e-Audio, 7 hr 52 min
Narrated by: Logan Rozos
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Published by: Audible
Read from: March 21-22, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: Audible Credit
TW: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Bullying, Infidelity, Dysphoria, Racism, Misogyny, Sexism
For Readers Interested In: Romance, LGBTQIA+ (Transgender), Music, YA, Realistic FictionA trans pianist makes a New Year’s resolution on a frozen Wisconsin night to win regionals and win back his ex, but a new boy complicates things in Edward Underhill’s heartfelt debut YA rom-dram, Always the Almost.
Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New Year’s resolutions: 1) win back his ex-boyfriend (and star of the football team) Shane McIntyre, and 2) finally beat his slimy arch-nemesis at the Midwest’s biggest classical piano competition. But that’s not going to be so easy. For one thing, Shane broke up with Miles two weeks after Miles came out as trans, and now Shane’s stubbornly ignoring him, even when they literally bump into each other. Plus, Miles’ new, slightly terrifying piano teacher keeps telling him that he’s playing like he “doesn’t know who he is”—whatever that means.
Then Miles meets the new boy in town, Eric Mendez, a proudly queer cartoonist from Seattle who asks his pronouns, cares about art as much as he does—and makes his stomach flutter. Not what he needs to be focusing on right now. But after Eric and Miles pretend to date so they can score an invite to a couples-only Valentine’s party, the ruse turns real with a kiss, which is also definitely not in the plan. If only Miles could figure out why Eric likes him so much. After all, it’s not like he’s cool or confident or comfortable in his own skin. He’s not even good enough at piano to get his fellow competitors to respect him, especially now, as Miles. Nothing’s ever been as easy for him as for other people—other boys. He’s only ever been almost enough.
So why, when he’s with Eric, does it feel like the only person he’s ever really not been enough for…is himself?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I love music and books when they’re paired together. So it was no surprise when I added this to my TBR. (And let’s be honest, the cover is also cute sooooo lol) I was super excited to get to this one. I pre-ordered on Audible, but I didn’t listen to it right away. Good thing too, because it was the perfect book to read first for the #TransRightsReadathon!
So starting with what I wasn’t fond of… The plot. I’m usually a fan of books and music, but when that’s ALL it’s about? And when the music is classical? Yeah I needed a bit more. After a bad few years in middle and high school, I cut myself off from classical music. I still have a few songs I listen to, but that’s it. So basically I was hoping there was more than just the piano competition happening. I just wanted more if that makes sense. I know it’s a coming of age, but it was just a bit slow and about something I wasn’t really into so it took me a minute to get into.
BUT it was also really, really good at everything else. Like the characters! I loved Miles! He was really so smart, and I imagine he was also a really great pianist. But he was also the embodiment of trans joy! Throughout the stories he goes through a lot to find himself, but once he gets there he has a shift in who he is. I felt it happen as I read it. Like my heart twinged a bit. And that’s always how I know I enjoy something. When I have a real life feeling from just reading the book.
The romance itself was also cute. I wished there had been a bit more about them together, but I also understood that this was a coming of age novel instead of strictly a romance. Which actually made the romance in this more special to me. Idk it felt like more because it didn’t happen until Miles was ready. When he really came to himself and knew who he was. Idk maybe it’s the romantic in me, but it was like the embodiment of “you can’t love anyone else until you love yourself” kind of vibe. I’m sure he wasn’t exactly loving himself yet, but he was learning and on his way to being there. And yes, I wanted more them and less Shane if you know what I mean. That second to last scene with Shane shouldn’t have happened. And I don’t like how Shane just did it. He didn’t ask or anything. Not a good look.
This was good but it was missing a small bit of something for me. Maybe it was just my expectations? Whatever it was I wasn’t all the way sold. I wanted a bit more umph? I know it’s a me thing, but again, this is just my opinion.
Overall, I give this
