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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This book is so amazingly sweet. I predicted almost every plot line in this book but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of it. It’s a cute high school enemies to lovers romance that’s messy in a way that all teenagers are.
lighthearted
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really appreciated the concept and seeing asexual characters in the world! but it was so predictable
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
Great lgbt representation with very lovable characters. The dialogue was humorous and heartfelt. I couldn’t bear to read most of the surrounding text though - too much of it with little substance.
Easily my favourite read of the year so far and it's not even my first five stars read. I was horribly deeply invested in the tribulations of Wren Martin, annoying but endearing ace teenager, and his obvious crush (don't tell him) on his one-sided nemesis. This was incredibly funny and cute and heartfelt.
I often say I'm slowly outgrowing YA contemporary but sometimes I read one that just HITS and I'm like.... oooh wait maybe not. This was not helped by the fact I'm a high school teacher (I related to Ms. Little too much) with a great fondness and tolerance for genuinely wonderful but incredibly annoying teens. Wren felt like SUCH a real teenager to me, especially because of the fact he decided to arbitrarily hate some guy because he's too good at things. 10/10 no notes teenage behaviour. I annotated the HELL out of this one with silly little comments. Yes it was predictable yes the twist wasn't a twist but I don't think it was trying to be at all! It was still very cute very genuine it made me laugh out loud and grin like an idiot. So. Loved it
I often say I'm slowly outgrowing YA contemporary but sometimes I read one that just HITS and I'm like.... oooh wait maybe not. This was not helped by the fact I'm a high school teacher (I related to Ms. Little too much) with a great fondness and tolerance for genuinely wonderful but incredibly annoying teens. Wren felt like SUCH a real teenager to me, especially because of the fact he decided to arbitrarily hate some guy because he's too good at things. 10/10 no notes teenage behaviour. I annotated the HELL out of this one with silly little comments. Yes it was predictable yes the twist wasn't a twist but I don't think it was trying to be at all! It was still very cute very genuine it made me laugh out loud and grin like an idiot. So. Loved it
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the president of student council post goes goes vacant, Wren Martin gets appointed to fill in. And though it isn't exactly the democratic way of getting there that he wished for, it's his opportunity to fix everything that isn't right in Rapture High, including abolishing the not-inclusive and budget consuming Valentine's Day Dance, Rapture High's most important event of the year.
But then, newly appointed VP Leo Reyes - whom Wren hates - suggests another idea: get the technically-not-a-dating-app Buddy (also hated by Wren) to sponsor the Dance so everyone can be happy... And also to spare the rest of the council's social statuses from becoming collateral damage due to Wren's plan.
So now, Wren has to plan a very yellow-themed dance, spend more time than he would like around Leo Reyes and through a puzzling series of events, also has to deal with the very charming anonymous person he's chatting with on Buddy.
One thing to know about me, I love characters and people that are dramatic, annoying and endearing. Probably because I was, and still am, like that (the third characteristic is debatable because it's subjective). Wren Martin is the embodiment of those three words: he's that kid who wants to do a lot of good, but it has to go his way and he's pretty obnoxious about it, and somehow it makes him all the more funny and attaching.
His relationship to his asexuality was also very well-written and his fears of being perceived hit really close to home.
I just loved his character and having the whole story through his POV was so entertaining. He's well fleshed out: he's very flawed, both intentionally and unintentionally, with a bit of a chaotic brain and is very loud about his opinions. You just want to simultaneously hug and (lightly) punch him. Also he has CHICKENS. THE CUTEST CHICKENS!
His friendship with Ryan is so adorable and felt so real, I loved that even though a lot happens in the book, that relationship was never overshadowed. Also Ryan Robinson is iconic and I just KNOW she has a collection of Monster High dolls (and I also love her for it)
Leo Reyes is, well, Leo Reyes. I cannot not appreciate a sweet coder boy who goes to really silly lengths to prove a point while being super playful and not one bit rude about it.
And to be honest, every single character in this book was so dramatic I still can't believe none of them are in theater/drama club. That needs a scientific explanation. I just love how everyone in this book had a lot of personality, down to the side characters (Maggie is my favorite grumpy protective friend and I'm a fan of clueless himbos like Archer). My only question is, how are teenagers that are this dramatic missing so many clues? Where are the detective skills?
Fun things aside, this also deals with grief and the apprehension of upcoming, inevitable grief. That part really caught me off-guard and it tugged at my heartstrings so much I ended up crying my quietest tears at those scenes. The book deals with the topic with so much honesty, emotion and realism that I honestly didn't expect.
Another thing this book does really well is the dynamic of unrequited-crush-because-the-other-person-seems-to-hate-you-but-plot-twist. I love the honesty that went into making the characters recognize that they share a history that could fairly impact the way things could evolve between them and the way they both respected that. It's a kind of conflict that I haven't seen often in YA and it was super refreshing.
I think you can tell by now that this book was a favorite for me, not so much on the writing front, which is why it's not a five star read but every other aspect was everything I want and love in a happy, lighthearted but meaningful book. Highly recommend if you enjoy reads that will have you cackling all throughout and occasionally crying.
But then, newly appointed VP Leo Reyes - whom Wren hates - suggests another idea: get the technically-not-a-dating-app Buddy (also hated by Wren) to sponsor the Dance so everyone can be happy... And also to spare the rest of the council's social statuses from becoming collateral damage due to Wren's plan.
So now, Wren has to plan a very yellow-themed dance, spend more time than he would like around Leo Reyes and through a puzzling series of events, also has to deal with the very charming anonymous person he's chatting with on Buddy.
One thing to know about me, I love characters and people that are dramatic, annoying and endearing. Probably because I was, and still am, like that (the third characteristic is debatable because it's subjective). Wren Martin is the embodiment of those three words: he's that kid who wants to do a lot of good, but it has to go his way and he's pretty obnoxious about it, and somehow it makes him all the more funny and attaching.
His relationship to his asexuality was also very well-written and his fears of being perceived hit really close to home.
I just loved his character and having the whole story through his POV was so entertaining. He's well fleshed out: he's very flawed, both intentionally and unintentionally, with a bit of a chaotic brain and is very loud about his opinions. You just want to simultaneously hug and (lightly) punch him. Also he has CHICKENS. THE CUTEST CHICKENS!
His friendship with Ryan is so adorable and felt so real, I loved that even though a lot happens in the book, that relationship was never overshadowed. Also Ryan Robinson is iconic and I just KNOW she has a collection of Monster High dolls (and I also love her for it)
Leo Reyes is, well, Leo Reyes. I cannot not appreciate a sweet coder boy who goes to really silly lengths to prove a point while being super playful and not one bit rude about it.
And to be honest, every single character in this book was so dramatic I still can't believe none of them are in theater/drama club. That needs a scientific explanation. I just love how everyone in this book had a lot of personality, down to the side characters (Maggie is my favorite grumpy protective friend and I'm a fan of clueless himbos like Archer). My only question is, how are teenagers that are this dramatic missing so many clues? Where are the detective skills?
Fun things aside, this also deals with grief and the apprehension of upcoming, inevitable grief. That part really caught me off-guard and it tugged at my heartstrings so much I ended up crying my quietest tears at those scenes. The book deals with the topic with so much honesty, emotion and realism that I honestly didn't expect.
Another thing this book does really well is the dynamic of unrequited-crush-because-the-other-person-seems-to-hate-you-but-plot-twist. I love the honesty that went into making the characters recognize that they share a history that could fairly impact the way things could evolve between them and the way they both respected that. It's a kind of conflict that I haven't seen often in YA and it was super refreshing.
I think you can tell by now that this book was a favorite for me, not so much on the writing front, which is why it's not a five star read but every other aspect was everything I want and love in a happy, lighthearted but meaningful book. Highly recommend if you enjoy reads that will have you cackling all throughout and occasionally crying.
I came for the ace rep and chickens and then completely fell for the humor and adorable romance.
I honestly wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I began it. Obviously romance, how an asexual teenager navigates the dating world (or in the case of Wren doesn't until he finally does) and... chickens? This book by far exceeded any expectation I did have.
Wren's narration was witty and snarky and had me laughing far more than I ever expected and his struggles and fears with dating while being ace made me feel seen in a way I rarely do and I simply wish teenage me had had this book back then. It also would have been nice for there to be a little bit more conversation about it between Wren and Leo. As for the romance it was just too cute and sweet and perfectly paced. Im such a sucker for mutual pining. Especially when one party is in denial of it. It was well rounded and had me rooting for them the entire time.
I saw the plot twists coming but that didn't negate any of my enjoyment. Instead I found myself waiting for bated breath for the big reveals (and also cringing from the encroaching second hand embarrassment).
Despite most of the book being very lighthearted there were a few shockingly poignant moments as the book dealt with different stages of loss and grief and it was just artfully woven into the narrative without seeming contradictory to the rest of the light hearted humor.
Also did I mention the chickens? :)
I honestly wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I began it. Obviously romance, how an asexual teenager navigates the dating world (or in the case of Wren doesn't until he finally does) and... chickens? This book by far exceeded any expectation I did have.
Wren's narration was witty and snarky and had me laughing far more than I ever expected and his struggles and fears with dating while being ace made me feel seen in a way I rarely do and I simply wish teenage me had had this book back then. It also would have been nice for there to be a little bit more conversation about it between Wren and Leo. As for the romance it was just too cute and sweet and perfectly paced. Im such a sucker for mutual pining. Especially when one party is in denial of it. It was well rounded and had me rooting for them the entire time.
I saw the plot twists coming but that didn't negate any of my enjoyment. Instead I found myself waiting for bated breath for the big reveals (and also cringing from the encroaching second hand embarrassment).
Despite most of the book being very lighthearted there were a few shockingly poignant moments as the book dealt with different stages of loss and grief and it was just artfully woven into the narrative without seeming contradictory to the rest of the light hearted humor.
Also did I mention the chickens? :)
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol