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pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Okay, I loved this. There were some absolutely great characters in here, and if you're looking for YA m/m romance, I would absolutely recommend this. Jules' journey tugs on your heart, but it's about him learning to accept himself and that he has more courage than he knows. His little found family always has his back, and all of the characters were fully fleshed out, making you want to be a part of their little group.
The romance in this was also sweet, starting online and moving on from there. I loved how supportive they both were of each other, and you were rooting for them to work it out throughout the whole book. This might be one I have to own and file it away as one to read when I just want a good romance. Can't wait to see what else Villa writes!
The romance in this was also sweet, starting online and moving on from there. I loved how supportive they both were of each other, and you were rooting for them to work it out throughout the whole book. This might be one I have to own and file it away as one to read when I just want a good romance. Can't wait to see what else Villa writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
torimc's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
xoodlebooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
pastelwriter's review
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
I have no idea why this is the second book I've read this month that I have had an incredible time reading it yet somehow am struggling to rate it. No rating feels true despite my love for this story. Thus, I settle for four stars because anything less than that is absolute blasphemy.
One of my absolute favorite parts of this book is the humor. Truly, the humor is right up my alley. Jonny Garza Villa had me laughing out loud multiple times. The humor was only heightened by the excellent mix of Spanish and English in here. I have read my handful of books where the Spanish use felt forced, but it felt very natural in this story.
I was also absolutely obsessed with Jules and Mat. The two of them had a super cute relationship. I love that it wasn't perfect because of Jules' trauma, but their love for each other still shone through. Mat was definitely great at being a supportive boyfriend to a boy who (without him knowing) was experiencing a lot of trauma at home. In addition, Mat was such a flirt!!! He made my heart weak. He really was shameless, and I adored it. The conversations between Jules and Mat were absolutely everything.
The friendships here were also a blessing! All of Jules' friends were so protective of him, and it made my heart warm. Jordan especially was one of my favorites. He was so comfortable being physically close to Jules after he came out, and I think this type of friendship between boys is so necessary! Lou also wormed her way into my heart by being so openly herself. She absolutely did not let anyone diminish her light. All in all, Jules' friends were ready to meet anyone in the pit to protect Jules, and I stan that.
This novel is also incredibly emotional. Both painful emotion and just heartwarming emotion. The pain came from Jules' relationship with his father. Jules clearly loved his father, but there was no denying that Jules' father was abusive. The trauma Jules had was so painful to read about at times. You know what was beautiful? Jules being accepted by his Abuelo. The whole conversation Jules had with his Abuelo? Absolutely made me cry because it was so beautiful. It was also beautiful how accepting Jules' friends were and how honest one of them was in particular about how challenging it was for him to be accepting.
My only complaint about this book is how obvious it was to Jules and Mat that they would have sex when they met in person. As someone who is ace, this is incredibly foreign to me. I would say the whole thing was "triggering" for me because I couldn't get it out of my mind. Of course it makes sense to me why these two teen boys would want to have sex, and I don't begrudge them that. I think for me what just made it uncomfortable was how assumed it was. They did not talk about it. They simply knew the other would want that. They did discuss consent once the moment came, but both of them had assumed it was what the other wanted. it should be noted that I have never been in a long distance relationship--much less as a teen--so fuck if I know if even my ace ass would feel like these boys did. But I don't know. I cannot deny how it crawled under my skin in a very unpleasant way.
My other minor qualm is also something more personal. I have a personal vendetta against books that feature characters who desperately want to move to a particular city. Especially when it's LA or NY. I just find it so insufferable I'm not going to lie. But it's not really something I hold against any story. After all, I spent most of my life in Puerto Rico dreaming about anywhere except Puerto Rico...
Naturally, though, I would highly recommend this book! I absolutely look forward to whatever else this author will publish. My two qualms with the book absolutely do not affect at all how I feel about the story in general. It is ultimately a heartwarming and sweet story about two boys falling in love no matter the distance between them.
One of my absolute favorite parts of this book is the humor. Truly, the humor is right up my alley. Jonny Garza Villa had me laughing out loud multiple times. The humor was only heightened by the excellent mix of Spanish and English in here. I have read my handful of books where the Spanish use felt forced, but it felt very natural in this story.
I was also absolutely obsessed with Jules and Mat. The two of them had a super cute relationship. I love that it wasn't perfect because of Jules' trauma, but their love for each other still shone through. Mat was definitely great at being a supportive boyfriend to a boy who (without him knowing) was experiencing a lot of trauma at home. In addition, Mat was such a flirt!!! He made my heart weak. He really was shameless, and I adored it. The conversations between Jules and Mat were absolutely everything.
The friendships here were also a blessing! All of Jules' friends were so protective of him, and it made my heart warm. Jordan especially was one of my favorites. He was so comfortable being physically close to Jules after he came out, and I think this type of friendship between boys is so necessary! Lou also wormed her way into my heart by being so openly herself. She absolutely did not let anyone diminish her light. All in all, Jules' friends were ready to meet anyone in the pit to protect Jules, and I stan that.
This novel is also incredibly emotional. Both painful emotion and just heartwarming emotion. The pain came from Jules' relationship with his father. Jules clearly loved his father, but there was no denying that Jules' father was abusive. The trauma Jules had was so painful to read about at times. You know what was beautiful? Jules being accepted by his Abuelo. The whole conversation Jules had with his Abuelo? Absolutely made me cry because it was so beautiful. It was also beautiful how accepting Jules' friends were and how honest one of them was in particular about how challenging it was for him to be accepting.
My only complaint about this book is how obvious it was to Jules and Mat that they would have sex when they met in person. As someone who is ace, this is incredibly foreign to me. I would say the whole thing was "triggering" for me because I couldn't get it out of my mind. Of course it makes sense to me why these two teen boys would want to have sex, and I don't begrudge them that. I think for me what just made it uncomfortable was how assumed it was. They did not talk about it. They simply knew the other would want that. They did discuss consent once the moment came, but both of them had assumed it was what the other wanted. it should be noted that I have never been in a long distance relationship--much less as a teen--so fuck if I know if even my ace ass would feel like these boys did. But I don't know. I cannot deny how it crawled under my skin in a very unpleasant way.
My other minor qualm is also something more personal. I have a personal vendetta against books that feature characters who desperately want to move to a particular city. Especially when it's LA or NY. I just find it so insufferable I'm not going to lie. But it's not really something I hold against any story. After all, I spent most of my life in Puerto Rico dreaming about anywhere except Puerto Rico...
Naturally, though, I would highly recommend this book! I absolutely look forward to whatever else this author will publish. My two qualms with the book absolutely do not affect at all how I feel about the story in general. It is ultimately a heartwarming and sweet story about two boys falling in love no matter the distance between them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
additional content warnings: being kicked out after coming out alcohol consumptionperpetualpages's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
CWs: Verbal and physical child abuse; physical assault; homophobia; homophobic slurs (English and Spanish); bullying; non-graphic allusions to suicidal ideation; disownment; descriptions of PTSD, panic attacks, and depressive episodes; some exploration of grief; references to underage drinking, some graphic allusions to sex
Jonny Garza Villa really and truly didn't have to write the perfect book. But they did, and I'm forever grateful.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun very much feels like a successor to Ari & Dante, especially in its deliberate, slow pace. This is a story that meticulously takes you through the seasons of Jules' senior year, reveling in moments of friendship and love while also confronting homophobia head-on. It's a story about love in all its power and its limitations—exploring what love can do and what it can't. Love can support you, protect you, and keep you going when things get tough, but at the same time, love can't make up for everything when it's not supported by action.
Whether that means a father who refuses to acknowledge his son's queerness or a long-distance boyfriend who's struggling to figure out how to show up for someone when you can't physically be there, the story deftly explores both love's power and its failings. Even though this is a book that's not afraid to acknowledge the hardships queer people face, it's also largely about finding out which friends are true and learning to find joy in the communities we build for ourselves. This is a story that perfectly captures those high school friendships where buying a $2 soda from a fast food drive through on your way to the beach after school is an adventure you'd take over and over again and where piling onto the same bed together is an appropriate response to someone's depressive episode—those ride-or-die friendships that make your soul sing.
Not only that, but FHMFTS is a love story for the ages and exactly the love story we need right now. It's very rare that we get to see a story that both understands and celebrates online, long-distance romance. Not only is this a story that validates long-distance relationships, but it shows how integral online relationships can be in day-to-day life. Besides his physical presence, you miss nothing of Mat throughout this story. He is every bit as vibrant and present in Jules' life as Jules other friends from school are. He supports Jules, cheers him on, and wants the best for him, all while trying to maintain clear and open communication.
They run into pitfalls along the way, and the distance definitely tests both of them in different ways, but their relationships is every bit as real and beautiful as any other romance out there. They have A-plus level chemistry and banter, yes, but I think their relationship is so memorable because they're both learning not only how to see the other person for everything they are, but how to allow themselves to be seen in return. Letting yourself be known, in all your messiness and in all your mistakes, is an act of love and bravery, and that is ultimately what makes their relationship so satisfying to read.
Oh yeah, and they're funny as fuck.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is a book that will make you laugh, a book that will make you smile right after it makes you cringe, and a book that will make you feel above all else. Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss this book. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to absolutely everyone.
Jonny Garza Villa really and truly didn't have to write the perfect book. But they did, and I'm forever grateful.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun very much feels like a successor to Ari & Dante, especially in its deliberate, slow pace. This is a story that meticulously takes you through the seasons of Jules' senior year, reveling in moments of friendship and love while also confronting homophobia head-on. It's a story about love in all its power and its limitations—exploring what love can do and what it can't. Love can support you, protect you, and keep you going when things get tough, but at the same time, love can't make up for everything when it's not supported by action.
Whether that means a father who refuses to acknowledge his son's queerness or a long-distance boyfriend who's struggling to figure out how to show up for someone when you can't physically be there, the story deftly explores both love's power and its failings. Even though this is a book that's not afraid to acknowledge the hardships queer people face, it's also largely about finding out which friends are true and learning to find joy in the communities we build for ourselves. This is a story that perfectly captures those high school friendships where buying a $2 soda from a fast food drive through on your way to the beach after school is an adventure you'd take over and over again and where piling onto the same bed together is an appropriate response to someone's depressive episode—those ride-or-die friendships that make your soul sing.
Not only that, but FHMFTS is a love story for the ages and exactly the love story we need right now. It's very rare that we get to see a story that both understands and celebrates online, long-distance romance. Not only is this a story that validates long-distance relationships, but it shows how integral online relationships can be in day-to-day life. Besides his physical presence, you miss nothing of Mat throughout this story. He is every bit as vibrant and present in Jules' life as Jules other friends from school are. He supports Jules, cheers him on, and wants the best for him, all while trying to maintain clear and open communication.
They run into pitfalls along the way, and the distance definitely tests both of them in different ways, but their relationships is every bit as real and beautiful as any other romance out there. They have A-plus level chemistry and banter, yes, but I think their relationship is so memorable because they're both learning not only how to see the other person for everything they are, but how to allow themselves to be seen in return. Letting yourself be known, in all your messiness and in all your mistakes, is an act of love and bravery, and that is ultimately what makes their relationship so satisfying to read.
Oh yeah, and they're funny as fuck.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun is a book that will make you laugh, a book that will make you smile right after it makes you cringe, and a book that will make you feel above all else. Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss this book. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to absolutely everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
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