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teereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
This is the story my closeted 2000s emo teen heart didn't know it needed. This felt very nostalgic for me. And the play on punk song names as the chapter titles was super fun. Also, the basis of this story is Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi (which I listened to on repeat as a 9 year old,) but queer, which I absolutely love. I will say, the story slowed down a bit for me around the halfway point, and I found myself struggling at times to keep focus with the pacing. Overall, this is a great debut novel for Anthony Nerada. It's a story I didn't know needed to be told, but I'm so glad it was. The main character, Wes, is so great and layered. He has a lot of struggles and emotions, and it's great to see his journey through his own POV. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
varasa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jerrysaywhaaa's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
“We checked off every stereotype” (Chapter 11) is a quote that pretty much summarizes almost every character in this book.
This book felt like it was written by one of the following people (or a combination of all of them):
1. Someone who either wanted to be or wanted to be with a punk bad boy in high school, but in a very “I can fix him” way.
2. A school counselor (think Mr. Frond from Bob’s Burgers) who really wanted to connect with the youths and show the importance of therapy.
3. A writer on Glee who was mad this script was rejected for an episode.
Although I think a lot of topics covered in this book are important to discuss, I don’t think it was done well and the bad parts of the book heavily outweigh the good parts. The author added a lot of weird and extra details to the story; had a pretty shaky and at times inconsistent timeline for the story; and sometimes felt like they had no sense of reality and actual consequences for character’s actions.
The story has too perfect an ending to wrap everything up too quickly (which is surprising with how slow and boring the first half of the book is).
And one *minor* spoiler that I need to rant about:
Wes definitely started the fight, despite what he kept saying.
This book felt like it was written by one of the following people (or a combination of all of them):
1. Someone who either wanted to be or wanted to be with a punk bad boy in high school, but in a very “I can fix him” way.
2. A school counselor (think Mr. Frond from Bob’s Burgers) who really wanted to connect with the youths and show the importance of therapy.
3. A writer on Glee who was mad this script was rejected for an episode.
Although I think a lot of topics covered in this book are important to discuss, I don’t think it was done well and the bad parts of the book heavily outweigh the good parts. The author added a lot of weird and extra details to the story; had a pretty shaky and at times inconsistent timeline for the story; and sometimes felt like they had no sense of reality and actual consequences for character’s actions.
The story has too perfect an ending to wrap everything up too quickly (which is surprising with how slow and boring the first half of the book is).
And one *minor* spoiler that I need to rant about:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, and Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia
bettielovesbooks's review
5.0
This book broke my heart in so many ways, yeah Big Mac/Wes wasn’t the best behaved high schooler, but sometimes when no one believes in you, you stop believing in yourself, how sad it is that because someone put the bad boy level he carried that for so long, and sadly his mom didn’t help much, and then how he tried to fit this image buy when someone showed him it was ok not to be someone different, maybe even better, he finally did, even if reluctantly at the beginning.
I really have a hard time reading books now, I normally prefer audiobooks this book is the first time in a long while that I stayed late to finish it I was so into it. I highly recommend it.
I really have a hard time reading books now, I normally prefer audiobooks this book is the first time in a long while that I stayed late to finish it I was so into it. I highly recommend it.
luvey_reads's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
claire_melanie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
run_like_a_river's review
emotional
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
blakeleyreads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
finished this in one sitting!!