Loved this. Such excellent character building--while both main characters had friends that were at times two dimensional and mirrored each other too much, our heroes were absolutely delightful in their differences and quirks. Handled some tough topics in a really sensitive but readable way, which was very well done, and demonstrated some varied family dynamics. Definitely putting my ears out for Konigsberg's next books. ( )

I'm very impressed with this story, though I'm well outside the demographic for it, being neither young nor gay. We are all human, with human triumphs and mistakes, and we're surrounded by other humans whose mistakes can affect us in life-changing ways. For these two boys, it is a summer of growth, and for readers, the joy is in how they handle what happens.

It's a really GOOD story, no matter your age, sexual orientation, race, or gender. If you have empathy, you'll enjoy it. My library had it in ebook, yours probably does, too! ( )

Konigsberg best work yet. Albeit a little predictable it tackles some pretty heavy issues (rape, bipolarism, xenophobia and homophobia even when everyone around you is supposedly "woke") in a serious, un-sugarcoated, gray resolutions way most YA hasn't done. Even the "falling in love" wasn't hokey, but rather a "fall in like" first and gravitation to those we subconsciously know will heal us. ( )

diverse teen fiction for mature teens (Mexican-American athletic boy meets light-skinned poet boy; they run a food truck together; Max deals with trauma from date rape and eventually opens up to his friends to talk seriously; Jordan's mother might be manic-depressive with a gambling addiction).

there's so much happening in this story between the two gay teens, but the characters tackle their multiple issues realistically and come through the other side, more or less. ( )

This book made me ugly cry at 1am ( )