This review (and more) can also be found on my blog, Nine Tale Vixen.

content warnings:

Spoiler

precanon parent death (cancer), past cocaine use/addiction, slightly drunk but consensual sex, racism, xenophobia, microaggressions, past attempted sexual assault (mentioned), bi erasure, drinking as coping mechanism, on-page panic attack, being publicly outed, non-graphic sexual content, ableist language (incl. "cr*zy")

rep:

Spoiler

bisexual biracial Mexican-American MC with anxiety [Alex], gay MC/love interest with depression [Henry], M/M main relationship, biracial Mexican-American secondary character [June], Jewish bisexual secondary character [Nora], Mexican immigrant secondary character [Oscar, Alex & June's dad], gay Mexican secondary character [Rafael Luna], Indian-British minor character [Shaan], trans WLW minor character [Amy], pansexual minor character [Amy's wife], minor F/F and M/M relationships

"The top list of reasons to love you goes brain, then dick, then imminent status as a revolutionary gay icon."

I don't even know where to start with this one; I have so many notes and highlights and feelings. There are funny moments and tender moments and playful moments and inspirational moments and heartbreaking moments and everything in between.

To be honest, I wasn't initially sold on all the political aspects (I just wanted to read a fluffy queer romance) but it adds further dimension to the themes and makes the soft personal moments even sweeter; I'm into that.

And okay, yes: there are aspects that are unrealistic, and yes, some of the twists are tropey. But I genuinely think it all works when taken as a whole — especially since I read for escapism.

So I appreciate a world where 2016 saw the first female president and her biracial family inherit the White House. I love seeing a closeted gay British prince grapple with his family legacy and his feelings for the infuriating FSOTUS. I absolutely adore watching this pair of dorks change from rivals to frenemies to lovers, exchanging increasingly ridiculous texts and emails, being made fun of by their friends, playing nice for the cameras then playing nice when they're alone.

This book just means so much to me, I can't even explain it in words. It absolutely deserves the hype, and it's earned a place on my Favorites shelf.

"Thinking about history makes me wonder how I'll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. [...]

History, huh? Bet we could make some."

>> Buddy read with Kelda!

-----------
CONVERSION: 13.8 / 15 = 5 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 10 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 5 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5