3.5 stars rounded up to four because I liked the writing so much

This one was a little difficult for me. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. And in a way, I wasn't disappointed. The writing was really, really good. I loved the voice, I felt so much for Brandon and I could have read about his inner musings all day long. I actually did.

I also really enjoyed the whole part about fanfictions and the world of fandoms. It was funny, it was entertaining and in some aspects it was dead on. It's not everyday that you laugh about something so hard that was actually part of your own life at some point. Overall, I was thoroughly entertained, grinned and laughed a lot, and had a lot of fun with Brandon's very own way of describing, acting and retorting. Loved it.

And I was very happy with his character development. His struggle with his religious upbringing was heartbreaking to read, but in a very good way. I think it's important that stories like these exist. No matter how often you tell yourself that it doesn't matter what your family thinks and that you're entitled to live your own life exactly the way you want to, in the end it's all just BS. It takes an unbelievable amount of time, and PAIN, to get over your very own family rejecting you - no matter what the reason behind it. I'm not even sure you really can get completely over it. It gets better, but you know what they say about opening wounds and inner scars and all that. What made it so good for me to read Brandon's story was the fact that he knew, he just KNEW in his head that what his church was preaching was wrong. He didn't believe in it, not really. But he doubted a lot. And had an even harder time standing up for himself AFTER his coming out than many others have who are rejected completely by their family the minute the word "gay" is on the table. I'm not saying they have it easier, far from it. But I do believe that it's harder to break out of a hurtful situation and finding your own way outside of your family valueas and beliefs, when on the other hand, you somehow feel your family members' affection and concern - no matter how twisted - shine through here and there. Brandon's struggle with who he wanted to be, who he was supposed to be, and most of all, how to react to a family that wouldn't accept him completely but "tried" to love him anyway, was wonderfully done and I loved every minute. I might have wished for more of his "F*** You, I am who I am and you are supposed to love me unconditioanlly no matter what!"; but in the end that just wasn't him and that's all there is to it.

Now on to my problem with the story. It was a great CoA-YA story. It delt with religion and family and church respectfully and in a very real way. Nothing was just black and white, nobody was completely good or bad - not at home, not in the fandoms, not even the drunks and assholes from the TV show. Even the side characters were three-dimensional, very well crafted and real.

But the romance? I'm sorry, but this book would have been better without the romance in it. Why? Because I couldn't feel the connection between Abel and Brandon. They were great friends, best friends even, and their Bromance was actually kind of sweet. But as a couple? Nah, I just couldn't see it. That had nothing to do with the sex happening off page. I couldn't care less. Sure, seeing some of the intimacy in bed can be part of a good romance, but it doesn't have to be. Good sex doesn't make the story, and it sure doesn't break it when it isn't explicit. But even before that, even when it was just about kissing and touching, or "having a crush", it didn't work for me. I didn't feel a thing, except maybe amusement about their friendship. I thought the fights might save it, because you know, I'm a sucker for emotional explosions and word-vomiting and hurt feelings and good apologies. But that, too, fell flat for me. Again, everything worked as a nice Bromance, just not as a love story. The ending was very sweet, but I still couldn't buy it. Maybe because I never really connected to Abel in the first place.

So I liked the book, just not the romance in it. Which is kind of bad when you're reading a romance. But, whatever. I liked it, I understand why people love it, it just wasn't a real hit for me.

Humorous, colorful, warm-hearted and sweet.



This is one of those books I never thought I would actually read. It was added a while ago and it was hopeless some day I'd pick it up from the mountains of books that are waiting for me. But out of nowhere Maya said I should give a try so here I am. I must admit I've started this book several times, but I did it half-heartedly and soon it came back to the pile. However, this time I achieved this so I'm verra verra proud.

Brandon and Abel have been friends for months now. They show a playful and relaxed attitude when they interact but in fact Brandon only displays his funny side with Abel while deep inside he's full of doubts, remorses and guilt. His facade at home is totally the opposite: gloomy and melancholic. He is gay and Catholic and he feels both can't happen in the same person, at least, not in himself (BTW, Spain is a traditionally Catholic country. People there can be more of less religious but the percentage of acceptance of homosexuality is over 88%, the highest in the world. Even Catholic countries such as Philippines or Argentina or Italy have a higher percentage than the USA. So please, let's change the idea that Catholic people are intolerant, it's out of style, shall we? The second country in the list is Germany, with 87%, so let's stop thinking about them as nazis, yeah? Global Acceptance of Homosexuality). The only one who knows he's playing both sides is his girlfriend Bec. On the contrary, Abel is openly gay, nonchalant about his tastes and thoughts, whereas Brandon made up some excuse to avoid all the boys Abel shamelessly throws at him.

Just seeing this panorama you wonder how the author is going to pair them up. Abel has a boyfriend already. There is friendship between Brandon and Abel and no more. No romantic clues and no suspicious-looking glances. Is this a love story for real? Do they fit together? A relationship based on lies can be no good, right? But there is definitely chemistry there, if only the snarky one. Their dialogues are smart, clever, dynamic and hilarious. It's like The Big Bang Theory after adding tons of adorableness and without the insidious banter that now and then springs out there. Maybe it can work after all.

And it does indeed! If as friends they were irresistible, as lovers they are to be eaten with a dessert spoon. Delicious.

I'm not a series girl, I don't get hook on TV series or fanfics. It's just not me. But the world of fanfiction and forums absorbed me. It was so amusing and believable! I could feel identified because even if I don't exactly belong to the Game of Thrones's fandom it was familiar, in a way. It's a fact I also fangirl and melt on a "regular" basis (what is "normal", now that you ask it?) so I could totally agree with some shippers here.

This book is innovative and original. Funny and adorable. Serious and witty. Profound and casual. But everything was in its perfect proportions. I enjoyed every second of it, no character, not even secondaries or extras, was amiss. Everything worked and ran smoothly here. What I complain about (but not in a very convinced way) is the fade-to-black scenes. I'm perfectly aware this is a YA book but that doesn't imply teenagers don't deserve decent sex scenes as people with a few years more on their birth certificate do. This is not really a problem, but I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed.

Welcome to de Church of Abandon!




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May 8th BR with Julie, Momo, Marte, Elsbeth, Marco, Susan and Nathan..

BR with Elsbeth, Marte, Julie, Marco, Momo, Nathan and Sonia.

DNF at 70%



It’s not a bad book, really. I’m just so not in the mood for this.
There’s not a lot of romance going on, or perhaps just not enough for my current mood.

Brandon got on my nerves. He was not a very nice person. I could understand his insecurities, and I could forgive him one outburst because of it, but he was being mean and picking fights with Abel for an entire week. He was just acting stupid and I had a hard time liking him.

Abel was not on my favorites list either. Example of a part later on in the book. Not a massive spoiler, but in spoiler tags just in case people feel it would spoil anything.

I mean, the guy you love is feeling insecure in his virginity (who wouldn’t) and he acts like an insensitive prick about it.

“I’ve never done this.”
“Showered in boxers?”
“Been naked … with someone.”
“Well, obviously. However, when you said let’s take a shower, I naively assumed— ”
“I know I know!” I draw my arms across my bare chest. “I’m sorry. I felt great and then … It’s new. You know?”
“Look, if you want to wait more— ”
“I don’t.”
“But maybe you’re too— ”
“No! No, listen.” I shove my wet hair off my forehead. I can’t screw this up.

I did like the conventions they went to and the way they talked about their favorite show.

But when I don’t really like the characters, I’m not in the mood for a fade-to-black sex scene. I decided to just stop because I came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t get any better.

I just didn’t feel it anymore.

BR, May 8th with Momo, Marte, Julie, Mel, Susan, Sonia and Marco.