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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
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
emotional
funny
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
funny
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
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
fast-paced
I have similar feelings than I did about her debut Aces Wild; a lukewarm 3 stars.
• it's not a secret that teenagers are more online than ever, so creating a plot around a social media app that is about connecting with like-minded people together with an opinionated, sometimes judgemental protagonist is a smart move. I did genuinely enjoy how DeWitt included text messages and such in the story.
• What even is a "romcom" anymore, I don't understand how this label is applied anymore. What is it with these kind of "funny" books and the inclusion of death? (view spoiler) Humor is subjective, so maybe that's just on me but the overall atmosphere was more that of a general contemporary coming-of-age tale, sad and funny moments included. I personally liked the somber parts but I am also a lover of sad books.
• Wren as a main character is... look, I was never really sold on his outwardly almost aggressive dislike of anything school dance and Leo related. It did not feel genuine and more contrived to make the plot work. But there is a lot of growing and learning on his part that was important for the story to work that did happen.
• On the flipside, his asexual identity was well established from the start and I liked that any anxieties he had came from other people and their perceptions and not from himself.
• Overall, the story has its charms and you could do worse if you are looking for recent asexual YA releases if a little bland.
• ( but was Leo supposed to be Latino??)
• The big reveal, however... what? < spoiler> I'm sorry, he founded Buddy? we know Leo's got the computer smarts and has money but how did he keep his multi-million passion project secret enough that his name is not listed on Wikipedia?? This made me laugh so hard but I don't think that was the intention of the book. lmao though
I received an advanced reading copy from Peachtree Teen through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• it's not a secret that teenagers are more online than ever, so creating a plot around a social media app that is about connecting with like-minded people together with an opinionated, sometimes judgemental protagonist is a smart move. I did genuinely enjoy how DeWitt included text messages and such in the story.
• What even is a "romcom" anymore, I don't understand how this label is applied anymore. What is it with these kind of "funny" books and the inclusion of death? (view spoiler) Humor is subjective, so maybe that's just on me but the overall atmosphere was more that of a general contemporary coming-of-age tale, sad and funny moments included. I personally liked the somber parts but I am also a lover of sad books.
• Wren as a main character is... look, I was never really sold on his outwardly almost aggressive dislike of anything school dance and Leo related. It did not feel genuine and more contrived to make the plot work. But there is a lot of growing and learning on his part that was important for the story to work that did happen.
• On the flipside, his asexual identity was well established from the start and I liked that any anxieties he had came from other people and their perceptions and not from himself.
• Overall, the story has its charms and you could do worse if you are looking for recent asexual YA releases if a little bland.
• ( but was Leo supposed to be Latino??)
• The big reveal, however... what? < spoiler> I'm sorry, he founded Buddy? we know Leo's got the computer smarts and has money but how did he keep his multi-million passion project secret enough that his name is not listed on Wikipedia?? This made me laugh so hard but I don't think that was the intention of the book.
I received an advanced reading copy from Peachtree Teen through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wren Martin has a goal for his senior year: use his unexpected spot as student council president to abolish the Dance, the legendary school dance on Valentine's Day. He's frustrated that the school administration won't put money toward fixing things like the hole in the auditorium stage, and he's frankly just not interested in school dances at all. His plan is immediately thwarted by his vice-president and nemesis, Leo Reyes, the too-tall and too-talented and too-perfect star of the award-winning robotics team (the only other thing the administration cares about other than the dance). Leo suggests that the council approach the company behind the app Buddy (for making anonymous platonic connections, but generally used for dating) to get them to sponsor the dance in order to use the funding on school infrastructure. And since everyone else on council agrees, Wren is stuck having to help plan a dance he doesn't want.
Though he's not interested in dating, Wren decides to download the Buddy app and tries to find evidence to support his skepticism. What he doesn't expect is to make a match with someone from his school -- and to enjoy talking with him. In fact, it feels like they might be... flirting? And Wren might... have a crush? And maybe the dance wouldn't be such a bad idea?
This book really captured the chaos of senior year, between activities and social life and plans for after high school and friends and crushes and EVERYTHING. Wren is a really prickly character at first glance, though the reader quickly learns what has affected his outlook on school, life, and Leo Reyes. He's got a wonderful, supportive best friend in Ryan, but she also doesn't let him get away with some of his more unreasonable stances. And Leo starts off as the perfect student who inspires your jealousy but ends up as something so much more. There's good, positive LGTBQIA+ representation, particularly ace/aro, among the characters.
You'll find all the typical teen angst and miscommunication and conflict in this story, but you'll also find something to warm your heart. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you, Peachtree Teen and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Though he's not interested in dating, Wren decides to download the Buddy app and tries to find evidence to support his skepticism. What he doesn't expect is to make a match with someone from his school -- and to enjoy talking with him. In fact, it feels like they might be... flirting? And Wren might... have a crush? And maybe the dance wouldn't be such a bad idea?
This book really captured the chaos of senior year, between activities and social life and plans for after high school and friends and crushes and EVERYTHING. Wren is a really prickly character at first glance, though the reader quickly learns what has affected his outlook on school, life, and Leo Reyes. He's got a wonderful, supportive best friend in Ryan, but she also doesn't let him get away with some of his more unreasonable stances. And Leo starts off as the perfect student who inspires your jealousy but ends up as something so much more. There's good, positive LGTBQIA+ representation, particularly ace/aro, among the characters.
You'll find all the typical teen angst and miscommunication and conflict in this story, but you'll also find something to warm your heart. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you, Peachtree Teen and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
funny
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
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced