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Life According to Maps #1-3
Life According to Maps: Omnibus Edition
The complete collection of the short stories in the Life According to Maps series.
---
Maps
* * *
If Maps ruled the world, his best pal Benji would be court jester, and every day would celebrate a new experiment.
No, scratch that.
If Maps ruled the world, his best pal would still be living next door, and there wouldn’t be any gap-toothed new guy staring at him as if he’s bonkers.
Pity Maps doesn’t rule the world . . .
---
Diamonds
* * *
Maps’ kingdom is crumbling before his eyes.
His parents are forcing him to get a job, there’s a new kid at school who won’t stop staring at him, and his best friend is too busy thinking about girls to help Maps deal with his real problems.
Worst of all,
Maps is lost.
And none of the roads on his map are leading to Lane.
---
Lane's
* * *
Maps doesn’t believe in growing up.
He believes in his experiments, Benji’s new driving skills, Perry’s knowledge of “adult things”, and his interstellar boyfriend, Lane.
Maps certainly doesn’t believe in graduating. And he especially doesn’t believe in his friends attending separate colleges.
Because if Maps believed in any of those things, it would mean he was growing up.
---
Maps
* * *
If Maps ruled the world, his best pal Benji would be court jester, and every day would celebrate a new experiment.
No, scratch that.
If Maps ruled the world, his best pal would still be living next door, and there wouldn’t be any gap-toothed new guy staring at him as if he’s bonkers.
Pity Maps doesn’t rule the world . . .
---
Diamonds
* * *
Maps’ kingdom is crumbling before his eyes.
His parents are forcing him to get a job, there’s a new kid at school who won’t stop staring at him, and his best friend is too busy thinking about girls to help Maps deal with his real problems.
Worst of all,
Maps is lost.
And none of the roads on his map are leading to Lane.
---
Lane's
* * *
Maps doesn’t believe in growing up.
He believes in his experiments, Benji’s new driving skills, Perry’s knowledge of “adult things”, and his interstellar boyfriend, Lane.
Maps certainly doesn’t believe in graduating. And he especially doesn’t believe in his friends attending separate colleges.
Because if Maps believed in any of those things, it would mean he was growing up.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2016
8 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Nash Summers
19 books580 followersNash Summers rarely has any idea what she’s doing. But when she likes to pretend, she pretends by writing stories at the pace of drying paint. As if that wasn’t exhilarating enough, Nash also enjoys absolute silence, general politeness, and waiting her turn in line.
Needless to say, she’s a bona fide hell raiser.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nash.summers...
Nash also has a super cool newsletter which can be found here: http://eepurl.com/boD5TP
Needless to say, she’s a bona fide hell raiser.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nash.summers...
Nash also has a super cool newsletter which can be found here: http://eepurl.com/boD5TP
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 21, 2023
I absolutely loved this! Brilliant writing, super funny and sweet story with amazing characters. And I loved every single one of them.
Maps is one of the quirkiest and cutest characters ever and being inside his head was hilarious. I adored him. I loved his friendship with Benji and his relationship with Lane was beyond adorable.
I hope we'll get more of Perry. Loved him, too!
****************
Re-read 1/2020: Loved it just as much as the first time.
Re-read 2/2021: Love love love this story. 🥰
Re-read 1/2023 Still waiting for Perry's story, and certain someone. 🤗
Maps is one of the quirkiest and cutest characters ever and being inside his head was hilarious. I adored him. I loved his friendship with Benji and his relationship with Lane was beyond adorable.
I hope we'll get more of Perry. Loved him, too!
****************
Re-read 1/2020: Loved it just as much as the first time.
Re-read 2/2021: Love love love this story. 🥰
Re-read 1/2023 Still waiting for Perry's story, and certain someone. 🤗
December 1, 2024
A collection of three novellas about an unique boy who experiences love for the first time.
Maps (H) is a clever, awkward and inventive boy who drives his parents crazy with his experiments. It was an interesting and fun character to follow for a novella but I got tired of his POV after that. I’ve seen the reviews and a lot of people enjoyed the three novellas so maybe that’s on me. I tend to get tired of humor easily (happened with T.J.Klune stories with too much of it), so what I found endearing at the beginning was very annoying by the end of this collection.
The first novella was the beginning of the love story: I found it very cute because it was about two boys experiencing love for the first time and trying to figure it out what they were going to do with those strange feelings. The second novella has a lot of miscommunication and the third one is more of a coming of age (Maps trying to figure it out what he’s going to do after high school). My main problem with this book is that, the more I read, the more I realized a lot of things that I didn’t like. For example, Maps was very naive and never understood what was going on, and it made me feel like he was a lot younger than he actually was. I went from shipping them to find the notion weird because, following his POV, he felt like a little kid that was dating a teen.
On top of that, Maps and his love interest never had interesting conversations. They went from being friends to being boyfriends who can’t talk with each other because they were too nervous for that. It was cute at first but it grew old fast.
Overall, I think I enjoyed the first novella because it was unrealistic in a fun way, but got tired of it too quickly. I wish I had tried the novellas instead of this version because I wouldn’t feel the need to read the entire thing when the first one was more than enough. That being said, a lot of my friends enjoyed this series so, if you like young adult and fun POVs that aren’t quite realistic maybe give it a try.
↬ Life According to Maps:
1. Maps: 3 stars
2. Diamonds: 2 stars
3. Lane's: 2 stars
Maps (H) is a clever, awkward and inventive boy who drives his parents crazy with his experiments. It was an interesting and fun character to follow for a novella but I got tired of his POV after that. I’ve seen the reviews and a lot of people enjoyed the three novellas so maybe that’s on me. I tend to get tired of humor easily (happened with T.J.Klune stories with too much of it), so what I found endearing at the beginning was very annoying by the end of this collection.
The first novella was the beginning of the love story: I found it very cute because it was about two boys experiencing love for the first time and trying to figure it out what they were going to do with those strange feelings. The second novella has a lot of miscommunication and the third one is more of a coming of age (Maps trying to figure it out what he’s going to do after high school). My main problem with this book is that, the more I read, the more I realized a lot of things that I didn’t like. For example, Maps was very naive and never understood what was going on, and it made me feel like he was a lot younger than he actually was. I went from shipping them to find the notion weird because, following his POV, he felt like a little kid that was dating a teen.
On top of that, Maps and his love interest never had interesting conversations. They went from being friends to being boyfriends who can’t talk with each other because they were too nervous for that. It was cute at first but it grew old fast.
Overall, I think I enjoyed the first novella because it was unrealistic in a fun way, but got tired of it too quickly. I wish I had tried the novellas instead of this version because I wouldn’t feel the need to read the entire thing when the first one was more than enough. That being said, a lot of my friends enjoyed this series so, if you like young adult and fun POVs that aren’t quite realistic maybe give it a try.
↬ Life According to Maps:
1. Maps: 3 stars
2. Diamonds: 2 stars
3. Lane's: 2 stars
Read
July 19, 2018The entire Maps collection available now on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback! :)
http://a.co/fpppLFo
http://a.co/fpppLFo
May 9, 2024
I started this series back in 2018. Glad I finally finished it.
May 13, 2023
This was fantastic. I had so much fun reading this.
P.S. does Perry have a book?
P.S. does Perry have a book?
March 22, 2021
I quite liked this, it was cute, it was funny, it was awkward.
But Jesus Christ, the MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE SECOND BOOK DROVE ME NUTS!
And also; I laughed out loud sometimes, because I found the humor to be actually funny. Though my humor is all over the place and I laugh at everything, so maybe don’t hold me on that. Even then, there were times where the quirkiness and the awkwardness were too freaking much for my nerves and made me either cringe or roll my eyes.
Either way, it was fun (different than funny, okay? I’m not being redundant, I’m way too professional for that), it was fast, I liked the characters well enough and... yeah. That’s it.
But Jesus Christ, the MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE SECOND BOOK DROVE ME NUTS!
And also; I laughed out loud sometimes, because I found the humor to be actually funny. Though my humor is all over the place and I laugh at everything, so maybe don’t hold me on that. Even then, there were times where the quirkiness and the awkwardness were too freaking much for my nerves and made me either cringe or roll my eyes.
Either way, it was fun (different than funny, okay? I’m not being redundant, I’m way too professional for that), it was fast, I liked the characters well enough and... yeah. That’s it.
May 23, 2021
Well, this wasn't exactly a book that I received in hope of providing a review - although in some ways it feels like that for me. A friend (thanks Marcie!) loaned the book to me, still I felt a slight obligation to provide a review, as if I'd received a copy from the publisher for that very reason, and I went into this novella with a bit of apprehension. I really wanted to give it a fair shot, as I knew how much my friend loved the story, but I was also dreading that I might not like the book and then be left with the dilemma of layering my anticipated review with mild allusions so as not to upset a friend.
First off, this book was exactly what I expected it would be. It's a silly inconsequential bit of fluff that provides a few hours of escapism from life's boring tedium of day-to-day drudgery. Second, there's nothing here that even remotely resembles a literary achievement other than a fun little snippet of life in America. That being said there's really not much worth commenting on ... Except:
The characters.
Princess Madame Sparkle: the holy terror of infants terrible. This precocious brat is as ambulatory as any meddling Dennis-the-Menace and she gets into places she has no business being. Charming, clichéd and annoying beyond redemption. If you want to have the worst possible thing to be said at the most embarrassing moment, leave it to this little monster who has a penchant for breaking & entering, wrecking havoc and tossing clean clothes and bedding out windows when she doesn't think enough attention is being payed to her utterly adorable and monstrous self. Recommendation: avoid at all costs! Unless, of course, you happen to be:
Benji: the ultimate BFF. Often mistaken as "the Boyfriend" when one lives next door to ones best friend. An easy mistake to make. Compounded by wearing a leotard to school while dressed like a flower in order to give a class presentation on photosynthesis with said BFF. Add to this Benji's knack with infants terrible and volunteering at a daycare center and we have an individual who is quite literally too good to be true. I mean who else but someone hopelessly devoted to their best friend would willingly dress up as a flower in a leotard for a class presentation at the age of 16. Class clown? Perhaps, but I couldn't help but feel that there was something much more going on here.
Lane: gap-toothed dumb jock. Yawn. Clearly the "love interest." Easily written off as teen gay male wish-fantasy until he starts climbing in our hero's window and delivering magical gifts of nearly obsessive intimacy. Yikes is this guy for real? But then that's exactly what he's supposed to be. The charming alpha-male who gets bitten by the "adorkable" (did you come up with that Marcie?) Maps. And what's not to love:
Maps: our plucky, nerdy hero. Too smart for his own good and too dumb to know he's not as smart as he thinks he is. "Adorkable?" Well, yes. That sums up this overly juvenile 16 year old rather nicely. He's a dork. He's too smart for his own good. And he's completely clueless. He has terrible issues with impulse control and acts like an 11 year old, but he's adorably charming and clearly in need of a friend like Benji who will not only dress up like said flower for him, but also put up with his "experiments" and not become enraged by his endless prattling and shenanigans.
This is a teenage romance comedy? Yes. It's silly, it's juvenile and it is some kind of crazy wonderful. If fact, had I the money I'd contact the author and buy the movie rights and start pre-production immediately. This has all the makings a riotously funny film with great sight gags as well as wonderful one-liners and ... It just occurred to me that Maps is like one of those witty, charming YouTube teens that bare themselves open on a video blog. It ends up a series of videos were we watch them constructing an identity bit by bit. When they think they're being clever, relevant and poignant; but in reality they are discovering themselves through what amounts to a public diary. Maps is like that. Here's a kid who's just figuring out who he is and he's dragging along friends and relatives through this journey of self discovery.
I can't quite give it 5 stars, things are a bit too predictable, but the author certainly inserts this novella with the character's sense of boundless joy of life. It's a fast read that just might melt the iciest of hearts.
And and then there's the socks. I find it interesting that author mentions that Benji used to leave his smelly socks all over the place and then Princess Madame Sparkle is seen throwing Lane's balled up socks out his bedroom window. Socks? What's up with the darn socks? Hrm.
Another delightfully silly teenage romantic comedy in the life of Maps. Following the typical arc of all rom-com's things start off well enough, get worse, but get cheering again by the end; because of the genres conventions, that's to be expected. Our usual cast of characters are present, although I really expect the monster, aka Princess Madame Sprinkle, to have been seen with Benji at the daycare center where he reportedly works - but oh well. Maps trying to find employment was filled with hilarity and high-jinks. I still can't believe that Maps in a chicken suit didn't end worse though, that seemed like a recipe for disaster. We also got a new character with Perry. I suppose to have a sort of gay role model or mentor for Maps, but I was really expecting more conflict and shenanigans between Perry and Lane. I was disappointed with Benji discovering girls. I honestly was expecting him to be hopelessly devoted to Maps. I did have some issues or questions with the timing of the events, but hey - it's rom-com, just go with it.
The ending chapter wraps things up in a nice predictable bow. Nothing shocking or too unexpected. It is what it is and it’s so much fun.
First off, this book was exactly what I expected it would be. It's a silly inconsequential bit of fluff that provides a few hours of escapism from life's boring tedium of day-to-day drudgery. Second, there's nothing here that even remotely resembles a literary achievement other than a fun little snippet of life in America. That being said there's really not much worth commenting on ... Except:
The characters.
Princess Madame Sparkle: the holy terror of infants terrible. This precocious brat is as ambulatory as any meddling Dennis-the-Menace and she gets into places she has no business being. Charming, clichéd and annoying beyond redemption. If you want to have the worst possible thing to be said at the most embarrassing moment, leave it to this little monster who has a penchant for breaking & entering, wrecking havoc and tossing clean clothes and bedding out windows when she doesn't think enough attention is being payed to her utterly adorable and monstrous self. Recommendation: avoid at all costs! Unless, of course, you happen to be:
Benji: the ultimate BFF. Often mistaken as "the Boyfriend" when one lives next door to ones best friend. An easy mistake to make. Compounded by wearing a leotard to school while dressed like a flower in order to give a class presentation on photosynthesis with said BFF. Add to this Benji's knack with infants terrible and volunteering at a daycare center and we have an individual who is quite literally too good to be true. I mean who else but someone hopelessly devoted to their best friend would willingly dress up as a flower in a leotard for a class presentation at the age of 16. Class clown? Perhaps, but I couldn't help but feel that there was something much more going on here.
Lane: gap-toothed dumb jock. Yawn. Clearly the "love interest." Easily written off as teen gay male wish-fantasy until he starts climbing in our hero's window and delivering magical gifts of nearly obsessive intimacy. Yikes is this guy for real? But then that's exactly what he's supposed to be. The charming alpha-male who gets bitten by the "adorkable" (did you come up with that Marcie?) Maps. And what's not to love:
Maps: our plucky, nerdy hero. Too smart for his own good and too dumb to know he's not as smart as he thinks he is. "Adorkable?" Well, yes. That sums up this overly juvenile 16 year old rather nicely. He's a dork. He's too smart for his own good. And he's completely clueless. He has terrible issues with impulse control and acts like an 11 year old, but he's adorably charming and clearly in need of a friend like Benji who will not only dress up like said flower for him, but also put up with his "experiments" and not become enraged by his endless prattling and shenanigans.
This is a teenage romance comedy? Yes. It's silly, it's juvenile and it is some kind of crazy wonderful. If fact, had I the money I'd contact the author and buy the movie rights and start pre-production immediately. This has all the makings a riotously funny film with great sight gags as well as wonderful one-liners and ... It just occurred to me that Maps is like one of those witty, charming YouTube teens that bare themselves open on a video blog. It ends up a series of videos were we watch them constructing an identity bit by bit. When they think they're being clever, relevant and poignant; but in reality they are discovering themselves through what amounts to a public diary. Maps is like that. Here's a kid who's just figuring out who he is and he's dragging along friends and relatives through this journey of self discovery.
I can't quite give it 5 stars, things are a bit too predictable, but the author certainly inserts this novella with the character's sense of boundless joy of life. It's a fast read that just might melt the iciest of hearts.
And and then there's the socks. I find it interesting that author mentions that Benji used to leave his smelly socks all over the place and then Princess Madame Sparkle is seen throwing Lane's balled up socks out his bedroom window. Socks? What's up with the darn socks? Hrm.
Another delightfully silly teenage romantic comedy in the life of Maps. Following the typical arc of all rom-com's things start off well enough, get worse, but get cheering again by the end; because of the genres conventions, that's to be expected. Our usual cast of characters are present, although I really expect the monster, aka Princess Madame Sprinkle, to have been seen with Benji at the daycare center where he reportedly works - but oh well. Maps trying to find employment was filled with hilarity and high-jinks. I still can't believe that Maps in a chicken suit didn't end worse though, that seemed like a recipe for disaster. We also got a new character with Perry. I suppose to have a sort of gay role model or mentor for Maps, but I was really expecting more conflict and shenanigans between Perry and Lane. I was disappointed with Benji discovering girls. I honestly was expecting him to be hopelessly devoted to Maps. I did have some issues or questions with the timing of the events, but hey - it's rom-com, just go with it.
The ending chapter wraps things up in a nice predictable bow. Nothing shocking or too unexpected. It is what it is and it’s so much fun.
October 1, 2021
Like a modern John Hughes flick
The ‘80s were gifted with ‘Sixteen Candles’. The 2010s have ‘Maps’. It is filled with laugh out loud hilarity and has tender moments that rival Jake waiting outside the church for Samantha. This would make an awesome movie or even a stage musical.
The ‘80s were gifted with ‘Sixteen Candles’. The 2010s have ‘Maps’. It is filled with laugh out loud hilarity and has tender moments that rival Jake waiting outside the church for Samantha. This would make an awesome movie or even a stage musical.
July 20, 2018
I've read each individual short story and loved them all. I will be buying the paperback today!
February 14, 2024
Life, according to Maps, is all the better because of this incredible book
Every now and then an author completely nails the perfect character. They create the most engaging character who in turn captures your heart within the first few sentences. Nash Summers has done that with Maps. In her trio of novellas, better read in this single book format, she introduces us to the wonderful Matthew (Maps) Wilson and lets us explore his beautiful mind as he makes his way through his final year at school and his first year in love.
This is such a gem of a book that explores so many aspects of life, while never once leaving the mind of Maps and the fascinating way he sees things. We get to meet his best friend Benji and share some hilarious interactions they have together in their perfectly balanced friendship. We see Maps make a fabulous new gay friend in the superbly sarcastic Perry, as well as a new nemesis Princess Madame Sprinkle, his 5 year old neighbour. But it's the front row seat we have to Maps newly awakening feelings of attraction that steals most of the book. How he hopelessly fights against this attraction, only to fall head over heels the moment he kisses Lane. The beautifully touching romantic gestures they do for one another makes your heart melt. And around all this Nash Summers weaves Maps’ humorous observations as he stares at the world through innocent eyes.
I was so pleased to discover this book and basked in the delightfully heartwarming experience of reading it. This is what a “comfort read” is, or what it should be. The time, the characters, and the moments that Nash Summers captures here draw you into the glorious world of Map Wilson and make you never want to leave. This is an innocent book that looks at the world through wide eyed wonderment. But not for one moment is it a book that everyone can’t enjoy. It is a book that will capture the imagination of someone new to reading, while at the same time rejuvenate a seasoned older reader and rekindle their youthful spirit once more. In a world where much of MM fiction deals with pain, sadness and heartache it is refreshing to read one that deals with pure joy.
I feel a huge thank you should go out to Nash Summers for writing these stories and introducing us to such a brilliant character. Sadly, with her output not being as prolific as some authors, you will need to savour these books and treasure the few she has published. But with characters like Maps captured so perfectly on the page, they’re bound to stay with you for years to come.
Every now and then an author completely nails the perfect character. They create the most engaging character who in turn captures your heart within the first few sentences. Nash Summers has done that with Maps. In her trio of novellas, better read in this single book format, she introduces us to the wonderful Matthew (Maps) Wilson and lets us explore his beautiful mind as he makes his way through his final year at school and his first year in love.
This is such a gem of a book that explores so many aspects of life, while never once leaving the mind of Maps and the fascinating way he sees things. We get to meet his best friend Benji and share some hilarious interactions they have together in their perfectly balanced friendship. We see Maps make a fabulous new gay friend in the superbly sarcastic Perry, as well as a new nemesis Princess Madame Sprinkle, his 5 year old neighbour. But it's the front row seat we have to Maps newly awakening feelings of attraction that steals most of the book. How he hopelessly fights against this attraction, only to fall head over heels the moment he kisses Lane. The beautifully touching romantic gestures they do for one another makes your heart melt. And around all this Nash Summers weaves Maps’ humorous observations as he stares at the world through innocent eyes.
I was so pleased to discover this book and basked in the delightfully heartwarming experience of reading it. This is what a “comfort read” is, or what it should be. The time, the characters, and the moments that Nash Summers captures here draw you into the glorious world of Map Wilson and make you never want to leave. This is an innocent book that looks at the world through wide eyed wonderment. But not for one moment is it a book that everyone can’t enjoy. It is a book that will capture the imagination of someone new to reading, while at the same time rejuvenate a seasoned older reader and rekindle their youthful spirit once more. In a world where much of MM fiction deals with pain, sadness and heartache it is refreshing to read one that deals with pure joy.
I feel a huge thank you should go out to Nash Summers for writing these stories and introducing us to such a brilliant character. Sadly, with her output not being as prolific as some authors, you will need to savour these books and treasure the few she has published. But with characters like Maps captured so perfectly on the page, they’re bound to stay with you for years to come.
January 12, 2026
“Maps,” Lane said quietly, “be mine, even just for a little while.”
“All right, Lane,” Maps replied with a smile on his face. “Even just for a little while.”
Three.something stars to Four stars
Life according to maps is the combination of three Nash Summers novellas detailing the life of high schooler Maps. Novella one, simply titled Maps is probably the strongest of the three. The romance between Lane and Maps is super sweet and despite being polar opposites on paper their personalities really seemed to click. Another pro across all three novellas were the strongly defined side-characters. Benji, Perry, Stacie, Perry, and Maps' parents all meshed really well together and served to further flesh out Maps' world.
“Oh god, you two are going to adopt little babies and name them Avenue, Street, and Compass, aren’t you?” Benji whined.
“You do remember that my real name is Matthew and not Maps, right?”
I think where Life according to maps struggles a bit is, ironically, where it excelled the most in the first novella, the romance. I kept waiting for Maps and Lane to really get to know one another beyond the surface level and that kind of never happened… 🤷♀️
“I’m yours, Lane. Here or ten million miles away.”
Lane squeezed him a little tighter. “I think I like that sounds of that.”
Life according to maps is a sweet young adult story about an eccentric boy, his best friend, and his new neighbor. Not mad I read it, and I would love to see Summers revisit Maps' story or Benji and Perry's story someday!!
July 31, 2019
While this did make me laugh a few times and has some wonderful messages overall, for the most part it was just extremely over the top and very peculiar. Many of the scenes I knew were supposed to be funny just made me super uncomfortable.
It's an interesting take on the dumb-jock-and-nerdy-genius trope, mostly because Lane being a jock and bad at school while Maps is obsessed with science and excelling in academia was not a focus at all, which was refreshing.
I also really loved that at no point does anyone tell Maps to change. His parents, especially his father, was another subtle but great presence.
It's not supported in the text, but I did like reading Maps as neurodivergent and on the a-spectrum.
What I most disliked aside from the over-the-top-ness was how 99% of the conflict was based on Maps outright refusing to communicate, jumping to conclusions and refusing to let other characters explain. It is in character for him, but I just dislike this as a plot device.
I think I could have truly loved this book, but in the end it just took things a bit too far into the surreal for me.
It's an interesting take on the dumb-jock-and-nerdy-genius trope, mostly because Lane being a jock and bad at school while Maps is obsessed with science and excelling in academia was not a focus at all, which was refreshing.
I also really loved that at no point does anyone tell Maps to change. His parents, especially his father, was another subtle but great presence.
It's not supported in the text, but I did like reading Maps as neurodivergent and on the a-spectrum.
What I most disliked aside from the over-the-top-ness was how 99% of the conflict was based on Maps outright refusing to communicate, jumping to conclusions and refusing to let other characters explain. It is in character for him, but I just dislike this as a plot device.
I think I could have truly loved this book, but in the end it just took things a bit too far into the surreal for me.
February 24, 2019
This was so beautiful. I was sure I was going to like it. There’s something about the author that just make me smile. She creates the must lovely characters and this time wasn’t the exception.
The plot is entertaining, easy to read and free of angst. I’m not a big fan of YA but as charming as this book was it is good choice for someone not fond on the genre as me. It is so easy to fall in love with Maps. He’s a add character. I loved the way he thinks but it was just him who make me love the book. There isn’t one character in the book who didn’t win my heart.
All the dialogues, interactions and conflicts in the book seem age appropriate and, with the occasional exception of the peculiar way Maps express himself. It was a stunning book. I can’t recommend it enough.
The plot is entertaining, easy to read and free of angst. I’m not a big fan of YA but as charming as this book was it is good choice for someone not fond on the genre as me. It is so easy to fall in love with Maps. He’s a add character. I loved the way he thinks but it was just him who make me love the book. There isn’t one character in the book who didn’t win my heart.
All the dialogues, interactions and conflicts in the book seem age appropriate and, with the occasional exception of the peculiar way Maps express himself. It was a stunning book. I can’t recommend it enough.
February 3, 2020
DNF at 12%
I picked up this book after finding an old giftcard with a nice balance in it. FTR, I didn't get too far before I decided this book was not for me. So, in a way, I'm v. aware that mine is a strongly dissenting opinion.
OTOH, I did laughed twice because Maps (whose real name is Matthew) ended up in situation after situation that was loopy AF. OTOH, however, I never clicked with the humor (which was extremely quirky), so I had to return the book v. early in.
TL;DR: A well-loved YA M/M romance series collected in an omnibus edition that I found annoying. This is a book for ppl who really like screwball comedies. That's not a sub-genre of comedy I'm into--which explains why this book was a no-go. :(
I picked up this book after finding an old giftcard with a nice balance in it. FTR, I didn't get too far before I decided this book was not for me. So, in a way, I'm v. aware that mine is a strongly dissenting opinion.
OTOH, I did laughed twice because Maps (whose real name is Matthew) ended up in situation after situation that was loopy AF. OTOH, however, I never clicked with the humor (which was extremely quirky), so I had to return the book v. early in.
TL;DR: A well-loved YA M/M romance series collected in an omnibus edition that I found annoying. This is a book for ppl who really like screwball comedies. That's not a sub-genre of comedy I'm into--which explains why this book was a no-go. :(
March 24, 2019
A lovely YA quirky coming of age story
Maps is 16, but he’s just becoming aware of the reality outside his head at the start of this story. As the narrator, he describes his interactions with people and his attempt to understand their motives very much like an alien who just landed on Earth. I love that he gets to find love and face the realities of growing up without losing his innocence. Everyone around him sees how special he is— even if he makes everything a bit more difficult for everyone.
Maps is 16, but he’s just becoming aware of the reality outside his head at the start of this story. As the narrator, he describes his interactions with people and his attempt to understand their motives very much like an alien who just landed on Earth. I love that he gets to find love and face the realities of growing up without losing his innocence. Everyone around him sees how special he is— even if he makes everything a bit more difficult for everyone.
February 27, 2023
Reread Maps and Diamonds in preparation of the third book in the series and I think it holds up. The romance is sweet and I was endlessly entertained by each of these unique characters, in particular Maps and Princess Madame Sprinkle. Perry was also a great addition.
February 6, 2019
These short stories were so cute and Maps was awsome and relatable.
Read
June 17, 2019Dnf after the first one
Maps is more annoying than cute and I just can't stand it anymore
Maps is more annoying than cute and I just can't stand it anymore
June 28, 2019
Is there going to be more on these characters? Very cute, light read.
July 1, 2019
4.5/5
August 26, 2019
LOVED it
This was perfection. Maps owned my heart, My only complaint is that I want to see Maps and Lane at college.
This was perfection. Maps owned my heart, My only complaint is that I want to see Maps and Lane at college.
November 18, 2020
4.5 actually
I can't get enough of this woman and her books.
I can't get enough of this woman and her books.
September 29, 2021
Awwww, this was the cutest. Maps is precious and Lane is the sweetest. It was funny,sweet and heartwarming. I am so glad to have read this!!! 😍🥰
March 20, 2023
4.4 — Dec 2019 (read 3 shorter books separately: Maps 4.4, Diamonds 4.3, Lane’s 4.3).
4.4 — 2023 (4.3, 4.4, 4.2). Freakin’ adorable.
4.4 — 2023 (4.3, 4.4, 4.2). Freakin’ adorable.
June 19, 2024
Totally adorbs ♥️ absolute comfort read!
April 29, 2021
This a probably one of the most eccentric, wild, unapologetic main characters I've ever read about. The chaotic energy is truly unmatched.
The first novella has perfect pacing and style - it completely works.
But it's harder to write a full story in that kind of style. I was at times confused what was actually happening (Maps is not the most observing) or annoyed (with constant jokes not everyone can stick the landing).
I would also say Maps is coded pretty asexual and possibly demi/grayromantic but take into account they are still teenagers figuring life out.
The first novella has perfect pacing and style - it completely works.
But it's harder to write a full story in that kind of style. I was at times confused what was actually happening (Maps is not the most observing) or annoyed (with constant jokes not everyone can stick the landing).
I would also say Maps is coded pretty asexual and possibly demi/grayromantic but take into account they are still teenagers figuring life out.
November 3, 2022
"Life Accords to Maps" received FOUR stars.
I absolutely adore this book, Maps, and Lane. 💖 With every read I wish for more Map and Lane stories.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
I absolutely adore this book, Maps, and Lane. 💖 With every read I wish for more Map and Lane stories.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
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