A review by narlynx
Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada

inspiring
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

SO THAT WAS CUTE! my problem is that i don't like when bitches don't communicate correctly in the beginning which ends up making ME feel that they don't actually REALLY understand each other like they say they do. love Wes, i really do, and appreciated him growing and trying to heal whilst also still being himself and not letting others define him HOWEVER near the middle of the book i started having issues with how Tristan was being characterized (just sort of the lack of consideration for Wes's pain and situation after his fight with Brad/Tony and the whole cardigan sequence threw me off) and i think maybe their whole dynamic in general. what probably would've benefitted the arc of their relationship is an OPEN CONVERSATION about how they felt, whereas often the parts meant to feed the progression of their relationship were so glossed over and weren't fleshed out enough to make me believe that yes, they are meant to be together. ALSO i think Emily, Tony, and BRAD!! in particular deserved more of an explanation - like yes i get that for Tony and Brad at least they got their moments of "redemption" in the end, but i would've liked to better understand the way they acted bc literally they were just treating Wes like shit at one point and then they're like oh we were just mad at you for ditching us and trying to protect you LIKE GIVE ME MORE im not sure i get it??? (and also Brad's home situation, coming out, and alcoholism plotline was concluded so quick i think it didn't get enough justice) girlies lets be real Emily was literally just THERE :/ and then she started acting mean to Wes AND I NEVER GOT ANY CLOSURE ABT HER LIKE WHAT WAS THATTTT WHERE WAS THE CONVERSATION B/W THOSE TWO?? anyway i really think they deserved more time to marinate on page, otherwise i did love the message that Nerada was trying to send with this one and im glad everyone was happy in the end 🤷‍♀️

*additional thought abt Tristan/Wes' very different economic situations - i wish this had been acknowledged/addressed/spoken about between the two of them and we didn't really get that either (ive been lightly comparing this to They Hate Each Other because there are definitely some similar themes between them, but i feel like They Hate Each Other had all the conversations and the extended nuances that Skater Boy lacked)