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fanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Read For:
Rivals to Lovers
Second Chances
Homecoming King
Cheerleader x Football Player
Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
The only thing that comes to mind when I think of this book is: “I love it and hate it at the same time” and really I kind of do.
The queer kids in this book were amazing, everyone else just kinda sucked. The trans rep in this was so painfully well written. The things Jeremy thought and the way he described how he felt was as heartbreaking as it was relatable.
But wow, were these characters so toxic.
Naomi was such a horrible friend it was laughable. She was jealous constantly and she just goes and asks out her best friend’s ex, who had made it clear he didn’t like her like that?? Like why?? All because of some banters that were messed up, I get being petty but bro have a good reason.
Lukas was so toxic. One minute he was fine, going through a lot at home and having to always be the best at everything. He had to get into an amazing college, he had to win homecoming king because if he did that then he would get into a good school, then his family would care about him like they did his dead brother… yeah, because that's how it’s going to work. So he took his anger out on Jermey.
Jeremy was also toxic, just not as bad in my opinion. He was selfish and breaking up with his boyfriend when and how he did it was so incredibly messed up but people acted like he was the worst person ever. He literally had no one. His mom was so desperate to have a daughter she failed her son in the process. Jeremy might have been a mess but wouldn’t you be when everyone failed you and had no problem telling you that they hated you, he was bullied, harassed, and misgendered constantly.
The last few chapters were the best. Everything coming together, the person who got the crown, the drama being resolved finally, and the relationships being settled.
(Switching, First Person POV)
Spice: Lightly Mentioned
Rep: trans (ftm) MC, Autistic MC, Non-Binary SC, Latinx SC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Bullying, Ableism, Hate crime, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Violence, Deadnaming, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Cursing, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Body shaming, Infidelity, Mental illness, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content, Racism, Vomit, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Drug use, Blood, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
addyisnothere's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Vomit, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcohol
Minor: War
toadscreams's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Ableism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
angietheace's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, and Deadnaming
alyshkalia's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Ableism
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, Dysphoria, Deadnaming, and Medical content
Minor: Death, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Racism, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
ungdlyhr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
well. i read it in one sitting. i despised jeremy for most of it and the events of this book stressed me out but whew. relief is not strong enough of a word for what i felt at the end. also sol and lukas are everything to me.
i’m honestly not sure if i loved this book or hated it
edit: i initially gave this book 4 stars and then i let it sit with me. it was just. not great. there’s no depth to the characters. they really don’t deserve their “happy” ending. i didn’t hate this book but i didn’t enjoy it.... i don’t know if that’s bc i thought it was gonna be a romcom or bc of how it’s written...
i’m honestly not sure if i loved this book or hated it
edit: i initially gave this book 4 stars and then i let it sit with me. it was just. not great. there’s no depth to the characters. they really don’t deserve their “happy” ending. i didn’t hate this book but i didn’t enjoy it.... i don’t know if that’s bc i thought it was gonna be a romcom or bc of how it’s written...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Blood
Minor: Vomit
spearly's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the eARC for review!
Do not let this incredible cover fool you. This is not a fluffy, easy story.
TW: Transphobia, dead naming, misogyny, bullying, attempted sexual assault, harassment, violence, homophobia, ableism
Exes Jeremy and Lukas have a lot on the line with the Homecoming king title. For Lukas, it means stepping out of his late brother's shadow and earning a sure acceptance into one of the ivy leagues that would finally make his parent's proud. For Jeremy, it means everyone has finally accepted what he's always known: he is a guy, and he's not gonna let his pseudo-progressive school and some transphobic classmates stand in his way. But before he came out, Jeremy used to be Lukas's girlfriend, and Lukas never understood why he ended things. Competition heats up as the two vie for the crown, and neither of them seem to care who they hurt in the process.
First and foremost, the audiobook was great. I did end up listening to it in 1.25 speed, but I loved the narrator, Avi Roque, and found the voices of all the characters easy enough to follow. I'm also very happy Avi is a member of the LGBTQ+ community themself. They were a great fit, and really brought the book to life!
Lets start with the good: I feel like I am better for having read this story. Ellor goes very into depth on several trans issues, and even though I wasn't a huge fan of Jeremy's character, I really understood where he was coming from. He has a truly great arc in the book, and his chapters definitely opened my eyes more to the trans experience. Ellor also delved into ableist issues with our other lead, Lukas, who is neuro-divergent. His chapters stuck out to me; Lukas's voice was so raw, so needing, so lost. I wanted to give him a big hug.
We also have a great cast of side characters, all of whom felt distinct and fleshed out, and all of whom had their own issues going on outside the main conflicts of the story. Ellor's diversity extended well beyond the two white male leads, and I was happy to see issues of race and the gender spectrum talked about as well.
All that said, I found the book a bit tough to get through because, obviously, it deals with some heavy themes. But more so because I really didn't enjoy Jeremy's character. Like I mentioned, I understand why he is the way he is. He's a small guy struggling to be seen in the world as he sees himself, constantly having to remind others of his gender identity and queerness. Fighting against transphobia, both overt and unconscious. So I get it. But like... he is also kind of an asshole. I won't go too much into detail (you'll have to read it for yourself!), but let's just say his arc is one of the most dramatic in the book.
Lukas. My sweet bb Lukas. I love that kid. An angel who just wants to keep his family together. A kid who struggles with social cues and nuance and has no idea why the guy he loves dumped him out of no-where before coming out. A boy who wants to be homecoming king so he can get into an ivy school and finally fill the shoes left behind by his perfect brother. I'm a bit bias... he's definitely not perfect. He makes mistakes. He takes things too far in his competition for the crown.
Complicated characters. Deep themes, troubling to some. Lots of ups and downs. A very relevant story in today's day and age; even as progressive as someone might think they are, there will always be things that cishet people can never understand. Thankfully we have people like Z.R. Ellor to tell the stories we need to hear.
Do not let this incredible cover fool you. This is not a fluffy, easy story.
TW: Transphobia, dead naming, misogyny, bullying, attempted sexual assault, harassment, violence, homophobia, ableism
Exes Jeremy and Lukas have a lot on the line with the Homecoming king title. For Lukas, it means stepping out of his late brother's shadow and earning a sure acceptance into one of the ivy leagues that would finally make his parent's proud. For Jeremy, it means everyone has finally accepted what he's always known: he is a guy, and he's not gonna let his pseudo-progressive school and some transphobic classmates stand in his way. But before he came out, Jeremy used to be Lukas's girlfriend, and Lukas never understood why he ended things. Competition heats up as the two vie for the crown, and neither of them seem to care who they hurt in the process.
First and foremost, the audiobook was great. I did end up listening to it in 1.25 speed, but I loved the narrator, Avi Roque, and found the voices of all the characters easy enough to follow. I'm also very happy Avi is a member of the LGBTQ+ community themself. They were a great fit, and really brought the book to life!
Lets start with the good: I feel like I am better for having read this story. Ellor goes very into depth on several trans issues, and even though I wasn't a huge fan of Jeremy's character, I really understood where he was coming from. He has a truly great arc in the book, and his chapters definitely opened my eyes more to the trans experience. Ellor also delved into ableist issues with our other lead, Lukas, who is neuro-divergent. His chapters stuck out to me; Lukas's voice was so raw, so needing, so lost. I wanted to give him a big hug.
We also have a great cast of side characters, all of whom felt distinct and fleshed out, and all of whom had their own issues going on outside the main conflicts of the story. Ellor's diversity extended well beyond the two white male leads, and I was happy to see issues of race and the gender spectrum talked about as well.
All that said, I found the book a bit tough to get through because, obviously, it deals with some heavy themes. But more so because I really didn't enjoy Jeremy's character. Like I mentioned, I understand why he is the way he is. He's a small guy struggling to be seen in the world as he sees himself, constantly having to remind others of his gender identity and queerness. Fighting against transphobia, both overt and unconscious. So I get it. But like... he is also kind of an asshole. I won't go too much into detail (you'll have to read it for yourself!), but let's just say his arc is one of the most dramatic in the book.
Lukas. My sweet bb Lukas. I love that kid. An angel who just wants to keep his family together. A kid who struggles with social cues and nuance and has no idea why the guy he loves dumped him out of no-where before coming out. A boy who wants to be homecoming king so he can get into an ivy school and finally fill the shoes left behind by his perfect brother. I'm a bit bias... he's definitely not perfect. He makes mistakes. He takes things too far in his competition for the crown.
Complicated characters. Deep themes, troubling to some. Lots of ups and downs. A very relevant story in today's day and age; even as progressive as someone might think they are, there will always be things that cishet people can never understand. Thankfully we have people like Z.R. Ellor to tell the stories we need to hear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Cursing, Body shaming, Ableism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Misogyny and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Biphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
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
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an arc of this book.
After dumping his long term boyfriend before transitioning, Jeremy Harkiss decides to throw everything he has into campaigning for Homecoming King his senior year. His confused ex-boyfriend, Lukas has his own reasons for running against Jeremy as he tries to navigate his crumbling family and confusion over the break up. The two boys go head to head as they tear their worlds apart to get what they think they want.
I loved this book with my whole heart. I was caught up instantly in the story, and so curious to find out why Lukas and Jeremy had broken up and what their lives would look like. Everything escalates so far, and there is so much drama. There were times when I wasn't sure how any of the characters in this book would be able to forgive each other, but it also read very true to the way teenagers can get over things that are important to them.
Jeremy and Lukas are definitely an opposites-attract couple, and there was so much fire and chemistry between them. I also loved the diverse cast of characters included in this book and their friends (and frenemies) and their families.
This book deals with heartbreak, gender and sexual identity, bullying and harassment, cheerleading and football, college applications and failed Biology Tests. The writing and details were so rich and everything came together in terrible and beautiful ways that absolutely broke me and then put me back together.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Pub date: May 18, 2021
After dumping his long term boyfriend before transitioning, Jeremy Harkiss decides to throw everything he has into campaigning for Homecoming King his senior year. His confused ex-boyfriend, Lukas has his own reasons for running against Jeremy as he tries to navigate his crumbling family and confusion over the break up. The two boys go head to head as they tear their worlds apart to get what they think they want.
I loved this book with my whole heart. I was caught up instantly in the story, and so curious to find out why Lukas and Jeremy had broken up and what their lives would look like. Everything escalates so far, and there is so much drama. There were times when I wasn't sure how any of the characters in this book would be able to forgive each other, but it also read very true to the way teenagers can get over things that are important to them.
Jeremy and Lukas are definitely an opposites-attract couple, and there was so much fire and chemistry between them. I also loved the diverse cast of characters included in this book and their friends (and frenemies) and their families.
This book deals with heartbreak, gender and sexual identity, bullying and harassment, cheerleading and football, college applications and failed Biology Tests. The writing and details were so rich and everything came together in terrible and beautiful ways that absolutely broke me and then put me back together.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Pub date: May 18, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Grief, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Blood, Violence, and Vomit
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