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Jordan vs. All the Boys
There’s a time when life changes, when childhood is left behind and the first fumbling steps are taken into adulthood. One group of friends sets out for a summer of adventure and discovery. Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic are ready to grow up and test themselves. But will their friendship buckle under the strain as they face the inevitable misunderstandings and conflicts? If they can hang on to their bond, it will see them through to the ultimate victory…. Finding love.
Cover art by "rissarare@fiverr".
Cover art by "rissarare@fiverr".
155 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2019
21 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
John Goode
35 books668 followersJohn Goode is a member of the class of '88 from Hogwarts school of wizardry, specializing in incantations and spoken spells. At the age of 14 he proudly represented District 13 in the 65th Panem games where he was disqualified for crying uncontrollably before the competition began. After that he moved to Forks, Washington where, against all odds, dated the hot, incredibly approachable werewolf instead of the stuck up jerk of a vampire but was crushed when he found out the werewolf was actually gayer than he was. After that he turned down the mandatory operation everyone must receive at 16 to become pretty citing that everyone pretty were just too stupid to live before moving away for greener pastures. After falling down an oddly large rabbit hole he became huge when his love for cakes combined with his inability to resist what sparsely worded notes commanded and was finally kicked out when he began playing solitaire with the Red Queen's 4th armored division. By 18 he had found the land in the back of his wardrobe but decided that thinly veiled religious allegories where not the neighbors he desired. When last seen he had become obsessed with growing a pair of wings after becoming obsessed with Fang's blog and hasn't been seen since.
Or he is this guy who lives in this place and writes stuff he hopes you read.
Or he is this guy who lives in this place and writes stuff he hopes you read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 19, 2019
This was like a word problem, right? I had seventeen cantaloupes, and the answer was going to be sodium or some shit.
This is an incredibly sweet and funny story about the perils of dating. Jordan and his friends are on summer break between their sophomore and junior year of high school. Horned up and clueless, they decide to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Jordan suggests going to a local club that's queer friendly, because where the gays are, the girls are so EVERYBODY wins!
Off they go and then somehow Jordan and his dating adventures turned me into Nemo's dad...
There's nothing but dangers lurking out there!!!
Naturally, he ignored me. Typical. He proceeded to meet one no good loser after another that had me 16 different kinds of judge-y...
Then some nitwit suggested he join Grindr!!!!
Funny with just a dollop of angst, excellent banter between Jordan and his band of friends, much kissing banditry and an indeterminate number of guffaws (from me) made this a really good time for me.
Even Jordan breaking the fourth wall totally worked which is something I typically find jarring. Being inside Jordan's head was a delight even though he's a gamer extraordinaire, something I know exactly nothing about; I sooooo appreciated him explaining all those terms otherwise I would've been hitting the google as hard as he does.
John Goode has a unique voice and this read has me full of excite to tackle his backlist. I'd recommend "Jordan vs. All the Boys" to anyone that's ever dated or likes YA or anyone in need of a chuckle. Or twelve. Because it most definitely delivers.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2019
If you're looking for pure, unadulterated YA fun, then this could be the book for you!
And, yes, it was FULL-ON, in-your-face YA.
It had loads of angsty, teen drama, horrible decisions, followed by some more horrible decisions, then Jordan finally seeing the light, pulling his head out of his ass, and coming out the other side, only slightly worse for wear.
Jordan's antics with his friends, then various romantic interests, first had me laughing insanely hard. Boys really are stupid creatures, right down to their very cores.
“If you didn't know what this club was, you'd just assume it was a place for hot girls and their well-groomed boyfriends to hang out.”Then, as I very much recognized Jordan's newbie gay behavior, sweet Jesus, I was sitting on my hands and gritting my teeth as I read.
“Yeah…uh…is clipping your eyebrows a thing now?” Brandon asked, tugging at his. “I am having major brow anxiety in this place.”
[Then a short time later...]
“He's coming over,” Dominic added helpfully, and I felt my stomach do a backflip.
“How do I look?” I asked Brandon in a panic.
He inspected my face slowly. “Well your eyebrows could use some work.”
“I HOPE YOU DIE IN A FIRE!” I raged when he burst out laughing.
Yes, pretty much every gay boy I've ever met has been there, but fuuuuuck, reliving it on page really gave me a few vivid, cringe-worthy moments from my own semi-sordid past.
Jordan's experiences when joining Grindr and VGL were nothing short of hilarious, so read this book if only for those parts. I was dying.
The story not only concentrated on Jordan's first real foray into The Big Gay World of Sex & Romance, but also his homosexually-challenged friends looking for summer love, too.
Typically, throwing hetero romance into the middle of my M/M stories is a sure-fire way to set me off, but here I was thrilled to watch this pack of straight nerds fumble along, almost as awkwardly as Jordan did while searching for his man.
Yet, in spite of the many numerous mistakes the four best friends make over the course of the story, the moral of this tale is that learning to navigate in a romantic world and finding a mate is not a task for the weak or faint-of-heart.
And as the old saying goes, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
You may even have to kiss ALL of the frogs, but in the end, love is worth it and you need to both persevere *and* enjoy the journey along the way. Warts and all.
4.75 hilarious and insightful stars.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
Merged review:
If you're looking for pure, unadulterated YA fun, then this could be the book for you!
And, yes, it was FULL-ON, in-your-face YA.
It had loads of angsty, teen drama, horrible decisions, followed by some more horrible decisions, then Jordan finally seeing the light, pulling his head out of his ass, and coming out the other side, only slightly worse for wear.
Jordan's antics with his friends, then various romantic interests, first had me laughing insanely hard. Boys really are stupid creatures, right down to their very cores.
“If you didn't know what this club was, you'd just assume it was a place for hot girls and their well-groomed boyfriends to hang out.”Then, as I very much recognized Jordan's newbie gay behavior, sweet Jesus, I was sitting on my hands and gritting my teeth as I read.
“Yeah…uh…is clipping your eyebrows a thing now?” Brandon asked, tugging at his. “I am having major brow anxiety in this place.”
[Then a short time later...]
“He's coming over,” Dominic added helpfully, and I felt my stomach do a backflip.
“How do I look?” I asked Brandon in a panic.
He inspected my face slowly. “Well your eyebrows could use some work.”
“I HOPE YOU DIE IN A FIRE!” I raged when he burst out laughing.
Yes, pretty much every gay boy I've ever met has been there, but fuuuuuck, reliving it on page really gave me a few vivid, cringe-worthy moments from my own semi-sordid past.
Jordan's experiences when joining Grindr and VGL were nothing short of hilarious, so read this book if only for those parts. I was dying.
The story not only concentrated on Jordan's first real foray into The Big Gay World of Sex & Romance, but also his homosexually-challenged friends looking for summer love, too.
Typically, throwing hetero romance into the middle of my M/M stories is a sure-fire way to set me off, but here I was thrilled to watch this pack of straight nerds fumble along, almost as awkwardly as Jordan did while searching for his man.
Yet, in spite of the many numerous mistakes the four best friends make over the course of the story, the moral of this tale is that learning to navigate in a romantic world and finding a mate is not a task for the weak or faint-of-heart.
And as the old saying goes, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
You may even have to kiss ALL of the frogs, but in the end, love is worth it and you need to both persevere *and* enjoy the journey along the way. Warts and all.
4.75 hilarious and insightful stars.
-----------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
-----------------------------------------------
March 3, 2019
**** 3.5 stars ****
Cute, upbeat and well-written YA that really feels like YA. The characters, however, were sometimes too wise and emotionally mature for their age. Plus, there was "a lesson" being conveyed, which isn't what I look for in fiction.
If I was rating this only according to how much I enjoyed it, it would get 3 stars. But it wasn't written for me -- it was written for young teenagers, and from that perspective I think its charm and humor and optimism make it worthy of 4 stars. So let's split the difference and say 3.5 stars.
Cute, upbeat and well-written YA that really feels like YA. The characters, however, were sometimes too wise and emotionally mature for their age. Plus, there was "a lesson" being conveyed, which isn't what I look for in fiction.
If I was rating this only according to how much I enjoyed it, it would get 3 stars. But it wasn't written for me -- it was written for young teenagers, and from that perspective I think its charm and humor and optimism make it worthy of 4 stars. So let's split the difference and say 3.5 stars.
May 27, 2018
*4.5 stars*
Well! Whaddaya know! This author has been on my feed ever since I started reading MM. I always kept dismissing his books because my relationship with YA is almost non-existent. To be perfectly honest, I only read YA by Nash Summers and the Stewart/Davis duo.
I can't empathize with Jordan because I 've never been a teen gay boy. But I sure as hell can relate to him because I have been 16 and scared and questioning a bunch of things. I think a lot of people will see a little bit of themselves in this book's heroes.
The story is told from Jordan's POV and it's mostly about his quest to find a boyfriend in the course of the summer.
But this is not just Jordan story. Through Jordan's adventures, we meet this diverse group of friends that take their first steps into adulthood, all while trying to balance this crazy thing called teenagerhood.
There is humour, laugh out loud moments but also heart wrenching ones, friendship, teen drama, and the beginning of a beautiful romance.
So the number of "want to read" YA authors might have upped to three. John Goode, you 're on my radar now (poor thing).
Recommended!
"Were you never 16? You never just met someone you liked and wanted to forget life for a while and just lay one on them?"
Well! Whaddaya know! This author has been on my feed ever since I started reading MM. I always kept dismissing his books because my relationship with YA is almost non-existent. To be perfectly honest, I only read YA by Nash Summers and the Stewart/Davis duo.
I can't empathize with Jordan because I 've never been a teen gay boy. But I sure as hell can relate to him because I have been 16 and scared and questioning a bunch of things. I think a lot of people will see a little bit of themselves in this book's heroes.
The story is told from Jordan's POV and it's mostly about his quest to find a boyfriend in the course of the summer.
But this is not just Jordan story. Through Jordan's adventures, we meet this diverse group of friends that take their first steps into adulthood, all while trying to balance this crazy thing called teenagerhood.
There is humour, laugh out loud moments but also heart wrenching ones, friendship, teen drama, and the beginning of a beautiful romance.
So the number of "want to read" YA authors might have upped to three. John Goode, you 're on my radar now (poor thing).
Recommended!
March 3, 2019
This was light and nerdy and fun, and yet real. A group of four 16- and 17-year-old boys reach that moment when friends and hanging out and goofing off can't be enough, and they start seriously looking at dating and sex. Jordan is gay and out among his friend group, and they have his back. But still, finding a guy to date is different from finding a girl, and Jordan doesn't have a real clue how to go about it. He's also skipped all the early parts that het guys can have with open crushes and teasing girls and talking about girls and kind of easing into things. Jordan is diving off into the deep end.
He suggests going to a gay dance club, where he can expect most of the guys to be interested in gay relationships without having to worry about approaching a homophobic straight guy, and he promises his friends straight girl sidekicks they can meet there. It's a real-life adventure, for a guy who previously defined adventures by trash mobs of monsters on random pats (patrols) as he and his friends hunted for the main boss in a game. Real life turns out to be messier, more painful, more thrilling, and harder to figure out.
There is fun banter between the characters, and having Jordan break the fourth wall to talk to the reader (something that I usually don't like) worked well here, with his naive voice, his good nature, the nerd quotient, and the thread of coming of age pains and growth that never became angst.
Don't forget to read past the author notes to the after-credits scene too. A fun, warm story with real teen boys, and a sweet ending.
He suggests going to a gay dance club, where he can expect most of the guys to be interested in gay relationships without having to worry about approaching a homophobic straight guy, and he promises his friends straight girl sidekicks they can meet there. It's a real-life adventure, for a guy who previously defined adventures by trash mobs of monsters on random pats (patrols) as he and his friends hunted for the main boss in a game. Real life turns out to be messier, more painful, more thrilling, and harder to figure out.
There is fun banter between the characters, and having Jordan break the fourth wall to talk to the reader (something that I usually don't like) worked well here, with his naive voice, his good nature, the nerd quotient, and the thread of coming of age pains and growth that never became angst.
Don't forget to read past the author notes to the after-credits scene too. A fun, warm story with real teen boys, and a sweet ending.
February 20, 2019
*4.5 stars*
IMO there is no one that can write YA as good as John Goode. There you go. 😎
This was a short, fun coming-of-age story you could easily relate to. I loved the dynamics between the 4 friends.
They were loyal to each other and estatatic about gaming!! Never been that grateful that John explained the games-references to me. I would’ve been utterly lost. Obviously I’m not a gamer!!
This summer was supposed to be different. They already had been gaming for weeks but being the 16 year old boys that they are, they decide to let their hormones work some more. That means going to a club and meeting people, maybe dating… As Jordan is the only gay guy, they decide one evening to mingle into a gay club. Cause where gay guys are, also pretty girls hang around, right?
As we all know meeting new people is never easy. Being yourself (gay or straight) is never easy… It’s hard but we need to keep trying.
~~ Brandon
You’ll laugh, become mad, frustrated but in the end excited for all of these boy’s futures!!
Loved it. ❤️❤️
Jordan
Brandon
Ethan
Dominique
*** A copy of Jordan Vs All the Boys was kindly provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
IMO there is no one that can write YA as good as John Goode. There you go. 😎
This was a short, fun coming-of-age story you could easily relate to. I loved the dynamics between the 4 friends.
They were loyal to each other and estatatic about gaming!! Never been that grateful that John explained the games-references to me. I would’ve been utterly lost. Obviously I’m not a gamer!!
This summer was supposed to be different. They already had been gaming for weeks but being the 16 year old boys that they are, they decide to let their hormones work some more. That means going to a club and meeting people, maybe dating… As Jordan is the only gay guy, they decide one evening to mingle into a gay club. Cause where gay guys are, also pretty girls hang around, right?
As we all know meeting new people is never easy. Being yourself (gay or straight) is never easy… It’s hard but we need to keep trying.
“This time, these couple of years before college, this is when we're supposed to learn how to do all this crap. Date, go out, break up, cry, scream, rage, find someone else, everything. And if you don't learn how to chill now, then you will be a basket case in college and I am not having you mess up our game.”
~~ Brandon
You’ll laugh, become mad, frustrated but in the end excited for all of these boy’s futures!!
Loved it. ❤️❤️
Jordan
Brandon
Ethan
Dominique
*** A copy of Jordan Vs All the Boys was kindly provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2018
Fun, cute, and written in Goode's distinctive style wherein he slips the feels in smoothly alongside humor and parts that make you think.
The boy's personalities all felt authentic, the girls who have page time are smart, funny, and real, and the story flows easily.
All around enjoyable read with a great ending.
The boy's personalities all felt authentic, the girls who have page time are smart, funny, and real, and the story flows easily.
All around enjoyable read with a great ending.
April 6, 2020
There is a reason why John Goode is one of my favorite authors. Only few M/M authors manage to capture the real-life struggles of gay men, and John is definitely one of them.
I wish this book would have been around when I was a teen, it surely would have helped me a lot at a time when I felt lost and not seen or understood.
This is a great YA novel, which I highly recommend.
I wish this book would have been around when I was a teen, it surely would have helped me a lot at a time when I felt lost and not seen or understood.
This is a great YA novel, which I highly recommend.
February 20, 2019
4.75 stars
I adored this! So cute, funny, sweet. Even though I'm a little bit older, I could really identify with what Jordan was going through. It kinda brought me back to the days of being liked for the first time ...
And I loved Jordan's group of supportive friends. I wish every teenage boy had friends like that!
I adored this! So cute, funny, sweet. Even though I'm a little bit older, I could really identify with what Jordan was going through. It kinda brought me back to the days of being liked for the first time ...
And I loved Jordan's group of supportive friends. I wish every teenage boy had friends like that!
April 25, 2018
Finally a new story by John Goode *yay*
This time we get introduced to a really great group of guys. Jordan is the main character and I feel like everybody will be able to relate to his struggles in the dating world in one way or another . You don't have to be 16 or a guy or gay in order to understand some of the feelings and thoughts he has.
This book made me want to have a group of friends like Jordan has . Loyal, goofy and there for u 100% . Brandon, who's Jordan's BFF, is a guy I just had to fall in love with and I can guarantee you you're going to as well. Their friendship is so important these days ! Kids , teenagers BUT also adults , especially parents of boys, need to read this and be aware that two male teens can be best friends , hug, and be very close with each other without them a) being gay or b) "male" shaming them cuz more often than not young boys are early on taught that you have to be tough and don't be affectionate with other guys and I call that bulls***! Dear parents (and I know women often read MM) please keep that in mind and raise your kids to be open minded like these boys are in this story ! The friendships that are portrayed in here don't have to stay fiction ! Make them real !
Highly recommended !
This time we get introduced to a really great group of guys. Jordan is the main character and I feel like everybody will be able to relate to his struggles in the dating world in one way or another . You don't have to be 16 or a guy or gay in order to understand some of the feelings and thoughts he has.
This book made me want to have a group of friends like Jordan has . Loyal, goofy and there for u 100% . Brandon, who's Jordan's BFF, is a guy I just had to fall in love with and I can guarantee you you're going to as well. Their friendship is so important these days ! Kids , teenagers BUT also adults , especially parents of boys, need to read this and be aware that two male teens can be best friends , hug, and be very close with each other without them a) being gay or b) "male" shaming them cuz more often than not young boys are early on taught that you have to be tough and don't be affectionate with other guys and I call that bulls***! Dear parents (and I know women often read MM) please keep that in mind and raise your kids to be open minded like these boys are in this story ! The friendships that are portrayed in here don't have to stay fiction ! Make them real !
Highly recommended !
March 8, 2019
Absolutely loved this one, even though I admit to being completely clueless about gaming [too old obviously, and have more important things to do...like reading for example 😉].
The boys [and yes, at 16/17 they are still boys or at best young adults] are reaching that point in their lives when they are growing up fast and just searching for something...more. Jordan's group was fantastic...bestie Brandon [💜], surfer dude Ethan and newest addition Dominic who was an unknown quantity most of the time but had super religious parents so felt a little uncomfortable to start with. Did they have problems with the fact that Jordan was gay and out?? No sir, they did not...they did not make him feel like a freak or an outsider, in fact he seemed to be the heart and soul of their little gang.
Jordan, the innocent that he is, is trying to find love. All of the guys are into it, so they decide to give gaming a rest for an evening and go to a local club. Needless to say, things don't turn out as planned straightaway 😏... Have to say that a few of the guys he met were a little creepy [especially Zach and Jax], but hopefully all's well that ends well as they say...you do have to kiss a fair few frogs before meeting Mr Right 🤪. Brandon and Ethan find the girls of their dreams, and Dominic discovers that life is a little more complicated than he thought it would be, but he's much more clued in now.
Proud to be a Kickstarter AND Patreon supporter of John's.
The boys [and yes, at 16/17 they are still boys or at best young adults] are reaching that point in their lives when they are growing up fast and just searching for something...more. Jordan's group was fantastic...bestie Brandon [💜], surfer dude Ethan and newest addition Dominic who was an unknown quantity most of the time but had super religious parents so felt a little uncomfortable to start with. Did they have problems with the fact that Jordan was gay and out?? No sir, they did not...they did not make him feel like a freak or an outsider, in fact he seemed to be the heart and soul of their little gang.
Jordan, the innocent that he is, is trying to find love. All of the guys are into it, so they decide to give gaming a rest for an evening and go to a local club. Needless to say, things don't turn out as planned straightaway 😏... Have to say that a few of the guys he met were a little creepy [especially Zach and Jax], but hopefully all's well that ends well as they say...you do have to kiss a fair few frogs before meeting Mr Right 🤪. Brandon and Ethan find the girls of their dreams, and Dominic discovers that life is a little more complicated than he thought it would be, but he's much more clued in now.
Proud to be a Kickstarter AND Patreon supporter of John's.
April 25, 2018
Well, if you're in the mood for a funny, nerdy and emotional book you've come to the right place :) I am a huge fan of John's books and it’s always a pleasure to enter one of his worlds as he always manages to make me feel like I’m a part of the story. Jordan vs all the boys is about the emotions and feels one goes through while searching for that one person who makes your heart beat faster and it was an absolute delight to read. I don’t want to get into too many details about the plot, since this is a shorty and I don’t want to ruin it for you, but I want you to be prepared for an awesome group of 4 boys, all hilarious in their own unique way (even if you might want to punch some of them in the face at times) lots and lots of nerdy gaming references (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PART), beautiful friendships (yes, even between gay and straight boys, without everyone turning out to be gay which I found refreshing) and so many feels. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be pissed off at times but by the end of the book you will be absolutely in love with the boys. Can not wait for the next installment!!! There better be one <- looking at you John Goode! :p
April 26, 2018
I have been waiting forEVER for this book. And I finally got the chance to read it.
Let me start by saying, I love these guys so much. These are the kinds of friends that every boy should have growing up. Nerds, but ones with heart and feelings. Those who aren't afraid to admit when a guy is cute, even though they themselves are straight. Those secure enough to hug it out, or to cry, or to know that even in the worst of times, their friends will be there for them.
Toxic masculinity is in the news a lot lately, and this book has an unhealthy serving of it in the forms of some of the people Jordan meets while trying to find love. There are liars, cheats, sex addicts, closet cases, and more. What's a nice boy to do when all he wants is to find love?
John Goode takes all these types of characters and blends them into a most enjoyable story. You'll laugh, you'll get angry, you'll cheer, and you'll get your heart broken along with Jordan, as he traverses the trials and tribulations (not to mention the epic quest to find a super-rare mount in an online game) of teenage life.
Let me start by saying, I love these guys so much. These are the kinds of friends that every boy should have growing up. Nerds, but ones with heart and feelings. Those who aren't afraid to admit when a guy is cute, even though they themselves are straight. Those secure enough to hug it out, or to cry, or to know that even in the worst of times, their friends will be there for them.
Toxic masculinity is in the news a lot lately, and this book has an unhealthy serving of it in the forms of some of the people Jordan meets while trying to find love. There are liars, cheats, sex addicts, closet cases, and more. What's a nice boy to do when all he wants is to find love?
John Goode takes all these types of characters and blends them into a most enjoyable story. You'll laugh, you'll get angry, you'll cheer, and you'll get your heart broken along with Jordan, as he traverses the trials and tribulations (not to mention the epic quest to find a super-rare mount in an online game) of teenage life.
July 6, 2019
“Stop having a race with an imaginary you, you’ll never win. Just be you and know, that is who you need to be.”
A fun, compulsive read. Jordan is a great character to follow, and all the others have well fleshed out personalities in such a short book. Of course I’m trying to say I wanted more.
Finding love is hard, especially when you’re pushing. This summer of video games and going out to meet people had so many great moments and some real face plants too. Jordan makes so many mistakes I wanted to scream.
Dominick’s story might have been the one I didn’t buy completely since it was too stereotypical and obvious for my taste. But it gave us some great wisdom too. I also wasn’t crazy how it started with the adventure writing, and I almost didn’t give it a chance. Glad I did since the allegory was strong in this one.
Everyone needs s group of friends like this.
A fun, compulsive read. Jordan is a great character to follow, and all the others have well fleshed out personalities in such a short book. Of course I’m trying to say I wanted more.
Finding love is hard, especially when you’re pushing. This summer of video games and going out to meet people had so many great moments and some real face plants too. Jordan makes so many mistakes I wanted to scream.
Dominick’s story might have been the one I didn’t buy completely since it was too stereotypical and obvious for my taste. But it gave us some great wisdom too. I also wasn’t crazy how it started with the adventure writing, and I almost didn’t give it a chance. Glad I did since the allegory was strong in this one.
Everyone needs s group of friends like this.
February 12, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a sweet and funny story about a group of high school friends who are eager to gain a little sex and relationship experience during the summer before their senior year. As the only gay kid in his group of friends, Jordan finds this challenge more difficult than his friends do. His first experiences are both comical and humiliating but with help from his friends he slowly starts to figure out what he wants from the boys he meets.
This book gave me all the good feels. Jordan’s group of friends is wonderful. I love their friendships and I love Jordan’s self-aware analysis of his friendships. The author manages to capture the pure awkward fear that is a universal part of adolescence while also capturing the warmth, the hope and the sarcasm that can make the teen years magical. I love the strong female characters in this book and I love the easy acceptance of sexual differences within Jordan’s friendship group. This is an easy, fun YA read that is both sweet and a little bit edgy. Like all the best YA writing, it is never patronising or preachy and I think most teenagers will be able to recognise themselves in Jordan and his friends. I also really enjoyed the author’s personal reflections at the end of the story.
Age wise, this will be enjoyed by older teenagers who can relate to Jordan’s experiences. I would be happy to give a copy to my 14yr old but the story does contain some sexually explicit references and some swearing. Parents will probably want to read this alongside younger teens so they can have conversations about the more mature content.
This is a sweet and funny story about a group of high school friends who are eager to gain a little sex and relationship experience during the summer before their senior year. As the only gay kid in his group of friends, Jordan finds this challenge more difficult than his friends do. His first experiences are both comical and humiliating but with help from his friends he slowly starts to figure out what he wants from the boys he meets.
This book gave me all the good feels. Jordan’s group of friends is wonderful. I love their friendships and I love Jordan’s self-aware analysis of his friendships. The author manages to capture the pure awkward fear that is a universal part of adolescence while also capturing the warmth, the hope and the sarcasm that can make the teen years magical. I love the strong female characters in this book and I love the easy acceptance of sexual differences within Jordan’s friendship group. This is an easy, fun YA read that is both sweet and a little bit edgy. Like all the best YA writing, it is never patronising or preachy and I think most teenagers will be able to recognise themselves in Jordan and his friends. I also really enjoyed the author’s personal reflections at the end of the story.
Age wise, this will be enjoyed by older teenagers who can relate to Jordan’s experiences. I would be happy to give a copy to my 14yr old but the story does contain some sexually explicit references and some swearing. Parents will probably want to read this alongside younger teens so they can have conversations about the more mature content.
May 26, 2018
I got this book as a part of its Kickstarter Project. As far as I am concern, when John Goode writes any book, I’ll buy it, fund it, or whatever, as long as I can get every one of them in my greedy little hands. I really didn’t have an idea what it was going to be about, but I wasn’t worried. John wrote it.
It was damn good.
Jordan is a teenager with a great best friend, Brandon, and two other good friends in Ethan and Dominic. They are a close group, bonding with their on-line gaming. (I loved how their gaming weaves throughout the story, especially Jordan’s helpful gaming dictionary references, and I don’t even like gaming.) They are true nerds – and I say that in a loving manner - but none of them has had a girlfriend, and in Jordan’s case, any boyfriends. This summer, Jordan wants to rectify that and comes up with the plan to check out the area under-age club to see if that can be changed. Noted for it being a LGBT-friendly place, he has to do some talking, but eventually the other three agree.
And Jordan jumps into it with both of his naïve and innocent feet. He’s enthusiastic and trusting. He meets some different characters, some of them real players on the clubbing scene. That saying about having to kiss a lot of frogs to find his prince is very applicable here. It was hard watching that innocent trust be eroded, but here’s where his great group of friends come in.
Brandon has to be the best friend ever! I loved his unwavering support for Jordan. He was ready to fight anyone who screwed with Jordan. I loved his complete acceptance of Jordan’s sexuality. He was what I like to call “comfortable in his own skin.” He was there through Jordan’s tough times, standing up to others – and even Jordan – when they got in Jordan’s way. He was committed to helping Jordan find that special someone.
Ethan and Dominic round out the other friends in the group. Ethan and his clueless surfer dude mentality provided a number of laughs. Dominic was a little more closed off, but he comes through when he’s needed, too.
These are a great group of characters, and I would love to see more stories about them. In particular, I’d love to see a story centered on Dominic and how his character would develop in John Goode’s very talented hands.
It was damn good.
Jordan is a teenager with a great best friend, Brandon, and two other good friends in Ethan and Dominic. They are a close group, bonding with their on-line gaming. (I loved how their gaming weaves throughout the story, especially Jordan’s helpful gaming dictionary references, and I don’t even like gaming.) They are true nerds – and I say that in a loving manner - but none of them has had a girlfriend, and in Jordan’s case, any boyfriends. This summer, Jordan wants to rectify that and comes up with the plan to check out the area under-age club to see if that can be changed. Noted for it being a LGBT-friendly place, he has to do some talking, but eventually the other three agree.
And Jordan jumps into it with both of his naïve and innocent feet. He’s enthusiastic and trusting. He meets some different characters, some of them real players on the clubbing scene. That saying about having to kiss a lot of frogs to find his prince is very applicable here. It was hard watching that innocent trust be eroded, but here’s where his great group of friends come in.
Brandon has to be the best friend ever! I loved his unwavering support for Jordan. He was ready to fight anyone who screwed with Jordan. I loved his complete acceptance of Jordan’s sexuality. He was what I like to call “comfortable in his own skin.” He was there through Jordan’s tough times, standing up to others – and even Jordan – when they got in Jordan’s way. He was committed to helping Jordan find that special someone.
Ethan and Dominic round out the other friends in the group. Ethan and his clueless surfer dude mentality provided a number of laughs. Dominic was a little more closed off, but he comes through when he’s needed, too.
These are a great group of characters, and I would love to see more stories about them. In particular, I’d love to see a story centered on Dominic and how his character would develop in John Goode’s very talented hands.
July 20, 2019
A compelling, clever investigation of how and how not gay boys meet other gay boys . . . with a lot of help from their friends.
Especially one friend, Brandon, who happens to be hetero but more importantly is like a brother to Jordan, who is gay . . . and cries too much. Honestly, everyone, regardless of sexual identity, should have one bona fide friend like Brandon, my candidate for most adorable wingman.
Goode's use of gaming terms to mirror and metaphor the plays Jordan and his boys practice and sometimes pull off during their many visits to an underage club over the course of their 16th summer jive. And if you're as once removed from the video game world as I am, not to worry! The author weaves into the narration definitions for every gaming term, so there's little chance of missing a single parallel.
There's one other metacognitive interloping that borders on genius in this novella. And that would be the translation of a dialogue between Ethan and Jordan, in which the word "Dude" is parried between the two friends. Goode has his narrator Jordan interpret the meaning behind each intonation with stunning precision and wit. Who knew there could be so much meaning expressed by one word tossed back and forth in five shades of voice like a hand grenade!
This book was written, on one level, to explain the pitfalls of teen dating for the gay teenager. Of course, there are overlaps between the straight and gay dating jungles, but there are also layers to same-sex socialization for which mainstream society doesn't provide maps. I appreciate how Jordan's friends contribute to his path but know that Jordan must navigate his own way. The warmth and support of true friends make it a journey.
A journey pulsing with LAUGHS!
Especially one friend, Brandon, who happens to be hetero but more importantly is like a brother to Jordan, who is gay . . . and cries too much. Honestly, everyone, regardless of sexual identity, should have one bona fide friend like Brandon, my candidate for most adorable wingman.
Goode's use of gaming terms to mirror and metaphor the plays Jordan and his boys practice and sometimes pull off during their many visits to an underage club over the course of their 16th summer jive. And if you're as once removed from the video game world as I am, not to worry! The author weaves into the narration definitions for every gaming term, so there's little chance of missing a single parallel.
There's one other metacognitive interloping that borders on genius in this novella. And that would be the translation of a dialogue between Ethan and Jordan, in which the word "Dude" is parried between the two friends. Goode has his narrator Jordan interpret the meaning behind each intonation with stunning precision and wit. Who knew there could be so much meaning expressed by one word tossed back and forth in five shades of voice like a hand grenade!
This book was written, on one level, to explain the pitfalls of teen dating for the gay teenager. Of course, there are overlaps between the straight and gay dating jungles, but there are also layers to same-sex socialization for which mainstream society doesn't provide maps. I appreciate how Jordan's friends contribute to his path but know that Jordan must navigate his own way. The warmth and support of true friends make it a journey.
A journey pulsing with LAUGHS!
April 2, 2019
I just finished Skam France S03 and damn if I didn't imagine those boys as these characters. This is a good book which tries to cover a lot of issues in a light hearted manner, trying to assuage the reader by the end with Everything's gonna be all right! I read the author's note in the end which pretty much summed up that he wanted to project the life and struggle of dating and finding the one into his writing. So yeah, it's a good enough read but I didn't really connect with Jordan because the whole thing came off as something with an 'agenda'. But still a cute read.
February 20, 2019
!!!! This was sooooooo goood!
I hoped it would be and I’m not disappointed at all.
I want to hit delete and read it all over again!
So sad I read it to fast. Now it’s already over ☹️
Thank you John, you’re a genius.
I hoped it would be and I’m not disappointed at all.
I want to hit delete and read it all over again!
So sad I read it to fast. Now it’s already over ☹️
Thank you John, you’re a genius.
February 21, 2019
Loved this! What an absolute gem of a story. It's full of teenage angst and drama, bad decisions and questionable choices, self-doubt and friendship. The heart of this story is really the relationship between the four boys: Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic. They're the glue that hold this book together, from page one right until the end, even as Jordan tries to navigate his way through the teenage dating world.
It was funny, sad, poignant, and relevant. Highly recommended!
It was funny, sad, poignant, and relevant. Highly recommended!
March 21, 2019
I cannot tell you how much I immensely enjoyed this story. I got tickled all through the book, because it was honestly like reading about my daughter, who is almost 17 and bisexual/pansexual. And somewhat a nerd herself. She's a band nerd as well. So I totally understood what these boys were talking about and how the felt. Because of her. I just loved it.
For Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic, it's the summer to make a change. To learn how to date. To find a boyfriend for Jordan, girlfriends for the others. They go to a club know for gays people, where there always seems to be straight girls. Win/win for all of them. Jordan gets hit on right away, but ends up a douche. Next time he finds another, ends up a druggie and after an apology from him, he finds him infellatio with another boy. Loser. So for Jordan, he's fed up already. Brandon and Ethan have a bit of trouble starting but quickly find good ones. Jordan tries again, but another loser. So he gives up. They encourage him to try again but he's not sure. Dominic, on the other hand, made some discoveries of his own. Jordan finally tries again and quite possibly found what he's looking for.
Now the point of this story is not just the hooking up or whatever. It's the life of a teenager. And the bonds of friendship. These boys have a strong bond. They're great friends. With this dating thing going on, those bonds get tested. Between the dates wanting to lose the friends or the friends wanting Jordan especially not to give up. It is tested a bit while Dominic makes his discovery. And it's tested when they are just being teens. But true friendship sticks together. Good, bad and ugly. These boys were sweethearts. They stuck up for each other. Those kinds of bonds and love are for lifetimes.
It's just part of a journey we go through as teens. We've all done it. Well maybe. Depending on the parents and situations. But it's still part of the journey. Friends, love and life. At the age, where we learn a lot about all of those things and much more. And being a parent, I appreciate it so much more. I wanted to hug the stuffing out of these boys lol.
This is one of the best YA I've read in a long time. And I read a lot of everything. It will be a shame if you guys don't pick this up. It's so good.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
For Jordan, Brandon, Ethan, and Dominic, it's the summer to make a change. To learn how to date. To find a boyfriend for Jordan, girlfriends for the others. They go to a club know for gays people, where there always seems to be straight girls. Win/win for all of them. Jordan gets hit on right away, but ends up a douche. Next time he finds another, ends up a druggie and after an apology from him, he finds him infellatio with another boy. Loser. So for Jordan, he's fed up already. Brandon and Ethan have a bit of trouble starting but quickly find good ones. Jordan tries again, but another loser. So he gives up. They encourage him to try again but he's not sure. Dominic, on the other hand, made some discoveries of his own. Jordan finally tries again and quite possibly found what he's looking for.
Now the point of this story is not just the hooking up or whatever. It's the life of a teenager. And the bonds of friendship. These boys have a strong bond. They're great friends. With this dating thing going on, those bonds get tested. Between the dates wanting to lose the friends or the friends wanting Jordan especially not to give up. It is tested a bit while Dominic makes his discovery. And it's tested when they are just being teens. But true friendship sticks together. Good, bad and ugly. These boys were sweethearts. They stuck up for each other. Those kinds of bonds and love are for lifetimes.
It's just part of a journey we go through as teens. We've all done it. Well maybe. Depending on the parents and situations. But it's still part of the journey. Friends, love and life. At the age, where we learn a lot about all of those things and much more. And being a parent, I appreciate it so much more. I wanted to hug the stuffing out of these boys lol.
This is one of the best YA I've read in a long time. And I read a lot of everything. It will be a shame if you guys don't pick this up. It's so good.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
February 14, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS STORY! John Goode may have made a new fan in me. I enjoyed his narrative and his story telling in Jordan's voice. Speaking directly to us readers is sometimes a bold move but I found myself pulled in and engaged in Jordan's trials & tribulations entering into the dating world, especially the LGBT dating world. Jordan takes his friends to the happening place in town to meet people. He's determined that they start living their lives and finding their way socially. He and his 4 high school friends embark upon a journey to the club in town with Jordan leading the way. All of them looking for love they hit & miss over & over again until they finally find something that feels right. Jordan goes through the gamut of guys in the club scene and the dating apps until he decides maybe he's just not good at this dating thing. Who cant relate to that??
This story is so endearing and sweet and this group of friends so sincere that my heart melted. I was giggling and smiling throughout. There's some "gamer speak" and younger slang (although all explained to us directly by Jordan) it's definitely a YA tilt to the book. But, being 53 myself, I still found the story fun and exciting and the characters well thought out and complex. I wanted more and was sad to get to the ending. Might need to pick up a few in his other series.
I'd say this book is YA but also can appeal to an older crowd as well. The gamer speak gives me the belief that it's targeted to 14-20 year olds and there isn't anything heavier than some make out scenes.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS STORY! John Goode may have made a new fan in me. I enjoyed his narrative and his story telling in Jordan's voice. Speaking directly to us readers is sometimes a bold move but I found myself pulled in and engaged in Jordan's trials & tribulations entering into the dating world, especially the LGBT dating world. Jordan takes his friends to the happening place in town to meet people. He's determined that they start living their lives and finding their way socially. He and his 4 high school friends embark upon a journey to the club in town with Jordan leading the way. All of them looking for love they hit & miss over & over again until they finally find something that feels right. Jordan goes through the gamut of guys in the club scene and the dating apps until he decides maybe he's just not good at this dating thing. Who cant relate to that??
This story is so endearing and sweet and this group of friends so sincere that my heart melted. I was giggling and smiling throughout. There's some "gamer speak" and younger slang (although all explained to us directly by Jordan) it's definitely a YA tilt to the book. But, being 53 myself, I still found the story fun and exciting and the characters well thought out and complex. I wanted more and was sad to get to the ending. Might need to pick up a few in his other series.
I'd say this book is YA but also can appeal to an older crowd as well. The gamer speak gives me the belief that it's targeted to 14-20 year olds and there isn't anything heavier than some make out scenes.
July 16, 2019
Jordan vs. All The Boys
By John Goode
Harmony Ink Press, 2019
Five stars
What is the most fun thing in a well-worn trope is the potential to make it new, to create something fresh and emotionally mature.
John Goode’s “Jordan vs. All The Boys” is such a book. There is a YA agenda here – to reach teenage readers and commiserate with them about difficulties in life that are shared across generations; but to also tell a story that is very much about the here and now in terms of gay teens.
Jordan is sixteen and has been gay “forever.” He has managed to surround himself with a small gang of best friends who share his intense, nerdy love of gaming, and care not at all about his orientation. His first best friend is Brandon, followed by Ethan and then Dominc. The summer before their junior year in high school, when they begin to turn seventeen, Jordan decides they need to get out of their shared game-cave and find romance.
The plot has its parallels with that of “Superbad,” the 2007 Judd Apatow film about three high school friends who decide they need to lose their virginity before they leave for college. However, the gross, sexist, straight-guy approach to both the plot and the agenda of “Superbad’s” trio of misfits differs wildly. Goode’s novel is about four young men who have never focused particularly on dating or romance. They are neither unredeemable geeks nor hormonal wannabe players. They – with Jordan as their ringleader – decide it’s time to take a peek into adulthood. The venue for the boys’ exploration is a local teen-bar called, wonderfully, The Great Escape.
The overarching themes of this gentle, very funny book are the loyalty of friends, and the relative difficulty for gay teens to find normality in a world where they are a largely forgotten minority, even if they have already found social acceptance. Jordan is a cute guy, but he has no clue what dating should or could be like for a gay teen. Who decides? With a vacuum of models around him, how can Jordan find his way to who he is and what he really wants?
The result is hilarious and touching. I clearly remember being sixteen, 48 years ago, and struggling to accept my own sexuality. I was incredibly lucky, and even so my journey was complicated and painful. Possibly the most significant point made by Goode in this book is that the journey is still complicated, and still potentially painful, in spite of all the positive change in the world. Even for a boy blessed as Jordan is, there is plenty of opportunity for hurt and confusion.
If I had any disappointment in this book at all, it was the all-too-typical absence of parents except as adult ciphers in the background. Goode’s wonderful teenage characters and his heartfelt handling of emotion and friendship made up for most of that.
By John Goode
Harmony Ink Press, 2019
Five stars
What is the most fun thing in a well-worn trope is the potential to make it new, to create something fresh and emotionally mature.
John Goode’s “Jordan vs. All The Boys” is such a book. There is a YA agenda here – to reach teenage readers and commiserate with them about difficulties in life that are shared across generations; but to also tell a story that is very much about the here and now in terms of gay teens.
Jordan is sixteen and has been gay “forever.” He has managed to surround himself with a small gang of best friends who share his intense, nerdy love of gaming, and care not at all about his orientation. His first best friend is Brandon, followed by Ethan and then Dominc. The summer before their junior year in high school, when they begin to turn seventeen, Jordan decides they need to get out of their shared game-cave and find romance.
The plot has its parallels with that of “Superbad,” the 2007 Judd Apatow film about three high school friends who decide they need to lose their virginity before they leave for college. However, the gross, sexist, straight-guy approach to both the plot and the agenda of “Superbad’s” trio of misfits differs wildly. Goode’s novel is about four young men who have never focused particularly on dating or romance. They are neither unredeemable geeks nor hormonal wannabe players. They – with Jordan as their ringleader – decide it’s time to take a peek into adulthood. The venue for the boys’ exploration is a local teen-bar called, wonderfully, The Great Escape.
The overarching themes of this gentle, very funny book are the loyalty of friends, and the relative difficulty for gay teens to find normality in a world where they are a largely forgotten minority, even if they have already found social acceptance. Jordan is a cute guy, but he has no clue what dating should or could be like for a gay teen. Who decides? With a vacuum of models around him, how can Jordan find his way to who he is and what he really wants?
The result is hilarious and touching. I clearly remember being sixteen, 48 years ago, and struggling to accept my own sexuality. I was incredibly lucky, and even so my journey was complicated and painful. Possibly the most significant point made by Goode in this book is that the journey is still complicated, and still potentially painful, in spite of all the positive change in the world. Even for a boy blessed as Jordan is, there is plenty of opportunity for hurt and confusion.
If I had any disappointment in this book at all, it was the all-too-typical absence of parents except as adult ciphers in the background. Goode’s wonderful teenage characters and his heartfelt handling of emotion and friendship made up for most of that.
February 19, 2019
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Jordan vs All the Boys, by John Goode
★★★★★
180 Pages
POV: 1st person, past tense
Loved it. You should read it. It will make you happy.
Everything about this book was brilliant. From the snark, the sarcasm, the teen awkwardness, the geekiness, and the flashbacks it gave me to my own high school years; it had everything a great YA novel should have – with a few swear words and sexy bits thrown in that any 15+ yo could handle.
This was my first book by the author, only because I'm so stupidly behind on my TBR list that it's painful. And I loved everything about it. The writing style, the characterisation, and – though I'm normally not a fan of breaking the 4th wall – even the way that Jordan spoke directly to the reader. I'm not a video game player or a RPG or MMO player, so I know nothing about WoW except what I've read in books, so I loved the snippets where Jordan broke in to explain terms to me. I really needed it, most of the time. I also loved the whole DC vs Marvel argument, the comic book mentions and the very apt Big Bang Theory comparisons.
I was immediately sucked in by Jordan, who had all the snark, geekiness and attitude that I love in an MC. But I also grew to love his friends just as much; Brandon, Ethan, Dominic and Sawyer. They were all brilliant characters. I loved the girls, too, sticking up for womankind and trying to help guide the boys through the navigation of clubbing and dating. I loved that they all grew up and grew closer due to the events of that one summer they spent together. The 'Jesus Jar' was a great twist, and although I saw the twist at the end coming I loved how it was handled even more.
If you want a story that is laugh-out-loud funny, snort-into-your-drink embarrassing, full of teenagers getting into trouble, pushy dating scenes, sarcasm, and oblivious straight friends embarking on dating for the first time, then this is the book for you. It has everything a great YA should have, with a central LGBT character and a journey not just through dating and love, but through friendship. These boys have each other's backs, no matter what.
Jordan vs All the Boys it hits you right in the feels and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
P.S. Make sure you read beyond the Author's Note to get the extra-special Postcredits Scene.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Some guys wrestled, some guys had spitting contests, some guys lifted their shirts and compared their abs… my crew and I, we argued if Captain America was right in Civil War or not.”
“You see junior high guys with girlfriends and you get all jealous because you want someone to watch Stranger Things with and you want someone to play Overwatch with that you can kiss after you win, but if you’re gay, that doesn’t happen very often or at all.”
“as soon as we were done kissing, I made a run back into my cave to kill the beast.
Only this time, I had someone to come with me.
And isn’t that the best part of the adventure?”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Jordan vs All the Boys, by John Goode
★★★★★
180 Pages
POV: 1st person, past tense
Loved it. You should read it. It will make you happy.
Everything about this book was brilliant. From the snark, the sarcasm, the teen awkwardness, the geekiness, and the flashbacks it gave me to my own high school years; it had everything a great YA novel should have – with a few swear words and sexy bits thrown in that any 15+ yo could handle.
This was my first book by the author, only because I'm so stupidly behind on my TBR list that it's painful. And I loved everything about it. The writing style, the characterisation, and – though I'm normally not a fan of breaking the 4th wall – even the way that Jordan spoke directly to the reader. I'm not a video game player or a RPG or MMO player, so I know nothing about WoW except what I've read in books, so I loved the snippets where Jordan broke in to explain terms to me. I really needed it, most of the time. I also loved the whole DC vs Marvel argument, the comic book mentions and the very apt Big Bang Theory comparisons.
I was immediately sucked in by Jordan, who had all the snark, geekiness and attitude that I love in an MC. But I also grew to love his friends just as much; Brandon, Ethan, Dominic and Sawyer. They were all brilliant characters. I loved the girls, too, sticking up for womankind and trying to help guide the boys through the navigation of clubbing and dating. I loved that they all grew up and grew closer due to the events of that one summer they spent together. The 'Jesus Jar' was a great twist, and although I saw the twist at the end coming I loved how it was handled even more.
If you want a story that is laugh-out-loud funny, snort-into-your-drink embarrassing, full of teenagers getting into trouble, pushy dating scenes, sarcasm, and oblivious straight friends embarking on dating for the first time, then this is the book for you. It has everything a great YA should have, with a central LGBT character and a journey not just through dating and love, but through friendship. These boys have each other's backs, no matter what.
Jordan vs All the Boys it hits you right in the feels and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
P.S. Make sure you read beyond the Author's Note to get the extra-special Postcredits Scene.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Some guys wrestled, some guys had spitting contests, some guys lifted their shirts and compared their abs… my crew and I, we argued if Captain America was right in Civil War or not.”
“You see junior high guys with girlfriends and you get all jealous because you want someone to watch Stranger Things with and you want someone to play Overwatch with that you can kiss after you win, but if you’re gay, that doesn’t happen very often or at all.”
“as soon as we were done kissing, I made a run back into my cave to kill the beast.
Only this time, I had someone to come with me.
And isn’t that the best part of the adventure?”
March 4, 2019
Did I say I don't like YA? Well, okay, I usually don't but then there are books like this: cute and funny but not lacking in the depth or feels or crazy.
Jordan (as in, the author's voice) was what this book entertaining. He doesn't take life too seriously, just dating (love, boys...) and gaming, as it should be.
No, I don't like to get into a mind of a teenager but I also always says it's about how you make it - you (the authors) can make me (any reader) like almost anything if you have the talent to do it - and some people can make me okay with hearing a guy whine about giving up on love without wanting to stab him with a fork. Or when characters cry, it can be so annoying, when Jordan did it, I just wanted to hug him (or just have somebody hug him).
Also, his friends were awesome. Just... great. Great character, great friends, everything! Multi-dimensional.
His "dates" were weird but I only skipped like, a few lines, here and there. And hey, he could totally say "no" and that's really the only thing I needed him to be able to do. I am not a fan of those stickler for punishment
His new friends (his friend's new gf?) was cool.
And most importantly - nerd/ world. That part was such a joy to read. For so many reasons.
I was happy when I knew the term he used - I was happy when I learned something new. I was just happy seeing them not trying to excuse or hide that is what they liked.
You see, I am a nerd. Obviously. My posion are usually books - that's my home turf but for me, an extension of it are all those films and serials and games. They are all stories, they are different worlds and that's what I really love. Entire galaxies constructed from someone's imagination, from words, more or less. From, in English, those paltry 26 letters. I am just not as hard-core nerd as some. Even if I may be incomparably nerdier than most of people around me. I am involved very seriously but with only few things, like Marvel and sci-fi movies and AC (assassin's creed) and such. But it's what I am and reading about it is a pleasure.
Definitely recommend. Duh.
Jordan (as in, the author's voice) was what this book entertaining. He doesn't take life too seriously, just dating (love, boys...) and gaming, as it should be.
No, I don't like to get into a mind of a teenager but I also always says it's about how you make it - you (the authors) can make me (any reader) like almost anything if you have the talent to do it - and some people can make me okay with hearing a guy whine about giving up on love without wanting to stab him with a fork. Or when characters cry, it can be so annoying, when Jordan did it, I just wanted to hug him (or just have somebody hug him).
Also, his friends were awesome. Just... great. Great character, great friends, everything! Multi-dimensional.
His "dates" were weird but I only skipped like, a few lines, here and there. And hey, he could totally say "no" and that's really the only thing I needed him to be able to do. I am not a fan of those stickler for punishment
His new friends (his friend's new gf?) was cool.
And most importantly - nerd/ world. That part was such a joy to read. For so many reasons.
I was happy when I knew the term he used - I was happy when I learned something new. I was just happy seeing them not trying to excuse or hide that is what they liked.
You see, I am a nerd. Obviously. My posion are usually books - that's my home turf but for me, an extension of it are all those films and serials and games. They are all stories, they are different worlds and that's what I really love. Entire galaxies constructed from someone's imagination, from words, more or less. From, in English, those paltry 26 letters. I am just not as hard-core nerd as some. Even if I may be incomparably nerdier than most of people around me. I am involved very seriously but with only few things, like Marvel and sci-fi movies and AC (assassin's creed) and such. But it's what I am and reading about it is a pleasure.
Definitely recommend. Duh.
June 30, 2025
3.5✨An unexpected read for me. But this was a fun YA story and definitely interesting characters. It's not relatable to me whatsoever but still just a good quick tea time fictional story.😎 The grown up me wants to read their grown up story too😂
December 25, 2020
I really hope there’s a sequel.
Once again, Goode creates relatable characters and situations we all have been through (or will go through) at some point in our lives.
I read it in two days, cause I couldn’t stop reading!
Once again, Goode creates relatable characters and situations we all have been through (or will go through) at some point in our lives.
I read it in two days, cause I couldn’t stop reading!
June 13, 2019
Cute charming book with a great cast of characters. An honest look at growing up. Laugh at loud funny and bittersweet sad at other times. A great read from start to finish.
March 17, 2019
Really nice read!!
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