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raynebair's review
4.0
Loved this book. Although there was a famous person, his celebrity status wasn't a huge focus. Which was nice. At times it was hard to remember that they are 16/17 years old. Maybe I"m a bit prudish, but I felt that at times, the kids were treated far too much like adults. But the story was great. The relationship between Adam and Ru was so sweet. It was wonderful and I love how they supported each other.
lalauren04's review
3.0
3.5 stars - This was a sweet YA read. It's pretty low on angst and there is very little drama. I liked the message of the book and how it dealt with issue of homophobic bullying, which many of its young readers might be facing. It's a good read for teens, although I did think it was a bit too fluffy and sweet in places. Still, I enjoyed it for what it was and I'd love to read more by this author.
liza5326's review
5.0
Wow . . . . I started this book thinking it was going to be a sweet celebrity-meets-normal kid story. I had no idea it was going to be an amazing story about love, triumph, and overcoming bullying. I was enthralled from the first page. I loved Adam and Ru. The celebrity aspect of it was so minute it was almost easy to forget. And my heart just bled for Bas, especially in that last scene. So beautiful!!
papercranestitches's review against another edition
3.0
*** 3.5 Stars ***
There was instalove and an ending that felt like a heavy-handed after school special (complete with a stage and a speech). Other than that, it was a sweet, heart-string tugging YA novel with two likable characters and a strong anti-bullying message.
There was instalove and an ending that felt like a heavy-handed after school special (complete with a stage and a speech). Other than that, it was a sweet, heart-string tugging YA novel with two likable characters and a strong anti-bullying message.
friendofhayley's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
so i read this series out of order. i read this book after unicorns and rainbow poop. i loved that book so much i HAD to go back and read this one and i'm SO glad i did. i think sam kadence may be one of my new favorite authors. sam's writing and story telling ability just works for me...a lot.
it's hard to go back and write a review about this book having read the 2nd book already but here goes. (if i post something in this review that gives anything away about book 2 i'm sorry!)
so this book has world famous pop sensation ru meeting boy-next-door adam. their attraction is instantaneous and their chemistry is palpable. of course, because adam has a fairly strict family he doesn't have internet access and doesn't recognize ru so their relationship starts off normally. adam is just fully coming to terms with his sexuality and doesn't have any experience at all. he's seen the brutality of his fellow students against out and proud sebastian so he isn't in a hurry to reveal his true self. as he gets closer to both ru and sebastian, he becomes more confident and isn't satisfied just to coast any longer. even though he is young and naive about some things, he appears to have an old soul and maturity in ways that balances ru.
ru really only wants to be free to be a musician. it's all about the music for him. he lost a bit of himself being in the boy band and becoming what his manager and other band members made him out to be. now that he's on his own and doing things his way he's free to be himself. when he meets adam, he realizes there is more to life than just music and when he looks around him he truly feels alone even with tommy. he is kind and patient and is looking for a lifetime with adam.
tommy is just as great in this book as he is in the 2nd book. i'd almost say he's one of the main characters of this book because his role is so pivotal to the story. he's strong and really just gives it straight to ru so he doesn't lose his head. he's truly a great friend to ru when he has no one else.
while bas has a smaller role in the book his may be the most important. he helps adam take a look in the mirror and stop just coasting through life. while he is struggling with his own issues and demons, he really helps adam through his tribulations.
adams parents are truly amazing and i wish all parents of gay kids could be that supportive and smart about raising their kids. while they are overprotective about some things, they are really open about adam coming out and having his first boyfriend.
there are several scenes in the book that are heartbreaking...this is a very emotional story, as is book 2 but they are just so amazing. since i've already read book 2 twice i don't need to re-read now that i've read this one but i'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and can't wait to see all these characters again.
it's hard to go back and write a review about this book having read the 2nd book already but here goes. (if i post something in this review that gives anything away about book 2 i'm sorry!)
so this book has world famous pop sensation ru meeting boy-next-door adam. their attraction is instantaneous and their chemistry is palpable. of course, because adam has a fairly strict family he doesn't have internet access and doesn't recognize ru so their relationship starts off normally. adam is just fully coming to terms with his sexuality and doesn't have any experience at all. he's seen the brutality of his fellow students against out and proud sebastian so he isn't in a hurry to reveal his true self. as he gets closer to both ru and sebastian, he becomes more confident and isn't satisfied just to coast any longer. even though he is young and naive about some things, he appears to have an old soul and maturity in ways that balances ru.
ru really only wants to be free to be a musician. it's all about the music for him. he lost a bit of himself being in the boy band and becoming what his manager and other band members made him out to be. now that he's on his own and doing things his way he's free to be himself. when he meets adam, he realizes there is more to life than just music and when he looks around him he truly feels alone even with tommy. he is kind and patient and is looking for a lifetime with adam.
tommy is just as great in this book as he is in the 2nd book. i'd almost say he's one of the main characters of this book because his role is so pivotal to the story. he's strong and really just gives it straight to ru so he doesn't lose his head. he's truly a great friend to ru when he has no one else.
while bas has a smaller role in the book his may be the most important. he helps adam take a look in the mirror and stop just coasting through life. while he is struggling with his own issues and demons, he really helps adam through his tribulations.
adams parents are truly amazing and i wish all parents of gay kids could be that supportive and smart about raising their kids. while they are overprotective about some things, they are really open about adam coming out and having his first boyfriend.
there are several scenes in the book that are heartbreaking...this is a very emotional story, as is book 2 but they are just so amazing. since i've already read book 2 twice i don't need to re-read now that i've read this one but i'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and can't wait to see all these characters again.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must read for any LGBTQ youth you know. I would recommend this book for many reasons. There is a theme throughout the story of acceptance. I believe that Sebastian is one of the strongest characters in the book. This boy has his stuff TOGETHER. He is out and proud and he won’t let anyone scare him back into the closet. Near the end of the book, Sebastian gives a speech at the school that made me bawl like a baby. As much as Adam thought he was invisible, he was at least one person’s hero. The thing I really loved was the simple idea that just being nice to someone that everyone else shuns could save a life. Accepting someone for who they are, no strings attached, can make you shine and can make someone else feel like a million bucks. It can pull them back from the edge you didn’t know they were teetering on.
You can read the rest of Jackie's review at The Novel Approach
You can read the rest of Jackie's review at The Novel Approach
samanatha's review
4.0
3.5/5
Oh, YA m-m lit. How you amuse me. This has a good message about being yourself and anti-bullying. I might have also rated it favorably bc it references one of my all-time favorite anime’s, Fruits Basket. Love it!!!
It lost points because it just ended. Like. Done. That’s all. It felt so abrupt that I kept going to see if there was a hidden epilogue or something.
It lost a little bit of favor also because of the lack of loving. I know it makes me the bad kid, but I don’t care. I’m not buying a 16 yo who has never yanked his crank and a couple who only ever hold hands. I don’t need dirty raunchy loving, but I need something!
Otherwise, I highly recommend for all who enjoy cute YA love stories about love at first sight and HEA.
Oh, YA m-m lit. How you amuse me. This has a good message about being yourself and anti-bullying. I might have also rated it favorably bc it references one of my all-time favorite anime’s, Fruits Basket. Love it!!!
It lost points because it just ended. Like. Done. That’s all. It felt so abrupt that I kept going to see if there was a hidden epilogue or something.
It lost a little bit of favor also because of the lack of loving. I know it makes me the bad kid, but I don’t care. I’m not buying a 16 yo who has never yanked his crank and a couple who only ever hold hands. I don’t need dirty raunchy loving, but I need something!
Otherwise, I highly recommend for all who enjoy cute YA love stories about love at first sight and HEA.
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