Hardcover, 339 pages
Release Date: April 24, 2018Published by: Harpercollin’s/ Balzer + Bray
Read from: May 1-4, 2018Creekwood, #2 (Companion Novel)Source: LibraryFor fans of: Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQIA+, Realistic Fiction, LOL, Friendship Goals,Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst.
When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.
So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I can always tell when a book will become my favorite. I always have so many updates on Goodreads, I experience all types of feelings as I read, and I always have to find someone that I can fangirl with after I’ve finished it. And what do you know…. I did just that with this book!
“I should say, for the record, that having a mother who’s hotter than you sucks balls.“pg. 27
It’s Leah’s senior year and everything is normally going good. But lately her close group of friends is experiencing some turbulence . College and prom are hurtling towards them faster and faster and Leah is swept up in so many feelings along the way. Especially when it involves one person in particular.
“Imagine going about your day knowing someone’s carrying you in their mind. That has to be the best part of being in love- the feeling of having a home in someone else’s brain.“pg. 43
The number one thing I loved about this book was the characters. I LOVED being back with Simon, Braum, Nick, Leah, and all the others! Leah most of all. She is MY PERSON. So many of the things she said I could definitely identify with and it made the story for me. I loved her sarcastic nature and so many of the things she said and did reminded me of me right now. She’s so funny and awkward, and funny, and sarcastic and I loved her character.
“I hate when assholes have talent. I want to live in a world where good people rule at everything and shitty people suck at everything..“pg. 58
The romance in this story is also AMAZING. I loved looking at everyone’s stories and seeing all the things that made their relationships different. And then when it got to Leah and her romance, I was ALL IN. It was super cute and super awkward. Much like a real teen romance. It will pull on your heartstrings but will leave you in tears from laughing so hard.
“You just want to be the best. And you have to let that go. Embrace the suck.“pg. 128
I also loved the rep in this one. There is some of everyone in this book and IT WAS JUST LIKE THE REAL WORLD. And it made me so happy to see this. I hope more authors are going to write stories like Leah and Simon’s. These are the worlds and stories I want to see. (My only qualm was how she treat someone when that someone was questioning. I get it. She had the biggest crush in the world on that person and your feelings were in it, but don’t say they can’t be something. Guide them to the word they’re looking for. Questioning. It seemed harsh to be mad at her for not knowing right away…. And I think I’m only picky about that because I’ve been there before and that part felt a bit personal to me.)
“”I want to know who you like.” “Trick question. I hate everyone.”“pg. 196
Lastly, Albertalli has the BEST writing style. I got sucked into the world of Creekwood High. Even when the scene was cringe-worthy and I tried my hardest not to get second hand embarrassment lol I connected so much with Leah and it made the story for me. I hope one day we get to see more from Leah’s POV. That last chapter was not enough!
Overall, I give this
I love Simon Vs, so I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on this book. It’s good to know that you liked it. Great review!
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I HAD A DREAM I READ THIS. Clearly I have not. I'll be seeing Becky on Wednesday so I'm excited to hear from her!