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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Wesley “Big Mac” Mackenzie is close to failing his senior year of high school, preferring skateboarding, spending time with his friends, and taking pictures on his phone. Dragged to the Nutcracker, Wes couldn’t be less interested until he sees Tristan Monroe’s hypnotizing performance as the titular character. Closeted Wes believes he shouldn’t like out-and-proud Tristan, but he can’t get Tristan out of his head. As they spend time together, Wes begins to think he could change his life for the better. He just needs to start standing up for and believing in himself.
This was a great YA debut full of emotions and growth. The serious topics addressed in the novel were well-handled. I adored the relationship Wes had with his mother. I can’t wait to see what else this author writes in the future – fingers crossed there might be a sequel about Brad in coming!
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.
This was a great YA debut full of emotions and growth. The serious topics addressed in the novel were well-handled. I adored the relationship Wes had with his mother. I can’t wait to see what else this author writes in the future – fingers crossed there might be a sequel about Brad in coming!
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was a fun journey, but unfortunately, I didn't really vibe with the book. I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the characters; either they weren’t fleshed out enough or they weren’t very redeemable (or both). The love interest is preachy and slightly pretentious, and the relationship moved so fast that it was hard to tell why the two characters even liked each other. All in all, the story is entertaining but heavy with clichés. Definitely not my favorite read of the year so far, but it had its own charm.
I loved this! Read it pretty fast because I was hooked! And the setting and characters are super believable. I don’t tend to read MM romance, so it was new for me, and the story and perspective were unique! Definitely recommend.
emotional
reflective
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
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
Everything about this book had me excited to dive in. The summary, cover and narrator all piqued my interest and I was absolutely not disappointed! This book was really great!
I think Wes is a fantastic main character. Through his eyes we get to live a very real life for someone that could easily have been your own classmate or friend. Someone who has past trauma, current hurt and struggles with identity and their place in the world. Wes was someone you easily want the best for- you want him to learn, grow and improve. You want him to find happiness within himself and with those around him and this book delivers on all of that and more!
The side characters were all great. They were diverse and layered in their backgrounds and personalities which kept the story moving and entertaining.
Overall i really enjoyed this one a lot. I loved all the characters and their individual growth and the plot was paced just right from A to B to keep me hook and interested. Would definitely recommend this title to anyone looking for this type of story!
I think Wes is a fantastic main character. Through his eyes we get to live a very real life for someone that could easily have been your own classmate or friend. Someone who has past trauma, current hurt and struggles with identity and their place in the world. Wes was someone you easily want the best for- you want him to learn, grow and improve. You want him to find happiness within himself and with those around him and this book delivers on all of that and more!
The side characters were all great. They were diverse and layered in their backgrounds and personalities which kept the story moving and entertaining.
Overall i really enjoyed this one a lot. I loved all the characters and their individual growth and the plot was paced just right from A to B to keep me hook and interested. Would definitely recommend this title to anyone looking for this type of story!
Really cute queer YA romance novel! I love that the title refers to Avril Lavigne's iconic song and that each of the chapter titles is inspired by a different early 2000s pop punk song. Anthony Nerada has set up a great "star-crossed" lovers scenario for narrator Wes, the book's proverbial bad/skater boy, and Tristian, a Black and privileged ballet dancer. Even though Wes is a lost teen who often acts out, this book was really sweet...and I like that he experienced real growth in the novel. Nerada understood the assignment of using classic romance/teen novel tropes but infusing original details and emotion into the characters and story.