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A review by books_first_
Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Date Me, Bryson Keller
So listen. I have thoughts. Prior to any kind of review I want to say this:
I have seen a lot of critisism around for this book because of it's similar concept to the manga Seven Days. Let me just say this: That similar concept is precisely why I desperately wanted to pick this up in the first place. Because I have loved that manga for years and my copy at home is absolutely battered because I've read it so often.
I don't see why the similar set up (for the rest of the book goes into a different direction afterwards), should evoke any kind of criticism in anyone. At the end of the day, every work has been inspired by another. We all have tropes that we love that we know from multiple works we've read. Enemies to lovers? Fake Dating? Oh my god they were roommates? Bedsharing? These are things that aren't original. They're cliché and I for one LOVE them. Half of the classics have taken parts of other classics and written around it. Mr van Whye has honestly written an amazing book that should be on everyone's bookshelf.
Now on to the review itself. You might have noticed but I absolutely adored this book. The premise was adorable, both Bryson and Kai are extremely likable and I honestly enjoyed sibling dynamics of Crystal and Bryson and Kai and Jazz so. freaking. much. Jazz is my hero of this story, hands down. I also loved the three musketeers and their unwavering friendship and support.
While this book is mainly light hearted, super cute and funny, it also deals with the enormous burden of coming out and if that was not enough prejudice to face; coming out as a mixed-race teen. Of course, this presents more of a difficulty for some than it does for others. The book shouts "OUTING SOMEONE IS NOT OKAY" from the rooftops and I am so here for it I could not be more here for it. What Kai goes through? Even though there are statistically worse cases? Is one of the most horrible things in the world. Not knowing if your family will still love you just because of who you love. Kai's feelings are beautifully and heartbreakingly displayed and I felt my insides clench from feeling with him.
I am so happy that this novel is out there. That it adresses bullies, that it adresses how it's sometimes safer to be in the closet, both mentally and physically. And I hope that everyone who needs this in their lives will find this and will hold it as close to their hearts ans I already am.
This is a truly beautiful story.
As a sidenote: I also loved the author's note at the end. This is an Own Voices novel that obviously means a lot to the author and reading the author's note made it mean even more to me. And I absolutely adore that van Whye does list his influences and he doesn't just list the Seven Days Manga, but he also lists Skam. Which is only one of my favourite things in the world.
So listen. I have thoughts. Prior to any kind of review I want to say this:
I have seen a lot of critisism around for this book because of it's similar concept to the manga Seven Days. Let me just say this: That similar concept is precisely why I desperately wanted to pick this up in the first place. Because I have loved that manga for years and my copy at home is absolutely battered because I've read it so often.
I don't see why the similar set up (for the rest of the book goes into a different direction afterwards), should evoke any kind of criticism in anyone. At the end of the day, every work has been inspired by another. We all have tropes that we love that we know from multiple works we've read. Enemies to lovers? Fake Dating? Oh my god they were roommates? Bedsharing? These are things that aren't original. They're cliché and I for one LOVE them. Half of the classics have taken parts of other classics and written around it. Mr van Whye has honestly written an amazing book that should be on everyone's bookshelf.
Now on to the review itself. You might have noticed but I absolutely adored this book. The premise was adorable, both Bryson and Kai are extremely likable and I honestly enjoyed sibling dynamics of Crystal and Bryson and Kai and Jazz so. freaking. much. Jazz is my hero of this story, hands down. I also loved the three musketeers and their unwavering friendship and support.
While this book is mainly light hearted, super cute and funny, it also deals with the enormous burden of coming out and if that was not enough prejudice to face; coming out as a mixed-race teen. Of course, this presents more of a difficulty for some than it does for others. The book shouts "OUTING SOMEONE IS NOT OKAY" from the rooftops and I am so here for it I could not be more here for it. What Kai goes through? Even though there are statistically worse cases? Is one of the most horrible things in the world. Not knowing if your family will still love you just because of who you love. Kai's feelings are beautifully and heartbreakingly displayed and I felt my insides clench from feeling with him.
I am so happy that this novel is out there. That it adresses bullies, that it adresses how it's sometimes safer to be in the closet, both mentally and physically. And I hope that everyone who needs this in their lives will find this and will hold it as close to their hearts ans I already am.
This is a truly beautiful story.
As a sidenote: I also loved the author's note at the end. This is an Own Voices novel that obviously means a lot to the author and reading the author's note made it mean even more to me. And I absolutely adore that van Whye does list his influences and he doesn't just list the Seven Days Manga, but he also lists Skam. Which is only one of my favourite things in the world.