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silvern0va's review
3.0
The book was okay. I understand why the MC acted the way he did but he was still kind of annoying. I was hoping he wouldn't be paired off with the only other gay character in the book too but unfortunately, we don't always get what we want. There's also A LOT of homophobia in this book which again, I understand why and it's important for stories to have that but I wasn't prepared for the sheer amount of it. Not my favorite book by far but it had some cute moments and I teared up a bit.
book_dragon88's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lookatjimmy's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank-you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the authors for the eARC.
I wanted to like this book much more than I did, and I think its main problem was with the way it was advertised. Comparing it to Heartstopper, while understandable as the series was extremely popular at the time of publication due to the Netflix adaptation, was very much not the move. The only thing they really have in common is gay main characters, full-stop. Going in expecting the same vibes as Heartstopper and then being met with something completely different really soured my experience.
Overall, had this book been written around a decade ago, I think it would've had a much bigger impact. However, in this day and age, there are PLENTY of other (and much better) options for queer coming-of-age novels.
I wanted to like this book much more than I did, and I think its main problem was with the way it was advertised. Comparing it to Heartstopper, while understandable as the series was extremely popular at the time of publication due to the Netflix adaptation, was very much not the move. The only thing they really have in common is gay main characters, full-stop. Going in expecting the same vibes as Heartstopper and then being met with something completely different really soured my experience.
Overall, had this book been written around a decade ago, I think it would've had a much bigger impact. However, in this day and age, there are PLENTY of other (and much better) options for queer coming-of-age novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
bookbirdie09's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.0
rsbchamp's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
3.5
thepetitepunk's review
3.0
Thank you to Turn the Page Tours and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Time Out is a fast-paced contemporary novel that explores coming out, acceptance, and standing up for yourself. Right from the beginning, our main character Barclay know that his sexuality is something he wants to be honest about with his family and basketball teammates. Although he is met with hatred and bullying, I appreciated that Barclay never blames his identity for what he suffers through, and rather addresses the intolerant nature of his town. There’s a subtle romance plot line, which was a great addition, but truly this is a story about never letting others take away what makes you you.
Time Out is a fast-paced contemporary novel that explores coming out, acceptance, and standing up for yourself. Right from the beginning, our main character Barclay know that his sexuality is something he wants to be honest about with his family and basketball teammates. Although he is met with hatred and bullying, I appreciated that Barclay never blames his identity for what he suffers through, and rather addresses the intolerant nature of his town. There’s a subtle romance plot line, which was a great addition, but truly this is a story about never letting others take away what makes you you.
breezyjean's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vagaybond's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
tbh my biggest beef with the book is that glee was recommended and that is only because of my own personal baggage as someone for whom glee was my personal era 🫣 (but I need 2 work thru that!!!)
It's so refreshing that when I got super annoyed by the protagonist, his friends came out of the woodwork to call him on his bullshit. I feel like a lot of YA can drag out the character's (very clear to the audience) flaws to the point where it no longer becomes sympathetic and in fact just becomes frustrating and beyond what I think anyone would behave by. I'm so relieved by not having to deal with that in this book (to the same degree anyway).
I also liked the SJW crowd he falls in with but I am prob biased as I fit that role p stereotypically
It's so refreshing that when I got super annoyed by the protagonist, his friends came out of the woodwork to call him on his bullshit. I feel like a lot of YA can drag out the character's (very clear to the audience) flaws to the point where it no longer becomes sympathetic and in fact just becomes frustrating and beyond what I think anyone would behave by. I'm so relieved by not having to deal with that in this book (to the same degree anyway).
I also liked the SJW crowd he falls in with but I am prob biased as I fit that role p stereotypically
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Homophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Grief, and Bullying
Moderate: Outing, Death, and Gaslighting