There's something for everyone here—sibling dynamics, pushing parental boundaries, flirtations & first loves, anxieties about coming out, friend & frenemy drama, THE SCHOOL PLAY, and those ecstatic & crushing moments that are just pure youth. If you've ever been a teenager wondering how you're supposed to present yourself to the world when "who you are" seems to always be a moving goal post, you'll identify with Simon & this outstanding YA.
Grade: A /
epaulettes 
/ Aug 14, 2017
There is so much to like here, starting with the main character's abundance of charm. Join that with a diverse cast of high school sidekicks, plus all the drama of a secret admirer storyline, and the narrative becomes both addicting and memorable. The only problem? Every issue, argument, and struggle gets resolved in the final 50 pages through a sickly sweet manner. Albertalli can't be blamed for wanting to give Simon a happy ending, but reality may have something to say about it.
It's been awhile since a book kept me up late because I couldn't sleep without finding out what happened. This book could have been full of cliches - instead it was authentic and lovely. The reader roots for the narrator and is filled with raw emotion with the struggles he goes through. The mystery identity kept me intrigued & guessing, while still providing a satisfying ending. This is what I wanted "Aristotle & Dante" to be but was disappointed - skip that book and read this one instead.
It's been a while since I read a book with a protagonist I love as much as Simon. This book is so cute and sweet. Simon is a junior in high school, but not only are there the typical problems that can arise at that age with friends and family, but he also ends up being outed n a rather horrific way. This book could have easily gone all angsty as so many YA novels do, but it doesn't. I can't recommend this story enough.
This was a cute book. I wish everything felt less thrown together towards the end, and the name dropping of brands and things was a bit too much sometimes, but it held my attention, since I read it in one sitting.
Grade: D /
lala / Jun 16, 2020