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Boys of the Beast
Three cousins. Four days. One car. This smart and fearless road-trip novel is perfect for fans of David Levithan, Benjamin Alire Saenz, or Meg Medina.
THE ROUTE. Seventeen hundred miles from Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
THE BEAST. Grandma Lupe's 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
THE BOYS. Three strangers who also happen to be cousins:
Matt.Evangelical Christian. Earnest. Film nerd. Carrying a dream to make movies--despite the future his father has planned for him.
Ethan.Jewish. Gay. Sci-fi nerd. Carrying a phone that contains his entire relationship with Levi--unless they finally get to meet IRL on this trip.
Oscar.Stoner. Smartass. Too cool to be a nerd. Carrying a letter that haunts him--no matter how hard he tries to escape it.
THE END ... just might be a new beginning.
This powerful voyage in three voices marks the brilliant debut of Monica Zepeda.
THE ROUTE. Seventeen hundred miles from Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
THE BEAST. Grandma Lupe's 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
THE BOYS. Three strangers who also happen to be cousins:
Matt.Evangelical Christian. Earnest. Film nerd. Carrying a dream to make movies--despite the future his father has planned for him.
Ethan.Jewish. Gay. Sci-fi nerd. Carrying a phone that contains his entire relationship with Levi--unless they finally get to meet IRL on this trip.
Oscar.Stoner. Smartass. Too cool to be a nerd. Carrying a letter that haunts him--no matter how hard he tries to escape it.
THE END ... just might be a new beginning.
This powerful voyage in three voices marks the brilliant debut of Monica Zepeda.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2022
6 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 5, 2022
Thank you Skyscape for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a parent, references to school shooting, religious trauma and religious conversations, homophobia
I definitely enjoyed it a lot, and completely inhale read it, lol. In two days, I had finished the book and it was a great ride from start to finish.
things i liked
1. The mental health rep! Not only this book had great exploration of trauma, with Oscar confronting and healing from this traumatic situation that happened in his past, but it also offers great representation of how to handle mental health issues. I find that in teen fiction, it’s very common for characters to help each other out because they’re all struggling through something similar, and the fact this book hammered down how that is not enough and you should reach out to a medical professional instead was *chef’s kiss.
2. Family bonding. That was what I wanted to see the most in the book from the premise and it certainly delivered! I particularly loved the dynamic between Ethan and Oscar. At the beginning of the book, you can see Ethan really doesn’t like Oscar and sees him just as nothing but a stoner. To see how their dynamic evolves and how they end up is quite emotional. I also really appreciated how the story acknowledged that Matt wasn’t as close as the other two had become but it didn’t mean they hadn’t bonded in their own way.
3. Oscar! But Ethan and Matt as well. Look, Oscar was just such a gem. He definitely has a bad reputation and got himself kicked out of so many schools. Yet, he’s very kind and sweet when you strip off those layers. I also love his journey to self-forgiveness so much. Ethan was also an incredibly supportive friend and I loved how he tries to communicate in a healthy way with all the people around him. And while Matt was my least favorite character, just because his religion made him come across as a bit tone deaf at times, I grew to like him at the end.
4. The discussions on religion. Religion is a big theme of this book, which I didn’t expect. If you have experienced religious trauma, then maybe this one is not for you, as there are multiple instances of Matt saying he’ll use this road trip experience to preach for his cousins - which he does. However, I think the author was still able to show religion as this nuanced topic. Because of what Oscar has been through, he struggles to believe that bad things only happen to bad people and if you’re good, nothing bad will happen to you. However, for Matt, having that belief that God is taking him to wherever he needs to be gives him certainty and confidence. As someone who isn’t personally religious, I was still able to understand the characters very deeply.
things i disliked
1. The road trip made no sense. OK, let’s start with the pettiest thing first, shall we? Look, the road trip made negative sense. It is what it is. Matt is the one who needs to take the car from Oregon to Albuquerque, where he lives. Ethan lives in Vegas and Oscar in Phoenix. If you know where these places are located in the US, then you know that what would make sense would be for Matt to drop off Ethan in Vegas and Oscar in Phoenix as then complete the last leg to Albuquerque alone. However, that’s not the plan. The plan is all three of them will ride to Albuquerque alone and then get a plane back home. How does it make sense that the road trip will drive them further away from home than closer??? The logistics gave me a headache. If Oscar and Ethan lived in Florida or Texas, then sure that would make sense for them to complete the trip by plane. But as it stands, I was just confused and wondering why their parents had agreed to such a terrible plan, lol.
2. It could’ve been more Latine. While I do understand that books can just be about characters going through something and not necessarily focus on their marginalizations, the book lacked, for me, on more Latinx vibes. Even the parents are surprisingly chill about the fact their 16 year olds are staying in hotels alone and never calling. Ethan and Oscar text their parents like once during this 3 day trip. The most strict parents are Matt’s and his dad is white. If you ever interacted with any Latino parent, then you know that would never happen.
3. The writing (at times). I did like most of the writing, because the chapters were short and it was easy to fly through it. However, at times this didn’t help the book, because the characters would jump into actions that were very OOC for them so abruptly it would give me whiplash. For example: at one point, they want to secure this parking space and Matt simply jumps out the car and goes to lie down on the street. Matt is this ultra religious, strict, shy kid randomly decides to lay down in the pavement of Los Angeles to secure a parking spot. This is very unlike him and yet the narration just has him do that as if it was nothing, which didn’t make sense.
Overall, I did enjoy this one a lot, even if the writing wasn’t perfect. I am not sure if this is Monica Zepeda’s debut, but the problems I found with the writing weren’t major in any way. I think there’s a lot of potential in this author’s writing, for sure! I also really appreciated seeing family dynamics at the forefront of a YA novel, that is typically populated by love or friendship stories. This is definitely something I want to see more often!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a parent, references to school shooting, religious trauma and religious conversations, homophobia
I definitely enjoyed it a lot, and completely inhale read it, lol. In two days, I had finished the book and it was a great ride from start to finish.
things i liked
1. The mental health rep! Not only this book had great exploration of trauma, with Oscar confronting and healing from this traumatic situation that happened in his past, but it also offers great representation of how to handle mental health issues. I find that in teen fiction, it’s very common for characters to help each other out because they’re all struggling through something similar, and the fact this book hammered down how that is not enough and you should reach out to a medical professional instead was *chef’s kiss.
2. Family bonding. That was what I wanted to see the most in the book from the premise and it certainly delivered! I particularly loved the dynamic between Ethan and Oscar. At the beginning of the book, you can see Ethan really doesn’t like Oscar and sees him just as nothing but a stoner. To see how their dynamic evolves and how they end up is quite emotional. I also really appreciated how the story acknowledged that Matt wasn’t as close as the other two had become but it didn’t mean they hadn’t bonded in their own way.
3. Oscar! But Ethan and Matt as well. Look, Oscar was just such a gem. He definitely has a bad reputation and got himself kicked out of so many schools. Yet, he’s very kind and sweet when you strip off those layers. I also love his journey to self-forgiveness so much. Ethan was also an incredibly supportive friend and I loved how he tries to communicate in a healthy way with all the people around him. And while Matt was my least favorite character, just because his religion made him come across as a bit tone deaf at times, I grew to like him at the end.
4. The discussions on religion. Religion is a big theme of this book, which I didn’t expect. If you have experienced religious trauma, then maybe this one is not for you, as there are multiple instances of Matt saying he’ll use this road trip experience to preach for his cousins - which he does. However, I think the author was still able to show religion as this nuanced topic. Because of what Oscar has been through, he struggles to believe that bad things only happen to bad people and if you’re good, nothing bad will happen to you. However, for Matt, having that belief that God is taking him to wherever he needs to be gives him certainty and confidence. As someone who isn’t personally religious, I was still able to understand the characters very deeply.
things i disliked
1. The road trip made no sense. OK, let’s start with the pettiest thing first, shall we? Look, the road trip made negative sense. It is what it is. Matt is the one who needs to take the car from Oregon to Albuquerque, where he lives. Ethan lives in Vegas and Oscar in Phoenix. If you know where these places are located in the US, then you know that what would make sense would be for Matt to drop off Ethan in Vegas and Oscar in Phoenix as then complete the last leg to Albuquerque alone. However, that’s not the plan. The plan is all three of them will ride to Albuquerque alone and then get a plane back home. How does it make sense that the road trip will drive them further away from home than closer??? The logistics gave me a headache. If Oscar and Ethan lived in Florida or Texas, then sure that would make sense for them to complete the trip by plane. But as it stands, I was just confused and wondering why their parents had agreed to such a terrible plan, lol.
2. It could’ve been more Latine. While I do understand that books can just be about characters going through something and not necessarily focus on their marginalizations, the book lacked, for me, on more Latinx vibes. Even the parents are surprisingly chill about the fact their 16 year olds are staying in hotels alone and never calling. Ethan and Oscar text their parents like once during this 3 day trip. The most strict parents are Matt’s and his dad is white. If you ever interacted with any Latino parent, then you know that would never happen.
3. The writing (at times). I did like most of the writing, because the chapters were short and it was easy to fly through it. However, at times this didn’t help the book, because the characters would jump into actions that were very OOC for them so abruptly it would give me whiplash. For example: at one point, they want to secure this parking space and Matt simply jumps out the car and goes to lie down on the street. Matt is this ultra religious, strict, shy kid randomly decides to lay down in the pavement of Los Angeles to secure a parking spot. This is very unlike him and yet the narration just has him do that as if it was nothing, which didn’t make sense.
Overall, I did enjoy this one a lot, even if the writing wasn’t perfect. I am not sure if this is Monica Zepeda’s debut, but the problems I found with the writing weren’t major in any way. I think there’s a lot of potential in this author’s writing, for sure! I also really appreciated seeing family dynamics at the forefront of a YA novel, that is typically populated by love or friendship stories. This is definitely something I want to see more often!
October 13, 2022
3.5 stars! Great!! I LOVE a good road trip book. I love that they’re stuck with one another and secrets and problems come out over the course of the trip. There’s always an opportunity for them to split up at the end and they always stay together. Love!
This was about cousins who didn’t really know each other and they grow to get to know each other and help each other out a bunch. So it was sweet and loving and nice that they’re one big happy family.
I guess my gripe with it was the lack of realisticness to the characters. The hyper religious kid would NOT have been so mild and the kid who is on the brink of suicide would not have been so nonchalant. And the relationship between one cousin and his boyfriend was just kinda limp. Nothing too exciting.
Highly recommend, especially for those that love the road trip trope!
This was about cousins who didn’t really know each other and they grow to get to know each other and help each other out a bunch. So it was sweet and loving and nice that they’re one big happy family.
I guess my gripe with it was the lack of realisticness to the characters. The hyper religious kid would NOT have been so mild and the kid who is on the brink of suicide would not have been so nonchalant. And the relationship between one cousin and his boyfriend was just kinda limp. Nothing too exciting.
Highly recommend, especially for those that love the road trip trope!
February 27, 2022
This is a story about unfamiliar family. Cousins Matt, Ethan, and Oscar all gather in Portland following the death of their grandmother. Despite being cousins, the three are quite different from each other. Matt is an evangelical Christian, straightlaced, and a movie nerd, who wants to be a filmmaker though his parents want him to pursue a safer career. Ethan is Jewish, gay, hoping to meet his online crush who he has been texting with for months after meeting on scifi fan site, and planning to follow his dad's path to becoming a dentist. Oscar is a stoner, a diffident student, and struggling with a trauma that has defined his life despite his best efforts to move beyond it.
Although the three have spent very little time together since they were much younger, they decide to embark on a roadtrip to help Matt drive their grandmother's car, which he inherited and they've named "the Beast," back to his home in New Mexico. During this road trip, the three cousins learn much more about each other and themselves, as they each begin to reconsider the paths they have been on up to that point.
I really enjoyed this book. The author did a terrific job of crafting three distinct, interesting main characters, each with their own struggles as they faced the next stage of their life. The central premise -- that Matt, Ethan, and Oscar are cousins but don't really know each other at all -- provided for a creative and effective frame for a coming-of-age story. The book also explored several important topics -- mental health and navigating trauma, first relationships, and balancing one's dreams with our family's expectations -- in a sensitive and compelling way.
Highly recommended!
Although the three have spent very little time together since they were much younger, they decide to embark on a roadtrip to help Matt drive their grandmother's car, which he inherited and they've named "the Beast," back to his home in New Mexico. During this road trip, the three cousins learn much more about each other and themselves, as they each begin to reconsider the paths they have been on up to that point.
I really enjoyed this book. The author did a terrific job of crafting three distinct, interesting main characters, each with their own struggles as they faced the next stage of their life. The central premise -- that Matt, Ethan, and Oscar are cousins but don't really know each other at all -- provided for a creative and effective frame for a coming-of-age story. The book also explored several important topics -- mental health and navigating trauma, first relationships, and balancing one's dreams with our family's expectations -- in a sensitive and compelling way.
Highly recommended!
June 6, 2022
hm. first off: I liked how the author wove three drastically different POVs together through out, it was nice to see each cousin’s side of things. and the “cross overs” of the same sentence / idea in each POV was cool too. and the fact that the whole book took place over only what, 4 days I think? also cool. but idk, overall it didn’t really enthrall me or leave me feeling fulfilled after finishing. I just think there’s bound to be better road-trip books out there.
August 31, 2024
I liked this book, I liked the cousins going on a road trip together and bonding. I did think it was a little preachy with Matt's character, but I adored Oscar's character. Book definitely ended on a good note, so might re-read, but on a first read basis, I just left it feeling not oo strongly about it.
December 19, 2022
4.5 stars
October 25, 2024
J'ai aimé...ma note serait plus 3.5. Au début, je trouvais qu'il ne se passait pas grand chose, mais après la moitié du livre, c'était plus corsé, plus intéressant.
August 30, 2022
Okay so I saw that there are barely any reviews for this book which is very disappointing. So here I am. I will admit I didn't really have high hopes for this book, since it changes POVs very rapidly. I love me some short chapters, but I was worried I would get lost on who was who when I saw that it changes POV every chapter, and most of the time a chapter was like one page. I'm pleased to say that I didn't have to worry though; each of the three cousins had such distinct personalities, so it was actually pretty easy to switch through each chapter.
Ah yes, the cousins. Another thing I was a little worried about was the relationship between the three and if I was going to like them all or not. That was another thing I didn't have to worry about. Their relationships were so natural and each of them were very likable (especially Oscar). There was something in their stories, whether big or small, that all readers could relate to. It was fun to watch them all grow.
The way the plot progressed was smooth, and there were pretty shocking reveals at the end. I will say it gets pretty serious at some points (mentions of shootings and suicide) and I teared up a little bit. The more I write this the more I realize I'm making a genuine book review. This wasn't really supposed to happen but oh well.
The point is that it's a very good book and I'm glad the cover is so pretty since that's what made me pick it up. I recommend reading it if you feel like you're about to get into a reading slump. It might save you like it did me. There's honestly so much more I can say about this book but I don't have the ability to write my thoughts eloquently. Sorry. Just check out the book if you want to.
Ah yes, the cousins. Another thing I was a little worried about was the relationship between the three and if I was going to like them all or not. That was another thing I didn't have to worry about. Their relationships were so natural and each of them were very likable (especially Oscar). There was something in their stories, whether big or small, that all readers could relate to. It was fun to watch them all grow.
The way the plot progressed was smooth, and there were pretty shocking reveals at the end. I will say it gets pretty serious at some points (mentions of shootings and suicide) and I teared up a little bit. The more I write this the more I realize I'm making a genuine book review. This wasn't really supposed to happen but oh well.
The point is that it's a very good book and I'm glad the cover is so pretty since that's what made me pick it up. I recommend reading it if you feel like you're about to get into a reading slump. It might save you like it did me. There's honestly so much more I can say about this book but I don't have the ability to write my thoughts eloquently. Sorry. Just check out the book if you want to.
March 19, 2023
I REALLY wanted to like this novel. I was super interested in the premise and admired that it received the New Visions Award. I was given a copy at a conference and couldn’t wait to crack it open.
Unfortunately, this one really missed the mark for me. I thought it was extremely out of touch with actual adolescent experiences and was really lacking in authenticity. I found the characters hard to believe and relate to — one such a burnout, the other so pious. There was no depth. As we know, people aren’t typically so black and white. Although toward the end there is a breakthrough, even that seemed improbable and slightly offensive.
I also found myself very uncomfortable with the extreme religious references. They were in abundance and, quite honestly, disturbing, yet not hardly acknowledged as unhealthy by the author. This is not a message I, personally, would want to share with readers.
Overall, it’s disappointing. I’m looking for books and more diverse representation to add to the library and was really hoping this would be an addition. After reading it, I’m just not sure where it even fits. It’s preachy yet there are inappropriate parts, it is about three boys coming of age yet the cover is pink, and it is supposed to be three differing paths that come together yet their fate is up in the air at the end. Not for me, but maybe my opinion is an unpopular one.
Unfortunately, this one really missed the mark for me. I thought it was extremely out of touch with actual adolescent experiences and was really lacking in authenticity. I found the characters hard to believe and relate to — one such a burnout, the other so pious. There was no depth. As we know, people aren’t typically so black and white. Although toward the end there is a breakthrough, even that seemed improbable and slightly offensive.
I also found myself very uncomfortable with the extreme religious references. They were in abundance and, quite honestly, disturbing, yet not hardly acknowledged as unhealthy by the author. This is not a message I, personally, would want to share with readers.
Overall, it’s disappointing. I’m looking for books and more diverse representation to add to the library and was really hoping this would be an addition. After reading it, I’m just not sure where it even fits. It’s preachy yet there are inappropriate parts, it is about three boys coming of age yet the cover is pink, and it is supposed to be three differing paths that come together yet their fate is up in the air at the end. Not for me, but maybe my opinion is an unpopular one.
January 22, 2023
Loved it—especially loved the conversation where the boys demand their fundie cousin give an answer to why Christians are such assholes and the awesome shoutout to The Episcopal Church on page 142!
This was overall a really great read. Zepeda masterfully captured the dynamic between three boys from the same family but vastly different backgrounds. I loved that nobody had to change in order for them to be friends but that they were able to talk about their differences and grow their relationships.
Also, the touching tribute to their late grandmother’s dead cat, Mr. Taco, had me in stitches. (Pg 228)
The only thing I have to complain about is that we have a “Love the sinner, hate the sin” that is just left at that. That phrase is not loving toward anyone and is a gaslighting go-to for the “asshole” Christians. Wish that would’ve been shot down or dealt with instead of being left hanging there.
Even so, this book was an endearing read and I will definitely be recommending it and buying it for my own personal collection!
This was overall a really great read. Zepeda masterfully captured the dynamic between three boys from the same family but vastly different backgrounds. I loved that nobody had to change in order for them to be friends but that they were able to talk about their differences and grow their relationships.
Also, the touching tribute to their late grandmother’s dead cat, Mr. Taco, had me in stitches. (Pg 228)
The only thing I have to complain about is that we have a “Love the sinner, hate the sin” that is just left at that. That phrase is not loving toward anyone and is a gaslighting go-to for the “asshole” Christians. Wish that would’ve been shot down or dealt with instead of being left hanging there.
Even so, this book was an endearing read and I will definitely be recommending it and buying it for my own personal collection!
July 13, 2022
This book was at first very confusing because I have never read a book with triple POVs but I liked it and I enjoyed looking at each character and seeing what they see as individuals. I also love how different all three of them are and how they can still coexist with one another. They were strangers but were able to bond with each other even over their differences. Also the mention of Christianity gave me more understanding as to why people stick to their faith. But another question I saw in the book was "why can't you be a good person without Christ?" It got me thinking but I believe that everyone can be a good person with or without Christ. Also the book brought a valid arguement about Christian's picking and choosing when they want to take God's word literally or infer and all I got to say is that is just SPOT ON.3.5/5
November 29, 2022
If you love road trip stories and family stories, BOYS OF THE BEAST has got you covered. After their grandmother's funeral, three cousins with mixed Latine backgrounds have to transport a car that one of them inherited, and in the process they learn more about each other and form a greater bond than they ever expected. Matt is an evangelical Christian who wants to visit a film school, though his father doesn't approve; Ethan is Jewish and gay and wants to stop by to visit a boy he's falling for; Oscar is a stoner trying very hard to forget the loss of his father in a school shooting. The boys all have their own issues, but what I enjoyed most about this book is that even as it takes on trauma and mental health, there's still a strong sense of fun and plenty of road trip hijinks in this story. The boys really captured my heart, and I hope you'll give this a try!
June 15, 2023
The writer creates characters from the present, (2020s), who easily drop 80s references as well as Maltese Falcon references, a film from the 40s. The writer made the mistake of creating characters that reflect her references, rather than doing the research to write film and music references from 2000s and up.
The prose tries really hard to be cool:
- “I’m jonesing to get baked” and other 80s lingo just doesn't land well. It's hard to suspend disbelief here. These kids are 40 years away from 80s lingo.
The author does weave in the present, but the emoji texting is trying to hard to current. Not everyone texts with emojis: clapping hands, dancing girl, winky face etc.
Cutesy is just not cute.
The prose tries really hard to be cool:
- “I’m jonesing to get baked” and other 80s lingo just doesn't land well. It's hard to suspend disbelief here. These kids are 40 years away from 80s lingo.
The author does weave in the present, but the emoji texting is trying to hard to current. Not everyone texts with emojis: clapping hands, dancing girl, winky face etc.
Cutesy is just not cute.
March 5, 2022
Grandma Lupe’s three daughters and their families have come to Portland, Oregon for her funeral; it’s the first time the three oldest boy cousins have been together in years. Although Oscar, Ethan, and Matt aren’t close, they convince their parents they should road trip back to their homes in three different southwest cities since Matt has inherited Grandma Lupe’s elderly car. Oscar covers his grief with pot and deflection, Ethan navigates an IRL meeting with first boyfriend Levi, and homeschooled Matt visits USC where he hopes to study filmmaking which his fundamentalist parents don’t support. Full of humor, disclosure, and appreciation of family. EARC from Edelweiss.
April 2, 2023
The short chapters try to make it a quickly paced road trip novel of three boys who happen to be cousins riding in a fabulously old sports car after the death of a relative. Bonding ensues and a discovery of each one of their lives (unbeknownst to each other because they're really strangers rather than cousins who happen to be about the same age) including trauma, secrets, religion, romance, and viewpoints.
It's uneven in the delivery even the way it's delivered based on the three perspectives (because one views everything like a screenplay and it's written as such). It's on the low end of average for a YA.
It's uneven in the delivery even the way it's delivered based on the three perspectives (because one views everything like a screenplay and it's written as such). It's on the low end of average for a YA.
January 29, 2025
I initially thought this book was going to be a road trip story about some cousins who didn't know each other well bonding. And while that does happen, it talks about some really heavy topics. I did love that all the boys were very different, but were still able to bond and build a friendship. They could help each other work through some of the issues and struggles they had, and try to give each other confidence to try to achieve their goals and aspirations. I think it's a really good book about friendship, and being friends despite major differences and opinions.
That said I really did like it personally, but I don't think this story is going to be for everyone.
TW: substance abuse, mental health struggles, suicidal ideations, death of a parent, school shooting
That said I really did like it personally, but I don't think this story is going to be for everyone.
TW: substance abuse, mental health struggles, suicidal ideations, death of a parent, school shooting
May 24, 2022
This is the stuff we need to smash that toxic masculinity and allow boys to connect and be actually real with each other, to be vulnerable, supportive, and honest. I loved going along for this journey and I appreciate that we don't have three perfect "flawed" kids - no, we've got kids dealing with some real issues like drug use, identity, defying parents, and more. I just really connected with the characters and genuinely wanted a happy ending for them. I love to see it and I hope this book does well - it's a hidden treasure of a road trip novel.
May 15, 2025
This is an amazing story! It is laid back like a summer read, despite being set in late December and early January. The author takes three young men experiencing a significant loss, who do not know each other and, despite being cousins, have significantly different upbringings, and puts them in a car. This book covers difficult and serious topics in a way that respects the seriousness of the issues while allowing the boys and the reader to enjoy the journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes road trip novels that spend time getting to know the people in the car.
May 22, 2022
Three cousins who'd never spent time together learn to laugh, share, hug and carry each other’s burdens on a long road trip, while the true meaning of family and brotherhood is revealed to each of them. I LOVED this book! I laughed out loud SO MANY times, while sympathizing with issues in their lives. Teen readers will be equally engrossed in their travels, banter and deep discussions. Read more on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
October 16, 2022
This YA book is excellent and I’m not just saying that because my friend Monica Zepeda wrote it. Think of it as a road-trip story but with emotional depth and it’s a page-turner with short chapters and characters with struggles - sure to appeal to reluctant readers especially male teens because the three main characters are male. It’s already won one award and I would not be surprised if it won a major award come January when the ALA awards happen.
May 24, 2023
I would give this book 4.5 stars if we could give half stars. It dealt really well with a lot of heavy-hitting issues: sexuality, religion, gun violence, PTSD, generational trauma, and mental health. What I really liked about it was the way it modeled well to young adults what to do in tough situations, such as if a friend was experiencing self-harming thoughts. The only reason I knocked it down 1/2 a star was because it felt like a lot of issues were crammed in, and it was especially heavy at the end after a relatively light (key word relatively) beginning. I would say it’s definitely an 8th grade and above level YA novel, but I highly recommend it!
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September 18, 2024Reaklly cool YA novel. Its about a death in the family that bring 3 cousins together and on a road trip that changes each others lives. They were estrnaged for years but now this road trip bring s them closer together. Each makes a big decision. I love how this book makes a 1970's remark about a tv show back then. I definetly recommend this book.
October 18, 2024
Three 18 yo cousins who don't know each other well bond on a road trip. Matt was raised as an evangelical Christian, Ethan is a gay Reform Jew, and Oscar is dealing with trauma by smoking a lot of pot. Told in alternating POVs, these young adults gradually reveal parts of their lives and learn to empathize with each other.
June 26, 2022
dnf @ page 96. can’t finish it after something said at the end of part 1. i got to when levi and ethan meet and said ‘i quit’. the chapters are super short and easy to read but i just can’t finish it because of the thing at the end of part 1, which is sad because i was enjoying it but no thanks
July 15, 2022
4.5/5
At first when I saw this book I thought “meh” but when I came back to it a second time I just thought “What the heck, why not. It’s summer and it’s a book about road-trips and I love road-trips.” Having just finished the book my mind is going “I never thought it would be this good.”
At first when I saw this book I thought “meh” but when I came back to it a second time I just thought “What the heck, why not. It’s summer and it’s a book about road-trips and I love road-trips.” Having just finished the book my mind is going “I never thought it would be this good.”
July 15, 2022
I loved this one. The short chapters are refreshing and I found each character's storyline engaging. The sense of dread in Oscar's storyline is apparent throughout. I'd recommend it to 8th & up with a heads up about the amount of profanity used.
October 19, 2023
3.5 stars, rounding up for rating because even though I didn't like the short chapters and the POV switches (you can write YA books in third person, you know, and then I actually know who's narrating at any given point in time!), it did end up packing an emotional punch by the end, gosh darn it
July 9, 2025
A slow start but an important ending that tackles the balance of faith and mental health in the right way. So many tough teenage issues in this novel and I sincerely hope this book finds its way into the hands of those who really need it.
August 27, 2025
Great characters, loved each of their arcs and how they changed and grew through the story, my only issue was it was a little to preachy on the Christianity even though Ethan is gay but all in all an enjoyable read
May 5, 2022
LOVED IT!!!! 😭😭😭😭
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