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ck11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.75
This would’ve been 15 stars if I didn’t feel like the second half was maybe too rushed. I’d have liked it if we got a bit more focus on Wes’s relationship with Brad and Tony, as well as more insight of how Wes’s relationship with Tristan was.
mrsclappreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
I enjoyed this book, but I agree with others that it can be a bit over the top. The representation was wonderful, and the emotions were touching. The depiction of mental health struggles felt genuine. However, the ending seemed rushed, as if the author hurried to provide a happy conclusion. The part where a minor flies to New York to win back an ex seemed unrealistic, especially since, as a pilot's spouse, I know how unlikely that scenario is. I did enjoy the skateboard references, especially with skateboarding being in the Olympics this summer.
explorebooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
narlynx's review
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
SO THAT WAS CUTE! my problem is that i don't like when bitches don't communicate correctly in the beginning which ends up making ME feel that they don't actually REALLY understand each other like they say they do. love Wes, i really do, and appreciated him growing and trying to heal whilst also still being himself and not letting others define him HOWEVER near the middle of the book i started having issues with how Tristan was being characterized (just sort of the lack of consideration for Wes's pain and situation after his fight with Brad/Tony and the whole cardigan sequence threw me off) and i think maybe their whole dynamic in general. what probably would've benefitted the arc of their relationship is an OPEN CONVERSATION about how they felt, whereas often the parts meant to feed the progression of their relationship were so glossed over and weren't fleshed out enough to make me believe that yes, they are meant to be together. ALSO i think Emily, Tony, and BRAD!! in particular deserved more of an explanation - like yes i get that for Tony and Brad at least they got their moments of "redemption" in the end, but i would've liked to better understand the way they acted bc literally they were just treating Wes like shit at one point and then they're like oh we were just mad at you for ditching us and trying to protect you LIKE GIVE ME MORE im not sure i get it??? (and also Brad's home situation, coming out, and alcoholism plotline was concluded so quick i think it didn't get enough justice) girlies lets be real Emily was literally just THERE :/ and then she started acting mean to Wes AND I NEVER GOT ANY CLOSURE ABT HER LIKE WHAT WAS THATTTT WHERE WAS THE CONVERSATION B/W THOSE TWO?? anyway i really think they deserved more time to marinate on page, otherwise i did love the message that Nerada was trying to send with this one and im glad everyone was happy in the end 🤷♀️
*additional thought abt Tristan/Wes' very different economic situations - i wish this had been acknowledged/addressed/spoken about between the two of them and we didn't really get that either (ive been lightly comparing this to They Hate Each Other because there are definitely some similar themes between them, but i feel like They Hate Each Other had all the conversations and the extended nuances that Skater Boy lacked)
*additional thought abt Tristan/Wes' very different economic situations - i wish this had been acknowledged/addressed/spoken about between the two of them and we didn't really get that either (ive been lightly comparing this to They Hate Each Other because there are definitely some similar themes between them, but i feel like They Hate Each Other had all the conversations and the extended nuances that Skater Boy lacked)
itssthestars's review against another edition
4.75
id say "so sweet and feel good" but there was a lot of heavy shit in here too. i think skater boy has the perfect amount of nuance for a contemporary ya romance and all the heart for a classic love story. i read the last half of the book in one sitting! seriously couldnt put it down <3
foleyzac's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
keirareadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pupgir's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
monarchsandmyths's review against another edition
4.0
thank you to Soho Teen and Recorded Books for providing me with early copies in exchange for an honest review
“I was a skater, he did ballet.”
This book was such an enjoyable read and honestly hard to put down once I started reading it. I shouldn’t be surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it considering the books it’s comped to but I truly didn’t expect and loved so much the depth and heartfelt element of Wes’s story. I’m a big fan of the way that it seeks to dig into and deconstruct what being queer means and what it looks like, while being more broadly about a teenager figuring out where they’re headed in life. In an author’s note, Nerada says this isn’t a coming out story even if it does involve coming out, and I loved how he broadened the story into one about queerness while also being about so many other things. Wes is, in lots of ways, not the typical YA protagonist, but I think that there’s still so much to gain from his story and from a character who is labeled one way but also exists as a whole and passionate human being outside of those labels. SKATER BOY is absolutely worth the read (or listen!)
As for the audiobook specifically, I think Michael Crouch did a fantastic job of embodying Wes’s character while also telling the story at large. The audiobook was virtually unputdownable for me and made 8+ hours of content feel like it flew by (in the best way possible!)
We’re introduced to Wes as a troublemaker (or punk) and his dislike of that (though not because he isn’t exactly doing some of the things he’s being told about). But as the story continues, that label unravels to reveal so many things about Wes’s character, of strong familial ties, a love for photography, complicated relationships with his friends and with himself, and a question about what the future holds. Nerada writes a complex and intrinsically human character outside of how society usually paints gay teenagers while also just being an interesting story. Wes is flawed, and so are those around him, but you still want to see how they succeed in the end.
This book is absolutely an homage to pop punk and its music, and to being a gay teenager who doesn’t quite fit in. It’s a joy to read and has fantastic human narratives enmeshed with the endearing and occasionally slightly cheesy song references throughout. I highly recommend reading it!
“I was a skater, he did ballet.”
This book was such an enjoyable read and honestly hard to put down once I started reading it. I shouldn’t be surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it considering the books it’s comped to but I truly didn’t expect and loved so much the depth and heartfelt element of Wes’s story. I’m a big fan of the way that it seeks to dig into and deconstruct what being queer means and what it looks like, while being more broadly about a teenager figuring out where they’re headed in life. In an author’s note, Nerada says this isn’t a coming out story even if it does involve coming out, and I loved how he broadened the story into one about queerness while also being about so many other things. Wes is, in lots of ways, not the typical YA protagonist, but I think that there’s still so much to gain from his story and from a character who is labeled one way but also exists as a whole and passionate human being outside of those labels. SKATER BOY is absolutely worth the read (or listen!)
As for the audiobook specifically, I think Michael Crouch did a fantastic job of embodying Wes’s character while also telling the story at large. The audiobook was virtually unputdownable for me and made 8+ hours of content feel like it flew by (in the best way possible!)
We’re introduced to Wes as a troublemaker (or punk) and his dislike of that (though not because he isn’t exactly doing some of the things he’s being told about). But as the story continues, that label unravels to reveal so many things about Wes’s character, of strong familial ties, a love for photography, complicated relationships with his friends and with himself, and a question about what the future holds. Nerada writes a complex and intrinsically human character outside of how society usually paints gay teenagers while also just being an interesting story. Wes is flawed, and so are those around him, but you still want to see how they succeed in the end.
This book is absolutely an homage to pop punk and its music, and to being a gay teenager who doesn’t quite fit in. It’s a joy to read and has fantastic human narratives enmeshed with the endearing and occasionally slightly cheesy song references throughout. I highly recommend reading it!