A review by changenotcoins
You've Found Oliver by Dustin Thao

4.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | YA Contemporary | Queer Romance | Magical Realism | Grief & Healing

I went into You’ve Found Oliver not having read You’ve Reached Sam (I know, I know, it's on the list), but I honestly didn’t feel lost at all. Dustin Thao did a great job making this story feel like its own complete experience, even if you’re stepping into Ellensburg for the first time. Sure, reading the first book might’ve added some emotional layers, especially with the connection between Sam, Oliver, and Julie, but I was still fully invested in Oliver’s journey on its own.

This is a sweet, thoughtful, and slightly magical story about grief, identity, and finding love when (and where) you least expect it. Oliver’s been texting his best friend Sam for a year, except Sam passed away. Then one day, he accidentally calls the number and someone picks up. That someone is Ben, and what follows is a gentle, emotional romance that plays with fate, time, and the idea of healing in your own time.

Ben and Oliver’s connection felt genuine and soft, like late night conversations and vinyl records kind of love. I really appreciated how their relationship unfolded. It was slow, tender, and with plenty of heart. The themes of loss and moving forward were handled with care, and while I didn’t totally love the magical realism/time travel twist (it felt a little vague and underdeveloped for me), I did think it fit the tone and message of the story well.

Dustin Thao’s writing is quite simple and clear and easy to read, but layered with feeling. It creeps up on you, and before you know it, you’re in your feelings and wanting a random number to text you too.

Was the ending a little bittersweet? Yes. Did I wish for a bit more emotional depth at times? Also yes. But overall, this was a touching story that explored grief in a unique way and still managed to give us a queer romance that felt hopeful and meaningful.

Highlights:
📱 Queer romance with real emotional weight
🕰️ Time bending twist that’s more vibes than science
🎧 A soundtrack worthy story with dreamy writing
💔 Grief, healing, and letting go (even when it’s hard)
🏡 Found family & friendships that feel authentic

The magical realism wasn’t my favorite part because it felt more like a soft filter than a fully fleshed out element. And I would've loved a bit more depth in the ending, especially for Ben and Oliver’s future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Thao, and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the eARC of the book.