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From Square One
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26Falling in love with your enemy? Impossible. Falling in love with him twice? -- A.M. Woody again doubles down on the rom-com genre with their signature wit, humor, and poignancy.
After an accident leaves Riley Wilson with amnesia to deal with on top of his chronic pain, he can recall everything except the crash that landed him in the hospital, the last year of his life, and having a boyfriend. Who happens to be his older brother’s best friend. And the guy he resents more than anyone . . .
Learning this information sends Riley spiraling. In what world, then, could someone as sensible and meticulous as Riley have ever willingly agree to go out with Aaron—an arrogant prick who screwed up his brother’s life?
Riley would love nothing more than to use his amnesia as an excuse to start fresh and snip Aaron out of his life. But with his family being cagey about the past, and his memories far out of reach, he realizes that this troublemaker is the only person willing to help him remember the last year. And teaming up with him despite his brother’s protests may be the only path to finding the missing memories—even if it means starting from square one and reenacting every date, every kiss, every “first” they’ve ever had in the hopes of rediscovering them.
All Riley has to do is not make the same mistake by falling in love twice.
After an accident leaves Riley Wilson with amnesia to deal with on top of his chronic pain, he can recall everything except the crash that landed him in the hospital, the last year of his life, and having a boyfriend. Who happens to be his older brother’s best friend. And the guy he resents more than anyone . . .
Learning this information sends Riley spiraling. In what world, then, could someone as sensible and meticulous as Riley have ever willingly agree to go out with Aaron—an arrogant prick who screwed up his brother’s life?
Riley would love nothing more than to use his amnesia as an excuse to start fresh and snip Aaron out of his life. But with his family being cagey about the past, and his memories far out of reach, he realizes that this troublemaker is the only person willing to help him remember the last year. And teaming up with him despite his brother’s protests may be the only path to finding the missing memories—even if it means starting from square one and reenacting every date, every kiss, every “first” they’ve ever had in the hopes of rediscovering them.
All Riley has to do is not make the same mistake by falling in love twice.
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
A.M. Woody
4 books196 followersA. M. Woody is a queer nonbinary author based in metro-Detroit and represented by New Leaf Literary. Some of their book weaknesses include:
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 11, 2026
I’m a huge A.M. Woody fan and I’d read anything they’d write. So when I found the ARC in my email, I was ecstatic and immediately started reading. I adored the first chapter. But something started nagging in my mind too, because Aaron was lovebombing Riley so much and I wasn’t sure if I found it creepy or loved it.
He tells me he loves me repeatedly, he just bought me everything I wanted at the carnival, he’s interrupted my schedule to spend time with me, and he’s been trying to convince me to distance myself from my family. On paper they’re red flags. And I’m a perfect prey for that behavior because I’m an awkward people-pleaser with low self-esteem.
Still, I read on and on because I trust A.M. Woody, and I got more and more invested in Riley’s and Adam’s story. Aaron was so incredibly sweet to Riley that my heart melted. The way he fought to get Riley back, awe… that’s something special.
And a shoutout to his dads, because they were something else too, even though they only made a small appearance in the story.
I really shouldn’t have doubted at the start of this story. In the end, I loved it so much. And I even liked the messy third-act breakup (this is coming from a third-act breakup hater). I think it was needed and shows how people can make bad decisions and still change later in life.
So, if you love to read a softer story with hurt underneath, then pick up From Square One. It won’t disappoint you. I promise!
Thank you so much, A.M. Woody, for this beautiful ARC!
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He tells me he loves me repeatedly, he just bought me everything I wanted at the carnival, he’s interrupted my schedule to spend time with me, and he’s been trying to convince me to distance myself from my family. On paper they’re red flags. And I’m a perfect prey for that behavior because I’m an awkward people-pleaser with low self-esteem.
Still, I read on and on because I trust A.M. Woody, and I got more and more invested in Riley’s and Adam’s story. Aaron was so incredibly sweet to Riley that my heart melted. The way he fought to get Riley back, awe… that’s something special.
And a shoutout to his dads, because they were something else too, even though they only made a small appearance in the story.
I really shouldn’t have doubted at the start of this story. In the end, I loved it so much. And I even liked the messy third-act breakup (this is coming from a third-act breakup hater). I think it was needed and shows how people can make bad decisions and still change later in life.
So, if you love to read a softer story with hurt underneath, then pick up From Square One. It won’t disappoint you. I promise!
Thank you so much, A.M. Woody, for this beautiful ARC!
Follow me on Instagram
May 19, 2026
Another beautifully written YA with heart and pain and complex, hurting characters, who’ll take up permanent space in your heart 🥹
Imagine waking up in the hospital, thinking you had a simple fainting spell - only to then find out you’re missing the last 15 months of your life. 15 months during which you apparently changed your whole life’s plan and also started dating your brother’s best friend, whom you hated. But not only that. You find out that in the meantime your brother and his best friend had a major falling out. And that your brother, who you love and trust, tells you that your boyfriend is a manipulative, dangerous asshole and that you shouldn’t trust him. At all.
What do you do? Do you trust your brother and your parents who act like they’re hiding something? Or your past self? Or the guy with the beautiful face and the emotion shining out of his eyes whenever he looks at you? The guy who calls you sunshine and tells you he loves you like he means it?
Aaron, oh Aaron, you cocky but ultimately charming boy that you are. You put me and my poor emotions through the wringer.
Aaron is the ex best friend and boyfriend and he was a difficult character to grasp and like at first, ngl. He’s kinda reckless, cocky, pushes boundaries, doesn’t take no for an answer and oh boy, that grated on me.
But then he’s also so gentle, so full of obvious love and a deep understanding of who Riley is, ready to do whatever it takes, ready to be whatever Riley needs him to be. One second he made me seriously uncomfortable, the next I wanted to fall to my knees and praise him for being the way he was.
Riley has celiac disease and with that comes a whole lot of anxiety. He’s also, for that reason, lonely and so petrified of being a nuisance, of taking up space, of needing this extra bit of special treatment. Convinced he’s ’too much effort‘, he ends up isolating, constantly feeling guilty for his needs, over-apologising for simply.. existing. And to compensate for feeling like a burden he tries being ‘useful’, overexerting himself, looking out for everyone else while being overlooked himself.
So yeah, Riley is just not used to ever being put first and that is absolutely heartbreaking to read.
So when Aaron does exactly that? And shows him he’s worth the effort, the attention, the small sacrifices and being a priority? That he is worth to be known and wanted and loved deeply, worth to be chosen over and over again?
Man, that was powerful to read.
There was so much gentleness, intuition, understanding and affection between the two, alongside all the hurt and I loved reading their relationship arc so much.
All that said, I think this is also the kind of story where you have to go with the flow a little. Aaron’s behaviour in the beginning could be frustrating at times, and while the whole memory-loss storyline definitely made for an interesting and emotional plot, some aspects didn’t always feel fully convincing to me personally. Things like recreating all the dates instead of simply sitting down and talking things through occasionally required a bit of suspension of disbelief on my part — same with the fact that Riley seemed to experience so few other TBI symptoms.
The characters also came across a little younger at times, especially Riley, so I occasionally had to remind myself that he was actually 18 already.
All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed having my emotions put through the wringer. Because I really felt it all: rage, hopelessness but also so much love and warmth.
Also: the way I SQUEALED at the THEO reference 😭
In true AM Woody fashion, there are so many great quotes I simply cannot decide between, so here are a few of my favs 🥹🥹
Thank you to the wonderful AM Woody for sending me an early copy of this book. Please be aware that there might be some changes made until release day!
Imagine waking up in the hospital, thinking you had a simple fainting spell - only to then find out you’re missing the last 15 months of your life. 15 months during which you apparently changed your whole life’s plan and also started dating your brother’s best friend, whom you hated. But not only that. You find out that in the meantime your brother and his best friend had a major falling out. And that your brother, who you love and trust, tells you that your boyfriend is a manipulative, dangerous asshole and that you shouldn’t trust him. At all.
What do you do? Do you trust your brother and your parents who act like they’re hiding something? Or your past self? Or the guy with the beautiful face and the emotion shining out of his eyes whenever he looks at you? The guy who calls you sunshine and tells you he loves you like he means it?
Aaron, oh Aaron, you cocky but ultimately charming boy that you are. You put me and my poor emotions through the wringer.
Aaron is the ex best friend and boyfriend and he was a difficult character to grasp and like at first, ngl. He’s kinda reckless, cocky, pushes boundaries, doesn’t take no for an answer and oh boy, that grated on me.
But then he’s also so gentle, so full of obvious love and a deep understanding of who Riley is, ready to do whatever it takes, ready to be whatever Riley needs him to be. One second he made me seriously uncomfortable, the next I wanted to fall to my knees and praise him for being the way he was.
Riley has celiac disease and with that comes a whole lot of anxiety. He’s also, for that reason, lonely and so petrified of being a nuisance, of taking up space, of needing this extra bit of special treatment. Convinced he’s ’too much effort‘, he ends up isolating, constantly feeling guilty for his needs, over-apologising for simply.. existing. And to compensate for feeling like a burden he tries being ‘useful’, overexerting himself, looking out for everyone else while being overlooked himself.
So yeah, Riley is just not used to ever being put first and that is absolutely heartbreaking to read.
So when Aaron does exactly that? And shows him he’s worth the effort, the attention, the small sacrifices and being a priority? That he is worth to be known and wanted and loved deeply, worth to be chosen over and over again?
Man, that was powerful to read.
There was so much gentleness, intuition, understanding and affection between the two, alongside all the hurt and I loved reading their relationship arc so much.
All that said, I think this is also the kind of story where you have to go with the flow a little. Aaron’s behaviour in the beginning could be frustrating at times, and while the whole memory-loss storyline definitely made for an interesting and emotional plot, some aspects didn’t always feel fully convincing to me personally. Things like recreating all the dates instead of simply sitting down and talking things through occasionally required a bit of suspension of disbelief on my part — same with the fact that Riley seemed to experience so few other TBI symptoms.
The characters also came across a little younger at times, especially Riley, so I occasionally had to remind myself that he was actually 18 already.
All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed having my emotions put through the wringer. Because I really felt it all: rage, hopelessness but also so much love and warmth.
Also: the way I SQUEALED at the THEO reference 😭
In true AM Woody fashion, there are so many great quotes I simply cannot decide between, so here are a few of my favs 🥹🥹
„I hate you,“ I snap.
Aaron’s mischievous smile fractures, and his pale eyes flood with sudden, unexpected grief that hitches the breath in my lungs. „I… I understand,“ he whispers. „That’s okay. I have enough love to carry both of us.“ 😮💨
“I’m too much effort,” I say, and the frailty in my voice brings salty tears to my eyes. “There are so many people who don’t have inconvenient conditions… people who have energy and exciting personalities and unbroken bodies…”
“Riley.” His word comes with quiet breathiness, like he didn’t mean to voice it. “You have no idea how effortless it is to love you.” 🥺
“You don’t have to pretend,” he whispers. “Not around me.”
“I’m not going to cry,” I snap.
He smiles with a kindness I’ve never seen and strokes a tear streak from my temple.
“I don’t need to cry, so I won’t.”
He massages away another one.
“Crying doesn’t help anything, so I…”
Both of his thumbs are working my cheekbones now, smoothing the wetness away.
Suddenly, I’m bursting into sobs. 💔
„Well… thanks for going through the trouble,“ I murmur.
„It’s not trouble. Not for you.“ 😭
Thank you to the wonderful AM Woody for sending me an early copy of this book. Please be aware that there might be some changes made until release day!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
a.m. woody does it again! they continue to be an auto buy author for me, not to mention a “binge in one sitting” author
as is to be expected with a.m. woody’s books, this story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. i particularly loved the chronic illness rep and the characterization of complicated family relationships. riley’s family members aren’t cartoon villains, but their selfishness hurts him, physically and mentally. aaron’s home life is safe and loving, but his relationship with his estranged mother isn’t. together, our two main characters complement each other, and their relationship feels equitable even with a big medical wedge between them. the book also accomplishes one of my favorite feats: a single-POV romance with a love interest who is nevertheless three-dimensional
so very glad to have received an arc for this one—thank you, penguin teen! i look forward to rereading it upon release
as is to be expected with a.m. woody’s books, this story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. i particularly loved the chronic illness rep and the characterization of complicated family relationships. riley’s family members aren’t cartoon villains, but their selfishness hurts him, physically and mentally. aaron’s home life is safe and loving, but his relationship with his estranged mother isn’t. together, our two main characters complement each other, and their relationship feels equitable even with a big medical wedge between them. the book also accomplishes one of my favorite feats: a single-POV romance with a love interest who is nevertheless three-dimensional
so very glad to have received an arc for this one—thank you, penguin teen! i look forward to rereading it upon release
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
full review to come but this is likely my top read of 2026. chronic illness rep: celiac & anemia. the rep is absolutely fantastic and i will be thinking about it forever.
remind-me-once-out
April 8, 2026I'm fine, it's fine, I don't have an arc, but I will cope...
May 14, 2026
4.5⭐️ binge read this today, it wasn’t the plan for the day but it somehow ended up that way and i’m not mad about it one bit. i was giggling screaming kicking my feet and also feeling so sad at some points… love love love the characters and the story (and the cameo from THEO)! also loveeeee the celiac and anemic representation!!!
May 31, 2026
Waking up in the hospital after an accident and finding out that he's lost a over a years worth of memories, Riley also finds out that he's apparently been dating his older brother's ex best friend and a guy he's always hated, Aaron. Desperate to get his memories back, he and Aaron make a pact to recreate their dates to try and jumpstart Riley's memories.
I really appreciated the different type of main character that Riley was. Not only dealing with multiple chronic health issues but also mental illness, it was nice to see a different kind of main love interest represented.
Now Aaron, he comes on awful strong at the beginning of this story. But as I love AM Woody's writing I know to trust story and everything truly unfolded slowly and made sense. Truly a loverboy at heart, if you're put off by him at first please give him a chance! He has so much love to give and deserves good things.
Riley's family is a differently story. I don't want to spoil too much of the story, but Riley learns to not only take up space and to not feel like a burden but to know that he deserves loves too.
Watching these two fall in love (the second time for them), to stand up for themselves and be completely honest with each other? Well, I was crying at one point near the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the two complicated main characters and messy feelings. This was a lovely story.
Thank you AM Wood and Viking Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really appreciated the different type of main character that Riley was. Not only dealing with multiple chronic health issues but also mental illness, it was nice to see a different kind of main love interest represented.
Now Aaron, he comes on awful strong at the beginning of this story. But as I love AM Woody's writing I know to trust story and everything truly unfolded slowly and made sense. Truly a loverboy at heart, if you're put off by him at first please give him a chance! He has so much love to give and deserves good things.
Riley's family is a differently story. I don't want to spoil too much of the story, but Riley learns to not only take up space and to not feel like a burden but to know that he deserves loves too.
Watching these two fall in love (the second time for them), to stand up for themselves and be completely honest with each other? Well, I was crying at one point near the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the two complicated main characters and messy feelings. This was a lovely story.
Thank you AM Wood and Viking Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from the author
A. M. Woody has become one of my favorite authors and I’m so grateful that I got to read this one before its release.
As always with A. M.’s books, this one was sweet, funny and devastating. It surprisingly was also healing to me to witness a character as Riley, who suffers from chronic illness, and who learns to love and value himself. It made me feel seen and represented and I adored Riley’s personal storyline. When it comes to the romance, I’m a big fan of A.M’s way of writing dialogues and I just loved seeing Aaron and Riley fall in love (again). The only thing I regret is that the book wasn’t longer, I needed so much more of these two.
I think it’s pretty clear to me now that I would read A. M. Woody’s grocery shopping list at this point!
A. M. Woody has become one of my favorite authors and I’m so grateful that I got to read this one before its release.
As always with A. M.’s books, this one was sweet, funny and devastating. It surprisingly was also healing to me to witness a character as Riley, who suffers from chronic illness, and who learns to love and value himself. It made me feel seen and represented and I adored Riley’s personal storyline. When it comes to the romance, I’m a big fan of A.M’s way of writing dialogues and I just loved seeing Aaron and Riley fall in love (again). The only thing I regret is that the book wasn’t longer, I needed so much more of these two.
I think it’s pretty clear to me now that I would read A. M. Woody’s grocery shopping list at this point!
June 17, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random house for the ARC of this book. From Square One, summed up in one sentence: What if we have enemies-to-lovers, but skip the enemies part? Riley wakes up from an accident with amnesia and can’t remember the last 15 months of his life. As if that in and of itself wasn’t terrifying- to add salt to the wound, he finds out he’s spent most of that time dating the guy who ruined his brother’s life.
This is not an expression I use frequently, but From Square One had me kicking my feet, screaming. As Aaron helps Riley regain his memories, we are given deeper insight into Riley’s family dynamic and struggles with being a people pleaser (which felt a little too relatable to me). I found myself genuinely laughing when he and Aaron would tease each other or Riley would get mad at himself for not finding Aaron totally repulsive. This is a story of queer joy and queer love. Of living life. Of being terrified to take a chance but doing it anyway. Highly recommend!
This is not an expression I use frequently, but From Square One had me kicking my feet, screaming. As Aaron helps Riley regain his memories, we are given deeper insight into Riley’s family dynamic and struggles with being a people pleaser (which felt a little too relatable to me). I found myself genuinely laughing when he and Aaron would tease each other or Riley would get mad at himself for not finding Aaron totally repulsive. This is a story of queer joy and queer love. Of living life. Of being terrified to take a chance but doing it anyway. Highly recommend!
May 17, 2026
Another amazing ARC gifted by the one and only Amanda.
Much like with MVP, this book dropped into my hands at the right time. I rarely read YA anymore, but AM’s books will always always be a welcome exception.
FSO was a book I wqs scared to read when I first saw the synopsis. I usually avoid amnesia-related storylines like the plague because they make me way too sad and anxious, even when I know there is a happy ending. In this case, I decided to make an exception and I am SO glad I did.
Just thinking about how Aaron must have been hurting had me shedding tears pretty much every other chapter, but the way he and Riley learn to heal, to take care of each other, to be honest and stand up for what they deserve. Its all so satisfying and heartwarming. Excellent discussions of chronic illness and of the right (and wrong) ways to care for someone with a chronic illness, or boundaries, of forgiveness all round a beautiful story.
Much like with MVP, this book dropped into my hands at the right time. I rarely read YA anymore, but AM’s books will always always be a welcome exception.
FSO was a book I wqs scared to read when I first saw the synopsis. I usually avoid amnesia-related storylines like the plague because they make me way too sad and anxious, even when I know there is a happy ending. In this case, I decided to make an exception and I am SO glad I did.
Just thinking about how Aaron must have been hurting had me shedding tears pretty much every other chapter, but the way he and Riley learn to heal, to take care of each other, to be honest and stand up for what they deserve. Its all so satisfying and heartwarming. Excellent discussions of chronic illness and of the right (and wrong) ways to care for someone with a chronic illness, or boundaries, of forgiveness all round a beautiful story.
June 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Woody can do little wrong in terms of writing a book with characters I get to obsess over as I am reading their books. Something about their writing just hooks me immediately. I eat up everything they write, I truly mean I need them to write so many more books, because they are so enjoyable.
This one didn’t have as much emotional turmoil or heavy topics as the previous book did, but it still had so much angst my heart was aching at so many points. I stayed up until 2am reading one night because I just couldn’t put it down!
I love the premise of this book. Losing your memories to discover you are dating the guy you thought you hated: A+ trope!
This worked for me so well in the beginning. I loved seeing the dynamic of their relationship. You could tell how much Aaron loved Riley, and it hurt me so badly when I was reading Riley push him away. I understood because he didn’t know any better, but I still could feel exactly how Aaron was feeling!
As things progressed, I started to lose my interest slightly. I was still invested in their relationship and loved them together, but it got a little repetitive. They were in different spots or doing different things, but it was Aaron riling Riley up, Riley acting like he didn’t want it but eventually succumbing, over and over again. I have a slight issue too, which this is a personal problem, but once the couple really starts to get together, I start to lose interest because the drama of them getting together is so much more interesting to me. They didn’t truly get together until toward the last couple of pages, but still I could tell things were more romantic than angsty, which the angst is what drew me into the book so much previously.
Another thing I had a slight issue with, and this is a little bit of a spoiler, but Aaron rubbed me the wrong way sometimes. Don’t get me wrong I loved how much he cared for Riley and he was very charming, but it was a little aggressive sometimes how much he pushed Riley’s boundaries. I don’t want people thinking that he was forcing himself on him, because there were times when Riley gave a distinct no, and Aaron realized he was serious and backed off, but there were so many times Riley didn’t want him flirting with him, or holding his hand and what not, and Aaron just did it anyway. In Riley’s mind he didn’t actually want him to stop, but still. I know Aaron and Riley were dating, so to Aaron, everything he was doing was okay because Riley was okay with it before, but right now Riley doesn’t have his memories, so if he doesn’t want Aaron to do certain things, Aaron should respect that. I didn’t mind so much that Aaron kept going to his house or going where Riley was, but the slight pushing of physical boundaries didn’t sit well with me sometimes. Aaron never pushed Riley further than he wanted to go, but I still wish there was less of that. It would have been better for Aaron to charm him with being a good person and being flirty than being physical. I know it was mentioned a lot that Aaron didn’t use to be a good person, but that still doesn’t excuse it.
Maybe some things will be changed when the final copy comes out, so it is not as intense.
The plotline with Riley’s family was slightly over the top for me, but I am sure things like that do happen in real life. Flaky parents mixed with a complex of feeling like you’re a burden can get you into that spot! I just can’t imagine they would see a son in so much pain and completely ignore it. ESPECIALLY after an accident. I know they were used to Riley taking care of them, but there is no way, no matter how flaky you are, that you would make your son do everything after just being in a car accident and almost dying. Though who knows, maybe I am just being too optimistic and that does happen more than people would think. Logan I didn’t forgive, but he was just a kid, so you can’t put too much blame on him, at least in the way of making Riley take care of the family. I do place blame on everything else he did. He was a terrible brother for all lot of the book. I am glad Riley wasn’t as easily forgiving of him.
The reason for the accident was kind of predictable, but not in a bad way. I just kind of figured what secrets they were keeping.
It was cool to have celiac disease represented in this book. I know someone whose husband has it, and she has started to eat gluten free in solidarity with him as well. So to see the dynamic of a partnership that reflects that was really neat. I am sure people with celiac disease appreciate it too!
I loved the cameo of characters from Woody’s other book! That was a fun surprise!
Overall this was such a great book! It made me feel a lot of emotions and as I said before I love Woody’s writing so much. It is an easy read to pick up and get sucked into a romance.
Woody can do little wrong in terms of writing a book with characters I get to obsess over as I am reading their books. Something about their writing just hooks me immediately. I eat up everything they write, I truly mean I need them to write so many more books, because they are so enjoyable.
This one didn’t have as much emotional turmoil or heavy topics as the previous book did, but it still had so much angst my heart was aching at so many points. I stayed up until 2am reading one night because I just couldn’t put it down!
I love the premise of this book. Losing your memories to discover you are dating the guy you thought you hated: A+ trope!
This worked for me so well in the beginning. I loved seeing the dynamic of their relationship. You could tell how much Aaron loved Riley, and it hurt me so badly when I was reading Riley push him away. I understood because he didn’t know any better, but I still could feel exactly how Aaron was feeling!
As things progressed, I started to lose my interest slightly. I was still invested in their relationship and loved them together, but it got a little repetitive. They were in different spots or doing different things, but it was Aaron riling Riley up, Riley acting like he didn’t want it but eventually succumbing, over and over again. I have a slight issue too, which this is a personal problem, but once the couple really starts to get together, I start to lose interest because the drama of them getting together is so much more interesting to me. They didn’t truly get together until toward the last couple of pages, but still I could tell things were more romantic than angsty, which the angst is what drew me into the book so much previously.
Another thing I had a slight issue with, and this is a little bit of a spoiler, but Aaron rubbed me the wrong way sometimes. Don’t get me wrong I loved how much he cared for Riley and he was very charming, but it was a little aggressive sometimes how much he pushed Riley’s boundaries. I don’t want people thinking that he was forcing himself on him, because there were times when Riley gave a distinct no, and Aaron realized he was serious and backed off, but there were so many times Riley didn’t want him flirting with him, or holding his hand and what not, and Aaron just did it anyway. In Riley’s mind he didn’t actually want him to stop, but still. I know Aaron and Riley were dating, so to Aaron, everything he was doing was okay because Riley was okay with it before, but right now Riley doesn’t have his memories, so if he doesn’t want Aaron to do certain things, Aaron should respect that. I didn’t mind so much that Aaron kept going to his house or going where Riley was, but the slight pushing of physical boundaries didn’t sit well with me sometimes. Aaron never pushed Riley further than he wanted to go, but I still wish there was less of that. It would have been better for Aaron to charm him with being a good person and being flirty than being physical. I know it was mentioned a lot that Aaron didn’t use to be a good person, but that still doesn’t excuse it.
Maybe some things will be changed when the final copy comes out, so it is not as intense.
The plotline with Riley’s family was slightly over the top for me, but I am sure things like that do happen in real life. Flaky parents mixed with a complex of feeling like you’re a burden can get you into that spot! I just can’t imagine they would see a son in so much pain and completely ignore it. ESPECIALLY after an accident. I know they were used to Riley taking care of them, but there is no way, no matter how flaky you are, that you would make your son do everything after just being in a car accident and almost dying. Though who knows, maybe I am just being too optimistic and that does happen more than people would think. Logan I didn’t forgive, but he was just a kid, so you can’t put too much blame on him, at least in the way of making Riley take care of the family. I do place blame on everything else he did. He was a terrible brother for all lot of the book. I am glad Riley wasn’t as easily forgiving of him.
The reason for the accident was kind of predictable, but not in a bad way. I just kind of figured what secrets they were keeping.
It was cool to have celiac disease represented in this book. I know someone whose husband has it, and she has started to eat gluten free in solidarity with him as well. So to see the dynamic of a partnership that reflects that was really neat. I am sure people with celiac disease appreciate it too!
I loved the cameo of characters from Woody’s other book! That was a fun surprise!
Overall this was such a great book! It made me feel a lot of emotions and as I said before I love Woody’s writing so much. It is an easy read to pick up and get sucked into a romance.
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026Dnf @ 16%
After adoring They Hate Each Other and Most Valuable Player by this author I was so excited to read From Square One especially since it has one of my favorite tropes, the amnesia trope. However, I really wasn’t gelling with the overall execution. Was I the person with amnesia because the substance of the first few chapters felt like reading one of these sentences every five lines:
“I can’t eat gluten”
“My brother lost his scholarship”
“Aaron was a bad influence on my brother”
“I loathe Aaron”
So yeah that got old pretty quick.
Now I can’t fully judge what ends up happening and developing with the characters but I felt like the whole amnesia trope didn’t deliver the angst that usually coincides with it. In my eyes Aaron seemed to underreact to the whole fact that Riley had no recollection of them dating and the entire last year of his life. Dude was way too nonchalant and borderline corny, maybe it ends up hitting harder later into the book. I don't know, the dynamic just felt so off.
I’m still kind of curious how everything ends up with Riley’s brother so I’ll probably look up spoilery reviews once the book is out.
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House and Viking Books for Young Readers for providing me with this eARC.
After adoring They Hate Each Other and Most Valuable Player by this author I was so excited to read From Square One especially since it has one of my favorite tropes, the amnesia trope. However, I really wasn’t gelling with the overall execution. Was I the person with amnesia because the substance of the first few chapters felt like reading one of these sentences every five lines:
“I can’t eat gluten”
“My brother lost his scholarship”
“Aaron was a bad influence on my brother”
“I loathe Aaron”
So yeah that got old pretty quick.
Now I can’t fully judge what ends up happening and developing with the characters but I felt like the whole amnesia trope didn’t deliver the angst that usually coincides with it. In my eyes Aaron seemed to underreact to the whole fact that Riley had no recollection of them dating and the entire last year of his life. Dude was way too nonchalant and borderline corny, maybe it ends up hitting harder later into the book. I don't know, the dynamic just felt so off.
I’m still kind of curious how everything ends up with Riley’s brother so I’ll probably look up spoilery reviews once the book is out.
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House and Viking Books for Young Readers for providing me with this eARC.
Want to Read
June 4, 2026edit: WOODY SENT ME THE ARC!!!
the arcs have begun going out omg, fingers crossed I get one😭😭
the arcs have begun going out omg, fingers crossed I get one😭😭
July 5, 2026
*I was thrilled to get an ARC from the author, thank you so much!*
My love for A. M. Woody’s books is no secret—I think it’s some of the best of YA and they’re an always-read for me. With that in mind, here’s my review of From Square One!!
All the elements that make me love Woody’s books were here: psychological grounding as momentum for character dynamics, an offbeat but profound and very real ending, in-depth compassionate exploration of complex themes with no punches pulled, and charismatic loveable disaster characters. Woody is consistent in their commitment to Going There. In this book’s case, they explore the amnesia trope (which I’m never typically fond of) with the heart and depth that characterises their stories. They also explore the started-dating-based-on-a-lie trope in very possibly the most thorough and realistic way I’ve ever seen. Most importantly (imo), this story’s POV character suffers from chronic pain and celiacs/anemia. I have anemia and my partner has chronic pain, and I thought this portrayal was excellent and thoughtful. It’s hard to overestimate the impact that having someone in your life that Gets It can have. The MC’s sense of owing people for his disability felt so deeply real—it really is this strange mix of dramatic and matter-of-fact.
These characters were completely unforgettable. To those who get it: the love interest is profoundly Hua Cheng coded, which is extremely hard to do in a way that feels genuine and yet they knocked it out of the park. I loved these two. I believed in these two. This story has left an indelible mark on me and will be joining my other A. M. Woodys on my comfort rereads shelf.
My love for A. M. Woody’s books is no secret—I think it’s some of the best of YA and they’re an always-read for me. With that in mind, here’s my review of From Square One!!
All the elements that make me love Woody’s books were here: psychological grounding as momentum for character dynamics, an offbeat but profound and very real ending, in-depth compassionate exploration of complex themes with no punches pulled, and charismatic loveable disaster characters. Woody is consistent in their commitment to Going There. In this book’s case, they explore the amnesia trope (which I’m never typically fond of) with the heart and depth that characterises their stories. They also explore the started-dating-based-on-a-lie trope in very possibly the most thorough and realistic way I’ve ever seen. Most importantly (imo), this story’s POV character suffers from chronic pain and celiacs/anemia. I have anemia and my partner has chronic pain, and I thought this portrayal was excellent and thoughtful. It’s hard to overestimate the impact that having someone in your life that Gets It can have. The MC’s sense of owing people for his disability felt so deeply real—it really is this strange mix of dramatic and matter-of-fact.
These characters were completely unforgettable. To those who get it: the love interest is profoundly Hua Cheng coded, which is extremely hard to do in a way that feels genuine and yet they knocked it out of the park. I loved these two. I believed in these two. This story has left an indelible mark on me and will be joining my other A. M. Woodys on my comfort rereads shelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2026
I've never seen a book write so many ways one character could love another. It's such a raw and tangible thing to see, and I kept needing to take a break because I was so overwhelmed by how touched I was.
I was thrilled with how the book executed everything that was promised in the blurb. Watching the hurt and comfort that came with trying to get your partner to fall back in love with you after an accident was a rollercoaster that kept me turning the pages for more.
Riley being chronically ill and Aaron being so considerate of it made the romance for me, and I loved their dynamic so much. Push and pull being the motif of their relationship made my heart so full. The way they challenged each other and still pulled back to check on one another was incredibly sweet. I felt so giddy reading the book, I wanted to scream!!
To pull off angst in the beginning is so monumental when it rides on emotional investment of the characters for it to start pulling at your heart strings and yet 10% of the way in, I was already hurting. I am not a romance genre reader by any means, even less a contemporary romance one, so I'm holding this book dear to my heart and waiting for when it publishes to keep it on my shelf as a recurrent comfort read.
I was thrilled with how the book executed everything that was promised in the blurb. Watching the hurt and comfort that came with trying to get your partner to fall back in love with you after an accident was a rollercoaster that kept me turning the pages for more.
Riley being chronically ill and Aaron being so considerate of it made the romance for me, and I loved their dynamic so much. Push and pull being the motif of their relationship made my heart so full. The way they challenged each other and still pulled back to check on one another was incredibly sweet. I felt so giddy reading the book, I wanted to scream!!
To pull off angst in the beginning is so monumental when it rides on emotional investment of the characters for it to start pulling at your heart strings and yet 10% of the way in, I was already hurting. I am not a romance genre reader by any means, even less a contemporary romance one, so I'm holding this book dear to my heart and waiting for when it publishes to keep it on my shelf as a recurrent comfort read.
August 14, 2026
thank you to the author for this ARC!!!
'From Square One' really is theee definition of 'hurt x comfort' in the most wholesome and healing way possible!! ✨
This is such a sweet and comforting, soft romance about falling in love all over again and about allowing yourself to be loved and cared for.
I absolutlely loved seeing Aaron and Riley's romance unfold on page and the gentle ways they take care of each other. They're both the most lovable and squishiest tinies ever and I love them sm!!!!! A.M. Woody truly never fails to write the most wonderful, squeakiest little characters!! 😭
I really appreciated how this book balances the romance between the two MC's and the themes of chronic illness and complicated family dynamics that make up a significant part of both characters' lives.
There were not only many effortlessly funny and endearing scenes that had me constantly giggling and tabbing every single page, but also lots of emotional and heartfelt moments that made me feel so much for these characters.
'From Square One' really is theee definition of 'hurt x comfort' in the most wholesome and healing way possible!! ✨
This is such a sweet and comforting, soft romance about falling in love all over again and about allowing yourself to be loved and cared for.
I absolutlely loved seeing Aaron and Riley's romance unfold on page and the gentle ways they take care of each other. They're both the most lovable and squishiest tinies ever and I love them sm!!!!! A.M. Woody truly never fails to write the most wonderful, squeakiest little characters!! 😭
I really appreciated how this book balances the romance between the two MC's and the themes of chronic illness and complicated family dynamics that make up a significant part of both characters' lives.
There were not only many effortlessly funny and endearing scenes that had me constantly giggling and tabbing every single page, but also lots of emotional and heartfelt moments that made me feel so much for these characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✎✧˚ Thank you to the author, A.M. Woody, and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
From Square One was my introduction to A.M. Woody's writing, and I couldn't have asked for a better first experience. I went into this story intrigued by the premise, but I never expected to become so emotionally invested in Riley and Aaron’s journey.
After a devastating accident leaves Riley with amnesia, he remembers everything about his life – except the last year, the accident itself, and, most shockingly, the fact that he has a boyfriend. Not just any boyfriend, but Aaron, his older brother’s former best friend and someone Riley has spent years resenting. Convinced that his past self must have made a mistake, Riley wants nothing more than to leave Aaron behind. But when Aaron becomes the only person willing to help him recover his missing memories, they begin recreating the milestones of their relationship, giving Riley, and the readers, the chance to experience their love story all over again.
The amnesia trope is actually one of my favorites, so I was especially excited to pick this one up, and A.M. Woody delivered everything I could have hoped for. The memory loss never felt like a gimmick or unnecessary drama. Instead, it became the perfect way to explore trust, healing, and the idea that genuine love can find its way back, even after everything has been forgotten. Watching Riley slowly rediscover who Aaron really is was incredibly rewarding, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was Riley himself. I felt a special connection to him, especially through his experiences with chronic pain. His struggles, frustrations, and determination felt authentic and were portrayed with so much care and compassion. He wasn't defined solely by his health challenges, but they remained an important part of his everyday life, adding another layer of realism to his character.
Aaron was another wonderful surprise. At first glance, he comes across as arrogant and frustrating, which perfectly mirrors Riley’s perspective. But as the story unfolds, his kindness, patience, vulnerability, and unwavering devotion shine through. Seeing Riley slowly fall in love with him all over again was incredibly heartwarming. Their recreated first dates, first kisses, and quiet moments together were filled with tenderness, humor, and so much longing that I couldn't help but smile.
Beyond the romance, I also loved the layers of mystery surrounding Riley's lost memories and the complicated relationships within his family. The tension between Aaron and Logan kept me guessing, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to uncover the truth.
This was a heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written romance that completely exceeded my expectations. A.M. Woody has gained a new fan, and I can't wait to read more of their books.
"Riley." His word comes with quiet breathiness, like he didn’t mean to voice it. "You have no idea how effortless it is to love you."
From Square One was my introduction to A.M. Woody's writing, and I couldn't have asked for a better first experience. I went into this story intrigued by the premise, but I never expected to become so emotionally invested in Riley and Aaron’s journey.
After a devastating accident leaves Riley with amnesia, he remembers everything about his life – except the last year, the accident itself, and, most shockingly, the fact that he has a boyfriend. Not just any boyfriend, but Aaron, his older brother’s former best friend and someone Riley has spent years resenting. Convinced that his past self must have made a mistake, Riley wants nothing more than to leave Aaron behind. But when Aaron becomes the only person willing to help him recover his missing memories, they begin recreating the milestones of their relationship, giving Riley, and the readers, the chance to experience their love story all over again.
The amnesia trope is actually one of my favorites, so I was especially excited to pick this one up, and A.M. Woody delivered everything I could have hoped for. The memory loss never felt like a gimmick or unnecessary drama. Instead, it became the perfect way to explore trust, healing, and the idea that genuine love can find its way back, even after everything has been forgotten. Watching Riley slowly rediscover who Aaron really is was incredibly rewarding, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was Riley himself. I felt a special connection to him, especially through his experiences with chronic pain. His struggles, frustrations, and determination felt authentic and were portrayed with so much care and compassion. He wasn't defined solely by his health challenges, but they remained an important part of his everyday life, adding another layer of realism to his character.
Aaron was another wonderful surprise. At first glance, he comes across as arrogant and frustrating, which perfectly mirrors Riley’s perspective. But as the story unfolds, his kindness, patience, vulnerability, and unwavering devotion shine through. Seeing Riley slowly fall in love with him all over again was incredibly heartwarming. Their recreated first dates, first kisses, and quiet moments together were filled with tenderness, humor, and so much longing that I couldn't help but smile.
Beyond the romance, I also loved the layers of mystery surrounding Riley's lost memories and the complicated relationships within his family. The tension between Aaron and Logan kept me guessing, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to uncover the truth.
This was a heartfelt, funny, and beautifully written romance that completely exceeded my expectations. A.M. Woody has gained a new fan, and I can't wait to read more of their books.
"Riley." His word comes with quiet breathiness, like he didn’t mean to voice it. "You have no idea how effortless it is to love you."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️, rounded up.
I’m writing an honest review after receiving an ARC of this book from netgalley and the publisher.
This book starts out with Riley waking up in a hospital with no memory of the last 15 months of his life after a car accident with his brother Logan.
When Logan’s best friend and enemy Aaron comes in and kisses Riley claiming their boyfriends, and Logan and Aaron start fighting, it’s a whole new world for Riley.
This story chronicles Aaron trying to help Riley regain his memories by replicating their jump from enemies to dating to love. All the while Logan is doing everything he can to deter Riley from falling for manipulative Aaron a second time.
I thought I knew what the twist would be when it was revealed-I did not. I was only about a quarter right. It happens about 80-85% of the way into the book and you’re fully invested in this couple.
Riley’s character also has anemia and celiacs, severe celiacs that causes severe body pain with any slight cross contamination, as well as just daily chronic pain. I personally don’t know if there are cases like this, but if this is a true representation of the severity of celiacs in some people, I can only imagine how debilitating it must be. And if true, it’s a really great representation of a MC with this disease.
Aaron is a true caretaker. Riley certainly needs that, as his family surely does not take the proper precautions with him and expect him to do entirely too much with the pain he experiences daily.
The only reason that this got 4.5 stars from me, is the dormant comments. Aaron is the only one who doesn’t treat Riley like a doormat. Logan even calls him one. He calls himself one. And when he says to Aaron he is a doormat, although Aaron keeps telling him he’s worth it and he’s sunshine and deserves better, he’s not corrected. It’s cool. Call yourself a doormat. Refer to yourself as one in your head. Totally cool. NOT cool. Can’t one person, even Aaron, literally tell him he is NOT a doormat. The things Riley realizes about himself and who he is and what he decides to handle and not handle does not mean he’s a doormat. Maybe he is someone who doesn’t make everyone else apologize profusely. Maybe he doesn’t hold grudges. Maybe he does forgive too easily because he’d rather get to the end result without the bullshit inbetween. He knows who he is. He deals with it. Accepts it. Talks about what he needs and wants. That’s not a doormat.
Done with my soapbox rant.
That aside, this is a beautiful book and I love the flashes that Riley gets as they recreate their relationship. How he also falls in love with Aaron all over again, despite trying hard not to. It’s a beautiful love story and I found myself smiling throughout a majority of it. Learning how Riley and Aaron became better men together through relearning and flashbacks. Despite Logan and his vitriol. And who Aaron is, his deep and true love for Riley. Definitely give this book a read. But there’s zero spice. Just fyi.
I’m writing an honest review after receiving an ARC of this book from netgalley and the publisher.
This book starts out with Riley waking up in a hospital with no memory of the last 15 months of his life after a car accident with his brother Logan.
When Logan’s best friend and enemy Aaron comes in and kisses Riley claiming their boyfriends, and Logan and Aaron start fighting, it’s a whole new world for Riley.
This story chronicles Aaron trying to help Riley regain his memories by replicating their jump from enemies to dating to love. All the while Logan is doing everything he can to deter Riley from falling for manipulative Aaron a second time.
I thought I knew what the twist would be when it was revealed-I did not. I was only about a quarter right. It happens about 80-85% of the way into the book and you’re fully invested in this couple.
Riley’s character also has anemia and celiacs, severe celiacs that causes severe body pain with any slight cross contamination, as well as just daily chronic pain. I personally don’t know if there are cases like this, but if this is a true representation of the severity of celiacs in some people, I can only imagine how debilitating it must be. And if true, it’s a really great representation of a MC with this disease.
Aaron is a true caretaker. Riley certainly needs that, as his family surely does not take the proper precautions with him and expect him to do entirely too much with the pain he experiences daily.
The only reason that this got 4.5 stars from me, is the dormant comments. Aaron is the only one who doesn’t treat Riley like a doormat. Logan even calls him one. He calls himself one. And when he says to Aaron he is a doormat, although Aaron keeps telling him he’s worth it and he’s sunshine and deserves better, he’s not corrected. It’s cool. Call yourself a doormat. Refer to yourself as one in your head. Totally cool. NOT cool. Can’t one person, even Aaron, literally tell him he is NOT a doormat. The things Riley realizes about himself and who he is and what he decides to handle and not handle does not mean he’s a doormat. Maybe he is someone who doesn’t make everyone else apologize profusely. Maybe he doesn’t hold grudges. Maybe he does forgive too easily because he’d rather get to the end result without the bullshit inbetween. He knows who he is. He deals with it. Accepts it. Talks about what he needs and wants. That’s not a doormat.
Done with my soapbox rant.
That aside, this is a beautiful book and I love the flashes that Riley gets as they recreate their relationship. How he also falls in love with Aaron all over again, despite trying hard not to. It’s a beautiful love story and I found myself smiling throughout a majority of it. Learning how Riley and Aaron became better men together through relearning and flashbacks. Despite Logan and his vitriol. And who Aaron is, his deep and true love for Riley. Definitely give this book a read. But there’s zero spice. Just fyi.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, so I am going to try and keep this brief, because I normally enjoy Woody’s story telling, narrative tone and writing skill, but this didn’t work for me and I am so disappointed about that fact.
Riley wakes up following a car crash and finds that he is missing 15 months of his life, which includes apparently being in a relationship with Aaron Beckham, his older brothers ex-best friend and Rileys enemy, or so he thought. Riley is determined to discover his memory’s in order to discover what has happened over the last year to change the trajectory of his life so substantially from what he expected.
On paper this story should have been made for me. I admire that Woody took a risk with trying to portray Aaron and the journey of their relationship as a bit of a mystery with some red herrings and didn’t shy away from Aarons red flags, but there were times where Aarons behaviour and disregard of an amnesiac Rileys boundaries started to feel a bit on the icky side of morally grey scale for me. I didn’t find this behaviour off putting enough that I stopped reading (I considered it once or twice) but I could easily imagine that some people might have a real aversion to it. Honestly, Aaron was at his most likeable when he was being emotionally vulnerable and honest with Riley and it was those brief moments of time between them that really kept me invested.
Riley as a main character never really clicked for me, they professed themselves a doormat early on and never really evolved much beyond that, and I understand that there can be a quiet strength in soft characters but my personal preference doesn’t really have them speaking to me. I did think that the chronic illness representation was neat, although at times it felt so extreme that it became an almost comical tone and kind of took me out of the book. There was also a short cameo from a couple from another of Woodys books and some readers may be excited to read this. I hadn’t read the book these characters belonged to and realise it was a cameo until after I finished so it honestly just felt like a really strange and awkward scene to me.
I am aware that due to some common themes in the feedback Woody has revised some elements of the story including dialogue from the opening scenes, as well as repetitive references to the MCs illness and plot points. I do believe that work done in these areas would strengthen the story but I can only speak to my reading experience of the original ARC.
This was unfortunately a bit of a miss for me, but I still found Woody’s writing to be relatively easy to consume. Thank you to the author for an ARC of this story. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
Consider following my instagram
Riley wakes up following a car crash and finds that he is missing 15 months of his life, which includes apparently being in a relationship with Aaron Beckham, his older brothers ex-best friend and Rileys enemy, or so he thought. Riley is determined to discover his memory’s in order to discover what has happened over the last year to change the trajectory of his life so substantially from what he expected.
On paper this story should have been made for me. I admire that Woody took a risk with trying to portray Aaron and the journey of their relationship as a bit of a mystery with some red herrings and didn’t shy away from Aarons red flags, but there were times where Aarons behaviour and disregard of an amnesiac Rileys boundaries started to feel a bit on the icky side of morally grey scale for me. I didn’t find this behaviour off putting enough that I stopped reading (I considered it once or twice) but I could easily imagine that some people might have a real aversion to it. Honestly, Aaron was at his most likeable when he was being emotionally vulnerable and honest with Riley and it was those brief moments of time between them that really kept me invested.
Riley as a main character never really clicked for me, they professed themselves a doormat early on and never really evolved much beyond that, and I understand that there can be a quiet strength in soft characters but my personal preference doesn’t really have them speaking to me. I did think that the chronic illness representation was neat, although at times it felt so extreme that it became an almost comical tone and kind of took me out of the book. There was also a short cameo from a couple from another of Woodys books and some readers may be excited to read this. I hadn’t read the book these characters belonged to and realise it was a cameo until after I finished so it honestly just felt like a really strange and awkward scene to me.
I am aware that due to some common themes in the feedback Woody has revised some elements of the story including dialogue from the opening scenes, as well as repetitive references to the MCs illness and plot points. I do believe that work done in these areas would strengthen the story but I can only speak to my reading experience of the original ARC.
This was unfortunately a bit of a miss for me, but I still found Woody’s writing to be relatively easy to consume. Thank you to the author for an ARC of this story. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
Consider following my instagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve been wanting to read “Most Valuable Player” by AM Woody for a while now, as I’ve heard fantastic things; so when I got approved for an ARC of their new novel, I couldn’t have been more excited! It doesn’t help that the plot sounds super intriguing.
Riley, our MC, is the passenger in a wreck; along with losing two days to a coma, he also loses his memories of the last fifteen months of his life. A lot can happen in that time, like the fact that he is somehow dating the guy he loathes more than anyone, his brother’s best friend, Aaron, who has been nothing but a terrible influence on his older brother. Initially, Riley decides to cut Aaron off completely, clearly past him had made some type of mistake. Unfortunately, Riley seems to only get flashes of his memory back when he’s around Aaron. Now he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, forcing himself to interact with this infuriating man and gain back his memories or avoid him and just hope that they will come back on their own.
This book hooked me from page one. The setup leads to so many questions; Riley makes so many decisions that are completely out of character. Why is he dating this guy he can’t stand? Why did he move out? Why are Aaron and Logan (Riley’s brother) seemingly not friends anymore? It made me keep turning to the next page, hoping we would be able to piece this together with Riley. Unfortunately, my biggest critique of the book is definitely the pacing. While I was enraptured in the beginning, the plot seemed to slow down quite a bit. I believe it’s because of the interactions between Riley and Aaron; while they’re super cute, they began to feel a bit repetitive, which didn’t entirely dampen my experience, but it was something I had noticed.
Overall, I really love Woody’s writing and character work. There was clearly a lot of love and research put into this book. Both characters felt like their own unique and complicated individuals, which is often a bit hard to do in single POV romances. This was a great novel, and I can’t wait to read more of this author’s works! Thank you, NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tags/Warnings
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.
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Tropes: amnesia, hate to love, celiac disease rep, size difference, brother’s best friend
Triggers: car accidents, self-harming tendencies (in non-traditional ways, forgetting to eat, biting your fingers, etc), chronic pain and health issues
Third act break-up: Not really? Something is revealed, and the two spend about a week or two apart, but they don’t officially break up.
OM/OW: None.
Riley, our MC, is the passenger in a wreck; along with losing two days to a coma, he also loses his memories of the last fifteen months of his life. A lot can happen in that time, like the fact that he is somehow dating the guy he loathes more than anyone, his brother’s best friend, Aaron, who has been nothing but a terrible influence on his older brother. Initially, Riley decides to cut Aaron off completely, clearly past him had made some type of mistake. Unfortunately, Riley seems to only get flashes of his memory back when he’s around Aaron. Now he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, forcing himself to interact with this infuriating man and gain back his memories or avoid him and just hope that they will come back on their own.
This book hooked me from page one. The setup leads to so many questions; Riley makes so many decisions that are completely out of character. Why is he dating this guy he can’t stand? Why did he move out? Why are Aaron and Logan (Riley’s brother) seemingly not friends anymore? It made me keep turning to the next page, hoping we would be able to piece this together with Riley. Unfortunately, my biggest critique of the book is definitely the pacing. While I was enraptured in the beginning, the plot seemed to slow down quite a bit. I believe it’s because of the interactions between Riley and Aaron; while they’re super cute, they began to feel a bit repetitive, which didn’t entirely dampen my experience, but it was something I had noticed.
Overall, I really love Woody’s writing and character work. There was clearly a lot of love and research put into this book. Both characters felt like their own unique and complicated individuals, which is often a bit hard to do in single POV romances. This was a great novel, and I can’t wait to read more of this author’s works! Thank you, NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tags/Warnings
.
.
.
Tropes: amnesia, hate to love, celiac disease rep, size difference, brother’s best friend
Triggers: car accidents, self-harming tendencies (in non-traditional ways, forgetting to eat, biting your fingers, etc), chronic pain and health issues
Third act break-up: Not really? Something is revealed, and the two spend about a week or two apart, but they don’t officially break up.
OM/OW: None.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having read A. M. Woody’s Most Valuable Player, I expected another emotional one, and Woody definitely delivered. Amnesia is always an interesting premise, but the raw intensity of this one was worthwhile. For me, one of the biggest strengths of Woody’s writing is also the characterization of love interests. Aaron sets the bar in the stratosphere for romance leads, and his devotion is one of the biggest catalysts in the momentum of the story.
It’s not just devotion itself, which is a genre requirement for an HEA lead at this point, but how Aaron as a character shows it. He remembers what matters to Riley and backs it up with his actions. He communicates well and doesn’t overreact or lash out. He shows readers and the other characters that it’s possible to be flawed, to not to stay stuck in your ways, and to do better. Especially for a teen & YA audience, he’s a valuable character for that alone. I also appreciate the normalization of healthy queer parents of lead characters, like Aaron’s family.
Riley is also painfully human, going through chronic health issues that ground the story in ways that felt relatable, having been through similar issues myself. For teen & YA audiences, it’s important to see people who either go through similar experiences or broaden their perspectives. I don’t have celiac disease, but the portrayal of it was vivid, inviting the audience to think further about health and accommodating loved ones - where that fails and succeeds, and how it affects Riley’s actions and sense of self.
While the dates themselves seemed cliché as a concept, there was depth and dimension to them: little details and micro-reactions that made them not only extremely wholesome, but important for piecing together the mystery of Riley and Aaron’s past (and I'm also a sucker for the "going on different dates" plot style).
For the other side of the coin, I did feel that there was telling over showing throughout. Again, this feels common for the YA genre, so it makes sense. But I think the buildup would have landed better if the audience was allowed to figure some things out for themselves. I feel it would have made the work stronger to include certain physical/emotional tells less often, while also not having characters state everything they think or feel. Doing so could make the dialogue feel more realistic.
Still, Woody’s work is definitely worth reading if you like warm, dedicated love interests and a writer who knows how to write angst with the best of them.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for the ARC!
It’s not just devotion itself, which is a genre requirement for an HEA lead at this point, but how Aaron as a character shows it. He remembers what matters to Riley and backs it up with his actions. He communicates well and doesn’t overreact or lash out. He shows readers and the other characters that it’s possible to be flawed, to not to stay stuck in your ways, and to do better. Especially for a teen & YA audience, he’s a valuable character for that alone. I also appreciate the normalization of healthy queer parents of lead characters, like Aaron’s family.
Riley is also painfully human, going through chronic health issues that ground the story in ways that felt relatable, having been through similar issues myself. For teen & YA audiences, it’s important to see people who either go through similar experiences or broaden their perspectives. I don’t have celiac disease, but the portrayal of it was vivid, inviting the audience to think further about health and accommodating loved ones - where that fails and succeeds, and how it affects Riley’s actions and sense of self.
While the dates themselves seemed cliché as a concept, there was depth and dimension to them: little details and micro-reactions that made them not only extremely wholesome, but important for piecing together the mystery of Riley and Aaron’s past (and I'm also a sucker for the "going on different dates" plot style).
For the other side of the coin, I did feel that there was telling over showing throughout. Again, this feels common for the YA genre, so it makes sense. But I think the buildup would have landed better if the audience was allowed to figure some things out for themselves. I feel it would have made the work stronger to include certain physical/emotional tells less often, while also not having characters state everything they think or feel. Doing so could make the dialogue feel more realistic.
Still, Woody’s work is definitely worth reading if you like warm, dedicated love interests and a writer who knows how to write angst with the best of them.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been a huge fan of A.M. Woody's books for a while now, so when i got the chance to read the arc for "From Square One" I took it. And once again, I have to say that I'm not surprised by my immediate love for these characters and their story.
Here we meet Riley, who has just woken up after a car accident and, due to some injuries, suffers from amnesia. As if he hasn't had enough with the chronic pain he's struggling with his entire life.
Now, he has to deal with not remembering the past year and trying to understand himself for the choices he's made during that time. The major choice being the fact that he's apparently dating his brother's ex best friend Aaron, whom he's not exactly fond of.
He wants to understand and wants to remember everything, but his family isn't exactly helping, so even though he doesn't want to, he ends up letting Aaron help him remember by recreating their dates. Will the result in Riley falling in love all over again?
If I had to choose a word that would describe Riley, it would be "careful". That's all he needs to be, after all, with all his medical issues and now the loss of memory. But he still manages to be so selfless for his family.
Exploring his mindset was so interesting throughout this book, and learning who he is, how he feels about things, and what he actually wants alongside him was just so wonderful.
Then we have Aaron, who has been known for being a bit of a troublemaker. That's all we know about him at start, and once again, I can only say that learning about his life on a bit deeper level was exactly what I needed out of his character.
I love romance, but the best part's always the exploration of the main characters. What they're like and what lead to that. And A.M. Woody somehow always knows how to make the characters as memorable as possible, and this one's no exception, but I must give credit to the romance part, as well. The chemistry was unbelievable from the start, and they really do make people crave love like that.
One thing I wish was there more, it would definitely be the families. I really feel like as much as they were involved in the plot, I'd like to know way more about Riley's mum and dad even though they were infuriating at times. I also feel like we know way little about Logan, Riley's brother.
Overall, I had so much fun and will definitely reread once it's released, and I'll be able to get a copy.
One more thank you to A.M. Woody for trusting me with this eARC.
Here we meet Riley, who has just woken up after a car accident and, due to some injuries, suffers from amnesia. As if he hasn't had enough with the chronic pain he's struggling with his entire life.
Now, he has to deal with not remembering the past year and trying to understand himself for the choices he's made during that time. The major choice being the fact that he's apparently dating his brother's ex best friend Aaron, whom he's not exactly fond of.
He wants to understand and wants to remember everything, but his family isn't exactly helping, so even though he doesn't want to, he ends up letting Aaron help him remember by recreating their dates. Will the result in Riley falling in love all over again?
If I had to choose a word that would describe Riley, it would be "careful". That's all he needs to be, after all, with all his medical issues and now the loss of memory. But he still manages to be so selfless for his family.
Exploring his mindset was so interesting throughout this book, and learning who he is, how he feels about things, and what he actually wants alongside him was just so wonderful.
Then we have Aaron, who has been known for being a bit of a troublemaker. That's all we know about him at start, and once again, I can only say that learning about his life on a bit deeper level was exactly what I needed out of his character.
I love romance, but the best part's always the exploration of the main characters. What they're like and what lead to that. And A.M. Woody somehow always knows how to make the characters as memorable as possible, and this one's no exception, but I must give credit to the romance part, as well. The chemistry was unbelievable from the start, and they really do make people crave love like that.
One thing I wish was there more, it would definitely be the families. I really feel like as much as they were involved in the plot, I'd like to know way more about Riley's mum and dad even though they were infuriating at times. I also feel like we know way little about Logan, Riley's brother.
Overall, I had so much fun and will definitely reread once it's released, and I'll be able to get a copy.
One more thank you to A.M. Woody for trusting me with this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you PenguinTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This book was so good! Riley wakes up to find himself in the hospital apparently he’s been in an accident, he wasn’t alone his brother was also with him. His brother didn’t have any severe injuries though. But also his brother looks different, like he had a beard, Logan could never grow a beard. As it turns out Riley doesn’t remember the last year and a few months. Even more shocking he apparently started dating his brothers ex best friend during that time. Riley can’t figure out why because he hates everything about Aaron, well not everything he is objectively handsome. But he was always bringing Logan down and it’s his fault that Logan’s life was ruined. Why would Riley date him? But it doesn’t matter because he’s determined not to do it again. But Aaron isn’t going to let him go without a fight. And Riley finds that he’s not sure he wants him to anyway. Aaron is the only one willing to help Riley retrieve the time he lost, his family seems to be avoiding and our vague about what happened during that year, especially Logan. But the more time he spends with Aaron the more flashes he gets. He’s also seeing a side to Aaron that he never imagined existed, and he finds himself slowing falling in love all over again. But Aaron could always manipulate situations and people, so does he really love Riley? What exactly happened that his mind can’t remember? And when and if Riley does remember will he like what he recalls? Another absolutely stunnning novel by A.M. Woody! I will admit I put off reading this for a little bit, not because I didn’t want to, but because once you read it for the first time, you can never again read it for the first time! As with all their books A.M. writes emotions and feelings so deeply and beautifully! Riley’s struggle with not only his newfound amnesia but also with his chronic illness were relatable and had me in my feels! I was often frustrated for him and sometimes at him in this one, but he’s sweet and kind and too good for both Aaron and his family! Aaron was charming, a bit arrogant, but also caring, sensitive, and incredibly loving! This one gave me all the feelings, I wanted to savor it but I just couldn’t put it down! Also I absolutely adored seeing an older Jonah and Dylan (nice to know Jonah hasn’t changed!) Absolutely a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The ARC of From Square One is getting 4 stars but I'm hoping it will be bumped up to 5 stars when I read the final published version which I'm hoping will fix my one big issue with the story... because I believe in AM Woody.
300 pages of hurt/comfort and I'm 100% here for it.
A.M. Woody does it again, making us fall in love with deeply caring queer characters who need just as much care themselves.
Riley has celiac disease, lives with a family that could do a much better job of looking after him, and, on top of all that, has just lost an entire year of his memories. Even weirder, he discovers he's apparently been dating his brother's ex best friend... who he used to hate... What?!
Thankfully, Aaron is there for Riley every step of the way: helping him manage his medical needs, standing up for him when his family won't, and gently helping him piece his memories back together.
The care Aaron has for Riley is beyond anything I can describe. I never wanted to stop reading, just like with all of Woody's books. I want a Riley of my own and it felt like I had him during my time reading From Square One.
My one issue is with a few scenes where Aaron ignores Riley's requests to stop.
The explanation is that Aaron knows Riley so well that he can tell when Riley's "no" isn't really a no and when he's just teasing or playing around. But that didn't work for me because Riley has amnesia.. he isn't at that same level of comfort or trust with Aaron anymore. From Riley's perspective, that dynamic has essentially been reset, so those moments felt uncomfortable to read. I could also see readers, especially those with experiences of abuse or coercion, finding those scenes triggering.
I believe this is something Woody has been working on during the final editing process, and I really hope that's the case because everything else about this book absolutely worked for me.
Thank you AM Woody for sending an eARC! I love you!!!
300 pages of hurt/comfort and I'm 100% here for it.
A.M. Woody does it again, making us fall in love with deeply caring queer characters who need just as much care themselves.
Riley has celiac disease, lives with a family that could do a much better job of looking after him, and, on top of all that, has just lost an entire year of his memories. Even weirder, he discovers he's apparently been dating his brother's ex best friend... who he used to hate... What?!
Thankfully, Aaron is there for Riley every step of the way: helping him manage his medical needs, standing up for him when his family won't, and gently helping him piece his memories back together.
The care Aaron has for Riley is beyond anything I can describe. I never wanted to stop reading, just like with all of Woody's books. I want a Riley of my own and it felt like I had him during my time reading From Square One.
My one issue is with a few scenes where Aaron ignores Riley's requests to stop.
The explanation is that Aaron knows Riley so well that he can tell when Riley's "no" isn't really a no and when he's just teasing or playing around. But that didn't work for me because Riley has amnesia.. he isn't at that same level of comfort or trust with Aaron anymore. From Riley's perspective, that dynamic has essentially been reset, so those moments felt uncomfortable to read. I could also see readers, especially those with experiences of abuse or coercion, finding those scenes triggering.
I believe this is something Woody has been working on during the final editing process, and I really hope that's the case because everything else about this book absolutely worked for me.
Thank you AM Woody for sending an eARC! I love you!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐️
This is my first book from this author, and I don’t think it will be my last. I fell in love with the story and the couple. I thought it was going to be a cute story about Riley trying to regain his memories, but it was much more than that. It was emotional, heartbreaking, yet heartwarming. There were so many times I felt as lost as Riley, unsure of the relationship dynamics and what information was being hidden. As we see more of these relationships, we start piecing together what led Riley to make the decisions he made before his accident.
When it came to Riley, the word that kept popping up for me was “frustrated,” and I don’t mean frustrated with him but for him, because of the uncertainty and unknowns in his situation. Not only is he dealing with amnesia, but he’s also dealing with his chronic illness. The way his struggles were portrayed felt raw and real. The way his family treated him made me angry at them for not seeing how much he was dealing with.
So many times I was tearing up because I could feel Riley’s frustrations with his pain and illness and Aaron’s sadness that Riley didn’t remember the love they had for each other. I love seeing how Aaron tried his hardest to help Riley remember and how he had no filter when it came to flustering Riley. The recreation of their dates was fun to experience with Riley and to see how he fell in love with Aaron. Aaron’s caregiving was beautiful, and his love language of touch had me smiling as I saw how he expressed it.
I was also cheering for Riley as he finally started to discover himself again and learn to stand up for himself, because he finally experienced what it is like to be truly loved and cared for.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.
This is my first book from this author, and I don’t think it will be my last. I fell in love with the story and the couple. I thought it was going to be a cute story about Riley trying to regain his memories, but it was much more than that. It was emotional, heartbreaking, yet heartwarming. There were so many times I felt as lost as Riley, unsure of the relationship dynamics and what information was being hidden. As we see more of these relationships, we start piecing together what led Riley to make the decisions he made before his accident.
When it came to Riley, the word that kept popping up for me was “frustrated,” and I don’t mean frustrated with him but for him, because of the uncertainty and unknowns in his situation. Not only is he dealing with amnesia, but he’s also dealing with his chronic illness. The way his struggles were portrayed felt raw and real. The way his family treated him made me angry at them for not seeing how much he was dealing with.
So many times I was tearing up because I could feel Riley’s frustrations with his pain and illness and Aaron’s sadness that Riley didn’t remember the love they had for each other. I love seeing how Aaron tried his hardest to help Riley remember and how he had no filter when it came to flustering Riley. The recreation of their dates was fun to experience with Riley and to see how he fell in love with Aaron. Aaron’s caregiving was beautiful, and his love language of touch had me smiling as I saw how he expressed it.
I was also cheering for Riley as he finally started to discover himself again and learn to stand up for himself, because he finally experienced what it is like to be truly loved and cared for.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC: The build up of this romance was great. At the start, I found myself anxious for the MC. His lack of memories coupled with the strain of his home life, and self esteem issues had me extremely cautious that he was being taken advantage of by everyone around him. I was skeptical of Aaron as a love interest, wondering if he was too good to be true, and fearing for how easily Riley would be to take advantage of if Aaron was a different person.
But as the book went on, my caution around Aaron and Riley’s relationship fell to the background as I got swept up in their romance. Aaron became more of a person to me. His actions in the present spoke louder than the memories missing, until eventually I liked him, despite all the warning signs. This was exactly the path that the MC experienced, and I think A.M. Woody was so smart to lay out the pieces the way they did, even if it caused all of my red flags to go off at the start 😅
What I liked most about this book though, was that it went a step further to address all of those concerns. It could’ve just ended with Riley gaining all of his memories back, realizing he loves Aaron, and everything going back to the way it was pre-accident. But the author went a step further and showed all of the ugly truths behind the origins of their relationship. The thing is, Aaron WAS a different person. So was Logan. So was Riley, but the heart of the story was about surrounding yourself with the right people. That message came through, and none of it felt “preachy” or undeserved.
Great book! I loved the hurt/comfort aspects. Sometimes you just need some TLC in your life <3
But as the book went on, my caution around Aaron and Riley’s relationship fell to the background as I got swept up in their romance. Aaron became more of a person to me. His actions in the present spoke louder than the memories missing, until eventually I liked him, despite all the warning signs. This was exactly the path that the MC experienced, and I think A.M. Woody was so smart to lay out the pieces the way they did, even if it caused all of my red flags to go off at the start 😅
What I liked most about this book though, was that it went a step further to address all of those concerns. It could’ve just ended with Riley gaining all of his memories back, realizing he loves Aaron, and everything going back to the way it was pre-accident. But the author went a step further and showed all of the ugly truths behind the origins of their relationship. The thing is, Aaron WAS a different person. So was Logan. So was Riley, but the heart of the story was about surrounding yourself with the right people. That message came through, and none of it felt “preachy” or undeserved.
Great book! I loved the hurt/comfort aspects. Sometimes you just need some TLC in your life <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for letting me read an early copy of this one.
After a car accident, Riley loses all his memories from the last year. But why is his family so dodgy about it? And how the hell did he apparently have a relationship with his brother’s terrible best friend during that time? Turns out, the only one willing to help him get his memories back is the terrible influence himself, Aaron Beckham.
A.M. Woody has been an autobuy author for me since I read They Hate Each Other. Their books always include complicated familial relationships and wonderful queer love stories. And this book was no exception.
The plot was very easy to fall into. I was intrigued from the start and it felt like every chapter flew by. I adore the way A.M. writes banter and dialoge between their characters. I always love when the MCs interact!
Riley was an interesting POV character. Because of his memory loss, it felt like I was experiencing what he was, and remembering alongside him. He was such a gentle soul who definitely needed someone like Aaron to remind him that he was allowed to take up space.
Out of all A.M’s books this is perhaps the one that requires the most from the reader. It is single POV and sometimes Aaron’s actions can be difficult to contend with (especially since we’re not in his head). I do think this single POV choice made sense for the story though. And I personally enjoyed trying to understand Aaron’s actions alongside Riley.
Overall, this was a really good read and I’m already excited about whatever A.M decides to write next!
From Square One is out October 27th so do give it a pre-order if it sounds like something you’d enjoy.
After a car accident, Riley loses all his memories from the last year. But why is his family so dodgy about it? And how the hell did he apparently have a relationship with his brother’s terrible best friend during that time? Turns out, the only one willing to help him get his memories back is the terrible influence himself, Aaron Beckham.
A.M. Woody has been an autobuy author for me since I read They Hate Each Other. Their books always include complicated familial relationships and wonderful queer love stories. And this book was no exception.
The plot was very easy to fall into. I was intrigued from the start and it felt like every chapter flew by. I adore the way A.M. writes banter and dialoge between their characters. I always love when the MCs interact!
Riley was an interesting POV character. Because of his memory loss, it felt like I was experiencing what he was, and remembering alongside him. He was such a gentle soul who definitely needed someone like Aaron to remind him that he was allowed to take up space.
Out of all A.M’s books this is perhaps the one that requires the most from the reader. It is single POV and sometimes Aaron’s actions can be difficult to contend with (especially since we’re not in his head). I do think this single POV choice made sense for the story though. And I personally enjoyed trying to understand Aaron’s actions alongside Riley.
Overall, this was a really good read and I’m already excited about whatever A.M decides to write next!
From Square One is out October 27th so do give it a pre-order if it sounds like something you’d enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all, thank you SO SO much to A.M. Woody for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!! I’m so honored! 💛
This book has a wild setup. Amnesia, brother’s best friend (except, the last Rylie remembers, they were mortal enemies), main character has a chronic illness and his family (and himself!) kinda disregards this at every possible moment… I knew I was in for a roller coaster with this one.
I gotta admit, in the beginning Aaron really got on my nerves. It felt like he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Rylie was missing the last 15 months, and therefore their entire relationship, so he was constantly overstepping boundaries. I was so relieved when Rylie finally put his foot down and told him he was going to have to wait. By the end I think this makes more sense, but in the beginning as a reader seeing this through Rylie’s eyes, it feels kinda..gross? So just be warned of this in case you’re sensitive! Also this book feels more adult than their others, so while there’s nothing wildly explicit you should definitely not go in thinking this is aimed at the younger half of YA. The characters are college aged.
Despite how Aaron pissed me off at first, I really admire how consistent Woody’s characters are, and how much heart is put into this story. The ending is satisfying, and don’t even talk to me about the scene where Rylie gets his memories back—I could yap for literally ages about how good it was😂 A.M. Woody is an auto-read author for me, and I wish them so much success with this release!!!
THIS COMES OUT OCTOBER 27, 2026!
This book has a wild setup. Amnesia, brother’s best friend (except, the last Rylie remembers, they were mortal enemies), main character has a chronic illness and his family (and himself!) kinda disregards this at every possible moment… I knew I was in for a roller coaster with this one.
I gotta admit, in the beginning Aaron really got on my nerves. It felt like he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Rylie was missing the last 15 months, and therefore their entire relationship, so he was constantly overstepping boundaries. I was so relieved when Rylie finally put his foot down and told him he was going to have to wait. By the end I think this makes more sense, but in the beginning as a reader seeing this through Rylie’s eyes, it feels kinda..gross? So just be warned of this in case you’re sensitive! Also this book feels more adult than their others, so while there’s nothing wildly explicit you should definitely not go in thinking this is aimed at the younger half of YA. The characters are college aged.
Despite how Aaron pissed me off at first, I really admire how consistent Woody’s characters are, and how much heart is put into this story. The ending is satisfying, and don’t even talk to me about the scene where Rylie gets his memories back—I could yap for literally ages about how good it was😂 A.M. Woody is an auto-read author for me, and I wish them so much success with this release!!!
THIS COMES OUT OCTOBER 27, 2026!
May 10, 2026
thank you to A.M Woody themselves for allowing me access to an ARC of this novel!
i have read everything that A.M Woody has released, to the point in which they have become an autobuy author for me. i was looking forward to this novel for so long and it did not disappoint. to put it into perspective: i read the whole thing in a single day, while having one of the busiest days of my life. i quite literally could not put the book down because of how addictive it was.
i loved riley and found his struggles so relatable, and aaron was such a delight to discover more about through riley’s POV. i absolutely loved their dynamic and found it so fun and adorable. i loved seeing the lengths that aaron was willing to go just to help riley and simply be around him, even with the memory loss. you could truly feel the love these characters had for one another, even if riley wasn’t aware of it just yet.
this book was funny, heartbreaking, and so amazingly well written. A.M Woody has, yet again, written such a beautiful story with such incredible characters. cannot wait to reread it again once it officially releases in october and force everyone i know to read it as well. thank you again to A.M Woody for the ARC! already anticipating re reading this a million times and (im)patiently waiting for their next novel.
i have read everything that A.M Woody has released, to the point in which they have become an autobuy author for me. i was looking forward to this novel for so long and it did not disappoint. to put it into perspective: i read the whole thing in a single day, while having one of the busiest days of my life. i quite literally could not put the book down because of how addictive it was.
i loved riley and found his struggles so relatable, and aaron was such a delight to discover more about through riley’s POV. i absolutely loved their dynamic and found it so fun and adorable. i loved seeing the lengths that aaron was willing to go just to help riley and simply be around him, even with the memory loss. you could truly feel the love these characters had for one another, even if riley wasn’t aware of it just yet.
this book was funny, heartbreaking, and so amazingly well written. A.M Woody has, yet again, written such a beautiful story with such incredible characters. cannot wait to reread it again once it officially releases in october and force everyone i know to read it as well. thank you again to A.M Woody for the ARC! already anticipating re reading this a million times and (im)patiently waiting for their next novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A sweet love story is always a win, especially for YA readers who crave heart, hope, and a little emotional chaos, and From Square One by A.M. Woody delivers exactly that.
Riley’s story feels like slipping into a familiar trope with a fresh heartbeat. Sure, you’ve seen amnesia plots before, and yes, you’ve definitely seen romances tangled up in lies or missing memories. But that’s the magic of storytelling. Even when the idea is familiar, every author brings a new voice, a new angle, a new emotional spark. This book is one of those sparks.
Riley wakes up after a car accident missing fifteen months of his life. Fifteen months where everything changed. He fell in love. He moved out of his parents’ house. He switched schools. Basically, he became a whole new version of himself. And now he has no idea who that person is. His family refuses to help him piece things together, leaving him stranded in his own life. The only person willing to guide him through the missing year is someone Riley remembers hating. Someone who, awkwardly enough, is also his boyfriend.
What follows is a gentle, sweet, sometimes messy journey of rediscovery of love, identity, and second chances. It’s quick, warm, and full of that YA charm that makes you root for characters even when you know exactly where the story is headed.
Riley’s story feels like slipping into a familiar trope with a fresh heartbeat. Sure, you’ve seen amnesia plots before, and yes, you’ve definitely seen romances tangled up in lies or missing memories. But that’s the magic of storytelling. Even when the idea is familiar, every author brings a new voice, a new angle, a new emotional spark. This book is one of those sparks.
Riley wakes up after a car accident missing fifteen months of his life. Fifteen months where everything changed. He fell in love. He moved out of his parents’ house. He switched schools. Basically, he became a whole new version of himself. And now he has no idea who that person is. His family refuses to help him piece things together, leaving him stranded in his own life. The only person willing to guide him through the missing year is someone Riley remembers hating. Someone who, awkwardly enough, is also his boyfriend.
What follows is a gentle, sweet, sometimes messy journey of rediscovery of love, identity, and second chances. It’s quick, warm, and full of that YA charm that makes you root for characters even when you know exactly where the story is headed.
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