Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I really, really wanted to love this book. It sounded like such a cute, fun story but unfortunately, I found it to be just okay. The middle of the story felt a bit slow and I found myself struggling to push through. I also wasn't invested in Charlie and Jasper's relationship. This is a second chance romance but I felt like we didn't get enough backstory on their relationship before Charlie transitioned to make me want to root for them in present day. I also didn't care about the love letter writing plot.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was so excited to read this. I usually read a lot of literary fiction or queer books on the sadder side, but I wanted to give this fun romance a try.
Unfortunately, I've read trans Penguin x Riddler College AUs fanfiction that have impacted me and made me more emotional then this and that disappoints me a lot. I REALLY wanted to love this book.
It wasn't for me, but it could've been. I thought based on the prem se of "a young transmasc dark haired boy who doesn't understand poetry" would be right up my alley as a trans person who relates to that experience but- Charlie just wasn't relatable.
I don't feel like I got to experience any of his trans joy or the details of what being trans is really like for him. Just the occasional anxious mention of "what if everyone finds out". I didn't even realize if he was binding or had top surgery until the end of the book, also whether he takes T. I thought moments of Charlie frustrated at trying to take his T shot or T gel in private would've been interesting. Subtle details/moments that could make the character's trans ness feel like he's written as a trans character, more real.
The book picked up towards the end with some of Jasper's perspective, I think the story would have benefited from more of Jasper's POV. Charlie just wasn't very likeable.
Unfortunately, I've read trans Penguin x Riddler College AUs fanfiction that have impacted me and made me more emotional then this and that disappoints me a lot. I REALLY wanted to love this book.
It wasn't for me, but it could've been. I thought based on the prem se of "a young transmasc dark haired boy who doesn't understand poetry" would be right up my alley as a trans person who relates to that experience but- Charlie just wasn't relatable.
I don't feel like I got to experience any of his trans joy or the details of what being trans is really like for him. Just the occasional anxious mention of "what if everyone finds out". I didn't even realize if he was binding or had top surgery until the end of the book, also whether he takes T. I thought moments of Charlie frustrated at trying to take his T shot or T gel in private would've been interesting. Subtle details/moments that could make the character's trans ness feel like he's written as a trans character, more real.
The book picked up towards the end with some of Jasper's perspective, I think the story would have benefited from more of Jasper's POV. Charlie just wasn't very likeable.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars follows Charlie Hevringprinz as he starts his second-year of high school at the prestigious Valentine Academy for Boys. But aside from stressing out about his grades in order to keep his scholarship and keep up with the rigors of the competitive academics, Charlie is also struggling with maintaining his biggest secret from everyone at school: he is transgender. And to top it off, instead of being placed in a single--like he requested--he is placed into a double with Jasper Grimes: a well-known teen poet, the school's golden boy, and Charlie's old summer camp love who broke his heart. But while Charlie remembers Jasper and resents him, Jasper doesn't recognize him post-transition.
In a coming-of-age story about romance and friendship, Powars also includes the added of stressors of having to hide who you truly are and navigating high school while trans. I found Charlie to be endearing and enjoyed reading his growth in confidence and self-worth. I saw my high school self in him, always having high expectations in myself and stretching myself thin to please those around me. Though other readers found him annoying for stressing about small and seemingly insignificant things, I could relate to those feelings; anxiety and fear can be irrational at times, but that's how it can be!
I will agree with others, however, that the pacing felt a bit off at times. I wish we could have gotten more of the summer when Charlie and Jasper met because I think it could have really shown us more of their relationship and dynamic. There were these moments in the book where Charlie fears Jasper may have figured out who he is because of something he says or does but as the reader, we get no context to these scenes. I felt like Powars could have used these moments to their advantage to incorporate flashback scenes and really build up the eventual revelation. But instead it falls short. But while some readers say they felt like Charlie's feelings for Jasper came out of nowhere, it honestly wasn't as jarring for me because it felt like all along, Charlie's feelings were disguised in his hatred. I mean love and hatred often live on different sides of the same coin; for Charlie his hatred stemmed from the love he held for Jasper all those years ago. It didn't seem to far off base for me.
Though I am rating it high because I enjoyed the read overall and the story and characters, some details confounded me. The school's culture--the rankings, the wall between the sister school, and the STRIP group--really seemed fantastical and would often take me out of the story. And don't get me started on Jasper's fame and being voted 'sexiest poet' at 16 years old (I'm sorry but I actually laughed out loud). Everything in the story points to this being camp and really just leaning into the cliches and ridiculousness of it all, but it just felt odd since it was set in high school. But listen, when schools like laguardia exist and teen celebrities still attend and finish high school, this may just be a culture I am totally unfamiliar with. I can also recognize that high school romances are just not necessarily for me. I read this book because I was excited to read about a queer and trans main character, but I find myself wishing these stories took place in college where details mentioned earlier may have been better suited for the age range.
Overall, I enjoyed the read (may or may not have stayed up all night reading...) and the angst was *chef's kiss*. Also my heart melted at the dedication and the marriage proposal :,) If Powars has any young adult romance novels, I will definitely have to check them out!
In a coming-of-age story about romance and friendship, Powars also includes the added of stressors of having to hide who you truly are and navigating high school while trans. I found Charlie to be endearing and enjoyed reading his growth in confidence and self-worth. I saw my high school self in him, always having high expectations in myself and stretching myself thin to please those around me. Though other readers found him annoying for stressing about small and seemingly insignificant things, I could relate to those feelings; anxiety and fear can be irrational at times, but that's how it can be!
I will agree with others, however, that the pacing felt a bit off at times. I wish we could have gotten more of the summer when Charlie and Jasper met because I think it could have really shown us more of their relationship and dynamic. There were these moments in the book where Charlie fears Jasper may have figured out who he is because of something he says or does but as the reader, we get no context to these scenes. I felt like Powars could have used these moments to their advantage to incorporate flashback scenes and really build up the eventual revelation. But instead it falls short. But while some readers say they felt like Charlie's feelings for Jasper came out of nowhere, it honestly wasn't as jarring for me because it felt like all along, Charlie's feelings were disguised in his hatred. I mean love and hatred often live on different sides of the same coin; for Charlie his hatred stemmed from the love he held for Jasper all those years ago. It didn't seem to far off base for me.
Though I am rating it high because I enjoyed the read overall and the story and characters, some details confounded me. The school's culture--the rankings, the wall between the sister school, and the STRIP group--really seemed fantastical and would often take me out of the story. And don't get me started on Jasper's fame and being voted 'sexiest poet' at 16 years old (I'm sorry but I actually laughed out loud). Everything in the story points to this being camp and really just leaning into the cliches and ridiculousness of it all, but it just felt odd since it was set in high school. But listen, when schools like laguardia exist and teen celebrities still attend and finish high school, this may just be a culture I am totally unfamiliar with. I can also recognize that high school romances are just not necessarily for me. I read this book because I was excited to read about a queer and trans main character, but I find myself wishing these stories took place in college where details mentioned earlier may have been better suited for the age range.
Overall, I enjoyed the read (may or may not have stayed up all night reading...) and the angst was *chef's kiss*. Also my heart melted at the dedication and the marriage proposal :,) If Powars has any young adult romance novels, I will definitely have to check them out!
emotional
funny
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:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I forgot how unbearable teenagers can be if written accurately
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes