A review by bookishvice
The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge sounded like the perfect queer YA high school drama, full of diverse characters, a fun revenge plan, and lots of LGBTQ+ pride. AND IT IS, but it also didn't take long to realize it's also a hot dumpster fire mess of teen feelings, poor mental health not really addressed (?), and badly executed revenge plots with zero thought to consequences. I gave the story a chance to fully hook me in for longer than it was needed because I honestly wanted to like it, yet it never managed to do so. The MC becomes quite the unlikable character when he turns against his friends, and by the point that happens, I wasn't invested in him enough to want to follow the escalation of his teen drama. I get that the story revolves around his flaws and how he has to work things out with himself to become the real MC hero of the story, but his unlikability and his poor decisions were too much for me to want to continue cheering him on.

I'm still giving this a 3 star, because it is a well-executed book with a strong and wonderful message about LGBTQ+ rights and how our voices as just as valid. It's especially relevant now with all the anti-LGBTQIA+ propaganda and laws being passed. Plus, I'm sure there's an audience that will click better with the high school drama side of the story. Unfortunately, it didn't click with me. DNF at page 130. Might pick it back up at finish at some later date.

[Netgalley ARC]