He has two best friends who are willing to go to bat for him in pretty much anything. Does their friendship get messy because of romance in the book? Yes. But all teenage relationships kind of get messy. It's just a fact of life.
Miles and Erik also have a great chemistry, even though Miles is trying to work through his own insecurities throughout the book. He doesn't feel like he's worthy of someone like Erik, and his process working through this feels realistic throughout the book. And being able to build confidence in his piano playing. I loved his relationship with his new piano teacher, who helps him use his own identity to make his piano playing better. Plus, she shows him that there's more to music than just winning competitions, and we love to see it.
There's some great character development in this book too, from Miles's friends to his parents and even Erik's sister. There's a whole great cast of characters, and it's helps in making you want to fly through this book.
All in all, I couldn't put this book down once I started it, and I already want more from Edward Underhill! Can't wait to see what he does next.
However, when Miles meets the new kid in town, Erik, he feels an almost instant connection. After all, he's one of the first people to immediately ask Miles his pronouns when they meet. They start an easy friendship that evolves into something more. But Miles doesn't get what Erik sees in him. To land the boy and win his piano competition, Miles has to learn to finally feel like enough for himself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of Always the Almost by Edward Underhill to review! From the moment I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this book. Plus, who doesn't love a good queer romance for the Valentine's Day season?
From the beginning, I loved the voice in this. Miles has just recently come out as trans, and he's still trying to get used to being out. He has two best friends who are willing to go to bat for him in pretty much anything. Does their friendship get messy because of romance in the book? Yes. But all teenage relationships kind of get messy. It's just a fact of life.
Miles and Erik also have a great chemistry, even though Miles is trying to work through his own insecurities throughout the book. He doesn't feel like he's worthy of someone like Erik, and his process working through this feels realistic throughout the book. And being able to build confidence in his piano playing. I loved his relationship with his new piano teacher, who helps him use his own identity to make his piano playing better. Plus, she shows him that there's more to music than just winning competitions, and we love to see it.
There's some great character development in this book too, from Miles's friends to his parents and even Erik's sister. There's a whole great cast of characters, and it's helps in making you want to fly through this book.
All in all, I couldn't put this book down once I started it, and I already want more from Edward Underhill! Can't wait to see what he does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Dysphoria
Minor: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexism
legalplanner's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
First and foremost thank you to Net Galley, the author and publisher for my copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
A coming of age story about loving yourself, fighting for your dreams, and being true to yourself.
The authors note at the beginning of this book notes that not all stories are happy go lucky stories, and that this one may not be as well. The fact that this was gritty and not glossing over tough subjects was refreshing. Miles is in his final year of high school and all he wants is to win back his boyfriend and beat his arch nemesis in the piano competition. But when new boy Eric shows up everything changes.
This didn't feel like someone was writing about an experience that they hoped would be rainbows and butterflies but about an experience that is real--Especially for those coming out. That kind of representation in books is very important and necessary.
The author wove the teenagers experience perfectly with a hobby that doesn't always get the same love as sports: classical music. This addition made my heart sing as a piano kid. Their passion for piano and classical music showed that you don't have to be playing cool things to enjoy playing and wanting to be good. I think that Miles relationship with his piano teach played an important role in his discovery of who he was and is, and showing that in a cut throat world Miles had a place.
Eric and Miles relationship/friendship felt important to the plot in the way that Eric was just trying to be supportive of Miles regardless of who he is. I found myself crying and laughing with Miles and relating so much to this experience even as someone not walking the same path as Miles and that to me screams a successful novel. I think the title was super fitting because we all feel like we're almost in our own story.
This is a great LGBTQIA+ novel that shows that things can be hard when going through change but finding your people helps.
A coming of age story about loving yourself, fighting for your dreams, and being true to yourself.
The authors note at the beginning of this book notes that not all stories are happy go lucky stories, and that this one may not be as well. The fact that this was gritty and not glossing over tough subjects was refreshing. Miles is in his final year of high school and all he wants is to win back his boyfriend and beat his arch nemesis in the piano competition. But when new boy Eric shows up everything changes.
This didn't feel like someone was writing about an experience that they hoped would be rainbows and butterflies but about an experience that is real--Especially for those coming out. That kind of representation in books is very important and necessary.
The author wove the teenagers experience perfectly with a hobby that doesn't always get the same love as sports: classical music. This addition made my heart sing as a piano kid. Their passion for piano and classical music showed that you don't have to be playing cool things to enjoy playing and wanting to be good. I think that Miles relationship with his piano teach played an important role in his discovery of who he was and is, and showing that in a cut throat world Miles had a place.
Eric and Miles relationship/friendship felt important to the plot in the way that Eric was just trying to be supportive of Miles regardless of who he is. I found myself crying and laughing with Miles and relating so much to this experience even as someone not walking the same path as Miles and that to me screams a successful novel. I think the title was super fitting because we all feel like we're almost in our own story.
This is a great LGBTQIA+ novel that shows that things can be hard when going through change but finding your people helps.
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming, Misogyny, and Transphobia
The content warmings are brief and not graphic but want people to be aware.snowydaze's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I received an ebook copy of Always the Almost by Edward Underhill from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Words cannot explain how happy I am to have read this book. It truly is a novel about both piano and trans joy. Although at times I found Miles to be a bit too self centered, by the end of the novel he grew substantially as a main character. Additionally, after about 50 pages I just could not put the book down, the plot just drew me in. I loved reading the descriptions of Miles playing the piano and I could really understand Edward Underhill’s love of classical music through it. Eric as a love interest was great but I feel like his character could have been developed a bit more, the same goes for Paige and Rachel. Overall, all three of them were great but I just would have loved a bit more character development for them. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely be ordering a physical copy. As always please check the trigger warnings before reading as there are instances of transphobia discussed in the book.
Words cannot explain how happy I am to have read this book. It truly is a novel about both piano and trans joy. Although at times I found Miles to be a bit too self centered, by the end of the novel he grew substantially as a main character. Additionally, after about 50 pages I just could not put the book down, the plot just drew me in. I loved reading the descriptions of Miles playing the piano and I could really understand Edward Underhill’s love of classical music through it. Eric as a love interest was great but I feel like his character could have been developed a bit more, the same goes for Paige and Rachel. Overall, all three of them were great but I just would have loved a bit more character development for them. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely be ordering a physical copy. As always please check the trigger warnings before reading as there are instances of transphobia discussed in the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Deadnaming, Cursing, Homophobia, Bullying, Transphobia, and Sexism
Minor: Misogyny
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