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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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
Overall, I enjoyed the simplicity of the book. However, I do feel like it would have benefited from an epilogue.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
N/A
This novel takes us on the journey of Charlie von Haveringprinz grappling through one of the top competitive schools in the country, Valentine Academy for boys. While the pressure to make himself inconspicuous on campus and keep up rank to maintain his excellence scholarship looms overhead, matters take a turn for the worse when he has to share a room with his ex, Jasper Grimes, who doesn't recognize him post-transition and has to join the student organization writing secret love letters on behalf of students along with Jasper.
This has been my most awaited book of the year since the day it was announced... and I wasn't disappointed!
I really enjoyed the academic setting, an all-boys school with intense competition, friendship buildups, and the eventual trust the guys instill in each other. The character of Jasper is a bit of an annoying narcissist but in a funny and sweet way, which made me LOL. However, so much of the story is just Charlie despising Jasper because of their past and Jasper being a general goofball that little time is spent exploring them falling in love with each other. There was a slight disconnect with the chemistry. But now that I think about it, I guess the author wanted their actions to convey their feelings rather than words. It still felt a little rushed and left me wanting more at the end. But still, this book feels comforting, like a warm hug.
PS: I am embarrassed to say that it took me 34 chapters into 43 to realize all the chapters were named after novels.
This has been my most awaited book of the year since the day it was announced... and I wasn't disappointed!
I really enjoyed the academic setting, an all-boys school with intense competition, friendship buildups, and the eventual trust the guys instill in each other. The character of Jasper is a bit of an annoying narcissist but in a funny and sweet way, which made me LOL. However, so much of the story is just Charlie despising Jasper because of their past and Jasper being a general goofball that little time is spent exploring them falling in love with each other. There was a slight disconnect with the chemistry. But now that I think about it, I guess the author wanted their actions to convey their feelings rather than words. It still felt a little rushed and left me wanting more at the end. But still, this book feels comforting, like a warm hug.
PS: I am embarrassed to say that it took me 34 chapters into 43 to realize all the chapters were named after novels.
This was... not it. For a YA novel, it read much younger than that. To be fair, one of the side characters was a twelve year old who always talked like he was playing D&D or LARPing or something, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. That character just made me roll my eyes and cringe a lot, by the way – just felt way too childish, but I digress.
The main characters, Charlie and Jasper, were victims of the ever annoying miscommunication trope. So many of their issues could have been resolved if they just talked to one another instead of storming off or yelling at the other to leave (it was always Charlie doing the yelling, btw). The main issue that Charlie even had with Jasper seemed so petty and, again, could probably have been easily resolved had they just talked it out two years prior when the initial issue first took place. And honestly, Jasper seemed like a good guy, so I can't even understand why Charlie was so pissed at him for so long over a misconception. Just talk!
The main conflict in the story (besides the main characters' relationship) was so unserious that I just couldn't get behind it. Exchanging letters secretly between the girls' and boys' campuses so they could have dates for the eventual mixer, and so current lovebirds could stay in touch? Really? All of the boys and girls just stood around awkwardly at the mixer until Charlie and co. swooped in and delivered last minute love letters, after which everyone found their dates and had a grand old time. Woo. How about, I don't know... mingling and finding love naturally? And also, if your relationship is so flimsy that not being able to communicate for a while during the school year is enough to ruin your relationship, then your relationship would likely not last very long anyway.
Don't get me started on the other conflict in regards to Charlie's position at the school, as both a transgender student in an all boys school, and being an excellence scholar which required him to reach and maintain at least rank 5 on their grade board. That was so easily fixed that I questioned why it was even an issue in the first place. Don't constantly mention how Valentine is so OLD FASHIONED TRADITIONS if they are going to conveniently throw those traditions in the trash right away. Charlie worked so hard for it, too, so having it solved so simply just seemed like it was all for nothing anyway. Not a satisfying win in my book.
The cover was cute, though.
The main characters, Charlie and Jasper, were victims of the ever annoying miscommunication trope. So many of their issues could have been resolved if they just talked to one another instead of storming off or yelling at the other to leave (it was always Charlie doing the yelling, btw). The main issue that Charlie even had with Jasper seemed so petty and, again, could probably have been easily resolved had they just talked it out two years prior when the initial issue first took place. And honestly, Jasper seemed like a good guy, so I can't even understand why Charlie was so pissed at him for so long over a misconception. Just talk!
The main conflict in the story (besides the main characters' relationship) was so unserious that I just couldn't get behind it. Exchanging letters secretly between the girls' and boys' campuses so they could have dates for the eventual mixer, and so current lovebirds could stay in touch? Really? All of the boys and girls just stood around awkwardly at the mixer until Charlie and co. swooped in and delivered last minute love letters, after which everyone found their dates and had a grand old time. Woo. How about, I don't know... mingling and finding love naturally? And also, if your relationship is so flimsy that not being able to communicate for a while during the school year is enough to ruin your relationship, then your relationship would likely not last very long anyway.
Don't get me started on the other conflict in regards to Charlie's position at the school, as both a transgender student in an all boys school, and being an excellence scholar which required him to reach and maintain at least rank 5 on their grade board. That was so easily fixed that I questioned why it was even an issue in the first place. Don't constantly mention how Valentine is so OLD FASHIONED TRADITIONS if they are going to conveniently throw those traditions in the trash right away. Charlie worked so hard for it, too, so having it solved so simply just seemed like it was all for nothing anyway. Not a satisfying win in my book.
The cover was cute, though.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Adorable and sweet. Trans joy is always a good story and Charlie and Jasper were too cute. Would have enjoyed a bit more development with Charlie’s mom and other side characters but that’s because I want to experience more stories in their world.
Charlie is starting a new school, and he’s ready, until, the single room he requested isn’t given to him and he ends up with a roommate. He knows the roommate, Jasper broke his heart 2 summers ago, but jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie.
This was a fun book. Charlie was neurotic and anxious. Jasper was rich and dramatic. Both were very dramatic and it suited them.
The boarding school was wild, lots of weird things I don’t know anything about.
Charlie is learning about who he is, how he fits into the boarding school, and how human connection happens.
The book had so many funny moments and I was rooting for Charlie and Jasper.
I loved Blaze and Xavier and all the other characters. They were so entertaining and such good people even while being chaotic rich boys.
The audiobook was fun and we only get Charlie’s POV but it’s expressive and makes the other characters come to life.
*Thank you macmillan audio for an advanced audiobook and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
It was super cute. Man was Charlie just a huge ball of anxiety and I related a little too hard with that. Like boy if you don’t calm down. All the boys were so fun (Blaze the Chunni was def my fav) and I wish we got to see more of the girls but it mostly focuses on the boys school so eh.
A few things seemed to kind of peter off and just be kind of meh with how the storyline progressed like the other gay kid getting a date or the letters in the finale. Like they were tied up but kind of loosely so they def could have been expanded by a bit to really hone it in. It still was all mostly satisfying as it stuck more to being about Charlie and ya boy not Draco Malloy uhhh I mean Jasper.
It was a fun read. Nothing too spicy, disturbing or wild but it was very cute.
A few things seemed to kind of peter off and just be kind of meh with how the storyline progressed like the other gay kid getting a date or the letters in the finale. Like they were tied up but kind of loosely so they def could have been expanded by a bit to really hone it in. It still was all mostly satisfying as it stuck more to being about Charlie and ya boy not Draco Malloy uhhh I mean Jasper.
It was a fun read. Nothing too spicy, disturbing or wild but it was very cute.
funny
lighthearted
medium-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