Reviews

My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

kevinscorner's review against another edition

funny lighthearted

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

My Fair Brady is a self-aware gay YA retelling of My Fair Lady. Wade’s senior year isn’t going so well when his boyfriend Reese dumps him for being too self-involved and he loses the lead role in the school musical to said ex-boyfriend. Elijah Brady is a gay sophomore with social anxiety who joins the stage crew in an attempt to make friends. After an unfortunate run-in with each other, Elijah asks for Wade’s help to make him more confident and popular and Wade takes him on to show Reese that he isn’t selfish and self-absorbed. But when Elijah starts shining as “Brady”, Wade comes to realize that he may want to keep Elijah for himself.

This book was just so charming and endearing (much like the author’s previous book A Little Bit Country). It succeeded in delivering the exact charm and appeal of those 90s/early 2000s teen romcoms (like She’s All That) with those nerdy makeovers while being totally self aware enough to not feel dated. It was fun, funny, and engaging.

I already liked Wade even at his most self-centered and self-absorbed, because honestly what teen isn’t. But I absolutely loved shy (but brave) Elijah who really puts himself out there despite all his fears because I can’t not root for him. He was adorable and so were his parents, and it was just so lovingly adorkably portrayed. You can really feel the genuine friendship that develops between Wade and Elijah and the possibility of a true romance is just blossoming.

My Fair Brady is a charming and earnest gay teen romantic comedy.

sarahsbookishreads's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

franklyfrank's review against another edition

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

3.25

a_manning11's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-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? Yes

4.0

For the insights and characters I would have rated it higher, but the first 3/4 of the book I struggled to pay attention to the book, not sure why.

madroxreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

larabrekker's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

catfoy's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this and honestly could have been five stars but I feel like where as Elijah was given a lot of grace in this book for his flaws and thoughtless actions Wade did not? And it bothered me, I felt bad for Wade! Like I know he had selfishness issues he had to work through but no one seemed to be there for him at his lowest? Like he lied about getting waitlisted because of how devastated he was about being rejected and people are pissed at him for it? Like that seems crazy to me (not him talking down about Hannah’s university, she was definitely right for being pissed about that) and it felt like the way it was written that just because he was popular we as a reader didn’t need to be as sympathetic towards him? Idk I just really connected with him as a character and felt very empathetic towards him.

And I liked Elijah! But like when he kept ditching his tech friends for popular people no one really held him accountable for it? Like I’m glad he internally realized that he needed to stop trying to be validated by popular people but like Summer never really called him out for ditching her and her art show… like if Wade had done that he would have gotten ignored by his friends 

Anyway that just really bothered me because other than that I loved the story! And the characters

readwithmon's review

4.0

So wholesome. 

kabbyblue's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

kaywhiteley's review against another edition

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? Yes

This was silly and corny and everything I needed right now