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A review by kmkasiner
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
5.0
This review has SPOILERS!
Wow, this was such an emotional ride! Felix Love has a lot going on. Friend drama, breakup drama, and family drama. But all he wants is to know what it's like to fall in love for the first time. The book takes place over one summer, during an intensive arts class. On the first day of class, someone puts up photos of Felix before he transitioned, including his deadname. The plot centers on Felix trying to figure out who did that, while navigating his friendships and relationships with his dad.
Felix has such a strong narrative voice and his personality came through on the page. Ironically, he talks so much about being unlovable but I loved him as a character! There were definitely some moments when I wanted to yell at him because he's a 17 year old really acting like a teenager, but he felt very genuine to me.
I almost docked this a star because the Declan storyline/red herring threw me for a loop. I started out thinking this was a friends to lovers romance, but then Felix started talking with his former friend/enemy Declan in a Love Simon-esque anonymous fashion. I'm dumb, so I thought they were going to end up together, and then I was confused when Felix decided it wouldn't work. Then he has a realization that yes, he WAS in love with Ezra all along! It was ultimately explained well though. Marisol and Declan both served a role to make Felix recognize his true feelings.
I did also like that Felix never reconciles with his mother. Sometimes abusive parents don't deserve forgivness, and that isn't often portrayed in fiction.
One of the final scenes, where Felix attends the pride parade and experiences so much joy, made me cry. It was so beautiful! And the Big Gestureness of it all! Felix deals with many low moments throughout the book but the ending is ultimately very happy, which made me smile. I echo the author's words in the afterword that I hope people can pick up this book and see something of themselves in it.
Wow, this was such an emotional ride! Felix Love has a lot going on. Friend drama, breakup drama, and family drama. But all he wants is to know what it's like to fall in love for the first time. The book takes place over one summer, during an intensive arts class. On the first day of class, someone puts up photos of Felix before he transitioned, including his deadname. The plot centers on Felix trying to figure out who did that, while navigating his friendships and relationships with his dad.
Felix has such a strong narrative voice and his personality came through on the page. Ironically, he talks so much about being unlovable but I loved him as a character! There were definitely some moments when I wanted to yell at him because he's a 17 year old really acting like a teenager, but he felt very genuine to me.
I almost docked this a star because the Declan storyline/red herring threw me for a loop. I started out thinking this was a friends to lovers romance, but then Felix started talking with his former friend/enemy Declan in a Love Simon-esque anonymous fashion. I'm dumb, so I thought they were going to end up together, and then I was confused when Felix decided it wouldn't work. Then he has a realization that yes, he WAS in love with Ezra all along! It was ultimately explained well though. Marisol and Declan both served a role to make Felix recognize his true feelings.
I did also like that Felix never reconciles with his mother. Sometimes abusive parents don't deserve forgivness, and that isn't often portrayed in fiction.
One of the final scenes, where Felix attends the pride parade and experiences so much joy, made me cry. It was so beautiful! And the Big Gestureness of it all! Felix deals with many low moments throughout the book but the ending is ultimately very happy, which made me smile. I echo the author's words in the afterword that I hope people can pick up this book and see something of themselves in it.