#Conventionally Yours
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My least favorite to My favorite books I read in 2022
23: We are totally normal by Rahul Kanakia: Okay first thing first this book made me incredibly uncomfortable; however not because of the sex but because this book did an amazing job capturing how cringe,annoying, and mean highschool students can be which I enjoyed. When books have teenagers I feel a lot of stories feel the need to make them more mature to better fit the plot but in this book they felt like real people you probably went to high school with…take that as you will. Anyways the book is about Nandan who never before liked guys but hooked up with his friend Dave, Nandan starts his journey trying to understand his sexuality. I didn’t love this book but I didn't hate it. I was excited to give it a chance because it seemed pretty heavily disliked. I understand the hate because Nandan is incredibly unlikable at times and I do feel bad for Dave at times because Nandan's actions hurt him, however Nandan is written to be a confused teen and never doesn’t do anything bad on purpose. The ending for me wasn’t my cup of tea and personality. I didn't want Nandan and Dave to get together since I think them being friends works better but not horrible. Overall not my vibe, but it made me laugh at times and I liked the realistic portrayal of teenagers.
22: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers: First this book cover is beautiful and I love the idea of an workaholic overachiever doing something crazy and reckless as they slowly find themselves and it was sapphic on paper this book sounds amazing…but it was just okay, the book was pretty boring and I practically had to force myself to finish it. Grace Porter, our main character, gets drunk and marries a woman she doesn’t know in Vegas and that sounds really cool but the execution was a huge disappointment. None of the people in Grace's life including her best friends/ roommates, her parents, or even her love interest are written to be very interesting and Grace herself is pretty boring. I did however like the writing style the author chose for this book and the way the author describes the characters, setting, and what and how they feel is written beautifully and I truly enjoyed that. Overall it was pretty mid, My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
21. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli: I bought this book to get a discount from Barens and Noble not because I wanted it. I haven’t read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda nor did I see Love Simon so I came into this not knowing anything about Leah or the other characters. Despite that I thought the book was alright, nothing too special and pretty predictable but fine. The book is about Leah who’s getting ready for Prom and preparing to head to college, she’s a plus sized bisexual girl which is great to see and all the side characters are pretty cool. I’m not a big fan of Leah’s personality at times and her romance with Abby is fine and at times really cute, I like Abby encouraging her to pursue art that was nice. I also liked seeing Leah bond with her mom’s boyfriend and find the perfect prom dress that was really nice. Overall cute story. fun characters, and a nice romance, Nick deserved better
20. Across a field of starlight by Blue Delliquanti: Fun space adventure and first graphic novel I’ve read with two non-binary characters as the main character. Fassen and Lu have had a long distance friendship. I loved the artstyle and the diversity but I found the storyline super hard to follow to the point I can’t even give a real description. Fassen and Lu are both cool and I liked the characters but the storyline wasn’t for me. Overall beautiful art but hectic plot.
19. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: Adorable and charming. I really liked the unique art style in this book and the relationship between Prince Sebastian and Frances is very sweet. The graphic novel is about Frances who is a talented seamstress who is secretly hired to make dresses for Prince Sebastian who enjoys wearing beautiful dresses but can’t let anyone including his parents know because of his royal status. Sebastian and Frances' friendship is sweet and I love how they treat each other. I felt like their falling out was forced and I didn’t really understand why Frances was upset, but the last two chapters made me so happy. Overall I loved the artstyle, loved Sebastian and Frances friendship, and loved chapter 11 & 12.
18: The girl from the sea by Molly Knox Ostertag: Morgan and Keltie are adorable and the art style was gorgeous. This sapphic graphic novel is about Morgan who lives on a small island with her mom, little brother, and has friends. After accidentally falling in the ocean she's met by a fish girl named Keltie who she once met when they were both children, after saving her they share a kiss, Keltie then comes into her life saying her love transformed her from a seal to a human girl. It’s cute, it’s silly, and it's sweet. Bittersweet ending but a fun read. Overall sweet sapphic love story, seal girls are better than mermaids.
17. The Gravity of us by Phil Stamper:It’s basically what would happen if the moon landing happened in modern day. We follow Cal, a 17 year old journalist who has to leave his life in Brooklyn to move to Houston when his dad gets a job working as an astronaut at NASA. Cal is probably the most unlikable protagonist I’ve read so far but he gets better as you read the book . The romance between Cal and Leon was really nice and I really like Leon as a character and found him the most relatable. Overall fun read, Leon should have his own book.
16. Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert: I love Geeks falling in love. It's my favorite holiday. This book is a duo POV with Alden and Conrad, while I didn’t see it as enemies to lovers as the book is advertised I still really enjoyed it regardless. We follow Alden and Conrad as they go on a road trip together to make content for a YouTube channel they both make appearances on called “Gamer Grandpa” which they play a card game named Odyssey also plan on playing at an tournament to win money and an opportunity to play the game professionally. Learning about both the characters' struggles, family lifes, and why they need to win the tournament all while becoming closer and closer was so fun to read. I really like Alden and Conrad and think they made a cute couple. I'll admit I knew who was gonna win barely half way through the story but that doesn’t matter to me. I liked the romance and where the characters ended up at the end. Overall this book was adorkable and I wished Odyssey was a real game.
15. Out of Characters by Annabeth Albert: More Geeks falling in love but now ex-friends to lovers version. This book is also a duo POV with Jasper and Milo, Jasper was a minor character in Conventionally Yours and in this one he gets his own story where his old childhood friend Milo comes to him needing help after he lost his older brother expensive Odyssey cards in a game. Seeing Jasper and Milo reconnect was adorable and their adventure was so much fun to read. I also loved reading about Milo getting out of his comfort zone, making new friends, and better coming to terms with his sexuality. It was so great and he and Jasper have amazing chemistry. Overall friends to lovers is underrated and I need more books with the characters cosplaying.
14. The darkness outside us by Eliot Schrefer: This book was a mindfuck and I loved every single page. This was one of my first Sci-fi books and it is amazing! Ambrose and Kodiak are both sent into space on a mission, they have no memory of the launch and the only company they have is each other and the ship’s operating system which tells them to do their tasks and encourages them to follow their mission to get on Titian. Since the book is mostly building suspense and leaving small clues leading to the plot twist the romance isn’t that developed but I still think Ambrose and Kodiak are good together and I really liked them. Overall a great book and the ending is so satisfying.
13. You should see me in a crown by Leah Johnson: This book makes me so happy! We follow Liz an black gay teenage girl living in a primarily white and rich neighborhood. She has no interest in popularity but when she finds out the winner of prom queen gets scholarship money that can help her pay for her dream school she starts running and works hard to get votes. I related to Liz so much when it came to friends, her family, and feeling like she needs to protect the people around her. Seeing Liz reconnect with her old friend, make new friends, and her relationship with Mack is just so wholesome. Overall great book and I wish Liz was real so we could be friends.
12. Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera: This seems hit or miss with some people but I loved it! This is the second book in the Infinity series. It’s hard to explain the plot without spoiling anything from the first book but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next one. Overall Ness is my favorite character and I hope Adam Silvera doesn't kill him.
11. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: The Hype is real. It’s the story of Achilles' life Achilles told by his lover Patroclus. The two meet after Patroclus accidentally kills another boy over dice and his father Menoetius banishes him away. The two become friends and later start a romantic relationship. We see Achilles' life from childhood to when he fights in the Trojan war. It's written beautifully and it’s truly heartbreaking. Overall terrific book, Achilles and Patroculs are the best historical gays.
Honorable mention. Rogue Sun volume one: Cataclysm: Okay so this was a book my brother really wanted me to read so I gave it a chance and it was really good. We follow Dylan who is a regular highschool student who recently finds out his father passed away, when going to the reading of his fathers will he finds out his dad was the town's hero named Rogue Sun and he passed down his powers to him. I liked it, I thought it was a good mix of action and real life emotions and Dylan was a great main character and really grew on me, I also thought it had a nice twist. Overall not my usual vibe but I enjoyed it nonetheless
10. I kissed Sara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston: Casey McQuiston has never written a bad book in their life and I kissed Sara Wheeler is great, We follow Chloe green who goes on an adventure to find her academic rival and most popular girl in school Sara Wheeler after she kissed her on prom night then completely disappeared she has the help of Sara’s boyfriend Smith, and another character named Rory who Sara also kissed on prom night. Sara leaves small clues for them to follow to help find where she is. My only real issues is while I like Sara and Chloe I liked the side characters even more and wanted to see more of them, I wanted to see more of Smith’s exploring his identity and his relationship with Rory, other characters like Ash, Benjy, Georgia, and more seem like interesting characters who could’ve been so fun to read if given more attention. Overall fun mystery and I need a second book about Smith and Rory.
9. Red, White, and Royal blue by Casey McQuiston: I’m a basic bitch I know but I really did love this book.This book is about the first son Alex falling in love with the Prince of Wales Prince Henry. I really don’t know what to say about this book that hasn’t already been said but I loved it. This book is super funny and Alex and Henry had immediate chemistry which was so much fun to read. I wish the side characters like Pez, Nora, and June got more attention but since this is a romance I understand why they were sidelined. Overall sweet political romance and obtuse fucking asshole is the most romatic line in any book ever.
8. One last stop by Casey McQuiston: It’s probably slightly controversial having One Last Stop ranked higher than Red, White, and Royal blue but the main reason I ranked it higher is because I loved every single character and felt like everyone one had a nice conclusion unlike Red, white, and Royal blue and I kissed Sara Wheeler where I wanted more attention on the side characters. I also loved seeing August and Jane's relationship build while also trying to help Jane understand what happened to her and seeing August find herself on the way was great. Overall another great mystery by Casey MCQuiston, I’m a sucker for sapphic romances
7. Extraordinaries by T.J.Klune: This book is the reason I downloaded back Tumblr it fucking amazing! Gay superheroes, fanfiction, and a main protagonist who is hilarious and relatable this book is fucking awsome. We follow Nick Bell who is the biggest fan of a neighborhood superhero named Shadow Storm who fights his arch rival Pyro Storm. In this world people who have super powers are called Extraordinaries and Nick desperately wants to be extraordinary and to make his fanfiction come true by being with the super hero of his dreams. I’ll admit I didn’t love Nick much at first but she really grew on me. Not only is the book great but it also has great ADHD rep and LGBTQ rep. Overall my favorite superhero novel better than marvel movies
6. Every word you never said by Jordon Greene: This wins for having the prettiest cover I currently own. This book is also a duo POV following Skyler Grey an nonverbal boy who was just recently adopted and enjoys wearing skirts and dresses and Jacob Walters who recently came out and dealing with shitheads because of it including his own father. The book is about Skyler fighting for his right to express himself when Jacbo’s own father tries to make rules to stop him from doing so. Skyler and Jacob are adorable and seeing them get closer and closer was heartwarming. However the book does talk a lot about politics and the ugly side of christianity which made me feel uneasy at times but the romance and message was so strong I couldn’t help but love it. Overall clothes have no gender!
5. Winter Orbit by Everina Maxwell: To be completely honest this is probably the best written book I’ve read all year. The writing, story building, character building, and explaining of the politics of the world was written, in my opinion of course almost perfectly.The book is about Kiem and Jainan who are forced to marry to seal an alliance between their respective empires after Jainan pervouse partener was killed suddenly. However it becomes more complicated when a Jainan becomes a person in interest in his death. Admittedly the romance in this book is pretty secondary in the story and is mostly about Jainan and Kiem trying to prove Jainan is innocent, I still liked the romance tho and seeing Kiem being sweet and patient with Jainan who has a lot of unresolved trauma was nice. My only issue is that the book felt kinda slow at times but the end result is totally worth it. Overall I felt smart reading this book. Kiem is a sweet cinnamon roll who deserves the world.
4. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake: I don’t usually like adult books but this is a huge expectation. This book is a romance between Claire Sutherland who is a single mom with an eleven-year-old daughter dealing with an undependable ex-boyfriend and Delilah Green who is hired to be her estranged step sister Astrid photographer at her wedding. Delilah had it tough growing up with losing her mom, dad, and living with her uncaring step mother and Claire had her own issues with being a single mom and dating. Delilah and Claire are sweet together and I really liked their relationship and it was a nice story. My only issues is that there is a side plot where Claire and another mutual friend of her and Astrid wants to stop her from marrying her dick head fiance and that pretty much goes nowhere in favor of the romance, I love Delilah and Claire’s romance but I would’ve liked to see more of then trying to talk sense into Astrid. Overall Cute and spicy sapphic romance can’t wait to read Astrid Parker doesn’t fail next year.
3. Heat Wave by T.J. Klune: FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC ending to the extraordinaries, The dad squad had my entire heart, seeing everyone work together to stop Simion evil plan of taking over Nova city was epic and the epilogue at the end its probably the best epilogue I’ve ever read in a book. However I wasn’t a big fan of the ending and what they decided to do to Owen and I hated how they kept talking about how “You shouldn’t see things as Evil vs. Good because things are more complicated than that” when Simion was very clearly evil and had only bad intentions but with the great plot twist, sweet moments, and of course the amazing epilogue I was able to get past it and enjoy a great conclusion to a great series. Overall this series was extraordinary and Jazz is a badass.
2. Flash Fire by T.J. Klune: This is more just me. I tend to like the second book in trilogies the most and this wasn’t any different. Seth is my favorite character and in Flash fire he gets more attention and I loved that. This is also when we learn more about Nick’s mom Jenny who passed away 3 years ago and Nick learns more about himself, in this we learn more about Simion’s plans, we also meet new characters like Mateo/ Miss Conduct, Jerry the burrito guy, and T.K who are all introduced in a cool and funny way. Overall Second time is always the best and Pyro Storm is bae.
1. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron: Words can’t describe how much I love this book but I will try. This new dark retelling of Cinderella's story takes an unique and cool spin on a classic. We follow Sophia who lives in a world 200 years after Cinderella found her prince charming and “Lived happily ever after” Ever since the king forces the people in the village to live their lives following Cinderall’s story. Sophia has no interest in marrying a man and would rather marry her childhood friend Erin but is forced to go to an annual ball and find a husband or else. I love this fast paced story about fighting the patriarchy and learning the real story of Cinderella. Sophia and Constance bounce off each other perfectly and I love their chemistry, not much romance but the book was so good it honestly doesn’t bother me. I loved this book so much and it’s my absolutely favorite book in 2022. Overall I loved a dark retelling and Sophia is a girlboss.
#we are totally normal#honey girl#leah on the offbeat#across a field of starlight#the prince and the dressmaker#the girl from the sea#the gravity of us#conventionally yours#out of character#the darkness outside us#you should see me in a crown#infinity reaper#song of achilles#Rogue sun#i kissed shara wheeler#red white and royal blue#One last stop#extraordinaries#every word you never said#Winter orbit#delilah green doesn't care#Heat Wave#flash fire#cinderella is dead#my lists#queer books
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books read in 2022 (so far)
The Song of Achilles (Madeline Miller)
Red, White & Royal Blue (Casey McQuiston)
Me Before You (Jojo Moyes)
Circe (Madeline Miller)
Playing the Palace (Paul Rudnick)
The Charm Offensive (Alison Cochrun)
Taproot (Keezy Young)
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (Mariko Tamaki)
Heartstopper: Volume One (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Two (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Three (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Four (Alice Oseman)
Conventionally Yours (Annabeth Albert)
Flip Side (James Bailey)
The Girl from the Sea (Molly Knox Ostertag)
Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall)
Ariadne (Jennifer Saint)
#book tumblr#booklr#bookworm#booklover#the song of achilles#song of achilles#osemanverse#heartstopper#red white and royal blue#circe#the charm offensive#taproot#laura dean keeps breaking up with me#conventionally yours#ariadne#boyfriend material#reading list#book list
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In theory I love slow burns… but in reality about 1/4 into it I’m all ‘JUST KISS ALREADY!!!’ 😤🤬😤
#slow burn#enemies to lovers#books#icebreaker#we hunt the flame#carry on#conventionally yours#lgbtq books#fanfiction
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Fave Five: Queer MCs with Asthma
Fave Five: Queer MCs with Asthma
Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson (YA)
Ziggy, Stardust & Me by James Brandon (YA)
Forward March by Skye Quinlan (YA)
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
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#Annabeth Albert#Asthma#Conventionally Yours#disability#Forward March#James Brandon#Leah Johnson#Meryl Wilsner#Rise to the Sun#Skye Quinlan#Something To Talk About#World Asthma Day#Ziggy Stardust & Me
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EVERYBODY SHUT UP
I'm reading Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert, and I've decided to highlight all signs that Alden is autistic.
I'm only on chapter 5 of 37, but I've already gotten so many hints. This is my favorite thing currently.
#conventionally yours#annabeth albert#Conrad Stewart#Alden Roth#bookblr#autism#actually autism#HE IS AUTISTIC#FUCK YOU#his special interest is Odyssey#i love him so much#QueerNerd BS
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Although the narrator for Alden is making some... choices.
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30.06.2022
My (re)read for the last day of June
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The last four books I read were all 3.5 stars for me and that's not necessarily bad but I just really want to read something that excites me next. These last few book have been just okay but I want something more.
#you had me at hola#love in the time of serial killers#the bromance book club#conventionally yours#all these books were perfectly fine but they did excite me the way i want to be excited by reading#perfectly okay books#books#reading
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Conventionally Yours Review
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert - 5/5 - Gay New Adult RomCom
Sometimes we find the perfect book, the one that reads like it was written specifically for us. I experienced this feeling when I finally read Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert. Queer enemies-to-lovers, card game nerds on a road trip to a convention, mental health rep, and a Jewish romantic lead. I loved every word of this book and I'm looking forward to reading its spin-off and potentially other books that Albert has written.
Conrad and Alden are known for being rival players of a game called "Odyssey" on the "Gamer Grandpa" vlog. Due to the vlog's popularity, the professor in charge scores tickets to a Vegas convention for all of his players. If any of them win the convention's tournament they'll have a chance to play in the pro tour. Conrad is close to homelessness and Alden is being forced to follow his parents' dream. A win could be good for either of them. On the road to Vegas, they'll push past the misconceptions they have of each other and realize they might like what they see.
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#conventionally yours#annabeth albert#book blog#bookblogger#queer books#queer characters#jewish books#romcom book#enemies to lovers#magic the gathering#road trip book#college age romance#mlm romance#gay romcom
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A reminder to all my lovely fellow writers: progress is progress, even when it isn't. Writing four thousand words in a session is progress. Writing a hundred words in a session is progress. Removing an entire scene because it doesn't flow well is progress. Rethinking your plan for the plot in order to get unstuck is progress. Development looks different for every writer and every story.
#I know it's hard when you don't feel like you're being conventionally “productive”#but every little thing puts you one step closer to finishing your WIP#even when you're actually taking something away#or not touching the actual story at all#writeblr#writing community#writers#writing#writers of tumblr#writing mood#writing advice#friendly reminder#reminder#writers on tumblr#writers community
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ALL THE BOOKS I READ IN 2022!
Infinity Reaper_594 pages
January 1 - January 15
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The girl from the sea_247 pages
January 15
⭐⭐⭐⭐
You should see me in a crown_324
January 16 - January 28
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Out of Character_394
January 30 - February 3
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are totally normal_278
February 4 - February 11
⭐⭐⭐
Leah on the Off Beat_339
February 15- February 23
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Gravity of us_307
February 25- March 2
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Winter Orbit_430
March 4- March 14
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Delilah Green Doesn't Care_371
March 14- March 22
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honey Girl_293
March 24- April 4
⭐⭐⭐
Song of Achilles_378
April 9- April 16
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Across a field of starlight_352
April 18- April 21
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Red, White, and Royal blue_418
April 25- April 30th
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Conventionally yours_370
May 1- May 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every word you never said_408
May 5 - May 15
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I kissed Shara Wheeler_351
May 22 - June 27
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Darkness Outside us_393
(Re-Read) July 1- July 24
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Last Stop_417
(Re-Read) July 26
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The prince and the dressmaker
August 2
⭐⭐⭐
Cinderella is dead_385
August 26- September 8
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Extraordinaries_400
September 9 - October 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flash Fire_392
October 5- October 18
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat Wave_376
November 5- November 23
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rogue Sun_176
December 28
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#queer books#extraordinaries#heat wave#every word you never said#flash fire#infinity reaper#cinderella is dead#The girl from the sea#we are totally normal#you should see me in a crown#Honey girl#out of character#conventionally yours#leah on the offbeat#the gravity of us#Winter orbit#delilah green doesn't care#song of achilles#across a field of starlight#red white and royal blue#i kissed shara wheeler#the darkness outside us#one last stop#the prince and the dressmaker#rouge sun
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books read in 2022 (july update)
The Song of Achilles (Madeline Miller)
Red, White & Royal Blue (Casey McQuiston)
Me Before You (Jojo Moyes)
Circe (Madeline Miller)
Playing the Palace (Paul Rudnick)
The Charm Offensive (Alison Cochrun)
Taproot (Keezy Young)
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (Mariko Tamaki)
Heartstopper: Volume One (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Two (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Three (Alice Oseman)
Heartstopper: Volume Four (Alice Oseman)
Conventionally Yours (Annabeth Albert)
Flip Side (James Bailey)
The Girl from the Sea (Molly Knox Ostertag)
Boyfriend Material (Alexis Hall)
Ariadne (Jennifer Saint)
Meet Cute Diary (Emery Lee)
Book Lovers (Emily Henry)
Bloom (Kevin Panetta, Savanna Ganucheau)
The Prince and the Dressmaker (Jen Wang)
Beach Read (Emily Henry)
#book tumblr#booklr#bookworm#booklover#the song of achilles#song of achilles#osemanverse#heartstopper#red white and royal blue#circe#the charm offensive#taproot#laura dean keeps breaking up with me#conventionally yours#ariadne#boyfriend material#reading list#book list#meet cute diary#book lovers#graphic novel#beach read#the prince and the dressmaker
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Bookworm Will Review #8
Title: "Conventionally Yours"
Author: Annabeth Alberts
Rating: 4/5
Review: (MILD SPOILERS)
This was my first time reading anything by Albert and overall, this was a very cute slow-burn enemy-to-lovers story. The biggest draw for me was the geeky/nerdy plot that focused around a card game, so myself being a huge Magic The Gathering & DnD player, I was very interested.
I am a little sad that Odyssey isn't a real game because it was written with really quirky descriptions, so I do wish I could play it for real haha!
The limited setting of making it a road trip and having characters bond is one trope that really worked for Conrad and Alden. The overall pacing of the journey could have been shortened, but I wasn't totally against the length of their trip since it technically was across the country. To get to see the two open up to each other was a little predictable only because I felt like there was too much crammed into one of their backstories.
Alden was dealing with overbearing parents as well as navigating through some forced stereotypes of being neurodivergent (which I think was handled decently). Meanwhile, Conrad seemed to have a bit too much going on and while I recognize that there are some people who have a lot going on like abusive parents and homelessness, it just kind of felt like a lot at some points. Yes, they did have a direct impact on each other that led to Conrad's current situation, but that's just what I felt while reading it.
The bond between them was still enjoyable to read and the way that Albert wrote out their expressions for one another made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Plus there is a married couple who were just too cute: I loved Julio and Gus so much!
I will definitely be checking out the next in this series, 'Out of Character' which I believe is where we'll get to learn more about Jasper who had a developing side plot in this first book.
#bookworm will#conventionally yours#annabeth albert#book review#book recommendations#gay books#queer books#mlm#gay#lgtbqai+#lgtbqai#YA#contemporary romance#queer
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Conventionally, yours.
First, I want to say thank you to Annabeth Albert for writing such a shitty book that I finally was able to defeat my reader's block. Genuinely, at some point I hated this so much i needed to finish it so I could complain about it *properly*. So, if Annabeth gets to read this, thank you for being a terrible writer.
Now, were do I start??
Conventionally Yours promises an enemies to lovers lgbtq+ between two gamers that have to compete at the same tournament at THE convention of their favorite game, Odyssey.
What Conventionally Yours gives it's a story about two guys that for three years had plenty of reasons to hate each other and end up falling in love in, like, three days.
This book promised SO much. The opening is pretty good. It introduce us to our two MCs, the game, secondary characters and the dynamic you can expect. At 15% of the book, we have elder queer couples, interesting back stories, nd rep and a no binary character.
And then Albert managed to send all of that straight to hell.
Bad writing, shitty character construction, elemental research left half way, and internalized ableism would be enough to piss any reader. But those are not the only reasons I hated this book so deeply.
Aphobia, virgin-shame, crappy characterization of a neurodivergence. These were the ones that made my blood run cold.
Amatonormativity and allonormativity are two things I know I can expect in a romcom. I was prepared for them. Most ppl haven't even heard about asexuality or aromanticism.
But our dear Annabeth had.
Let's get back to the classics shall we?? Show Don't Tell is the basic rule of writing, and Albert never learned it. She told us Cornard was a great, carrying guy; what she showed us an ableist 21yo pal that can't see farther than his nose. She told us Alden was neurodivergente, had anxiety and panic attacks; she showed us the classic case of ND, touch repulsed, probably aspec guy. She doesn't do anything with this information, but bringing it once in a while when its convenient for the plot. And the touch repulsed thing that was so clear at the begging of the book gets lost at some point because "love is the cure to everything".
And the worst was the virgin shame scene. That angered me on its own, but then, for some alien reason beyond my comprehension, Annabeth thought it was a smart move to bring up the aro and ace spectrums. If you have a ND character and you bring up the spectrums you do not do it to say they are not part of them, ESPECIALLY if said character is aspec coded. ESPECIALLY if being aspec gives them deepness. ESPECIALLY if that would show how much of a queerphobe you actually are in your lgbtqa+ (surprise darling: the A doesn't stand of ally)
Now, the dynamic between Conrad (21yo, his father kicked him out because he is gay, he's bankrupt, almost homeless and needs to win the tournament to start over) and Alden (23yo, living with his moms, neurodivergente, has anxiety and panic attacks, needs to win the tournament to build his own future).
She tried to make them cute and sweet and wholesome. She gave us a gaslighter ableist instead.
She did tried to acknowledge Alden's neurodivergency on his surrenders, but when it came to his dynamic with Conrad, it became more like a personality tread. Conrad is the worst kind of character you can find: author's favorite baby. If Annabeth were half as good as she thinks she is, she wouldve been able to see how toxic and shitty Conrad is with Alden. Albert tried hard to paint Conrad as a good guy, and she did it fine the first 20%. After that, she might be telling us he's awesome, the reason the sun comes out every morning and why the stars shine, but the reality is that he's just some guy that knows nothing about how to treat right a ND partner.
The eternal love promises were hard to read. The only "character development" in the whole book came from Love Meets All Shores (fuck you very much). And she managed to ruin erotic scenes. Like. It wasn't even funny enough to laugh about them. They were pity. And, tbh, disgusting.
The only point I give to her is that the Odyssey scenes were actually stupidly good. Like. Really, really good. They gave me hope that maybe this lady wasn't as useless as I thought.
But game scenes aren't enough to carry a book.
Anyways. Terrible book. It had some cute parts, but the awfulness of Conrad ruined them for me. Alden had so much potential and it makes me sad how bad AA managed him.
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No one asked for this but I’m going to share anyway. Here’s all the Gay Books I read (or reread) over Pride Month, in the order I read them. Personally I liked them all! (Red White and Royal Blue is my baby though.)
They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
Out of Character - Annabeth Albert
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Red White and Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston (reread)
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli (reread)
Conventionally Yours - Annabeth Albert (haven't finished yet)
If you know about Out of Character and Conventionally Yours I know I read them out of order, but I didn't know it until it was too late.
#They Both Die at the End#The Song of Achilles#Out of Character#Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe#Red White and Royal Blue#Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda#Conventionally Yours
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