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allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I’m not sure why I don’t read more YA romances because I usually love them when I do. This story hit me on so many levels. I was a theater kid who also did stage crew and that’s actually how my husband and I met. My kids were both swimmers. There were so many things in this story I can say the author got spot-on. It seems weird, but the way the smell of the swimmers was described brought authenticity to this book for me.
One of the things I love about this story is the way Jackson’s family is portrayed. From the outside, they are a loving and supportive bunch. Jackson and his sister get along great, he loves his step-mom, and his dad mostly stays out of the way of his kids as he’s a busy doctor. Yet, as is the case with most families, there are underlying issues that may not be seen from the outside. In truth, I couldn’t stand Jackson’s family. Jackson is deaf and they are all ableists. His sister is selfish and self-centered. It quickly becomes obvious that they get along so well because Jackson doesn’t push back about anything, and he often should.
The romance in this book is so sweet and angsty. There is so much uncertainty in how Jackson and Liam interact and dance around each other, yet it’s obvious from the start that there is a spark there. It’s a wonderful portrayal of what it’s like to be a teenager and fall for someone you don’t know enough about. Add in the fact that one character is openly gay and the other is an unknown and there’s even more confusion. The way things get sorted is a fumbling mess that is plainly going to implode eventually.
As much as I adore Liam and Jackson, the unsung hero of this story is Jackson’s best friend Bowie. Where Jackson’s family is lacking, Bowie and their family pick up the slack. Even when Jackson isn’t such a great friend, Bowie is still there to pick up the pieces and be his sounding board. Their relationship is often one-sided, but Bowie is patient while Jackson sorts himself out.
I’ll definitely be seeking out more from this new-to-me author. I loved this story, his writing, and his characters.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Abandonment
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