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A review by monarchsandmyths
Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch
Thank you to SimonTeen for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review.
edit 6.29.22: one complaint i didn't really talk about in my original review but that's been on my mind lately is that danny just feels a bit two-dimensional, especially as a queer poc. i think robbie couch tries to make three-dimensional queer poc but it doesn't feel like he accounts for the intersection between queer and poc identities? this is purely my observation and feelings, and others may see differently but it's something that i've been thinking about. otherwise, i did still think it's a fun book!
original review:
I definitely flew through this cute, queer YA! Genuinely for the most part I just had fun reading, spotting all the legally blonde references, and getting to know Blaine and his campaign team. So Let's Talk about BLAINE FOR THE WIN.
Ever since I heard the description 'gay legally blonde' (legaylly blonde?), I knew I was in for a good time. Legally Blonde is one of my favourite movies, and one that I could definitely see being queer if it wasn't released in 2004. BLAINE FOR THE WIN, while its general ideas and some plot points are definitely inspired by the movie, it's not the be all end all. And honestly? This book was at its strongest when it stepped away from trying to reference Legally Blonde or imitate it. I genuinely enjoy the concept, but it's such a thing to try and not get bogged down by trying to get parts of Blaine's journey mirror Elle's.
In terms of queerness, what a joy! There are a multitude of queer characters in this book, especially in the very blessed all-queer friend group of Blaine's. So often YA contemporaries that deal with social justice issues want to tackle homophobia as well, and while there is space for that and it is necessary, I was so happy that this book really doesn't. There are multiple out and proud characters, both in and out of the main cast, who just get to be queer. That isn't to say that they live in a world where homophobia doesn't exist, but that for the book at the very least we as readers can read about queer happily ever afters. They get to be "normal" teenagers without their entire character arc's being about homophobia! You can be gay and get your heart broken just like Elle Woods AND have your happily ever after.
Character wise, I think the book is pretty decent. At times, Blaine's voice felt a little shallow (as in not explored as deeply as it could have been), which is to some degree likely a mirroring of what's going on in the plot, but just overall something that I think would've made this good book even stronger. Still, I absolutely rooted for Blaine and the rest of his committee. I genuinely wish we could've gotten to expand even more into Trish's life, and a bit more into Danny's. Yes to some degree because their storylines could have been developed a little bit better, but also because they're genuinely interesting characters that I wanted to know more about. At the end of the day, these characters definitely feel very fit for YA (and that's a good thing!)
Plot-wise I think this book was overarchingly pretty strong! The general messages of heartbreak, personal growth, mental illness, etc are pinpointed throughout and I had an easy time following what was happening with getting bored. I'm so glad to see the ways that Robbie Couch differed from the plot of Legally Blonde, fitting the story to Blaine. Like I said, it's at its strongest when it stands on its own two legs.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The Legally Blonde elements, the queer elements, and the YA elements ended up meshing fairly well into a good story. So if you're a fan of Legally Blonde, queer people getting HEA's, or just a good YA contemporary, definitely add BLAINE FOR THE WIN to your tbr.
edit 6.29.22: one complaint i didn't really talk about in my original review but that's been on my mind lately is that danny just feels a bit two-dimensional, especially as a queer poc. i think robbie couch tries to make three-dimensional queer poc but it doesn't feel like he accounts for the intersection between queer and poc identities? this is purely my observation and feelings, and others may see differently but it's something that i've been thinking about. otherwise, i did still think it's a fun book!
original review:
I definitely flew through this cute, queer YA! Genuinely for the most part I just had fun reading, spotting all the legally blonde references, and getting to know Blaine and his campaign team. So Let's Talk about BLAINE FOR THE WIN.
Ever since I heard the description 'gay legally blonde' (legaylly blonde?), I knew I was in for a good time. Legally Blonde is one of my favourite movies, and one that I could definitely see being queer if it wasn't released in 2004. BLAINE FOR THE WIN, while its general ideas and some plot points are definitely inspired by the movie, it's not the be all end all. And honestly? This book was at its strongest when it stepped away from trying to reference Legally Blonde or imitate it. I genuinely enjoy the concept, but it's such a thing to try and not get bogged down by trying to get parts of Blaine's journey mirror Elle's.
In terms of queerness, what a joy! There are a multitude of queer characters in this book, especially in the very blessed all-queer friend group of Blaine's. So often YA contemporaries that deal with social justice issues want to tackle homophobia as well, and while there is space for that and it is necessary, I was so happy that this book really doesn't. There are multiple out and proud characters, both in and out of the main cast, who just get to be queer. That isn't to say that they live in a world where homophobia doesn't exist, but that for the book at the very least we as readers can read about queer happily ever afters. They get to be "normal" teenagers without their entire character arc's being about homophobia! You can be gay and get your heart broken just like Elle Woods AND have your happily ever after.
Character wise, I think the book is pretty decent. At times, Blaine's voice felt a little shallow (as in not explored as deeply as it could have been), which is to some degree likely a mirroring of what's going on in the plot, but just overall something that I think would've made this good book even stronger. Still, I absolutely rooted for Blaine and the rest of his committee. I genuinely wish we could've gotten to expand even more into Trish's life, and a bit more into Danny's. Yes to some degree because their storylines could have been developed a little bit better, but also because they're genuinely interesting characters that I wanted to know more about. At the end of the day, these characters definitely feel very fit for YA (and that's a good thing!)
Plot-wise I think this book was overarchingly pretty strong! The general messages of heartbreak, personal growth, mental illness, etc are pinpointed throughout and I had an easy time following what was happening with getting bored. I'm so glad to see the ways that Robbie Couch differed from the plot of Legally Blonde, fitting the story to Blaine. Like I said, it's at its strongest when it stands on its own two legs.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The Legally Blonde elements, the queer elements, and the YA elements ended up meshing fairly well into a good story. So if you're a fan of Legally Blonde, queer people getting HEA's, or just a good YA contemporary, definitely add BLAINE FOR THE WIN to your tbr.