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lrooks98's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
I'm giving this book 4 stars as a whole because I think it was well-written in terms of a cohesive plot and theme, and I appreciated the friendship between the main characters. However, it wasn't 4 stars in terms of my enjoyment, but that's partially on me. I didn't realize when I picked it that it was YA and what the full extent of the plot was, and it reads very juvenilely with a very, very heavy focus on Tik Tok. It's also very current events focused, and if you read for escape, this may not be for you. But, I would recommend this to a younger, teenaged reader because I think that they could enjoy it. The friendship was well done, and it was good to see supportive adults, particularly given the area the book is set in.
seestephread's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
mrs_p_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
gavatar64's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
boatsbooks's review against another edition
inspiring
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? No
3.75
michaelbereading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Ezra Hayes and his two best friends are facing boy troubles. Their boyfriends constantly make them feel like shameful secrets to be hidden away. Once those relationships end they seek revenge in big ways. Simultaneously, their school district launches the "Watch What You Say" initiative to censor queer voices, so Ezra starts "The Last Boyfriends Student Rebellion" on TikTok. Amid ex-boyfriend drama and TikTok fame, Ezra realizes the fight is about more than revenge; it's about challenging outdated views and redefining queer identity in small-town Alabama.
I loved every single second of this book! What an absolutely fun, original, hilarious, and heartwarming ride this was! Every single character had so much depth and growth. It is refreshing to read a Queer YA book where the MCs aren't completely selfish and irrational. I understand that teens often are selfish and irrational, but that can get really hard to continuously read. These characters were confident and charming, and not unlikeable but also not perfect. There were so many moments of adorable joy as well as triumphant victories to celebrate. I will recommend this book to everyone! Books like these are life saving for Queer youth, and a reminder to all of us that Queer Pride is still a protest.
I loved every single second of this book! What an absolutely fun, original, hilarious, and heartwarming ride this was! Every single character had so much depth and growth. It is refreshing to read a Queer YA book where the MCs aren't completely selfish and irrational. I understand that teens often are selfish and irrational, but that can get really hard to continuously read. These characters were confident and charming, and not unlikeable but also not perfect. There were so many moments of adorable joy as well as triumphant victories to celebrate. I will recommend this book to everyone! Books like these are life saving for Queer youth, and a reminder to all of us that Queer Pride is still a protest.
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Well, I didn't seem to love this as much as everyone else, which is a bit of a bummer. I listened to the audiobook for this one, and unfortunately, I just didn't jive with the narrator. It made it hard for me to want to jump back into the story.
However, the overall message of this book is super important, especially with all of the censoring of LGBTQ+ voices in schools happening currently. What starts as a plot to get revenge on ex-boyfriends turns into a mission fighting against their schools censorship rules. It's such an important message for teens, showing them they do have the power to enact change.
The central romance is pretty cute, and I loved the friendship between the two boys. But there is also a lot going on in this book, and I think some of the plot lines could have been dropped to better focus on others. But overall, this is a book that I think will hopefully find a home for a lot of teens.
However, the overall message of this book is super important, especially with all of the censoring of LGBTQ+ voices in schools happening currently. What starts as a plot to get revenge on ex-boyfriends turns into a mission fighting against their schools censorship rules. It's such an important message for teens, showing them they do have the power to enact change.
The central romance is pretty cute, and I loved the friendship between the two boys. But there is also a lot going on in this book, and I think some of the plot lines could have been dropped to better focus on others. But overall, this is a book that I think will hopefully find a home for a lot of teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, and Homophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
torifaye's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
What an awesome friend group! If I could join a fictional friend group it would be this one!
transparent_tea's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
The best revenge is believing in yourself.
I picked this book up because of the cover, and it turned out to be a cute story, despite the beginning taking a little too long to set up the story. Ezra Hayes thought he found the love of his life by hooking up with a football player, only to figure out that he was just a toy. His best friends (Lucas and Finley) were also going through some stuff with their boyfriends. After walking First Wives, they came up with an idea to get revenge on all of their exes (hence the title of the book). What was once a revenge plot became something bigger, trying to overturn "Watch What You Say" school policy.
Taking something current and hits home for the students that are part of this "warfare" helps bring to light how much has shifted since I was a teenager. Even though the story is a work of fiction, it does provide a perspective of what a troubled teenager goes through during these times of distress and shows them that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The story itself seems to be more focused on Ezra than his best friends (and I have to admit, I kept getting Lucas and Finley confused, as well as their ex-s because they played such minor roles). Ezra does go through some other "factors" that cause him to question himself (body image, anxiety), but they aren't as heavily talked about as the rebellion.