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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I liked it! I kinda feel like I'm repeating myself when I start so many reviews that way, but it is the first thing that pops into my head, so yeah. I liked it, quite a lot.
The writing style took a while to get into — the sentence structure and the way things were described wasn't quite what I'm used to — and I admit that a lot of the descriptions about sports went straight over my head. It's not really an interest of mine.
Still, aside from that, it was a lovely book. The concept itself, when I read the blurb, made me go, "Yes, I can see how someone would want that, but I'm not sure it's going to work," which (spoiler alert) is pretty much what Rafe realises too before it's all over. It was interesting to follow his journey as the tries to figure himself out and, while I don't agree with all the decision he makes, I still enjoyed it. Sure, Rafe was self-centered and pretty spoiled sometimes, but, I mean, he's a teenager. I was, too, in that age. And I can understand his need to find himself.
Unsurprisingly, Ben was my favourite, though. I have a thing for the big, quiet ones — especially when they're as down-to-earth and genuine as he is. Ben was just lovely. I really feel for the guy.
So yeah! I liked it and will definitely read the other works in the series, because closure is a good thing. I mean, I don't think the ending in this book was terrible, but I am a sucker for happy endings and there's a lot Rafe and Ben still have to tell each other. I'm looking forward to reading about it.
The writing style took a while to get into — the sentence structure and the way things were described wasn't quite what I'm used to — and I admit that a lot of the descriptions about sports went straight over my head. It's not really an interest of mine.
Still, aside from that, it was a lovely book. The concept itself, when I read the blurb, made me go, "Yes, I can see how someone would want that, but I'm not sure it's going to work," which (spoiler alert) is pretty much what Rafe realises too before it's all over. It was interesting to follow his journey as the tries to figure himself out and, while I don't agree with all the decision he makes, I still enjoyed it. Sure, Rafe was self-centered and pretty spoiled sometimes, but, I mean, he's a teenager. I was, too, in that age. And I can understand his need to find himself.
Unsurprisingly, Ben was my favourite, though. I have a thing for the big, quiet ones — especially when they're as down-to-earth and genuine as he is. Ben was just lovely. I really feel for the guy.
So yeah! I liked it and will definitely read the other works in the series, because closure is a good thing. I mean, I don't think the ending in this book was terrible, but I am a sucker for happy endings and there's a lot Rafe and Ben still have to tell each other. I'm looking forward to reading about it.
Such a good story about identity and realizing that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
This book seriously blue-ballsed me. I'm reading the book and getting all worked up and at one point I actually raised my arms in victory and stood up to do a happy dance and then it ends dis-satisfyingly.
Well, that's not true. It was beautiful and real and poignant and funny and frustrating but I really really enjoyed it. Like seriously.
The best way to describe it is like those cheesy Disney Channel original movies when you're yelling at the character being like "No! Don't do the dumb thing! You are better than this! It will only end in misery!" And then the dumb thing gets worse and everything falls apart but in this books you don't get the satisfying if not totally unrealistic resolution at the end.
So frustrating. But a great read.
Well, that's not true. It was beautiful and real and poignant and funny and frustrating but I really really enjoyed it. Like seriously.
The best way to describe it is like those cheesy Disney Channel original movies when you're yelling at the character being like "No! Don't do the dumb thing! You are better than this! It will only end in misery!" And then the dumb thing gets worse and everything falls apart but in this books you don't get the satisfying if not totally unrealistic resolution at the end.
So frustrating. But a great read.
I loved this book so much that I had trouble putting it down once I got into it. That being said, the beginning was slow and parts of the middle seemed repetitive, but I loved the structure of the novel and how the main character's writing vignettes for his creative writing project interspersed the regular chapters. I would definitely recommend this book.
The novel follows Rafe, an openly gay guy from Colorado, who is tired of always being the gay kid and being labeled. He moves to an all boys boarding school in Massachusetts where he decides to be openly straight and not tell people he's gay. He must grapple with just trying to be a normal guy while dealing with his withheld sexuality.
The novel follows Rafe, an openly gay guy from Colorado, who is tired of always being the gay kid and being labeled. He moves to an all boys boarding school in Massachusetts where he decides to be openly straight and not tell people he's gay. He must grapple with just trying to be a normal guy while dealing with his withheld sexuality.
After my first copy of this book turned out to have a huge section missing, I finally got a new copy today to finish off this book and I loved it.
The thing I liked the most about it is that it feels very real, a lot of the characters went through things that I myself have gone through and they didn't feel like stories, something made up for dramatic effect. They felt like genuine experiences.
I wished I would have read this when I was younger because I think it would have helped me a little but it was thoroughly enjoyable to read now. Can't wait to read Honestly Ben.
The thing I liked the most about it is that it feels very real, a lot of the characters went through things that I myself have gone through and they didn't feel like stories, something made up for dramatic effect. They felt like genuine experiences.
I wished I would have read this when I was younger because I think it would have helped me a little but it was thoroughly enjoyable to read now. Can't wait to read Honestly Ben.
Openly gay teen Rafe gets sick of being known only by that one label. So he decides to get a label-free do-over at a new school, not declaring his status in the hopes it'll let him experience a "just one of the guys" life. At first he's loving it. He's got new sports-loving new friends and he gets to feel like one of the gang. Naturally it can't last.
The exploration of identity and how you define and present yourself is well-portrayed and thoughtful. The characters and full and likeable and fun. It's laugh out loud funny and I like that it while the ending is hopeful, it's not tied up with a magical fairy tale bow.
The exploration of identity and how you define and present yourself is well-portrayed and thoughtful. The characters and full and likeable and fun. It's laugh out loud funny and I like that it while the ending is hopeful, it's not tied up with a magical fairy tale bow.
"It's hard to be different, Scarborough said. "And perhaps the best answer is not to tolerate differences, not even to accept them. But to celebrate them. Maybe then those who are different would feel more loved, and less, well, tolerated."
This book helped me to realise how profoundly opinionated I am. And here is my opinion - lying sucks. I hate it. Don't do it, folks. Don't do it to your close ones and more importantly don't do it to yourselves
