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And Then He Pressed Play: Track One
Not yet published
Expected 23 Feb 26Sixteen-year-old A.J. Walker is openly gay, painfully Canadian, and very much out of his depth. He’s wanted to do his school’s exchange program for years, but now that he’s landed at an all-boys school in Glenbridge Ireland, he’s starting to question his decisions. Armed with nothing more than his trusty Discman and an accent that makes him stand out, A.J. has one get through the Irish school year.
Born and raised in Glenbridge, Bren O’Shea has never known how to sit still or keep quiet. He’s also never known a day without laughter. Even when things get bad, Bren always knows how to get a smile out of someone, whether they asked him or not. His mam always says he needs to think before he acts, but as long as his heart’s in the right place, what’s the harm in a bit of impulse?
Glenbridge is the sort of town where everyone knows everyone—and unfortunately for A.J. once someone thinks they know you, it’s hard to change their mind.
After a rocky start that ends in disaster, Bren and A.J. need to decide if it’s worth reaching out to someone who’s so different from you—especially when one of you has to leave in June.
Born and raised in Glenbridge, Bren O’Shea has never known how to sit still or keep quiet. He’s also never known a day without laughter. Even when things get bad, Bren always knows how to get a smile out of someone, whether they asked him or not. His mam always says he needs to think before he acts, but as long as his heart’s in the right place, what’s the harm in a bit of impulse?
Glenbridge is the sort of town where everyone knows everyone—and unfortunately for A.J. once someone thinks they know you, it’s hard to change their mind.
After a rocky start that ends in disaster, Bren and A.J. need to decide if it’s worth reaching out to someone who’s so different from you—especially when one of you has to leave in June.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 23, 2026
12 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 7, 2026
4.5 ⭐️New to me author, 2nd book, YA - I had super low expectations but damn this FAR SURPASSED THEM! I loved it! Never have I ever read a more authentic feeling YA. Their relationship progresses so organically and doesn’t feel superficial at all. I’m impressed how much these guys act like actual teenagers but without it being cringey. I loved Bren’s mam and all the friends. The storyline is not all roses (TW homophobia) but their understated braveness melted my cynical heart.
16yr old Canadian, A.J spends a year on student exchange in Ireland trying to overcome his awkwardness and fit in, meeting Bren who is pasty, ginger and loud. I was as enamoured by the Irish accents as he was, not sure why I find “feckin, so” as appealing as I do, but it really does things for me.
This is not at all spicy but what they have is really genuine and innocent, feels authentic for their age and not like some creepy teen fetish. I never, at any point, wished that it had more explicit sex scenes.
Who needs sex scenes when you have these charmers?
“Still feel like I should make it up to you...Wanna see me arse again?”
The ending was very fitting for a teen romance. It’s not realistic for these guys to be getting married or have a solid HEA but of course, I need more!! Is there going to be more in this world?? I want it!
The plot resolution felt realistic, as much as in a perfect world I would hope for something different. Justice is served in its own way, via the community, which would hopefully make enough of an impact for change.
❤️ ”He’s my lad.” ❤️
Thankyou to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and to Anita for BR this with me.
16yr old Canadian, A.J spends a year on student exchange in Ireland trying to overcome his awkwardness and fit in, meeting Bren who is pasty, ginger and loud. I was as enamoured by the Irish accents as he was, not sure why I find “feckin, so” as appealing as I do, but it really does things for me.
This is not at all spicy but what they have is really genuine and innocent, feels authentic for their age and not like some creepy teen fetish. I never, at any point, wished that it had more explicit sex scenes.
Who needs sex scenes when you have these charmers?
“Still feel like I should make it up to you...Wanna see me arse again?”
The ending was very fitting for a teen romance. It’s not realistic for these guys to be getting married or have a solid HEA but of course, I need more!! Is there going to be more in this world?? I want it!
The plot resolution felt realistic, as much as in a perfect world I would hope for something different. Justice is served in its own way, via the community, which would hopefully make enough of an impact for change.
❤️ ”He’s my lad.” ❤️
Thankyou to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and to Anita for BR this with me.
February 6, 2026
• YA m/m romance • ARC •
This was such a great YA read! I am genuinely surprised by how well the author wrote authentic, non-cringe teenaged characters and a very appropriate teen romance 👏
It’s 2006 Ireland, and 16yo A.J. is on a school exchange from Canada. He is a quiet, awkwardly self-aware, out gay teen, taking part in an exchange experience in another country where he doesn’t know a single soul. A.J. has a lot of classes with a loud and outgoing ginger boy, Bren. Their relationship builds from awkward misunderstandings, to a tentative and then a genuine friendship, and eventually deeper feels are caught. Bren has a really good circle of friends and most accept A.J. in to their fold with no issues. The interactions and the progression of all the relationships were so entertaining to read, if I had the time I could probably have read this in one sitting!
Also, I have to admit that I’m a huge sucker for the Irish brogue on-page, and all the lads, Mams, Das, shites and fecks brought me so much joy! 🤭😅
CW - homophobia and related violence… I suppose though, that it is regrettably realistic for the time in which the story takes place. But is definitely not the focus of the book, and the way in which A.J. was supported was written really well here I thought.
Overall, I loved this. It just warmed my soul. The pacing, the characters, the dialogue, the story… I literally have no complaints and 100% recommend for YA romance fans.
5⭐️ Ty Sarah for suggesting we read this!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was such a great YA read! I am genuinely surprised by how well the author wrote authentic, non-cringe teenaged characters and a very appropriate teen romance 👏
It’s 2006 Ireland, and 16yo A.J. is on a school exchange from Canada. He is a quiet, awkwardly self-aware, out gay teen, taking part in an exchange experience in another country where he doesn’t know a single soul. A.J. has a lot of classes with a loud and outgoing ginger boy, Bren. Their relationship builds from awkward misunderstandings, to a tentative and then a genuine friendship, and eventually deeper feels are caught. Bren has a really good circle of friends and most accept A.J. in to their fold with no issues. The interactions and the progression of all the relationships were so entertaining to read, if I had the time I could probably have read this in one sitting!
Also, I have to admit that I’m a huge sucker for the Irish brogue on-page, and all the lads, Mams, Das, shites and fecks brought me so much joy! 🤭😅
CW - homophobia and related violence… I suppose though, that it is regrettably realistic for the time in which the story takes place. But is definitely not the focus of the book, and the way in which A.J. was supported was written really well here I thought.
Overall, I loved this. It just warmed my soul. The pacing, the characters, the dialogue, the story… I literally have no complaints and 100% recommend for YA romance fans.
5⭐️ Ty Sarah for suggesting we read this!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 17, 2026
Thank to the author for sending me this ARC. And thanks to my dear friend Sarah, who reminded me to read it.
I absolutely loved this book. This is the kind of love teenagers dream to have. It was cute and funny and it felt realistic in a way books with teens don’t usually get right.
It has some heavy moments, because homophobia is real, but I do believe the story was more bright than anything and it ends up on a hopeful note.
I would love to know if this will be the first on a series or if there is a possibility to see these characters again in the future.
I absolutely loved this book. This is the kind of love teenagers dream to have. It was cute and funny and it felt realistic in a way books with teens don’t usually get right.
It has some heavy moments, because homophobia is real, but I do believe the story was more bright than anything and it ends up on a hopeful note.
I would love to know if this will be the first on a series or if there is a possibility to see these characters again in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this book while browsing NetGalley and, as an artist, I found myself immediately drawn to the cover. It is a lovely, fitting style with a great texture to it, and after reading I can confidently state that it perfectly matches the personalities of Bren and A.J. - Bren's over-the-top Nature and A.J.'s initial reluctance and quiet nature - and just matches the whole vibe of the story.
C.W.: homophobia, assault
Plot:
A.J. is a Canadian teenager who has arrived in Ireland as an exchange student. He is anxious and overthinking everything on his way to his first day at the Irish secondary school. He is listening to music with his beloved Discman sitting on the ground before class, when the loud and extroverted (and yoghurt-covered) Bren approaches him. A.J. believes he is being made fun of, and is pretty reluctant to communicate with Bren, but soon bites the bullet, talks with him, and realises it was all just banter and befriends with Bren and his group. The pair grow closer and feelings begin to develop and they become pretty much inseparable, doing everything together. However, A.J. is due to fly back to Canada in the Summer. They have to make the most of the time they will have together in person this school year.
Thoughts:
It took me a few pages to get into this book, but became hooked soon after. I must say, the descriptions of absolutely nobody wearing their uniforms right stood out to me so much because it is just so true. These teenagers feel so painfully real. It doesn't feel like the typical "kids written by an out of touch old person": they all feel like real kids I could have had driving me mad in my classes a few years ago. I enjoyed all the Ireland-specific things mentioned throughout.
The panic A.J. felt was so real. Although I have never moved to an entirely different country with nobody I know, I have always had pretty bad anxiety and found his overthinking and paranoia so, so unbelievably relatable. His reaction to the class introductions was just so me, and his introduction was a very funny call back to what Bren said when they met not long before that "My name's A.J. Walker, I'm from Canada and... And I don't fight polar bears", even if saying it ended up embarrassing him. I feel like you can detect their, I suppose, fascination with one another right away. They just keep thinking about each other. Bren keeps trying to connect with and befriend A.J., thinking he was maybe just shy and introverted. When A.J. said hi to Bren first the next day and tried to make conversation it made me smile as it was such a contrast to the previous day, but the next bit was unfortunate. A.J. was trying to hard to "be normal", but one accident caused by Bren and he just totally broke with the emotions all bursting out at once. I was so so so glad that the author chose not to go for the route of making the characters frustratingly miscommunicate for half the book and instead went for confrontation and apologies early-on, not just with this incident, but throughout the whole book the communication between all the characters was very refreshing. I was a bit shocked when A.J. said he was gay (especially with the way he said it haha) to Bren so soon considering it's set in 2006 and casual homophobia seemed rife in that school environment, but I think it was a good thing for the story and that whole interaction in the greenhouse did really just make A.J. feel more comfortable and himself. Plus it definitely made Bren want to be around him even more.
The book is full of little moments which made me giggle, such as A.J., hesitating, saying "what's the craic?" to fit in and it just not sounding right. And it is also full of moments I just felt I had to reread multiple times like the first kiss which I had to slowly repeat because it just felt like such a good scene. Total chef's kiss that. And Nat's reaction being told about it was fabulous. The progression all felt super natural. It is by no means a slow burn, but it didn't feel too fast for me. Not that I have personal experience, but it felt realistic for a school romance not to have it drag out for months and months, especially with A.J. only being in Ireland for the one school year.
I love Bren's mam.
A nice quote from A.J.'s thoughts: 'Every moment, as long as you're mine'
Of course, the incident closer to the end was horrible, but it was (in this case) unfortunately realistic. It was scary and anxiety-inducing. It did, however, cause some positives and really brought everyone closer together and made for a very emotional section. It was very sad reading about how it affected everyone after, but they all tried hard to not let it affect them.
I swear this book made me feel every possible emotion. The ending brought tears to my eyes (and I swear it was not because of the eye drops I had just used) and I am incredibly desperate for a sequel, which I hope will become a reality as hinted by the 'Track One' in the title. I am not ready to let the lads go!!
Totally a must-read for fans of YA Romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the ARC for me to review.
C.W.: homophobia, assault
Plot:
A.J. is a Canadian teenager who has arrived in Ireland as an exchange student. He is anxious and overthinking everything on his way to his first day at the Irish secondary school. He is listening to music with his beloved Discman sitting on the ground before class, when the loud and extroverted (and yoghurt-covered) Bren approaches him. A.J. believes he is being made fun of, and is pretty reluctant to communicate with Bren, but soon bites the bullet, talks with him, and realises it was all just banter and befriends with Bren and his group. The pair grow closer and feelings begin to develop and they become pretty much inseparable, doing everything together. However, A.J. is due to fly back to Canada in the Summer. They have to make the most of the time they will have together in person this school year.
Thoughts:
It took me a few pages to get into this book, but became hooked soon after. I must say, the descriptions of absolutely nobody wearing their uniforms right stood out to me so much because it is just so true. These teenagers feel so painfully real. It doesn't feel like the typical "kids written by an out of touch old person": they all feel like real kids I could have had driving me mad in my classes a few years ago. I enjoyed all the Ireland-specific things mentioned throughout.
The panic A.J. felt was so real. Although I have never moved to an entirely different country with nobody I know, I have always had pretty bad anxiety and found his overthinking and paranoia so, so unbelievably relatable. His reaction to the class introductions was just so me, and his introduction was a very funny call back to what Bren said when they met not long before that "My name's A.J. Walker, I'm from Canada and... And I don't fight polar bears", even if saying it ended up embarrassing him. I feel like you can detect their, I suppose, fascination with one another right away. They just keep thinking about each other. Bren keeps trying to connect with and befriend A.J., thinking he was maybe just shy and introverted. When A.J. said hi to Bren first the next day and tried to make conversation it made me smile as it was such a contrast to the previous day, but the next bit was unfortunate. A.J. was trying to hard to "be normal", but one accident caused by Bren and he just totally broke with the emotions all bursting out at once. I was so so so glad that the author chose not to go for the route of making the characters frustratingly miscommunicate for half the book and instead went for confrontation and apologies early-on, not just with this incident, but throughout the whole book the communication between all the characters was very refreshing. I was a bit shocked when A.J. said he was gay (especially with the way he said it haha) to Bren so soon considering it's set in 2006 and casual homophobia seemed rife in that school environment, but I think it was a good thing for the story and that whole interaction in the greenhouse did really just make A.J. feel more comfortable and himself. Plus it definitely made Bren want to be around him even more.
The book is full of little moments which made me giggle, such as A.J., hesitating, saying "what's the craic?" to fit in and it just not sounding right. And it is also full of moments I just felt I had to reread multiple times like the first kiss which I had to slowly repeat because it just felt like such a good scene. Total chef's kiss that. And Nat's reaction being told about it was fabulous. The progression all felt super natural. It is by no means a slow burn, but it didn't feel too fast for me. Not that I have personal experience, but it felt realistic for a school romance not to have it drag out for months and months, especially with A.J. only being in Ireland for the one school year.
I love Bren's mam.
A nice quote from A.J.'s thoughts: 'Every moment, as long as you're mine'
Of course, the incident closer to the end was horrible, but it was (in this case) unfortunately realistic. It was scary and anxiety-inducing. It did, however, cause some positives and really brought everyone closer together and made for a very emotional section. It was very sad reading about how it affected everyone after, but they all tried hard to not let it affect them.
I swear this book made me feel every possible emotion. The ending brought tears to my eyes (and I swear it was not because of the eye drops I had just used) and I am incredibly desperate for a sequel, which I hope will become a reality as hinted by the 'Track One' in the title. I am not ready to let the lads go!!
Totally a must-read for fans of YA Romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing the ARC for me to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I adore these characters and the story so much!
A.J. is an exchange student who meets Bren but doesn’t start on the right foot. A.J. wants to fit in, but he feels like an outcast and thinks people are talking behind his back. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, A.J. and Bren become close friends, and feelings begin to develop between them.
The way Ireland is described and how much of a culture shock it is for A.J. make it easy to put myself in his shoes. As a fellow introvert, I can understand how scary this might be. For him, though, it’s much tougher because he’s a queer boy in an all-boys school, and if the students found out about his sexuality, they might think he’s hitting on them. A.J. is open about his sexuality, kind of. He doesn’t say it out loud, but if someone asks, he won’t deny it. On the other hand, Bren is having a bi awakening. He’s experiencing feelings he’s never had with any other person he’s been interested in, and he’s having them with A.J.
A.J. and Bren are complete opposites. They’re the opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers trope. A.J. is mostly calm but can get stressed easily and is a people-pleaser. He has his trusty Walkman that helps ground him. On the other hand, Bren is like a chaotic golden retriever. He says what’s on his mind and likes teasing people. Nothing seems to faze him unless someone messes with A.J. Watching them fall in love had me kicking my feet. They were so adorable and funny with each other. I’m jealous of how romantic these two were. The message Bren left A.J. on his mixtape! A.J.’s song he composed for Bren! Like, come on. So sweet 🥰
There’s an incident that had me tearing up and angry. I don’t want to spoil it, but I just want to say homophobes are the worst, and the fact that there were barely any repercussions was frustrating, though unfortunately seen so many times. Let people live their lives for goodness’ sake, especially when they’re minding their business and not hurting anyone. I hated what A.J. goes through, but I was so happy he had people who loved him and had his back.
It has a bittersweet ending, but it’s realistic in this situation. If you enjoy characters navigating life with humor, friendship, music, love, and a heartwarming queer romance, I recommend trying this one out.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A.J. is an exchange student who meets Bren but doesn’t start on the right foot. A.J. wants to fit in, but he feels like an outcast and thinks people are talking behind his back. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, A.J. and Bren become close friends, and feelings begin to develop between them.
The way Ireland is described and how much of a culture shock it is for A.J. make it easy to put myself in his shoes. As a fellow introvert, I can understand how scary this might be. For him, though, it’s much tougher because he’s a queer boy in an all-boys school, and if the students found out about his sexuality, they might think he’s hitting on them. A.J. is open about his sexuality, kind of. He doesn’t say it out loud, but if someone asks, he won’t deny it. On the other hand, Bren is having a bi awakening. He’s experiencing feelings he’s never had with any other person he’s been interested in, and he’s having them with A.J.
A.J. and Bren are complete opposites. They’re the opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers trope. A.J. is mostly calm but can get stressed easily and is a people-pleaser. He has his trusty Walkman that helps ground him. On the other hand, Bren is like a chaotic golden retriever. He says what’s on his mind and likes teasing people. Nothing seems to faze him unless someone messes with A.J. Watching them fall in love had me kicking my feet. They were so adorable and funny with each other. I’m jealous of how romantic these two were. The message Bren left A.J. on his mixtape! A.J.’s song he composed for Bren! Like, come on. So sweet 🥰
There’s an incident that had me tearing up and angry. I don’t want to spoil it, but I just want to say homophobes are the worst, and the fact that there were barely any repercussions was frustrating, though unfortunately seen so many times. Let people live their lives for goodness’ sake, especially when they’re minding their business and not hurting anyone. I hated what A.J. goes through, but I was so happy he had people who loved him and had his back.
It has a bittersweet ending, but it’s realistic in this situation. If you enjoy characters navigating life with humor, friendship, music, love, and a heartwarming queer romance, I recommend trying this one out.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*3.75 rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review.
CW: homophobia, underage drinking, physical assault
The strongest element of And Then He Pressed Play is the characters; right from the beginning, they feel like real people, real teenagers. I could very clearly see Bren and his friends mucking about before school starts, and A.J. lurking in the background, too shy to join in. I loved the platonic relationships depicted with their banter and their moments of seriousness too. I loved the familial relationship between Bren and his mother, how they so evidently love each other. And I, of course, loved the relationship between A.J. and Bren; the awkwardness and misunderstandings, and the build up of friendship to romance. However, for my personal taste, the move from friendship to romance was a bit too quick. I'm a huge sucker for slow burn (the slower the better), and while I understand that this is no way meant to be a 500-page book of yearning, I would've liked to see the characters steep in their feelings a bit more.
On the topic of pacing, and I'm repeating myself, I think it could've been slower generally. Some of my favourite moments within this book are when A.J. has the chance to take a breath to take in the Irish landscape, and this is, in part, due to how wonderfully they are written, but also because the reader can breathe with him too. A.J. is on exchange for a year, though we only really see half of that as weeks, sometimes months, are skipped over. I want to see more of the struggle of living in a new place, in a new country, of missing home. I want to see these new relationships develop (yes, Bren's and A.J.'s, but also A.J.'s and Rory's), and A.J. learning more about Ireland and Irish culture. In short, I want more.
(I'm sorry, but I do have to mention that one of the scenes near the end was a little to corny for me. I love romance as a genre, but that is where I draw the corniness line)
Overall, this is an extremely solid YA novel and I'd be very keen to read more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for a review.
CW: homophobia, underage drinking, physical assault
The strongest element of And Then He Pressed Play is the characters; right from the beginning, they feel like real people, real teenagers. I could very clearly see Bren and his friends mucking about before school starts, and A.J. lurking in the background, too shy to join in. I loved the platonic relationships depicted with their banter and their moments of seriousness too. I loved the familial relationship between Bren and his mother, how they so evidently love each other. And I, of course, loved the relationship between A.J. and Bren; the awkwardness and misunderstandings, and the build up of friendship to romance. However, for my personal taste, the move from friendship to romance was a bit too quick. I'm a huge sucker for slow burn (the slower the better), and while I understand that this is no way meant to be a 500-page book of yearning, I would've liked to see the characters steep in their feelings a bit more.
On the topic of pacing, and I'm repeating myself, I think it could've been slower generally. Some of my favourite moments within this book are when A.J. has the chance to take a breath to take in the Irish landscape, and this is, in part, due to how wonderfully they are written, but also because the reader can breathe with him too. A.J. is on exchange for a year, though we only really see half of that as weeks, sometimes months, are skipped over. I want to see more of the struggle of living in a new place, in a new country, of missing home. I want to see these new relationships develop (yes, Bren's and A.J.'s, but also A.J.'s and Rory's), and A.J. learning more about Ireland and Irish culture. In short, I want more.
(I'm sorry, but I do have to mention that one of the scenes near the end was a little to corny for me. I love romance as a genre, but that is where I draw the corniness line)
Overall, this is an extremely solid YA novel and I'd be very keen to read more from this author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Reader review
I first heard about the author through my social media and couldn’t be any happier! Lucky to have been selected as an ARC reader.
Firstly, one of the strongest aspects of the story is the relationship between Bren and A.J. Their connection and developing relationship felt organic and relatable. Their last moments had me bawling my eyes out, because despite everything, their love felt real and tangible. Here’s hoping to a sequel (or more) where we can see further development for both of them.
The theme of moving to a new place was especially impactful for me on a personal level. As someone who has moved to Ireland to live, the sensations of displacement, uncertainty, and gradual belonging felt incredibly grounded and relatable. These moments added another layer of realism to the story that made it resonate even more strongly. I still remember my own struggles with the many different accents I found around Ireland!
I’ll admit, the few moments of homophobia were difficult to read at times, but intentionally so. They felt sharp and unfortunately reflective of what many people still experience today. To this day, I still want Cian behind bars ASAP.
Ultimately, “And Then He Pressed Play” is a story about finding connection in unfamiliar places, about the quiet bravery it takes to let yourself be seen, and about the heartbreak of loving someone when you know time is against you. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a queer story that feels honest, intimate, and emotionally true. A story that doesn’t shy away from pain, but still leaves you holding onto something warm and hopeful once it’s over.
Overall, I couldn’t have started 2026 with any other book.
#TeamMaura
I first heard about the author through my social media and couldn’t be any happier! Lucky to have been selected as an ARC reader.
Firstly, one of the strongest aspects of the story is the relationship between Bren and A.J. Their connection and developing relationship felt organic and relatable. Their last moments had me bawling my eyes out, because despite everything, their love felt real and tangible. Here’s hoping to a sequel (or more) where we can see further development for both of them.
The theme of moving to a new place was especially impactful for me on a personal level. As someone who has moved to Ireland to live, the sensations of displacement, uncertainty, and gradual belonging felt incredibly grounded and relatable. These moments added another layer of realism to the story that made it resonate even more strongly. I still remember my own struggles with the many different accents I found around Ireland!
I’ll admit, the few moments of homophobia were difficult to read at times, but intentionally so. They felt sharp and unfortunately reflective of what many people still experience today. To this day, I still want Cian behind bars ASAP.
Ultimately, “And Then He Pressed Play” is a story about finding connection in unfamiliar places, about the quiet bravery it takes to let yourself be seen, and about the heartbreak of loving someone when you know time is against you. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a queer story that feels honest, intimate, and emotionally true. A story that doesn’t shy away from pain, but still leaves you holding onto something warm and hopeful once it’s over.
Overall, I couldn’t have started 2026 with any other book.
#TeamMaura
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wholeheartedly, this was such a good book.
Within the first few chapters,
I immediately appreciated the self-confidence that A.J. possessed already, being sure of his sexuality and not willing to lie nor compromise himself to "fit in". Bren's energy was infectious and I loved reading through his character development, allowing himself to be emotional and affectionate.
I found myself becoming fond of all the characters in this novel. I especially like how the women in Bren and A.J.'s lives were written. It is no mystery that Bren's unwavering strength and kindness was passed down from his mother.
I like that Orlaith and Aoife did not share the same cruelty as Cian and his lackeys. Niamh is a good woman, and it made me happy that she spoke with Aoife out of concern, helping to push her away from Cian.
Rory's genuine connection with A.J. through reading and music was really sweet. Brick's well-intentioned brashness and Mickie's change of heart (realizing his friend's happiness was more important than taught bigotry) made great additions to their cast of friends.
I also wanted to mention that the pacing of this novel was very good! I never felt like something dragged on for too long, or wrapped up too soon. The events following A.J.'s assault made sense, and Bren helping him through a panic attack upon returning to school (and seeing Cian) was a true testament of his patience and love.
A.J. using music as a coping mechanism throughout the whole novel felt like a realistic portrayal of an
anxious, gay, neurodivergent teenager trying to find himself in a foreign country.
This was an awesome first ARC for me! I loved all of the Canadian references (Nanaimo bars for the win!).
Within the first few chapters,
I immediately appreciated the self-confidence that A.J. possessed already, being sure of his sexuality and not willing to lie nor compromise himself to "fit in". Bren's energy was infectious and I loved reading through his character development, allowing himself to be emotional and affectionate.
I found myself becoming fond of all the characters in this novel. I especially like how the women in Bren and A.J.'s lives were written. It is no mystery that Bren's unwavering strength and kindness was passed down from his mother.
I like that Orlaith and Aoife did not share the same cruelty as Cian and his lackeys. Niamh is a good woman, and it made me happy that she spoke with Aoife out of concern, helping to push her away from Cian.
Rory's genuine connection with A.J. through reading and music was really sweet. Brick's well-intentioned brashness and Mickie's change of heart (realizing his friend's happiness was more important than taught bigotry) made great additions to their cast of friends.
I also wanted to mention that the pacing of this novel was very good! I never felt like something dragged on for too long, or wrapped up too soon. The events following A.J.'s assault made sense, and Bren helping him through a panic attack upon returning to school (and seeing Cian) was a true testament of his patience and love.
A.J. using music as a coping mechanism throughout the whole novel felt like a realistic portrayal of an
anxious, gay, neurodivergent teenager trying to find himself in a foreign country.
This was an awesome first ARC for me! I loved all of the Canadian references (Nanaimo bars for the win!).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :-) Thank you!
And Then He Pressed Play is a sweet book, I would say most suitable for a young teen audience - I have, alas, outgrown this, but I can acknowledge that a tween me would appreciate a story like this.
A.J. and Bren have an endearingly awkward relationship. They move very fast and they're quite juvenile at times, but it didn't bother me since A.J.'s stay was so short. They had to make the most of their time! I get that!
I would have liked to see more interactions with the whole crew. A.J. and Bren are obviously the main characters of the book, but they have interesting dynamics with their friends that I feel were a little underexplored. It's clear that the group is very tight-knit, I just wish this was shown in the book rather than just implied. More interactions with A.J.'s friends from Canada would be welcome too, even if only second-hand via texts with Nat.
The references to Ireland and Irish culture fell flat for me, as an Irish reader. Bren isn't a common nickname and Finley is an even less common name, so I honestly expected Bren to have some sort of American twist to him. I would say "shite" and "arse" are a little overused, and I felt a little fatigued seeing the same slang over and over again. In one instance, a character refers to being in "class six" of primary school, which is not phrasing that I've ever heard used. I'm sure this would all be novel for a non-Irish reader, but a little more accuracy wouldn't hurt! A valiant effort, it just missed the mark.
I can definitely see the potential in this book, and I wish the author much luck for the next one!
And Then He Pressed Play is a sweet book, I would say most suitable for a young teen audience - I have, alas, outgrown this, but I can acknowledge that a tween me would appreciate a story like this.
A.J. and Bren have an endearingly awkward relationship. They move very fast and they're quite juvenile at times, but it didn't bother me since A.J.'s stay was so short. They had to make the most of their time! I get that!
I would have liked to see more interactions with the whole crew. A.J. and Bren are obviously the main characters of the book, but they have interesting dynamics with their friends that I feel were a little underexplored. It's clear that the group is very tight-knit, I just wish this was shown in the book rather than just implied. More interactions with A.J.'s friends from Canada would be welcome too, even if only second-hand via texts with Nat.
The references to Ireland and Irish culture fell flat for me, as an Irish reader. Bren isn't a common nickname and Finley is an even less common name, so I honestly expected Bren to have some sort of American twist to him. I would say "shite" and "arse" are a little overused, and I felt a little fatigued seeing the same slang over and over again. In one instance, a character refers to being in "class six" of primary school, which is not phrasing that I've ever heard used. I'm sure this would all be novel for a non-Irish reader, but a little more accuracy wouldn't hurt! A valiant effort, it just missed the mark.
I can definitely see the potential in this book, and I wish the author much luck for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I requested an ARC from the author for this book and am so happy I received one. I LOVED this book! A.J. and Bren are such great characters. A.J.: social anxiety, love of music, being Canadian (like me) and out gay teen. Bren: gregarious, sensitive about his house, lots of friends. Totally opposites that just mesh well, after A.J. realizes Bren is actually trying to be friendly and not bullying him anyway. As someone with anxiety I thought the way the author dealt with A.J.'s insecurities and worries was believable and realistic. Same goes for Bren coming to realize he doesn't just like A.J. as a friend. I don't know if the book will come with content warnings but it should. Homophobia, bullying, and assault are the big ones; underage drinking, vomiting and on-page descriptions of someone after an assault if those matter to you. I also loved the side characters and how they weren't one dimensional: Bren's mom, Bren's friends and A.J.'s best friend Nat. I have no idea how accurate the portrayal of Ireland, the accents, vocabulary and culture was but I enjoyed it. The book did lose half a star for me though because there were so many Irish words and phrases that I didn't understand and weren't explained. There were also quite a few grammatical issues that disrupted the flow. Overall, I loved the relationship between the boys, how sweet they were to each other, how close A.J. got to so many people in the town, the ways they showed their love, Bren being the only one to use A.J.'s real name, and even the realistic way the assault was handled. I can see this being one of my favorite books of the year.
February 4, 2026
This book was such a lovely surprise! It made me feel safe while reading it, and that is priceless in the times we’re living in.
It was sweet and funny and gentle, but never stupid or silly. It let the characters be awkward, confused, scared, and kind without turning any of that into a lesson or a bad joke.
A.J. goes to Ireland feeling completely out of place, and Bren comes into his life trying to be nice and accidentally doing everything wrong at first. Watching their friendship grow, slowly and clumsily, because: teenagers, and then turn into something more felt honest and safe. I trusted the story with them, which doesn’t always happen. I love these boys, so much!
There is so much goodness in here but not in a fake way. There are dark moments (homophobia, fear, violence) but they don’t define the story. The book doesn’t deny that the world can be cruel, but it refuses to let cruelty be the loudest voice.
The music, the 2000s vibes, Ireland as the setting. All of it was chef’s kiss.
I think this is a book every teenager, hell, every human, deserves to read. One that fills you up with gooey goodness and courage.
I finished it with a full heart and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC. I wanted to love this book, and I truly did ♥️
It was sweet and funny and gentle, but never stupid or silly. It let the characters be awkward, confused, scared, and kind without turning any of that into a lesson or a bad joke.
A.J. goes to Ireland feeling completely out of place, and Bren comes into his life trying to be nice and accidentally doing everything wrong at first. Watching their friendship grow, slowly and clumsily, because: teenagers, and then turn into something more felt honest and safe. I trusted the story with them, which doesn’t always happen. I love these boys, so much!
There is so much goodness in here but not in a fake way. There are dark moments (homophobia, fear, violence) but they don’t define the story. The book doesn’t deny that the world can be cruel, but it refuses to let cruelty be the loudest voice.
The music, the 2000s vibes, Ireland as the setting. All of it was chef’s kiss.
I think this is a book every teenager, hell, every human, deserves to read. One that fills you up with gooey goodness and courage.
I finished it with a full heart and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC. I wanted to love this book, and I truly did ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was beyond cute, and also probably some of the realest representation of being queer as a young adult I've seen. A.J. is coded as being autistic as well but it's also never stated it's just how he is. It's the same with the characters queerness as well. It never feels like anything needs to be named but just is.
A.J's thought process contrasting with Bren's is one of the highlights of the book in my opinion. You go from A.J. who is high strung and anxious and a little suspicious socially at first, to Bren who is jus5 trying to make friends and have some fun while making sure everyone else is having fun. And the changes in these mentalities as the characters grow with each other and rub off on one another is immaculate
The book also starts with a pronunciation guide for some of the harder to pronounce Irish character names, which is a great accessibility addition and saves you from having to google it every time and get hung up and take more time reading as you try to find a way to pronounce the names.
The supporting characters are also equally as well written and make the world that much more vibrant. I'd say if you enjoy a romance story that's very grounded in reality but still somehow whimsical and magical anyways. Or are seeking a story that gives representation for queer or autistic characters this book would be a very good pick.
A.J's thought process contrasting with Bren's is one of the highlights of the book in my opinion. You go from A.J. who is high strung and anxious and a little suspicious socially at first, to Bren who is jus5 trying to make friends and have some fun while making sure everyone else is having fun. And the changes in these mentalities as the characters grow with each other and rub off on one another is immaculate
The book also starts with a pronunciation guide for some of the harder to pronounce Irish character names, which is a great accessibility addition and saves you from having to google it every time and get hung up and take more time reading as you try to find a way to pronounce the names.
The supporting characters are also equally as well written and make the world that much more vibrant. I'd say if you enjoy a romance story that's very grounded in reality but still somehow whimsical and magical anyways. Or are seeking a story that gives representation for queer or autistic characters this book would be a very good pick.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In, “And Then He Pressed Play,” author Robert J. Halliwell has written a sweet LGBTQ+ romance, with a cozy Irish setting, and dipped in so much mid-2000’s nostalgia that I could hardly put it down, and I read in just 2 sittings.
A.J. and Bren couldn’t have been more different from each other, but watching them fall in love was beautiful, and they make a truly adorable couple.
As the story takes place in 2006/2007, there is some period-typical homophobia from various characters (in words, attitudes and actions) but it was handled with exceptional care, and as a gay man who came of age during the time that this story is set, I really appreciated that the author didn’t gloss over how difficult it could be, especially in a school setting. It made me feel incredibly seen.
We’re not even a month into 2026, yet I can safely say that this will be one of my favourite books of the entire year!
“And Then He Pressed Play,” is scheduled for release on February 23, 2026, and if you’re a reader of LGBTQ+ romance, you definitely will want to pre-order this one as soon as possible!
Thank you to Robert J. Halliwell and BookFunnel for allowing me the honour of reading this one early!
A.J. and Bren couldn’t have been more different from each other, but watching them fall in love was beautiful, and they make a truly adorable couple.
As the story takes place in 2006/2007, there is some period-typical homophobia from various characters (in words, attitudes and actions) but it was handled with exceptional care, and as a gay man who came of age during the time that this story is set, I really appreciated that the author didn’t gloss over how difficult it could be, especially in a school setting. It made me feel incredibly seen.
We’re not even a month into 2026, yet I can safely say that this will be one of my favourite books of the entire year!
“And Then He Pressed Play,” is scheduled for release on February 23, 2026, and if you’re a reader of LGBTQ+ romance, you definitely will want to pre-order this one as soon as possible!
Thank you to Robert J. Halliwell and BookFunnel for allowing me the honour of reading this one early!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5
I could not but this book down. The vibes of this book were so cozy and heartfelt. The plot itself was very character driven but the story was extremely captivating and addictive. The growth and acceptance was very realistic and sweet. I was smiling almost the whole time.
The characters were all so well-written and easy to like. I loved AJ, he was portrayed so well. The growth and slow rise in self-confidence made this story feel realistic and very relatable. Then there is sweet, sweet Bren, who had my heart melting! He was so seet and so considerate and so incredibly lovable. AJ and Bren’s love story was so addictive and heart-warming. I loved everything about their relationship.
I also really liked the dynamics within their friend group. I loved how, after getting to know him, they just accepted AJ into their group and included him in their shenanigans. I like all of them, but my favourite is definitely Rory. I’ll admit, I am a sucker for a quiet, supportive friend with a savage side. Plus all his conversations with AJ were all very……heart-warming.
My only complaint: I want more. More of the friend group and, especially more of AJ and Bren!
I could not but this book down. The vibes of this book were so cozy and heartfelt. The plot itself was very character driven but the story was extremely captivating and addictive. The growth and acceptance was very realistic and sweet. I was smiling almost the whole time.
The characters were all so well-written and easy to like. I loved AJ, he was portrayed so well. The growth and slow rise in self-confidence made this story feel realistic and very relatable. Then there is sweet, sweet Bren, who had my heart melting! He was so seet and so considerate and so incredibly lovable. AJ and Bren’s love story was so addictive and heart-warming. I loved everything about their relationship.
I also really liked the dynamics within their friend group. I loved how, after getting to know him, they just accepted AJ into their group and included him in their shenanigans. I like all of them, but my favourite is definitely Rory. I’ll admit, I am a sucker for a quiet, supportive friend with a savage side. Plus all his conversations with AJ were all very……heart-warming.
My only complaint: I want more. More of the friend group and, especially more of AJ and Bren!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Every so often I pick up a book that makes me remember why I love reading. And Then He Pressed Play: Track One is one of those books.
An emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible, this novel follows A.J., a very relatable music lover, as he travels from Canada to Ireland for a foreign exchange program. He meets a colourful cast of characters, but most important is Bren. An outgoing Irish lad with a great sense of humour. We get to watch their friendship grow despite the looming threat of the end of the school term and A.J. needing to return to Canada.
This novel was such a fun journey between A.J. and Bren navigating a year of school, that deals with topics of loneliness and personal anxieties along the way. I really enjoyed reading this story and watching the character relationships change as they get to know each other better. School can be treacherous and we see some of that in this novel, but the characters always come out the other side.
I really enjoyed this novel and I'm already recommending it to my friends. It was the perfect length, and told a really great story.
An emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible, this novel follows A.J., a very relatable music lover, as he travels from Canada to Ireland for a foreign exchange program. He meets a colourful cast of characters, but most important is Bren. An outgoing Irish lad with a great sense of humour. We get to watch their friendship grow despite the looming threat of the end of the school term and A.J. needing to return to Canada.
This novel was such a fun journey between A.J. and Bren navigating a year of school, that deals with topics of loneliness and personal anxieties along the way. I really enjoyed reading this story and watching the character relationships change as they get to know each other better. School can be treacherous and we see some of that in this novel, but the characters always come out the other side.
I really enjoyed this novel and I'm already recommending it to my friends. It was the perfect length, and told a really great story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great read to kick off 2026! It was really cool to get access to an ARC copy to read before release. As a queer person from Ireland, this is my first time reading a novel about queer people set in Ireland, and that fact alone made this read really special for me.
As I read through the book I became completely enamoured with Bren and A.J.’s story. By the time I was reaching the ending I truly didn’t want it to end, I would love to read what happens next for them in a sequel!
The only aspect of the novel that didn’t quite work for me was the references to different things within Irish culture. Some of the inaccuracies took me out of the story a little bit, but that’s only because I’m Irish myself and can spot them! To an average reader this wouldn’t even register.
Despite those small inaccuracies, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this sweet love story, I really hope it gets a follow up in the future, I’d love to see where these characters go next…
Final rating: 4.5⭐️/5⭐️
As I read through the book I became completely enamoured with Bren and A.J.’s story. By the time I was reaching the ending I truly didn’t want it to end, I would love to read what happens next for them in a sequel!
The only aspect of the novel that didn’t quite work for me was the references to different things within Irish culture. Some of the inaccuracies took me out of the story a little bit, but that’s only because I’m Irish myself and can spot them! To an average reader this wouldn’t even register.
Despite those small inaccuracies, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this sweet love story, I really hope it gets a follow up in the future, I’d love to see where these characters go next…
Final rating: 4.5⭐️/5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
This book was incredibly cute, I read it in a weekend, and I couldn’t put it down!
I really enjoyed hearing from both A.J. and Bren’s perspectives as their relationship develops. They both approach each other and life very differently but are incredibly sweet.
Because this book is set in 2006, there is some period typical homophobia mentioned, and although the characters do face bigotry, it is dealt with in a way I felt was both realistic and not too triggering.
I also enjoyed the ways in which A.J.’s friendships with the other boys was described and how those relationships were developed.
My only gripe with And Then He Pressed Play was that I wish it was longer, I could have spent a lot more time with A.J. and Bren, and the ending felt a bit rushed.
I would recommend And Then He Pressed Play to anyone who wants a sweet LGBTQ+ romance that doesn’t shy away from the reality of being queer in the early 2000s.
This book was incredibly cute, I read it in a weekend, and I couldn’t put it down!
I really enjoyed hearing from both A.J. and Bren’s perspectives as their relationship develops. They both approach each other and life very differently but are incredibly sweet.
Because this book is set in 2006, there is some period typical homophobia mentioned, and although the characters do face bigotry, it is dealt with in a way I felt was both realistic and not too triggering.
I also enjoyed the ways in which A.J.’s friendships with the other boys was described and how those relationships were developed.
My only gripe with And Then He Pressed Play was that I wish it was longer, I could have spent a lot more time with A.J. and Bren, and the ending felt a bit rushed.
I would recommend And Then He Pressed Play to anyone who wants a sweet LGBTQ+ romance that doesn’t shy away from the reality of being queer in the early 2000s.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really liked the main characters, A.J. and Bren. Their dynamic was genuinely fun, and I enjoyed seeing them banter with each other. In the final third of the book, it sometimes became a little repetitive with A.J. apologising constantly and Bren repeatedly insisting he had nothing to apologise for, but I understand why these scenes were important to the story.
The friend group surrounding them was also really enjoyable. It was sweet to see A.J. becoming friends with them. I was a little disappointed that, after the first third of the book, they appeared less often, I would have loved more scenes of them just having fun together.
The adult characters were some of the best-written in the story, especially Niamh and Maura. Even with limited page time, Niamh still makes a strong impression and shows Bren that there are genuine allies.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t shy away from the homophobia queer teens experience, and how we aren’t always accepted in spaces where we have every right to be.
The friend group surrounding them was also really enjoyable. It was sweet to see A.J. becoming friends with them. I was a little disappointed that, after the first third of the book, they appeared less often, I would have loved more scenes of them just having fun together.
The adult characters were some of the best-written in the story, especially Niamh and Maura. Even with limited page time, Niamh still makes a strong impression and shows Bren that there are genuine allies.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t shy away from the homophobia queer teens experience, and how we aren’t always accepted in spaces where we have every right to be.
Review of advance copy
After just 5 chapters I'm hooked. I can't wait to see how this story unfolds and see Bren and A.J's relationship evolve.
So far the book seems strong and is shaping up to be a worthwhile read. It covers an often underrepresented experience, and as an Irish reader, I really appreciate how it goes beyond surface-level aspects of Irish culture. The book explores both Irish and Canadian perspectives, and I can already tell it's going to tackle important topics around class and socioeconomic struggles as well as the struggle queer people face in unwelcoming environments.
In the climate of today it's so important to keep telling queer stories, especially ones that we don't see in media often. This book will definitely have an impact on readers and I can't wait to read the whole thing and recommend it to everyone I know.
So far the book seems strong and is shaping up to be a worthwhile read. It covers an often underrepresented experience, and as an Irish reader, I really appreciate how it goes beyond surface-level aspects of Irish culture. The book explores both Irish and Canadian perspectives, and I can already tell it's going to tackle important topics around class and socioeconomic struggles as well as the struggle queer people face in unwelcoming environments.
In the climate of today it's so important to keep telling queer stories, especially ones that we don't see in media often. This book will definitely have an impact on readers and I can't wait to read the whole thing and recommend it to everyone I know.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book! I was introduced to the author thanks to a recommendation by Simon Doyle, whose books I enjoy a lot. I was delighted when Robert Halliwell sent me an ARC to read, and I was not disappointed. Our two protagonists, AJ from Canada and Bren from Ireland, were endearingly cute as they slowly accepted the fact that they really liked each other. I wish that the bully who beat up AJ had more of a comeuppance, but I guess you can’t have everything. It was nice that the boys had a full supporting cast of friends and in particular Bren’s mam; they provided both encouragement and emotional help to the two boys.
I will add the author’s other book, “The ties that bind” to my TBR list.
I will add the author’s other book, “The ties that bind” to my TBR list.
February 3, 2026
CW: this book contains depictions of hate crime violence
I’d like to rank the author and publisher for providing this ebook as an ARC.
I really enjoyed this book. It fits squarely in the YA genre with characters that act and speak appropriate for their age. The romance develops in a very cute way that feels realistic. I always appreciate when YA romance with characters that are ~16 don’t have a lot of the spice older characters have, while you can still recognize those events take place.
I appreciate that the events caused by the main antagonist are not described in a lot of detail, the crime is set up with a fade to black and recovery after the violence. I do wish there was more of a consequence for the villain on the legal front.
I’d like to rank the author and publisher for providing this ebook as an ARC.
I really enjoyed this book. It fits squarely in the YA genre with characters that act and speak appropriate for their age. The romance develops in a very cute way that feels realistic. I always appreciate when YA romance with characters that are ~16 don’t have a lot of the spice older characters have, while you can still recognize those events take place.
I appreciate that the events caused by the main antagonist are not described in a lot of detail, the crime is set up with a fade to black and recovery after the violence. I do wish there was more of a consequence for the villain on the legal front.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a cute, sweet book that was very firmly on the Y side of YA. (Though the homophobia/gay-bashing was on the harsh side for that audience, I'd think—but I could be wrong.) I wonder how well tweens/young teens will connect with a book that's "historical" from their perspective (flip phones and Discmans). Given how young the two MCs are, I wondered how the author was going to wrap up the story (a true HEA would seem pretty unlikely), and I thought that was handled well. There was a lot to like about this story, though I'm not sure I ever bought the chemistry between these two guys. Overall, perhaps not the book for me, but not one I struggled to finish, either. 3.75 stars, rounded up.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm far too attached to AJ and Bren, they're so sweet and I loved every minute of this book. I love all of the little details to life in Ireland and I just ate up every word I read because I just couldn't put it down. Every thought has been about these boys and how much I loved this book.
This book was filled with ups and downs that felt so real and raw. Truly, the whole way I loved both boys and I felt such a connection to the characters and I felt proud of their achievements and upset for their downfalls.
I will likely be thinking about this book for weeks to come. I know it's early but this will possibly be my favourite book of 2026, it's definitely leagues above the others that I read in 2025. Definitely worth your time and money, trust me, you won't regret this fantastic read.
This book was filled with ups and downs that felt so real and raw. Truly, the whole way I loved both boys and I felt such a connection to the characters and I felt proud of their achievements and upset for their downfalls.
I will likely be thinking about this book for weeks to come. I know it's early but this will possibly be my favourite book of 2026, it's definitely leagues above the others that I read in 2025. Definitely worth your time and money, trust me, you won't regret this fantastic read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The moment I started reading "And Then He Pressed Play," I couldn't stop. The way all of these normal, awkward teenage situations were written was refreshingly real and accurate. As I read and watched the relationship between AJ and Bren grow, I found myself subconsciously beaming more often than not. I was excited to see a good representation of high school queer romance, especially including a fellow Canadian. Halliwell includes the realistic struggles that come with being an openly queer couple in school, which adds to the authenticity of the book. I have grown to really love these boys, and I hope everyone else does too!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to be selected for ARC and I’m glad I got picked!
This was such a fun and captivating read for me as it took me 3 days to finish it. Bren and AJ are both so realistically portrayed along with their struggles of navigating their relationship in a rural town in Ireland. Their love is cozy, heartwarming and filled with the awkwardness of first love. I can’t wait to get my hand on a physical copy since I know their story is gonna stay rent free
This was such a fun and captivating read for me as it took me 3 days to finish it. Bren and AJ are both so realistically portrayed along with their struggles of navigating their relationship in a rural town in Ireland. Their love is cozy, heartwarming and filled with the awkwardness of first love. I can’t wait to get my hand on a physical copy since I know their story is gonna stay rent free
Review of advance copy received from Author
Then he pressed play was relatively good but it had a lot of spelling/grammar errors, which I hope we be fixed. I found a lot of the words to be complex which some people might like, I personally found it made it more difficult to understand. The plot is good and enjoyable, though the ending felt kinda rushed. I hope there is a continuation since the ending felt vague and without a clear path. I enjoyed reading especially during the bad week, I’ve been having but I don’t believe I would reread.
February 10, 2026
I received this book as an ARC in return for a review, so here goes nothing!
This was a cute, cozy, quick read. The characters felt very realistic and accurate for teens of that era (loved the instant message conversations on the family desktop!) My only complaint is that I wish we got to spend a bit more nice, easy time with AJ and Bren to combat the difficulties they faced. But overall I loved getting to experience their relationship develop, it was so genuine and sweet.
“He’s my lad” 🥺❤️
This was a cute, cozy, quick read. The characters felt very realistic and accurate for teens of that era (loved the instant message conversations on the family desktop!) My only complaint is that I wish we got to spend a bit more nice, easy time with AJ and Bren to combat the difficulties they faced. But overall I loved getting to experience their relationship develop, it was so genuine and sweet.
“He’s my lad” 🥺❤️
Review of advance copy
I finished this book in under 48 hours, it was so sweet and compelling I couldn't put it down. The two characters have a nice depth to them, and as teenagers are relatable and believable. The setting of the small town adds an interesting tension because of the time period (2006) and how news and gossip travel. I also appreciate the realistic ending combined with such a cute. fluffy love story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love a wholesome found family queer romance, this book is for you
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
gorgeously unique romcom with some great vibes and intriguing plotting. it worked really well. would definitely recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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