“Oh very classy! Throw the dying man under the gay-mobile!”

Really loved the beginning of this but can’t quite put my finger on why it fizzled out for me! I was listening to the audiobook so I wouldn’t be surprised if I just checked out a bit and couldn’t get as emotionally invested in the end. I was tearing up as soon as they met the motel owner at their first stop and I adored the way queer people and acceptance in red states were portrayed while still acknowledging the dangers queer people face in these areas. I always cherish compassionate portrayals of people in red states because we are not a monolith! You’d think with how emotional I got early on that I would’ve been sobbing by the end but I was surprisingly dry-eyed. I think whatever change I felt in the middle just didn’t allow me to emotionally connect. 

I think I liked the buildup of the relationship between Logan and Rosemary more than the actual relationship so that may be another reason why I didn’t love the second half as much. Maybe I didn’t like the back and forth as much or maybe I just wanted the tension to play out a little longer. Grief + romance is usually my number one genre! Again, I can’t really figure out what didn’t quite grab me.

It’s a funny book, while also being heartfelt and sincere. It is indeed for the queer kids who were overly attached to their English teacher, and I know if I had a Joe in my life, he would 100% be my idol! I also enjoyed the emphasis on learning to take care of yourself and your loved ones and how to share that care instead of burning yourself out.