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Hallway Hearts Romance #1
Wrong Number, Right Guy
When a wrong number lands in Eli’s inbox, he expects an awkward apology—not a conversation he can’t stop replaying.
Eli likes his world quiet and sketchbook closed, feelings filed away, talent kept safely off the radar. But Nico is the kind of confident that doesn’t feel like pressure—it feels like permission. One late-night text turns into a routine. A joke becomes a lifeline. And before Eli can talk himself out of it, Nico dares him to do one terrifying submit his art anonymously for the school showcase.
“Anonymous is easier,” Nico says.
Eli agrees.
Because anonymity makes it possible to be brave… right up until it isn’t.
As the submission deadline closes in, the messages get more honest, the stakes get higher, and Eli realizes he isn’t just risking a spot in the show—he’s risking being seen. By the school. By his friends. By the one guy who somehow feels like home through a screen.
Wrong Number, Right Guy is a sweet, closed-door high school MM romance full of soft pining, texting chemistry, gentle courage, and a feel-good happily ever after—because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is hit send.
Perfect for fans
Anonymous Texting / Hidden IdentitySecret RelationshipSlow Burn RomanceOpposites AttractFalling Before They MeetArt Kid x AthleteComing-of-Age / Self-Discovery*PAPERBACK edition coming on March 29th
Eli likes his world quiet and sketchbook closed, feelings filed away, talent kept safely off the radar. But Nico is the kind of confident that doesn’t feel like pressure—it feels like permission. One late-night text turns into a routine. A joke becomes a lifeline. And before Eli can talk himself out of it, Nico dares him to do one terrifying submit his art anonymously for the school showcase.
“Anonymous is easier,” Nico says.
Eli agrees.
Because anonymity makes it possible to be brave… right up until it isn’t.
As the submission deadline closes in, the messages get more honest, the stakes get higher, and Eli realizes he isn’t just risking a spot in the show—he’s risking being seen. By the school. By his friends. By the one guy who somehow feels like home through a screen.
Wrong Number, Right Guy is a sweet, closed-door high school MM romance full of soft pining, texting chemistry, gentle courage, and a feel-good happily ever after—because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is hit send.
Perfect for fans
Anonymous Texting / Hidden IdentitySecret RelationshipSlow Burn RomanceOpposites AttractFalling Before They MeetArt Kid x AthleteComing-of-Age / Self-Discovery*PAPERBACK edition coming on March 29th
- GenresLGBTYoung Adult
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 28, 2026
3.5 Stars
If I were rating based on vibes alone, this would have been a 5-star read for me. The whole set-up was 100% my kind of romance narrative, starting off with socially-anxious high-schooler Eli receiving a text from a wrong number and beginning a secret friendship with a (supposed) stranger, which ultimately changes both of their lives for the better.
There was anonymous texting, hidden identities, high school angst, slow burn romance, and so much insight into teenage anxiety and how that can manifest in different ways.
It also had a heavy focus on art and creativity, with both boys being extremely talented but vastly different artistic creators, with their opposite personalities coming out in their school art projects. This is how they bond, sharing and connecting over their mutual love for art and how it serves as their truest means of self-expression and emotional connectivity to the outside world.
Eli and his secret text buddy Nico were really interesting, complex characters. Both struggling to fit in and be authentic, but finding the kind of peace, acceptance and understanding in their text conversations that gave them the courage to be braver and bolder in their outside lives and within their art endeavours. They challenged each other, but also made each other feel incredibly seen and safe, ultimately providing mutual inspiration to step outside their narrow comfort zones with the courage to simply try—try to speak up more, try to connect with others, try to shed their fears, try to let go of everything weighing them down or holding them back, try to simply be themselves, and be comfortable in their own skin.
For all of that, I really enjoyed this story and what it was saying on a deeper level.
However, I had some major issues with plot discrepancies and timeline inconsistencies. Little things that felt choppy or repetitive, like words or segments of the story were moved into the wrong places, narratively speaking. Like the time they referred to one another as their secret monikers of Red Hoodie and Blue Hoodie, before they’d even decided on what to call one another. Or the fact that, in certain parts of the narrative, they would refer to one another’s actual names (Eli or Nico) when they shouldn’t have known to do so, not yet having intuited who it was they were talking to in text conversation at particular points of the story. There was also the time, 280 pages in, when all of a sudden Eli had a younger sister that hadn’t been mentioned once before that moment, seemingly arriving on page literally out of nowhere.
This is not to mention how it was IMMEDIATELY obvious that these boys were not only from the same school, but in the same art program, as they were referencing personal, school-specific projects and places that simply wouldn’t have been a universal experience across art school students. Yet, they seemed surprised once they began to realise they were in one another’s “orbit” already, which was strange to me—it was all a bit forced and convenient in that way.
It was these small inconsistencies which had a HUGE impact on my overall reading experience, taking me out of the story again and again because it felt like the editing was still in progress. But it’s very important to note that I read an ARC copy of this now released eBook, and for all I know, the niggles I had with the narrative and editing may not even be an issue in the final published edition. And part of me wonders if this is very much the case, seeing as I just spent a good deal of time reading all the Goodreads reviews for this book, and only one other reader noted similar issues to what I experienced. Therefore, this really could be a case of me reading a very early edit of this particular story, which should be taken into consideration for new readers going forward.
As I said earlier, the vibes of the story were a huge draw for me and I was engaged enough—despite editing issues—to whiz through this 350-page book in very quick fashion, eager was I to gobble up this very sweet, very heartwarming M/M young adult romance. I’d definitely be open to reading more from this author and I especially look forward to seeing what he does next in this Hallway Hearts Romance series.
***A special thanks to the author and publishers (via Book Sirens) for providing an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were rating based on vibes alone, this would have been a 5-star read for me. The whole set-up was 100% my kind of romance narrative, starting off with socially-anxious high-schooler Eli receiving a text from a wrong number and beginning a secret friendship with a (supposed) stranger, which ultimately changes both of their lives for the better.
There was anonymous texting, hidden identities, high school angst, slow burn romance, and so much insight into teenage anxiety and how that can manifest in different ways.
It also had a heavy focus on art and creativity, with both boys being extremely talented but vastly different artistic creators, with their opposite personalities coming out in their school art projects. This is how they bond, sharing and connecting over their mutual love for art and how it serves as their truest means of self-expression and emotional connectivity to the outside world.
Eli and his secret text buddy Nico were really interesting, complex characters. Both struggling to fit in and be authentic, but finding the kind of peace, acceptance and understanding in their text conversations that gave them the courage to be braver and bolder in their outside lives and within their art endeavours. They challenged each other, but also made each other feel incredibly seen and safe, ultimately providing mutual inspiration to step outside their narrow comfort zones with the courage to simply try—try to speak up more, try to connect with others, try to shed their fears, try to let go of everything weighing them down or holding them back, try to simply be themselves, and be comfortable in their own skin.
For all of that, I really enjoyed this story and what it was saying on a deeper level.
However, I had some major issues with plot discrepancies and timeline inconsistencies. Little things that felt choppy or repetitive, like words or segments of the story were moved into the wrong places, narratively speaking. Like the time they referred to one another as their secret monikers of Red Hoodie and Blue Hoodie, before they’d even decided on what to call one another. Or the fact that, in certain parts of the narrative, they would refer to one another’s actual names (Eli or Nico) when they shouldn’t have known to do so, not yet having intuited who it was they were talking to in text conversation at particular points of the story. There was also the time, 280 pages in, when all of a sudden Eli had a younger sister that hadn’t been mentioned once before that moment, seemingly arriving on page literally out of nowhere.
This is not to mention how it was IMMEDIATELY obvious that these boys were not only from the same school, but in the same art program, as they were referencing personal, school-specific projects and places that simply wouldn’t have been a universal experience across art school students. Yet, they seemed surprised once they began to realise they were in one another’s “orbit” already, which was strange to me—it was all a bit forced and convenient in that way.
It was these small inconsistencies which had a HUGE impact on my overall reading experience, taking me out of the story again and again because it felt like the editing was still in progress. But it’s very important to note that I read an ARC copy of this now released eBook, and for all I know, the niggles I had with the narrative and editing may not even be an issue in the final published edition. And part of me wonders if this is very much the case, seeing as I just spent a good deal of time reading all the Goodreads reviews for this book, and only one other reader noted similar issues to what I experienced. Therefore, this really could be a case of me reading a very early edit of this particular story, which should be taken into consideration for new readers going forward.
As I said earlier, the vibes of the story were a huge draw for me and I was engaged enough—despite editing issues—to whiz through this 350-page book in very quick fashion, eager was I to gobble up this very sweet, very heartwarming M/M young adult romance. I’d definitely be open to reading more from this author and I especially look forward to seeing what he does next in this Hallway Hearts Romance series.
***A special thanks to the author and publishers (via Book Sirens) for providing an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 24, 2026
What happens when Quiet restraint meets Loud confidence behind the safety of a chat screen?
One of the best MM YA romance I have ever read that's what
"Paint can whisper and words are a microphone"
25% in: I was betting on it being a 5 star if the book continues in the same way😍😍😍😍
In my heart, it is 5 stars but I accepted the ARC for an honest review.
Several things clicked for me when the ARC was suggested.
1- MM romance
2- Written by a guy
3- YA
4- anonymous talking
I have been drifting away from romances anything lately especially those with smut because how mich the plot is sacrificed for the spice.
So, reading this book became a saving grace
I love epistolary romances
Something about connecting with strangers under the guise of a screen
"Eli realized he wasn’t deciding whether to reply. He was deciding how much of himself he could risk putting into a few lines of text.
Hope it's good"
Two boys with different personalities share the same passion and the same fear
one (Eli) avoided the "loud"
And one (Nico) uses "the loud" as defence
Texting the "wrong number" brought them together, and their insecurities formed the connection
"because somewhere out there, in the dark, someone had made the dark feel less empty."....awwwww
I absolutely loved the writing style
So artistic, so poetic, so in sync with the theme of Art
No fireworks. No triumph. Just two boys in fluorescent light, paint in the air, fear finally quieted by something gentler than safety: Choice....God! I love beautiful emotional writing 😍😍
I loved both characters of Eli and Nico and their journey towards each other
"If you filled the space first, you didnt have to wait for someone else to decide what you were"
I liked that the chapters are not made one for one. Both Eli and Nico share the same chapter showing that they share the same experience
I loved that the "romance" was formed out of understanding, communicating and shared experiences even before they met
I loved that there were No "I love yous"
“We’re figuring it out,” Nico said.
I loved that the environment was not toxic.
Most of LGBTQ books fe a turr themes of "struggeling" to come out
For once, I wanted a medium were it was "fine" and "cool" and it was their inner fears rather than the outer one that drove the story
And Eli realized, with a strange ache, that this was the intimacy nobody ever warned you about: not kisses or confessions, but the moment someone let their performance drop and trusted you not to leave.
It was the the emotions and feelings in this book!😍😍😍 that captured my heart
They weren’t safe anymore. But they were staying.
Also,
Was it wrong of me that I want Eli to end up with Rowan?❤️
I have to say that all these Art terms and methods left me feeling like an idiot heeheee, but it was an experience.
Having said that, I was confused in parts because it seemed that Nico and Eli knew who they were?!
At the beginning, even after they nicknamed each other Red/Blue Hoodie, they addressed their names
I dont know if this was intentional
Also, why would you wear the same hoodie to school knowing the other might recognize you?
I tended to think that "they knew" but continued to ignore
I was hoping for their "no face" meet first
Why would you agree to an anonymous meet, but come fully uncovered!
All, in all, I loved the book
I am hoping for a Rowan story
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One of the best MM YA romance I have ever read that's what
"Paint can whisper and words are a microphone"
25% in: I was betting on it being a 5 star if the book continues in the same way😍😍😍😍
In my heart, it is 5 stars but I accepted the ARC for an honest review.
Several things clicked for me when the ARC was suggested.
1- MM romance
2- Written by a guy
3- YA
4- anonymous talking
I have been drifting away from romances anything lately especially those with smut because how mich the plot is sacrificed for the spice.
So, reading this book became a saving grace
I love epistolary romances
Something about connecting with strangers under the guise of a screen
"Eli realized he wasn’t deciding whether to reply. He was deciding how much of himself he could risk putting into a few lines of text.
Hope it's good"
Two boys with different personalities share the same passion and the same fear
one (Eli) avoided the "loud"
And one (Nico) uses "the loud" as defence
Texting the "wrong number" brought them together, and their insecurities formed the connection
"because somewhere out there, in the dark, someone had made the dark feel less empty."....awwwww
I absolutely loved the writing style
So artistic, so poetic, so in sync with the theme of Art
No fireworks. No triumph. Just two boys in fluorescent light, paint in the air, fear finally quieted by something gentler than safety: Choice....God! I love beautiful emotional writing 😍😍
I loved both characters of Eli and Nico and their journey towards each other
"If you filled the space first, you didnt have to wait for someone else to decide what you were"
I liked that the chapters are not made one for one. Both Eli and Nico share the same chapter showing that they share the same experience
I loved that the "romance" was formed out of understanding, communicating and shared experiences even before they met
I loved that there were No "I love yous"
“We’re figuring it out,” Nico said.
I loved that the environment was not toxic.
Most of LGBTQ books fe a turr themes of "struggeling" to come out
For once, I wanted a medium were it was "fine" and "cool" and it was their inner fears rather than the outer one that drove the story
And Eli realized, with a strange ache, that this was the intimacy nobody ever warned you about: not kisses or confessions, but the moment someone let their performance drop and trusted you not to leave.
It was the the emotions and feelings in this book!😍😍😍 that captured my heart
They weren’t safe anymore. But they were staying.
Also,
Was it wrong of me that I want Eli to end up with Rowan?❤️
I have to say that all these Art terms and methods left me feeling like an idiot heeheee, but it was an experience.
Having said that, I was confused in parts because it seemed that Nico and Eli knew who they were?!
At the beginning, even after they nicknamed each other Red/Blue Hoodie, they addressed their names
I dont know if this was intentional
Also, why would you wear the same hoodie to school knowing the other might recognize you?
I tended to think that "they knew" but continued to ignore
I was hoping for their "no face" meet first
Why would you agree to an anonymous meet, but come fully uncovered!
All, in all, I loved the book
I am hoping for a Rowan story
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 13, 2026
Just wrapped up reading this M/M romance called ‘Wrong Number, Right Guy’ part of the Hallway Hearts series. Eli with his mysterious text buddy Nico kept me hooked! 😍 Their dynamic is amazing—quiet reserve meets bold confidence. It’s cool to see a guy author tackling this genre, and even though I don’t usually go for YA, I was really into the story. 📚 However, some parts were a bit confusing 🤔—like Rowan, the best friend, felt kind of unnecessary, and that sister randomly appearing was odd! Plus, it was clear from the start they were in the same school and art program, but when they figured it out, it seemed a bit forced. And seriously, why wear the same hoodie to school if you're trying not to be noticed? 😂 Even with these little issues, I’m definitely interested in more from this author and excited to see what’s next in the series! Eli and Nico’s journey was really sweet, even if the timeline and plot had me puzzled at times. Looking forward to diving back in! 💖📖
May 2, 2026
The cute cover and premise quickly caught my eye for this YA romance. I loved the idea that a wrong text could lead to a so much more. Eli and Nico were seriously so cute. The two have opposite personalities in group settings with one being overconfident and loud while the other is quiet and super reserved. However, both struggled with anxiety and trusting someone to see who they really are.
This was a modern take on epistolary storytelling. The majority of the interactions between the two were done through text messages. It was a cute way to get to truly understand both characters and witness them let their guard down and be vulnerable with one another - even if there were certain privacy rules to adhere to.
This story is definitely perfect for art students!! There’s tons of descriptions about painting, techniques, supplies and nuances of a busy art room. I really liked how Eli described his style.
I would have rated this higher, but I did struggle with a few things throughout this story. While it’s geared towards a YA group, it doesn’t quite come across that way. Aside from the texting, a good chunk of the story is very descriptive thoughts rather than actual dialogue. This tended to drag at times and make me eager for more interactions. This also led to a very limited setting. Eli and Nico were intended to come across as strangers, but very early on it was obvious they not only went to the same school, but also were in the exact same class, working on a project together. There was no element of surprise for the reader making it tough to believe the two were shocked when they do finally meet in person.
Thank you Book. sirens for providing me with an ARC - all opinions are my own.
This was a modern take on epistolary storytelling. The majority of the interactions between the two were done through text messages. It was a cute way to get to truly understand both characters and witness them let their guard down and be vulnerable with one another - even if there were certain privacy rules to adhere to.
This story is definitely perfect for art students!! There’s tons of descriptions about painting, techniques, supplies and nuances of a busy art room. I really liked how Eli described his style.
I would have rated this higher, but I did struggle with a few things throughout this story. While it’s geared towards a YA group, it doesn’t quite come across that way. Aside from the texting, a good chunk of the story is very descriptive thoughts rather than actual dialogue. This tended to drag at times and make me eager for more interactions. This also led to a very limited setting. Eli and Nico were intended to come across as strangers, but very early on it was obvious they not only went to the same school, but also were in the exact same class, working on a project together. There was no element of surprise for the reader making it tough to believe the two were shocked when they do finally meet in person.
Thank you Book. sirens for providing me with an ARC - all opinions are my own.
April 23, 2026
It was frustrating that the narrative couldn't settle on whether or not the characters knew who they were texting... There would be full text chains with the narrator referring to the recipient by name, his personality quirks and real-life traits, then two paragraphs later there would be a speculative break down as if it could be anybody? 'Red Hoodie' figured out who 'Blue Hoodie' was pretty much immediately but still has random moments of denial? They have a whole text conversation in which it is confirmed they go to the same school causing 'Red Hoodie' to panic even though he had already basically confirmed that? Legitimately, by that point it was a deliberate ignorance and the panic was entirely unwarranted... Plus, they have so many clues, the pool is literally limited to six people after the school and mural project reveal, it's ridiculous, wilful ignorance. It was woefully inconsistent and got grating incredibly quickly.
It's is a shame because the actual concept, the discussions of art and the relationship building was sweet. There were moments of emotional depth, and quiet connection. Beautiful descriptions of art and light and colour. Moments of devastating fear and anxiety in the face of careless comments, thoughtless homophobia and attacking mental health. It just became so drawn out it was ridiculous, the panic about meeting increasingly unjustified, and the reveal pathetically overdone... Also, the whole time they aren't in anything remotely like a romantic relationship, they literally just talk honestly, and yet they act like being seen as suddenly friends will make them look gay? Then they are somehow immediately assumed to be because they hang out? They were working together on a project? Boys can be friends? Yes, it evolves into that but for most of the book they aren't together, there is no discussion of feelings for each other, of sexuality or attraction.
Frustrating. There are moments of strength and growth and beauty but it is overshadowed by this inconsistent back and forth and sudden, random developments.
It's is a shame because the actual concept, the discussions of art and the relationship building was sweet. There were moments of emotional depth, and quiet connection. Beautiful descriptions of art and light and colour. Moments of devastating fear and anxiety in the face of careless comments, thoughtless homophobia and attacking mental health. It just became so drawn out it was ridiculous, the panic about meeting increasingly unjustified, and the reveal pathetically overdone... Also, the whole time they aren't in anything remotely like a romantic relationship, they literally just talk honestly, and yet they act like being seen as suddenly friends will make them look gay? Then they are somehow immediately assumed to be because they hang out? They were working together on a project? Boys can be friends? Yes, it evolves into that but for most of the book they aren't together, there is no discussion of feelings for each other, of sexuality or attraction.
Frustrating. There are moments of strength and growth and beauty but it is overshadowed by this inconsistent back and forth and sudden, random developments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
The story has a really strong and interesting concept, which immediately caught my attention. From the very beginning, the introduction was engaging and made me curious to see how the story would develop.
The plot centers around two individuals who have feelings for each other but struggle to express them due to fear of societal judgment and stereotypes. I especially appreciated the theme of friendship and bromance, which added a meaningful layer to the story.
However, I felt that the character development could have been explored more deeply. While the idea behind the story is compelling, the progression of the characters and their relationship felt somewhat limited. Much of the story takes place within the same setting, mainly around the school and the art department room, which made the overall narrative feel a bit repetitive.
Overall, this book has a lot of potential with its strong premise and themes, but I personally wished for more depth and development in both the characters and the storyline.
The plot centers around two individuals who have feelings for each other but struggle to express them due to fear of societal judgment and stereotypes. I especially appreciated the theme of friendship and bromance, which added a meaningful layer to the story.
However, I felt that the character development could have been explored more deeply. While the idea behind the story is compelling, the progression of the characters and their relationship felt somewhat limited. Much of the story takes place within the same setting, mainly around the school and the art department room, which made the overall narrative feel a bit repetitive.
Overall, this book has a lot of potential with its strong premise and themes, but I personally wished for more depth and development in both the characters and the storyline.
April 1, 2026
This book is basically what happens when you take that one quiet kid who feels too much, put him in a fluorescent-lit hallway of judgment, and then accidentally give him a safe space through a literal wrong number. And somehow… it becomes everything.
Like?? The writing?? It’s soft but sharp at the same time. The kind where nothing dramatic is happening on the surface, but internally you’re spiraling with the character. Eli especially—he’s not loud, not flashy, but the way his thoughts are written makes you feel every ounce of his anxiety, his hesitation, his need to stay unseen. It’s painfully real in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
And the texting dynamic?? I’m obsessed. The whole “Red Hoodie / Blue Hoodie” thing could’ve been cheesy, but it’s actually so intimate it hurts. There’s something about two people choosing to stay anonymous but still being honest that just hits different. Like they’re more real with each other than they are with anyone in their actual lives.
Also can we talk about how this book understands ART KIDS??? The gesso jokes, the drying rack struggle, the critique anxiety??? That wasn’t written by someone guessing—that felt lived-in. Every scene in the studio felt so specific and grounded that you could literally hear the fluorescent lights buzzing.
And the best part? It doesn’t rush. It lets you sit in the quiet moments. The pauses. The “should I text back?” anxiety. The almosts. It builds connection in such a slow, careful way that when it does land emotionally, it lands HARD.
If you like stories that are:
soft but emotionally intense
character-driven instead of plot heavy
full of quiet longing and “almost” moments
and that very specific being seen without being looked at feeling.
This book is going to get under your skin in the best way.
Like?? The writing?? It’s soft but sharp at the same time. The kind where nothing dramatic is happening on the surface, but internally you’re spiraling with the character. Eli especially—he’s not loud, not flashy, but the way his thoughts are written makes you feel every ounce of his anxiety, his hesitation, his need to stay unseen. It’s painfully real in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
And the texting dynamic?? I’m obsessed. The whole “Red Hoodie / Blue Hoodie” thing could’ve been cheesy, but it’s actually so intimate it hurts. There’s something about two people choosing to stay anonymous but still being honest that just hits different. Like they’re more real with each other than they are with anyone in their actual lives.
Also can we talk about how this book understands ART KIDS??? The gesso jokes, the drying rack struggle, the critique anxiety??? That wasn’t written by someone guessing—that felt lived-in. Every scene in the studio felt so specific and grounded that you could literally hear the fluorescent lights buzzing.
And the best part? It doesn’t rush. It lets you sit in the quiet moments. The pauses. The “should I text back?” anxiety. The almosts. It builds connection in such a slow, careful way that when it does land emotionally, it lands HARD.
If you like stories that are:
soft but emotionally intense
character-driven instead of plot heavy
full of quiet longing and “almost” moments
and that very specific being seen without being looked at feeling.
This book is going to get under your skin in the best way.
May 14, 2026
A SWEET COMING OFF AGE STORY WITH ANONYMOUS TEXT THREADS!💕 📱🎨🧑🎨
Honestly it took some getting used to the writing style of the author but as I eventually eased myself into their story, I quite enjoyed the premise and the narrative of their journey!
“You still coming to open studio?”
“Wrong Number”
🔴
Eli Mercer- a talented, restrained art student that lives in the shadows gets a text message that changes his life…
🔵
Nico Alverez- loud, bold and confident art student full of jokes and always in the light sends a message to a wrong number that changes his life…
“No Faces, No Names a way that made him feel seen without being looked at.”
Total opposites yet so similar, they navigate a covert world of anonymity in the dark and become each others support system in the light… until the light reveals their deepest secret…
Even their paintings, so different in movement and colour, have silent conversations with each other… when placed in close proximity…
Their face to face meeting was very emotional, poignant and showcased their growth and fears beautifully.
The question remains… did they guess each others identities as they referred to each other by their real names and not Red Hoodie and Blue Hoodie in some chapters?…
Their silent support of each other whether it was just shoulders touching, quiet looks or just presence was so sweet and emotionally endearing!
Their emotional growth was on point with the storyline and pacing:
Eli learns to ground himself with Nico’s voice and presence and steps into the light…
Nico learns how to be himself with moderate restraint and no performance…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Honestly it took some getting used to the writing style of the author but as I eventually eased myself into their story, I quite enjoyed the premise and the narrative of their journey!
“You still coming to open studio?”
“Wrong Number”
🔴
Eli Mercer- a talented, restrained art student that lives in the shadows gets a text message that changes his life…
🔵
Nico Alverez- loud, bold and confident art student full of jokes and always in the light sends a message to a wrong number that changes his life…
“No Faces, No Names a way that made him feel seen without being looked at.”
Total opposites yet so similar, they navigate a covert world of anonymity in the dark and become each others support system in the light… until the light reveals their deepest secret…
Even their paintings, so different in movement and colour, have silent conversations with each other… when placed in close proximity…
Their face to face meeting was very emotional, poignant and showcased their growth and fears beautifully.
The question remains… did they guess each others identities as they referred to each other by their real names and not Red Hoodie and Blue Hoodie in some chapters?…
Their silent support of each other whether it was just shoulders touching, quiet looks or just presence was so sweet and emotionally endearing!
Their emotional growth was on point with the storyline and pacing:
Eli learns to ground himself with Nico’s voice and presence and steps into the light…
Nico learns how to be himself with moderate restraint and no performance…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2026
I love the concept of this book, quiet reserved art boy and the confident loud art boy discovering each other, but it just all felt a little off.
To start with the positives, Eli and Nico were both sweet characters, and their message of quiet acceptance and belonging was nice. And I like the idea of a wrong number meaning you can open up a little more and then actually find someone who gets you.
But the whole thing just seemed a little coincidental - that a random wrong number happened to be a guy in your town, in your school, in your class. And then although it was very obvious they knew each other right from the start, so much so that Eli started calling ‘blue hoodie’ Nico quite early on, they were apparently still really surprised when they met.
I’m also not sure if it’s because I’m not an artist/into art, but a lot of the art chat felt incredibly dramatic for a shade of colour or light. In fact, Eli and Nico felt very dramatic! Their texts didn’t read like high schoolers, but like pretentious poets trying to craft meaningful messages. And some of the narrative was incredibly repetitive with messages like “they stayed” or “not loud, just there” being repeated over and over again.
Finally, there was almost zero romance, which was very disappointing. I’d liked them to have properly “met” a lot sooner and then explored their time actually. together.
Overall, I liked the concept, but I was glad when I finished.
🖌️🤳🎨
To start with the positives, Eli and Nico were both sweet characters, and their message of quiet acceptance and belonging was nice. And I like the idea of a wrong number meaning you can open up a little more and then actually find someone who gets you.
But the whole thing just seemed a little coincidental - that a random wrong number happened to be a guy in your town, in your school, in your class. And then although it was very obvious they knew each other right from the start, so much so that Eli started calling ‘blue hoodie’ Nico quite early on, they were apparently still really surprised when they met.
I’m also not sure if it’s because I’m not an artist/into art, but a lot of the art chat felt incredibly dramatic for a shade of colour or light. In fact, Eli and Nico felt very dramatic! Their texts didn’t read like high schoolers, but like pretentious poets trying to craft meaningful messages. And some of the narrative was incredibly repetitive with messages like “they stayed” or “not loud, just there” being repeated over and over again.
Finally, there was almost zero romance, which was very disappointing. I’d liked them to have properly “met” a lot sooner and then explored their time actually. together.
Overall, I liked the concept, but I was glad when I finished.
🖌️🤳🎨
April 21, 2026
This book is quiet, soft, but still impactful. Eli is trying so hard to be invisible, because being seen is terrifying. But Nico sees him, understands him, and is simply there. I love how they’re there for each other, quietly supporting each other, and simply by being themselves, by being present, they make each other better, they feed a better version of themselves and the other, and they grow together and as individuals. I loved how their wrong number started, I wish I had such a cute story, and not the whole thing of “ I don’t have the wrong number, how dare you even think that” that I usually get. I liked the softness of the book, how it evolves, how their story is like one of Eli’s paintings, and we see the strokes creating something beautiful. I liked reading about the art and their creations, and even though I’m not well versed in that world, the author explained enough to make it make sense without bogging down the story. But the whole book felt like a beautiful painting being unveiled, little by little. The way that the scenes were written was beautiful, and I loved it. It isn’t simply a good story, it’s an unveiling, and it was a pleasure to read it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 1, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.
Wrong Number, Right Guy is a lovely YA novel that epitomizes the word restraint. This wasn't a big, flashy love story, this was a slow-burn with heart. Eli and Nico are high school art students who orbit one another without colliding, until one day when a message from a wrong number kicks off the beginning of a new friendship that turns into something more real than either boy can imagine.
Tyler Young knocked this one out of the park with this concept! I was so impressed with the way he dealt with Eli's fear and with Nico's feelings of inadequacy from the beginning without ever making the characters feel like a caricature of the lonely artsy trope. I really enjoyed the way each boy's feelings were fleshed out in such an authentic way and some of the language had me highlighting up a storm!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but I did take issue with the fact that the characters kept saying/thinking one another's names in certain parts and then acting like they didn't know or were surprised when they found out who the other was at the big reveal. With a little editing and possibly a bit more of an epilogue, this could easily be a five star read.
Wrong Number, Right Guy is a lovely YA novel that epitomizes the word restraint. This wasn't a big, flashy love story, this was a slow-burn with heart. Eli and Nico are high school art students who orbit one another without colliding, until one day when a message from a wrong number kicks off the beginning of a new friendship that turns into something more real than either boy can imagine.
Tyler Young knocked this one out of the park with this concept! I was so impressed with the way he dealt with Eli's fear and with Nico's feelings of inadequacy from the beginning without ever making the characters feel like a caricature of the lonely artsy trope. I really enjoyed the way each boy's feelings were fleshed out in such an authentic way and some of the language had me highlighting up a storm!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, but I did take issue with the fact that the characters kept saying/thinking one another's names in certain parts and then acting like they didn't know or were surprised when they found out who the other was at the big reveal. With a little editing and possibly a bit more of an epilogue, this could easily be a five star read.
April 23, 2026
I've never read anything by Tyler Young before this brilliant story and after reading about Nico and Eli, I'm going to have to see what else Tyler has written!
I adored everything about this book, from the concept, to the slow-burn that developed between the MC's, and I loved how detailed all the art was. There were so many intricate details describing what paint was used, how it was applied, what they were painting, the feelings a certain medium invoked, it was all just written really well. It made me want to paint alongside the characters.
Nico and Eli's story isn't your 'conventional' romance book, their connection builds slowly throughout the story and isn't big or 'showy'. It's subtle, soft, and will leave you smiling. Their relationship is what some describe as 'closed door', meaning that no spicy scenes are described at any point in this book. Honestly, I would consider this a really well written YA romance, its a very good book! And even if you don't typically read YA books, I strongly recommend giving this a chance.
I adored everything about this book, from the concept, to the slow-burn that developed between the MC's, and I loved how detailed all the art was. There were so many intricate details describing what paint was used, how it was applied, what they were painting, the feelings a certain medium invoked, it was all just written really well. It made me want to paint alongside the characters.
Nico and Eli's story isn't your 'conventional' romance book, their connection builds slowly throughout the story and isn't big or 'showy'. It's subtle, soft, and will leave you smiling. Their relationship is what some describe as 'closed door', meaning that no spicy scenes are described at any point in this book. Honestly, I would consider this a really well written YA romance, its a very good book! And even if you don't typically read YA books, I strongly recommend giving this a chance.
April 29, 2026
Although it was an accident text that leads to a textual relationship between Eli and Tyler, the pace of their relationship felt just right. Eli is reticent. He does not seek to be seen and although Tyler sees him pretty quickly through their communication, it is still safe communication as it allows them to grow close in a way that works for Eli and allows him to connect to Tyler. There was something cool about writing to reach one another and finding their footing as they were doing just that. Romance and connection that starts in the head and lodges in the heart seems so special. This was sweet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2026
4.5 stars. A very touching YA novel with two anxious art boys, both hiding similar struggles but in very different ways. As a person who always chose hiding, Eli's thoughts and emotions felt particularly realistic. Giving the characters a lifeline through texting gave them a chance to open up slowly and share with another, which allowed them to become connected in a very organic way. There was very little plot, but there didn't need to be, as the focus was all on the feelings.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
April 30, 2026
2.75 - 4 ⭐️
I liked the characters and the general meaning of the story but so much repetitive speech and writing patterns while also having a confusing pov between the characters and inconsistencies in the writing style in general it didn’t make sense and was a bit frustrating. I almost dnf-ed it several times but I actually wanted to know the ending because of the characters. So writing style needs to be heavily edited, but characters were cute. I can’t decide my starts yet but my general range above is it I guess.
I liked the characters and the general meaning of the story but so much repetitive speech and writing patterns while also having a confusing pov between the characters and inconsistencies in the writing style in general it didn’t make sense and was a bit frustrating. I almost dnf-ed it several times but I actually wanted to know the ending because of the characters. So writing style needs to be heavily edited, but characters were cute. I can’t decide my starts yet but my general range above is it I guess.
April 30, 2026
This is such a cute story! If the review was only based on the story, it would’ve been five stars. The insecurities and struggles of Eli and Nico were relatable and I loved that their relationship built up slowly and steadily.
Sadly there were some inconsistencies and mistakes in the book.
Sometimes the wrong name was used in the thread, Eli‘s sister suddenly appeared around page 280 without any mention of her beforehand, and the sentences felt repetitive or were sometimes even the same.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sadly there were some inconsistencies and mistakes in the book.
Sometimes the wrong name was used in the thread, Eli‘s sister suddenly appeared around page 280 without any mention of her beforehand, and the sentences felt repetitive or were sometimes even the same.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2026
Wrong Number, Right Guy was witty, charming and the yearning was spot on. Mental health played a big role in this story, and it was realistic. The only reason that I did not give these 5 stars, is because throughout the book it was confusing when the author would use the names of the other character when they didn’t know who they were yet. At one point I thought I had missed that interaction and had to go back to make sure.
August 13, 2026
A good story
The story is adorable and heartwarming. Very cozy, low angst, zero spice.
This is one of the books that you need to give it the grace you’d give your best friend’s novel, and it improves as it goes along if you give it a chance.
The story is adorable and heartwarming. Very cozy, low angst, zero spice.
This is one of the books that you need to give it the grace you’d give your best friend’s novel, and it improves as it goes along if you give it a chance.
April 4, 2026
It was really sweet. Good read ❤️
June 29, 2026
The timeline kinda confused me but maybe that’s on me for taking too long to finish the book. Cute story but some of it went over my head lol
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