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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
*An audio ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
If you're not already singing the Avril Lavigne song, this is not the book for you (just kidding, just kidding).
However, if you are already singing the song, you will love the blatant references and homage to 2000s pop punk and grunge culture. This is a wonderfully routine YA contemporary about all the usual bits- identity, family, friends, and hating your small town. I listened to the audiobook- narrated by the YA legend Michael Crouch- in under 2 days between work assignments and loved every minute of it.
The perfect contemporary for YA devotees who never got over pop punk.
If you're not already singing the Avril Lavigne song, this is not the book for you (just kidding, just kidding).
However, if you are already singing the song, you will love the blatant references and homage to 2000s pop punk and grunge culture. This is a wonderfully routine YA contemporary about all the usual bits- identity, family, friends, and hating your small town. I listened to the audiobook- narrated by the YA legend Michael Crouch- in under 2 days between work assignments and loved every minute of it.
The perfect contemporary for YA devotees who never got over pop punk.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After a rocky opening page or two where I worried I would despise Wes, I pretty much immediately loved Skater Boy. In my experience, it's rare to find a "bad boy" or "teenage rebel" whose voice is actually tolerable to read, but Wes is deeply nuanced, thoughtful and caustic, and the author handles his journey to redemption so well. On the surface, Wes looks like the typical school bully on the edge of dropping out - picking on anyone who stands out from the crowd and basically spending his time riding his skateboard; smoking joints with his brutish friends; and being a dick to his soon-to-be stepfather. But pretty much immediately, you understand there's much more to Wes than might first appear. I found his loyalty to his Ma and kindness to his little stepsister honestly so touching, and his voice was so well developed that I found myself flung back to upper school and those exquisitely miserable teenage years stuck somewhere you don't want to be, confused about who you are and your place in the world.
rep: gay MC; Black gay LI; FF parents; Achillean secondary character.
cw: past domestic violence, child abuse, attempted murder; internalised homophobia; underage alcoholism and alcohol abuse; references to being kicked out after coming out.
Early on in the story, deeply closeted Wes is unwillingly dragged to a production of The Nutcracker by his family, where he meets Tristan, who is basically Wes' polar opposite - at least on the outside. It's difficult to discuss without spoilers, but something I loved about this book was how it demonstrates that the armour we put on to protect us from the world often shields the many similarities our true personalities share. But by trying to come to terms with his true self and pulling himself together in so many different ways (all of which are done so well, especially the author's exploration of how Wes' drive to protect his mother is unintentionally limiting his own life chances), Wes draws the ire of his best friends, who somehow manage to endearing even in their frustrating behaviour. I thought the author managed the characterisation of all the characters in the book in such an impressive way. I also thought the origins of Wes' anger, and his difficulties controlling his behaviour, were also handled with nuance and understanding, while never detracting from Wes' authentic voice.
An excellent debut, I'll be looking out for more novels by Anthony Nerada. Small touches such as the Christmastime setting; nods to 00s song titles for the chapters; and the author's note concerning changing the pronouns of song lyrics to fit your little closeted teen's hopes and dreams just added to the general sense of love I have for this book.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Soho Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
rep: gay MC; Black gay LI; FF parents; Achillean secondary character.
cw: past domestic violence, child abuse, attempted murder; internalised homophobia; underage alcoholism and alcohol abuse; references to being kicked out after coming out.
Early on in the story, deeply closeted Wes is unwillingly dragged to a production of The Nutcracker by his family, where he meets Tristan, who is basically Wes' polar opposite - at least on the outside. It's difficult to discuss without spoilers, but something I loved about this book was how it demonstrates that the armour we put on to protect us from the world often shields the many similarities our true personalities share. But by trying to come to terms with his true self and pulling himself together in so many different ways (all of which are done so well, especially the author's exploration of how Wes' drive to protect his mother is unintentionally limiting his own life chances), Wes draws the ire of his best friends, who somehow manage to endearing even in their frustrating behaviour. I thought the author managed the characterisation of all the characters in the book in such an impressive way. I also thought the origins of Wes' anger, and his difficulties controlling his behaviour, were also handled with nuance and understanding, while never detracting from Wes' authentic voice.
An excellent debut, I'll be looking out for more novels by Anthony Nerada. Small touches such as the Christmastime setting; nods to 00s song titles for the chapters; and the author's note concerning changing the pronouns of song lyrics to fit your little closeted teen's hopes and dreams just added to the general sense of love I have for this book.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Soho Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wes is a troubled 17 year old. He lives alone with his mom in a 2 bedroom apartment, above a laundromat. It’s a small town called Valentine in middle America. Wes’ life is going nowhere, he’s failing senior year, he continually gets in trouble for fighting or vandalism. The reader sees an angry, troubled teen, but we learn he has many facets and lovable qualities. Tristan is dancer, who comes from a stable family, plans to go to college for dance and who is “out” and proud. When Wes and Tristan meet it’s literally two worlds colliding, but it’s exactly what Wes needs because he’s struggling with his sexuality and his anger. Tristan is the one who really sees him. This story is so hopeful in such a bleak time(2025).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Classism
emotional
hopeful
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
DNF @ 50%
I really like Wes as a main character, and I loved his mom as well. But I really wasn't feeling the romance in this book. I didn't hate Tristian as the love interest, but he was just unlikable to me, I'm sorry. The plot itself lost my interest about halfway in.
Overall I do recommend for anyone wanting a queer contemporary romance, and I really want to read more by Anthony Nerada again.
ARC thanks to Netgalley.
I really like Wes as a main character, and I loved his mom as well. But I really wasn't feeling the romance in this book. I didn't hate Tristian as the love interest, but he was just unlikable to me, I'm sorry. The plot itself lost my interest about halfway in.
Overall I do recommend for anyone wanting a queer contemporary romance, and I really want to read more by Anthony Nerada again.
ARC thanks to Netgalley.
4.5/5. I adored this book. Wes was a messy but likable character.
2.5 stars just a very average YA Novel. With every cliche LGBT+ storyline jammed into one.
Omg his mum calling him “Stevia” was just eye rollingly cringe. Wes himself is a miserable little fuck who is way too over the top.
How is his boyfriend Tristan so wise. Does that come from having 2 mummies with money.
Oh and the front cover you can’t tell me that’s not Ian from shameless.
Omg his mum calling him “Stevia” was just eye rollingly cringe. Wes himself is a miserable little fuck who is way too over the top.
How is his boyfriend Tristan so wise. Does that come from having 2 mummies with money.
Oh and the front cover you can’t tell me that’s not Ian from shameless.
could have been three stars but amidst the egregiously blatant Life Lessons and Teachable Moments and Wow People Can Change When Presented With Love And Support there was something i refuse to accept: a teenage boy describing his mother (!!) and stepsister as "the girls". reader, i gagged. unacceptable. get that shit away from me. have some respect on her name. anyways this started out fine or whatever and then went downhill. i do not know why i read it, but read it i did.