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thereadingchallengechallenge's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
An intricately woven and dynamic story about two teenage boys (one trans) falling in and out of love to a background of beautiful music and difficult home lives. This is the kind of emotional YA novel that I have always loved but have difficulty finding these days so I'm glad I borrowed this from the library on a whim. A beautiful book whose heart beats loud.
regulus_remus's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
catpanda1's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
vroni28's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved the writing style and this book had me since the first page which rarely happens. The story line was amazing and you really could get a sense of the characters and what they're feeling
bookgirl's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This was a very special book! I gobbled it up in a few hours like. Like I am constantly starving for good teen content.
Uhhh I really liked the dialogue and the references. I laughed a few times and loved the way the romancers related to eachother. Their inside jokes and callbacks reminded me of how I like to be loved too.
The Los Angeles of it all….. sigh. I dream of living in that Los Angeles someday.
The music industry of it all. It stared me back in the face it sure did.
I loved the POV switch at the midpoint. Nice work. Pretty well paced overall and lots of really nice beautiful writing. I loved the consciousness of both the boys’ characters. I thought the story was told really well through their thoughts and emotions.
Also not really my wheelhouse but this was the first time I actually trusted a story with its treatment of a transphobic/abusive parent. The way it wraps up at the end was really moving and got me in my emotions in a way that this kind of story has always failed to.I felt like there was a lot of nuance and it wasn’t like the author tried to force the character to forgive his father (which seems to be the du jour narrative these days, I’m staring at you EEAAO.) It actually conveyed the grief of the situation and the untied loose ends that may never see resolution, without being overly tragic. It wasn’t prescriptive. It was really refreshing to finally see something like this.
I loved it.
Uhhh I really liked the dialogue and the references. I laughed a few times and loved the way the romancers related to eachother. Their inside jokes and callbacks reminded me of how I like to be loved too.
The Los Angeles of it all….. sigh. I dream of living in that Los Angeles someday.
The music industry of it all. It stared me back in the face it sure did.
I loved the POV switch at the midpoint. Nice work. Pretty well paced overall and lots of really nice beautiful writing. I loved the consciousness of both the boys’ characters. I thought the story was told really well through their thoughts and emotions.
Also not really my wheelhouse but this was the first time I actually trusted a story with its treatment of a transphobic/abusive parent. The way it wraps up at the end was really moving and got me in my emotions in a way that this kind of story has always failed to.
I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Transphobia
lizawall's review
emotional
medium-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? Yes
jessicadoom's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was very invested throughout the first part, right up until that big reveal scene! And then the second part started...and the author lost me. The rest of the book just seemed to drag along until the end. It was incredibly well written, the characters were relatable and human. I was just...bored?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Drug use
Minor: Dysphoria, Child abuse, Outing, and Sexual content
ryannreidreads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely loved it. If you’re a former band kid, you’ll feel right at home. Love a trans story written in a way that isn’t pathologizing.
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Death of parent