I had to take a bit of an intermission with this one because the library copy I had checked out had a weird printing issue where ~50 pages had been re-printed. I told my library about it so hopefully they can get a new copy so other people can devour it cover to cover like I did!

In the meantime…I bought myself a copy 🫣 I mean, I ended up wanting one anyway as I was reading but I have no self-control when it comes to books.

I quickly fell in love with Wes and the comfortability in his relationship with Nico!

Those two were boyfriending WAY before they confessed to each other! And it took so long! Like, poor Manu but it took getting jealous for Nico to confess to Wes! And don’t get me started on Wes himself!

I have to say that I really didn’t get annoyed by how many times Wes came close to telling Nico about his crush on him. Normally I’m yelling at the characters (literally out loud - good thing I live alone). I did express my…disappointment once or twice for sure, but I think it was just because this book is so connected. It has little events, cultural references to tune your brain to, Wes’s inner turmoil of course, and hints at the other characters’ lives that kept me distracted from certain things. That was an excellent use of plot and character development, in my opinion.

Naturally, this book has an important lesson all young adults have to learn at some point - we can’t hold on to the past, and sometimes even material things, or we’ll miss what’s happening in the present.

Then there’s the voice or way the book’s written. It truly feels like I’m in Wes’s head and heart - like I’M the one who fell for Nico (though I did!). It’s not really about how connected I felt to the characters but more how I connected to the events, the things that every person faces eventually.

The Summer of Everything is an incredible friends to lovers book written in such a smooth, teen panic style. Also complete with badass queer friends, a vividly described Santa Monica setting, and mountains of music and nerdy references!