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geekinthejeep 's review for:
Always the Almost
by Edward Underhill
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I say this has been one of my most anticipated releases from debut author, Edward Underhill, that doesn't even begin to describe how hyped I've been for this book. So I might have shrieked just a tiny bit when I got the email with an ARC for this one. And I was kind of terrified - how could it possibly live up to all of my expectations?
Oh, readers, it did. And more.
Always the Almost is the story of trans pianist Miles Jacobson, having just recently come out to his friends and family and trying to achieve two very teenage New Year's resolutions: win back his ex-boyfriend, and defeat his arch-nemesis in the state's biggest piano competition. It's hard to focus on any of that, though, when there is also new-to-town Eric Mendez, queer cartoonist who is so kind and respectful and caring and...
Where Always the Almost is so magical is in how beautifully and messily it depicts teenage life. Miles is not a perfect character; he's a bit of a wreck who doesn't know what he wants out of life or romance or the people around him, and that is so very accurately teenager that even when you're frustrated with him as a reader, you understand exactly why he acts like he does. Yet, even through all of that, the angst and struggles that Miles faces in his life from his friends and family are never because of his trans or queer identity, and that was lovely to read. Of course there is queer angst in the story, but it's reserved for background and unnamed characters. More of the focus is on queer joy and discovering your identity and place in the community. The secondary characters are well-developed, especially Eric (who is so so SO lovely), and add interesting pieces to the story themselves.
Always the Almost is such a delightful read and I cannot wait for everyone to be able to get their hands on this debut novel!
When I say this has been one of my most anticipated releases from debut author, Edward Underhill, that doesn't even begin to describe how hyped I've been for this book. So I might have shrieked just a tiny bit when I got the email with an ARC for this one. And I was kind of terrified - how could it possibly live up to all of my expectations?
Oh, readers, it did. And more.
Always the Almost is the story of trans pianist Miles Jacobson, having just recently come out to his friends and family and trying to achieve two very teenage New Year's resolutions: win back his ex-boyfriend, and defeat his arch-nemesis in the state's biggest piano competition. It's hard to focus on any of that, though, when there is also new-to-town Eric Mendez, queer cartoonist who is so kind and respectful and caring and...
Where Always the Almost is so magical is in how beautifully and messily it depicts teenage life. Miles is not a perfect character; he's a bit of a wreck who doesn't know what he wants out of life or romance or the people around him, and that is so very accurately teenager that even when you're frustrated with him as a reader, you understand exactly why he acts like he does. Yet, even through all of that, the angst and struggles that Miles faces in his life from his friends and family are never because of his trans or queer identity, and that was lovely to read. Of course there is queer angst in the story, but it's reserved for background and unnamed characters. More of the focus is on queer joy and discovering your identity and place in the community. The secondary characters are well-developed, especially Eric (who is so so SO lovely), and add interesting pieces to the story themselves.
Always the Almost is such a delightful read and I cannot wait for everyone to be able to get their hands on this debut novel!