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A review by melaniereadsbooks
Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book and to SourceBooks for an arc.
Wren has always wanted a perfect first kiss, but something has always gotten in the way. When he drunkenly sends out old email drafts written to his almost-kisses, he gets a reply from Derick, his ex-best friend, who he finds out will be working with him at the drive in all summer.
I really loved this! It was cute and wholesome and enjoyable but also had some really well-written representation. I particularly love the way Wren's demisexuality is written. So often, people describe being ace as not having the desire for sexual relationships and it always really bothers me. Like Wren, you can have the desire to have a relationship without necessarily feeling that attraction. I think this is written very well with Wren's fixation on the perfect first kiss but also the way he keeps getting in his own way because he actually doesn't feel ready. I love when he discovers his label. I always tear up when an ace character is introduced to the concept of asexuality for the first time.
The plot of this one is really fun and I love the drive-in theater setting. I also enjoyed the plot with Alice and making sure her movie finally gets viewed. Overall very wholesome and enjoyable!
Wren has always wanted a perfect first kiss, but something has always gotten in the way. When he drunkenly sends out old email drafts written to his almost-kisses, he gets a reply from Derick, his ex-best friend, who he finds out will be working with him at the drive in all summer.
I really loved this! It was cute and wholesome and enjoyable but also had some really well-written representation. I particularly love the way Wren's demisexuality is written. So often, people describe being ace as not having the desire for sexual relationships and it always really bothers me. Like Wren, you can have the desire to have a relationship without necessarily feeling that attraction. I think this is written very well with Wren's fixation on the perfect first kiss but also the way he keeps getting in his own way because he actually doesn't feel ready. I love when he discovers his label. I always tear up when an ace character is introduced to the concept of asexuality for the first time.
The plot of this one is really fun and I love the drive-in theater setting. I also enjoyed the plot with Alice and making sure her movie finally gets viewed. Overall very wholesome and enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Death
Minor: Grief, Car accident, and Classism