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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely adored this book! It was such a joy to read - possibly the gayest thing I've ever picked up (which is the highest compliment because we need more unapologetically queer stories). It made me feel all sparkly, giddy, and wonderfully queer. I love, love, love being part of such an incredible community, and it’s amazing to see more and more queer books being written.
On top of that, the mystery kept me on my toes, constantly guessing. It was brilliantly crafted - such a masterpiece! You should definitely read it and experience it for yourself!
On top of that, the mystery kept me on my toes, constantly guessing. It was brilliantly crafted - such a masterpiece! You should definitely read it and experience it for yourself!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Transphobia
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I received an advanced reading copy of this book.
If you are expecting another Love Simon, please change your expectations. There is no sweet romance and falling in love for jack in this book. It is like the Puberty Blues and Judy Blume’s Forever for today’s modern teen.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the blurb for this book. What I got was more. Jack is so comfortable with himself and his sexuality that it is like a breath of fresh air. He becomes the Dear Abby of his high school and has some really great advice for teens, gay, straight and anything in between.
Similar to Simon, Jack has a secret admirer but his quickly turns into a case of stalking and turns a little dangerous. This book is great for discussions about bullying and what it can look like.
Jack’s two best friends love him and try their hardest to help him, whilst also encouraging him to be the best Jack he can be. It is a really nice friendship.
I would recommend this book to young adults 14+ as there is a lot of language and sex talk within the pages.
If you are expecting another Love Simon, please change your expectations. There is no sweet romance and falling in love for jack in this book. It is like the Puberty Blues and Judy Blume’s Forever for today’s modern teen.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the blurb for this book. What I got was more. Jack is so comfortable with himself and his sexuality that it is like a breath of fresh air. He becomes the Dear Abby of his high school and has some really great advice for teens, gay, straight and anything in between.
Similar to Simon, Jack has a secret admirer but his quickly turns into a case of stalking and turns a little dangerous. This book is great for discussions about bullying and what it can look like.
Jack’s two best friends love him and try their hardest to help him, whilst also encouraging him to be the best Jack he can be. It is a really nice friendship.
I would recommend this book to young adults 14+ as there is a lot of language and sex talk within the pages.
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A bit disappointed. Although I loved the diversity in this book, the story dragged on for far too long, mostly because of the characters’ incompetence in solving a mystery. I enjoyed the relationship and sex advice sections. Found the ending to be deeply anti-climactic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Stalking
Oh, I adored this book! Jack is an amazing character who just enjoys and embraces who he is and doesn't apologise for it. The rest of the characters are varied and multi-layered and I was captivated by most of them.
I just would have loved for the story to go on. The ending seemed to be over-hasty and even a bit forced, which I found quite unfortunate because the story was that good until then...
Nevertheless, I would recommend this story to anyone who wants to have fun and enjoy a fabulous - and at times even educational - read!
I just would have loved for the story to go on. The ending seemed to be over-hasty and even a bit forced, which I found quite unfortunate because the story was that good until then...
Nevertheless, I would recommend this story to anyone who wants to have fun and enjoy a fabulous - and at times even educational - read!
This was excellent! I get why it would be compared to "Love, Simon", but honestly I liked this a lot better.
Jack is a 17year old gay boy who likes sex and is open about it. Not everyone likes that, however - and after he begins writing a sex advice columns, he starts getting notes from a secret "admirer" that become creepier and creepier.
I liked how sex positive this was, and how sensible and enlightened. It's another great example on how easy it is, really, to write (and talk) about consent, and a wonderful book about being yourself. It's funny, and felt more genuine to me than "Love, Simon" (which sometimes felt too full of "Buffy"-like quips). As a bookseller, I would expect some parents to get weird about the sex parts, but I do think it's a great way for young adults (16+) to read about the different ways to approach sex and sexuality.
I usually avoid YA because I feel like it's really not for me, anymore, but one sentence really resonated with me- well, no, actually it was two. The first is Jack's "It could be worse," and the way it's dealt with does a great job at revealing the many things LBGT people (and other minorities) still have to face. Like, even if you're not being beaten up or insulted, even if you have the same rights on paper, that doesn't mean you cannot be hurt by the majority in many different ways, some on purpose, some maybe by accident.
The second sentence is connected to that: "Straight people are the worst." Taken by itself, I suspect the sentence might make some people feel really defensive, but in the context of this book (and in the context of life), it does ring true sometimes. I think this resonated with me especially because I went on a date with a straight guy today and while he seemed smart and educated, he had that typical lack of awareness that comes with privilege sometimes. I don't want to go into a deep discussion of this, but sometimes straight people and their straightness are exhausting.
But anyway, to go back to the book! I didn't actually mean to read the whole thing today, but I literally only stopped reading because of the unsuccessful date. It's very difficult to put down and such a delight. I'm so happy I read it, and happy that such a book exists.
Jack is a 17year old gay boy who likes sex and is open about it. Not everyone likes that, however - and after he begins writing a sex advice columns, he starts getting notes from a secret "admirer" that become creepier and creepier.
I liked how sex positive this was, and how sensible and enlightened. It's another great example on how easy it is, really, to write (and talk) about consent, and a wonderful book about being yourself. It's funny, and felt more genuine to me than "Love, Simon" (which sometimes felt too full of "Buffy"-like quips). As a bookseller, I would expect some parents to get weird about the sex parts, but I do think it's a great way for young adults (16+) to read about the different ways to approach sex and sexuality.
I usually avoid YA because I feel like it's really not for me, anymore, but one sentence really resonated with me- well, no, actually it was two. The first is Jack's "It could be worse," and the way it's dealt with does a great job at revealing the many things LBGT people (and other minorities) still have to face. Like, even if you're not being beaten up or insulted, even if you have the same rights on paper, that doesn't mean you cannot be hurt by the majority in many different ways, some on purpose, some maybe by accident.
The second sentence is connected to that: "Straight people are the worst." Taken by itself, I suspect the sentence might make some people feel really defensive, but in the context of this book (and in the context of life), it does ring true sometimes. I think this resonated with me especially because I went on a date with a straight guy today and while he seemed smart and educated, he had that typical lack of awareness that comes with privilege sometimes. I don't want to go into a deep discussion of this, but sometimes straight people and their straightness are exhausting.
But anyway, to go back to the book! I didn't actually mean to read the whole thing today, but I literally only stopped reading because of the unsuccessful date. It's very difficult to put down and such a delight. I'm so happy I read it, and happy that such a book exists.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced