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King of the Nerds
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jun 26371 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 12, 2026
About the author
James Michael
10 books30 followersJames Williams lives in Moore, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's degree in English Education in 2024. In May 2024, James published his first novel, It Was Always You. He currently teaches high school English in Oklahoma City. James is the father to Brady, Nevaeh, and Hayden, and stepfather to Sage. He and his partner, Rachael, have a cat, Shadow, and 3 dogs, Harley, Alfred, and Drake. In his free time, James enjoys learning about free time and imagining what that would be like.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2026
4.5 starts rounded to 5.
Review of the pre-release copy provided by the author.
Full video review is posted @DarinasReads BookTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8pLQ3uu/.
It’s about a person who thinks he is broken, but instead, he is “just complicated in interesting ways”.
It’s probably not for everyone. But it is definitely for all who feel awkward, out of place, weird, to all neurodivergent readers, and all who can relate because they have neurodivergent loved ones.
It’s “For the people like us”.
It also felt deeply personal, like most of it was written from a personal experience. The author shares that Noah, the main character, shares the same diagnosis and brain framework as himself, that he put into this character the ways and paths of how his own brain works. It felt like a catharsis of some sorts, like acceptance and liberation.
Noah is an English teacher (just like the author!) who feels out of place. He calls himself NPC because he is often dismissed and overlooked as a part of the background.
One day, he attends a trivia night where he meets Aurora and her friend. And that night becomes a counterstone to his road of basically mapping his life. The video from that night went viral, and suddenly, Noah is taken out of his shell and starts doing what he has been always avoiding and meeting people he would prefer not to meet ever again. It also leads him to get assessed and find out why he is the way he is.
Even though the bully apology situation felt like a part of a fairy tale— a wishful thinking that doesn’t happen in real life— this story makes a difference for all neurodivergent adults.
Here is a thing. It’s a book about a grown man who tries to understand why he is the way he is. And the problem to that, why he started questioning it so late in his life, is rooted in our real-life history. He is a kid from the 1980s. And kids back then were not assessed and diagnosed the way they do these days. Autism and neurodivergent awareness were not as common as they are today.
Neurodivergent kids were simply labeled as weirds, as that was that. They had to live their lives all through adulthood thinking that they were the problem and that it’s all their fault that they don’t fit in. They felt that they should do better, that they are alone, and that there is no one who will ever understand them. They just accepted that they are different without learning how to cope with it. No strategies. No tools. Just shutting down all that not-fittingness in order to mold themselves to fit in.
It’s only now when many adults are starting to understand why they are the way they are. And it’s… a painful and liberating process at the same time.
This book hit personally for me because it landed right into the home of our neurodivergent family. I learned many new things about myself and recognised some about my family members. I cried. The phrase about telling all this “for people like us” landed especially hard.
But also, for once, my personal trait of picking on inconsistencies, bloopers, and writing did something (hopefully) good.
I read a pre-release copy provided by the author as being a part of his street team, and I found several parts that in my mind needed to be addressed - a couple of inconsistencies, clichés, and editing errors. I noted them all and had a prolonged internal debate if I should let the author know before posting my review.
You see, if the book has already been ordered to print in thousands of copies, there is almost nothing that can be done about it. There was also a chance that I read a draft that had already been edited after my copy was printed. And if it’s the case, my review would be inaccurate... Also, if it was not printed yet and there is a chance that I was reading an ARC and the author was planning to gather feedback before submitting his final draft, I should let him know about my findings.
So I messaged him. Not only was he very open and accepting the critique of his work, but he also started to edit his manuscript right away. Just like that - criticism and picking turned into a feedback that in turned produced its improved results.
I am happy to report that I have nothing to report that has not been addressed by the author. I don’t know if he changed everything - if Noah walks his dog, if Aurora saw his car before, but I do know that he worked on editing and re-writing the parts that I messaged him about.
The final released book will most likely not be having any lines or inconsistencies that jumped at me. So - there is nothing to report. And it feels good! Making a positive difference feels good.
P.S. I want to make a T-shirt for myself and hubby using a quote from this book. It would say:
“I am not old.
I am historically experienced.”
Review of the pre-release copy provided by the author.
Full video review is posted @DarinasReads BookTok https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8pLQ3uu/.
It’s about a person who thinks he is broken, but instead, he is “just complicated in interesting ways”.
It’s probably not for everyone. But it is definitely for all who feel awkward, out of place, weird, to all neurodivergent readers, and all who can relate because they have neurodivergent loved ones.
It’s “For the people like us”.
It also felt deeply personal, like most of it was written from a personal experience. The author shares that Noah, the main character, shares the same diagnosis and brain framework as himself, that he put into this character the ways and paths of how his own brain works. It felt like a catharsis of some sorts, like acceptance and liberation.
Noah is an English teacher (just like the author!) who feels out of place. He calls himself NPC because he is often dismissed and overlooked as a part of the background.
One day, he attends a trivia night where he meets Aurora and her friend. And that night becomes a counterstone to his road of basically mapping his life. The video from that night went viral, and suddenly, Noah is taken out of his shell and starts doing what he has been always avoiding and meeting people he would prefer not to meet ever again. It also leads him to get assessed and find out why he is the way he is.
Even though the bully apology situation felt like a part of a fairy tale— a wishful thinking that doesn’t happen in real life— this story makes a difference for all neurodivergent adults.
Here is a thing. It’s a book about a grown man who tries to understand why he is the way he is. And the problem to that, why he started questioning it so late in his life, is rooted in our real-life history. He is a kid from the 1980s. And kids back then were not assessed and diagnosed the way they do these days. Autism and neurodivergent awareness were not as common as they are today.
Neurodivergent kids were simply labeled as weirds, as that was that. They had to live their lives all through adulthood thinking that they were the problem and that it’s all their fault that they don’t fit in. They felt that they should do better, that they are alone, and that there is no one who will ever understand them. They just accepted that they are different without learning how to cope with it. No strategies. No tools. Just shutting down all that not-fittingness in order to mold themselves to fit in.
It’s only now when many adults are starting to understand why they are the way they are. And it’s… a painful and liberating process at the same time.
This book hit personally for me because it landed right into the home of our neurodivergent family. I learned many new things about myself and recognised some about my family members. I cried. The phrase about telling all this “for people like us” landed especially hard.
But also, for once, my personal trait of picking on inconsistencies, bloopers, and writing did something (hopefully) good.
I read a pre-release copy provided by the author as being a part of his street team, and I found several parts that in my mind needed to be addressed - a couple of inconsistencies, clichés, and editing errors. I noted them all and had a prolonged internal debate if I should let the author know before posting my review.
You see, if the book has already been ordered to print in thousands of copies, there is almost nothing that can be done about it. There was also a chance that I read a draft that had already been edited after my copy was printed. And if it’s the case, my review would be inaccurate... Also, if it was not printed yet and there is a chance that I was reading an ARC and the author was planning to gather feedback before submitting his final draft, I should let him know about my findings.
So I messaged him. Not only was he very open and accepting the critique of his work, but he also started to edit his manuscript right away. Just like that - criticism and picking turned into a feedback that in turned produced its improved results.
I am happy to report that I have nothing to report that has not been addressed by the author. I don’t know if he changed everything - if Noah walks his dog, if Aurora saw his car before, but I do know that he worked on editing and re-writing the parts that I messaged him about.
The final released book will most likely not be having any lines or inconsistencies that jumped at me. So - there is nothing to report. And it feels good! Making a positive difference feels good.
P.S. I want to make a T-shirt for myself and hubby using a quote from this book. It would say:
“I am not old.
I am historically experienced.”
May 6, 2026
This book feels necessary…urgent, even. It’s deeply impactful, told through the perspective of a person living with autism, ADHD, and OCD. The writing places you right inside his mind, letting you experience his thoughts, emotions, and daily struggles with remarkable intimacy. You don’t just observe his journey…you feel it, and in many ways, you become part of it. The constant battles he faces in his own head are portrayed with such honesty that they feel exhausting, visceral, and real.
There were parts of this story that were funny and had me chuckling. But at the same time my heart broke and it made me emotional.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the story is its portrayal of empathy. The female main character approaches him with patience and genuine care…she doesn’t make assumptions or rushes to judgment. Instead, she asks questions, seeks to understand, and meets him with acceptance in every situation. That kind of compassion feels rare and powerful.
What stayed with me most, though, is how universally relatable this story is. Even as a neurotypical reader, I found myself connecting to so many of the struggles he faces. Many of his internal battles are ones that people experience every day, myself included. The author captures these moments in such a grounded, human way.
On a personal level, the story resonated deeply with my own experiences working with autistic children..and even more so as a parent. It made me think of my daughter, Stella, who has special needs. I’ve seen the stares, the eye rolls, the quiet judgments when she becomes overwhelmed in public and can’t express what’s happening inside her mind. This book speaks directly to that reality. It reminds us that people who think and process the world differently are no less human…in fact, they are often among the most insightful, complex, and brilliant individuals we encounter.
I absolutely think you should give this book a chance. And dare I say that this is my favorite book that James Michael has written to date.
There were parts of this story that were funny and had me chuckling. But at the same time my heart broke and it made me emotional.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the story is its portrayal of empathy. The female main character approaches him with patience and genuine care…she doesn’t make assumptions or rushes to judgment. Instead, she asks questions, seeks to understand, and meets him with acceptance in every situation. That kind of compassion feels rare and powerful.
What stayed with me most, though, is how universally relatable this story is. Even as a neurotypical reader, I found myself connecting to so many of the struggles he faces. Many of his internal battles are ones that people experience every day, myself included. The author captures these moments in such a grounded, human way.
On a personal level, the story resonated deeply with my own experiences working with autistic children..and even more so as a parent. It made me think of my daughter, Stella, who has special needs. I’ve seen the stares, the eye rolls, the quiet judgments when she becomes overwhelmed in public and can’t express what’s happening inside her mind. This book speaks directly to that reality. It reminds us that people who think and process the world differently are no less human…in fact, they are often among the most insightful, complex, and brilliant individuals we encounter.
I absolutely think you should give this book a chance. And dare I say that this is my favorite book that James Michael has written to date.
May 7, 2026
If I cld give this book infinite stars I wld! James sir, your writing style and the words you put into these books are beautiful! You write so it can be felt and heard. You give people a voice who may not have one, and so they can be seen.
Not only is this book humorous, but we also get the serious parts and the parts that will break your heart and put them back together. Noah and Aurora’s story is absolutely beautiful and I cld only wish that someday to find a love like that. They get each other, they complete each other in all the best ways possible. It’s not always pretty, and hard things are discussed and worked through but they did it together and came out even better for it.
Noah’s struggles were some that I’ve seen so many times in different people in my own personal life. If people will let it, this book will teach them something that they need to know and they can benefit from it. Sometimes life isn’t just about understanding others, it’s also about understanding yourself.
Not only is this book humorous, but we also get the serious parts and the parts that will break your heart and put them back together. Noah and Aurora’s story is absolutely beautiful and I cld only wish that someday to find a love like that. They get each other, they complete each other in all the best ways possible. It’s not always pretty, and hard things are discussed and worked through but they did it together and came out even better for it.
Noah’s struggles were some that I’ve seen so many times in different people in my own personal life. If people will let it, this book will teach them something that they need to know and they can benefit from it. Sometimes life isn’t just about understanding others, it’s also about understanding yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was not at all what I expected. This book definitely needed to be written & I’m glad it was because at parts I felt like Noah was me & I bet there’s a lil bit of Noah in all of us. I believe my life will be better lived because of this book. I feel understood because of this book. I’ve read so many self help books however I never read about me! Thank you James for having the courage to bring us Noah & for sharing some of you in him. Also James thank you for not making this a self help book because I probably wouldn’t have read it!
If you want to read a great story & better identify with people who have autism or adhd or even just sometimes feel different than others, than this book is for you. It has a great storyline & is fun.
If you want to read a great story & better identify with people who have autism or adhd or even just sometimes feel different than others, than this book is for you. It has a great storyline & is fun.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Belonging isn’t something you achieve by becoming less of who you are. It’s something you find by being more of it in the right places”
I am emotionally wrecked, nostalgically pleased, happy and sad all at the same time. This deep personal in-depth perspective of an AuDHD OCD RSD person, mixed with nerdy nostalgic references and a touching love story all wrapped into one book was flawless perfection. I will never forget this story. Well deserving representation that gives such a better understanding for what people on the spectrum go through. I loved this story! My new favorite book.
I am emotionally wrecked, nostalgically pleased, happy and sad all at the same time. This deep personal in-depth perspective of an AuDHD OCD RSD person, mixed with nerdy nostalgic references and a touching love story all wrapped into one book was flawless perfection. I will never forget this story. Well deserving representation that gives such a better understanding for what people on the spectrum go through. I loved this story! My new favorite book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was the first book I have read with a character that was on the spectrum and I throughly enjoyed every page of this book. I read it so fast because I couldn’t put it down . I love being able to understand how someone else’s brain works and processes things when they have autism or anything else that allows them to see the world differently. With having my two children with a chance of being autistic this book was able to help me see the signs of it and see if they need to be tested or not
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am normally a very picky reader, but 'King of the Nerds' had me hooked from the first page. James Michael’s writing style made me feel instantly at home. It’s funny, nostalgic, and deeply authentic, it doesn't shy away from the heavier side of being neurodivergent. This book is extraordinary and a must-read for anyone looking for a story with a massive heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t even know how to start a review for this book. I love Noah’s story and watching him grow and learn about himself. I had no idea what RSD was but pretty sure that is me along with OCD. I love the love Noah has for his students. This book had me in all the feels. If you have someone with autism or adhd in your life you need to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I arc read this book, and the author is absolutely inscribed talented.
I love his writing style and cannot wait to see what else he comes out with.
I love his writing style and cannot wait to see what else he comes out with.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews