A review by kj468
Prove It by Stephanie Hoyt

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Tropes: bi-awakening, pining, grumpy/sunshine, rivals to lovers, "everyone knows they're in love first"

Overall I really enjoyed this book, especially the first ~80%. It was packed with funny moments and deep emotions, and some of my favorite tropes. I was wary that there would be a lot of homophobia in this book, both because of the content warnings and the first bits we see with Noah's dad. And yes, that homophobia is definitely present and affects Noah, but the book is jam-packed with supportive characters (friends, managers, other parents, family) and the homophobia really didn't drag the book down at all, in my opinion.

Things I loved:
  • SCENE ART!!!! There are several (maybe 5-7?) art pieces included throughout the book, depicting various scenes. I LOVE when books do this, it adds so much!!
  • SUCHHHHHH a slow burn. Like, frozen molasses slow. But in a good way. Absolutely tons of the "BFFs spending time together in nonplatonic ways that they try to tell themselves is platonic". I do wish we'd gotten more of them being happy and together and established in their romantic relationship, though. Like, I wouldn't want any of the front matter cut, I just wanted more at the end of them knowing they're in love with each other. (sequel? maybe? please?)
  • A superb bi (?) awakening. I love how Alex has been obsessed with Noah for literal years, desperate to get Noah to like him, and flat-out doesn't realize it's a Queer Thing™ for absolute ages, even when people ask him. Alex is so clearly crushing on, and then in love with, Noah and poor sweet baby queer is oblivious. This boy spends so much time flirting with Noah before he realizes he's bi lol. 
  • Noah pining for his "straight" best friend, and his struggle with wanting to spend time with Alex and not wanting to get hurt or ruin their friendship
  • We really sit in the emotions of both characters. The emotions are very developed and a focal point of the story. The author does a great job of immersing the reader really deeply in each POV, so much so that I found myself forgetting that I knew how the other boy felt and really saw and felt the relationship from whoever's POV I was reading.
  • Noah's evolving relationship with his gay identity; he starts out so deeply afraid of being gay, of being discovered, of even touching other guys in case someone Notices™. Watching him slowly unravel the... internalized homophobia (maybe?) and become more comfortable with who he is soothing.
  • Alex is SO attentive and observant, particularly with Noah. He's so respectful of Noah's boundaries and preferences. He's incredibly supportive of both Noah and his other friends, and is supportive in such good, meaingful ways.
  • Their dynamic is such *chef's kiss*. It's a very well done grumpy sunshine. Alex is so endeared by Noah's "bitchiness" (his words) and Noah is so drawn to Alex's radiant sunshine.
  • The Do or Die group chat was amazing and hilarious and absolutely everything (and maybe full of hints to future books in the series???) 

Things I loved less:
  • I wish we'd gotten more at the end of them being in a romantic relationship together. It felt like they got together and then the book ended very quickly. (sequel? please?). I was left with some questions about how things will go for them in the future that I would love to see written.
  • The bit in between them acknowledging their feelings and actually getting together was a bit drawn out (not necessarily in book pages, but in story time) and felt a little bit like contrived drama. I understood their hesitancy, but idk the way it was executed wasn't my favorite.

note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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