Author:
David Levithan
Genre:
YA, LGBTQ+ and Drag Queen, Contemporary, Romance (M/M)
A
few starting notes:
This was on 'My Contemporary YA TBR.' I honestly can't remember why I put it on there, or how I heard about it in the first place. But there you have it! ;)
Anyhow, I decided to give this and shot and hope for the best. Which I did. And I really enjoyed it!
Premise:
It's a variation on an old theme; boy meets boy, boy falls in love... etc.
Paul might have a shot with Noah. But everything seems determined to get in the way.
Between friend-drama and ex-boyfriends, will Paul get his man?
Best
bits:
'Boy Meets Boy' is like a rom-com in book form. Only without the things I hate about rom-coms, and with the things that I actually like about rom-coms.
This is sweet without being too smushy, quirky without being over the top. And it made me smile. A lot.
The 'minor characters' are complex.
COMPLEX CHARACTERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WOOOO!!! (Sorry, I'll calm down.)
I adore Infinite Darlene - the school's quarterback and Homecoming Queen.
(A quarterback is like the star? Right? Like a top striker in football (soccer)? Hope I've got that right. I also assume that a Homecoming Queen is of some importance? Going by what I've gathered from American TV, that is.)
Darlene is witty, bouncy, and takes no b**lsh**. Therefore, she rocks and should've been given more page-time (like screen-time, only, y'know, on pages...)
And the icky-sticky 'please let this work; what if it doesn't work?' -ness of the plot is fab.
A simple plot executed with real feeling, and no insta-love - what more can I ask for, really?
A special mention has to be made of the wacky, quirky, and wonderful town - so well-developed, and with so much random and fun detail in throw-away comments. :)
Not
so great bits:
More Infinite Darlene, PLEASE!!!!!!
Right, now that we've got that dealt with, down to business:
There's some swearing (including one use of 'f****t,') and the vaguest of vague references to sex.
Doesn't bother me at all, but some people dislike such accoutrements (I'm in such a random mood today... sorry.)
In terms of issues which are potentially distressing, we've got: some homophobia from family members, friendship issues, and relationship issues (including obsessiveness in places.)
My main issue - and this really is nit-picking, but it so bugged me - is I kept changing my mind over whether to pronounce 'Joni' like Johnny or like Joanie. It's probably meant to be something else entirely.
I also felt like there was an undertone of 'everyone has to be paired off to be happy' in some places. Which is irritating and untrue.
Verdict:
This book was fun, fresh, and well-worth the read.
I enjoyed its quirkiness, and the characters were complex and largely likeable.
And Infinite Darlene rules. :)
I enjoyed its quirkiness, and the characters were complex and largely likeable.
And Infinite Darlene rules. :)
Liked
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I really want to read this as an easy to get through contemporary! I really love those light hearted LGBT books, which I think Levithan does really well judging by his other books. YAY FOR COMPLEX CHARACTERS!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of his other books (*goes onto goodreads* *is lost for all time*) :)
DeleteI'm glad you could enjoy this book. It sounds like an incredibly sweet read and that the romance was done incredibly well. But it does sound a little bit too mushy so I know I will have to be in the mood if I am going to pick this one up.
ReplyDeleteI didn't find it too mushy, and I dislike the mush - so it can't be too bad ;)
DeleteIt is light-hearted though, so not one for if you're in the mood for something to get your teeth into.