A review by thesapphiccelticbookworm
Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for a copy of this book.

Nate Hargraves' looking forward to his cousin's wedding in South Africa until he learns that his ex-boyfriend Tommy will be there, and his mother can't travel with him. Luckily his friend (and crush) Jai Patel steps up and says he'll go as his plus one.

Meanwhile the lead-singer in Jai's band quits and betrays them just before a competition finale. Nate volunteers to take his place.

This is fun, easy to read, mainly lighthearted book, but it does deal with difficult topics at times. I loved seeing the relationship between Nate and his Ouma (grandmother). It's great to see a non-Western setting for a YA contemporary, I don't think this is something we see enough of.

My main critique of this book is that it's too short; I would really like to have seen more of a resolution of Tommy's story. The book felt like it ended too abruptly and could have used an epilogue.
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