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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
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
Fans of Ouran High School Host Club will note similarities in Jasper Grimes. Charlie is such a relatable character with the high pressure he places on himself and his fear of vulnerability. The supporting characters are equally lovable and fleshed out. This is a great story about putting yourself out there enough to make friends, and what pleasant surprises can come from creating community. The romance is also top-notch!
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really like the story here! The characters are lovable and relatable in a way. The way the MC chooses to guard himself and his secret but is really stumped by the realization of how the love interest sees him is funny.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria
medium-paced
This book felt very YA even though it was addressing a serious theme (being trans, belonging, identity). I appreciate how light of a book it was while addressing it.
However, something was just missing for me and I didn't love it :/
However, something was just missing for me and I didn't love it :/
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Oh what a lovely, healing, beautiful romance.
I am not always the biggest fan of second chance romance. But this story won me over.
Charlie is looking to survive his first year at the Valentine Academy for Boys—keep his head down, don't make a fuss, and don't let anyone know he's trans. That's it. He is not looking for friends and is definitely not looking for romance. But you know what they say: love finds you when you're not looking. Enter, Jasper Grimes: the sexiest young poet, the principal's nephew, and Charlie's first kiss from before he transitioned. Is it love finding Charlie, or trouble? Because he's starting to think they might be the same, and they're both named Jasper Freaking Grimes.
Reading about Charlie chasing his dream—which is simultaneously his mother's, his grandparents' and his own—reminded me of being in high school, and doing anything it took to succeed. I found myself wishing I could take Charlie's hand and tell him he was good enough without being the top of his class, and I cried when his friends made sure to tell him that exact sentiment. His friends all looked out for me and were an integral part of making Charlie's Valentine Academy dreams his own. I know this is a romance between Charlie and Jasper, but the love presented with Charlie and his friends made my heart soar, too.
And They Were Roommates deeply explores the fears, the triumphs and the in-between of being a kid, particularly a kid who feels so different from the world around him. It shares what it's like for his community, too: readers can see Delilah and Charlie's mom's fears and emotions tied up in Charlie's identity alongside Charlie's own hang ups about his identity. I truly appreciated that Page Powars told a full and complete love story, showing love of self, love of friends, love of family, and love of a partner. That's what makes love stories so beautiful, in my opinion. They are life stories. And this is one of the best ones.
I am not always the biggest fan of second chance romance. But this story won me over.
Charlie is looking to survive his first year at the Valentine Academy for Boys—keep his head down, don't make a fuss, and don't let anyone know he's trans. That's it. He is not looking for friends and is definitely not looking for romance. But you know what they say: love finds you when you're not looking. Enter, Jasper Grimes: the sexiest young poet, the principal's nephew, and Charlie's first kiss from before he transitioned. Is it love finding Charlie, or trouble? Because he's starting to think they might be the same, and they're both named Jasper Freaking Grimes.
Reading about Charlie chasing his dream—which is simultaneously his mother's, his grandparents' and his own—reminded me of being in high school, and doing anything it took to succeed. I found myself wishing I could take Charlie's hand and tell him he was good enough without being the top of his class, and I cried when his friends made sure to tell him that exact sentiment. His friends all looked out for me and were an integral part of making Charlie's Valentine Academy dreams his own. I know this is a romance between Charlie and Jasper, but the love presented with Charlie and his friends made my heart soar, too.
And They Were Roommates deeply explores the fears, the triumphs and the in-between of being a kid, particularly a kid who feels so different from the world around him. It shares what it's like for his community, too: readers can see Delilah and Charlie's mom's fears and emotions tied up in Charlie's identity alongside Charlie's own hang ups about his identity. I truly appreciated that Page Powars told a full and complete love story, showing love of self, love of friends, love of family, and love of a partner. That's what makes love stories so beautiful, in my opinion. They are life stories. And this is one of the best ones.
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Loads of fun!!
This book is an Anime. I loved every ridiculous, ludicrous, dramatic moment. 6 stars