Post by Dabeagle on Apr 17, 2024 17:18:19 GMT -5
There is this great pizza place near my office that I walk to for lunch on occasion, and next door to it is a bookstore. One of the reasons I don't get pizza often is because I always go into the bookstore afterward; this book was just riding along in my work bag, and finding myself in a 'hurry up and wait' time frame, I started reading.
I'll say firstly that I enjoyed the book. The main character is appropriately awkward, but very intelligent - which is a nice change. The object of his affection is also intelligent and snarky. Huck, the main character, has an analytical mind and notices details about everyone. Win Cavendish seems to find trouble and make bad choices. But when Win is accused of tanking his own application to an elite school, his parents really bring the hammer down - and Huck plays Sherlock as he tries to unravel the mystery.
This story is a mix of things - a good teacher who almost seems magical in the way she handles things and guides her students. Intelligent kids, a good mystery and strong characterizations. The story provides good twists and I was guessing until the end. On the less enjoyable end the kids were all behaved and seemed to listen to their parents, which from personal experience seemed a bit of a stretch. Attending elite private schools didn't allow for a connection, especially since the students seemed to be academically motivated whereas I was in a public school where good grades were laughed at. This is the fourth book in the series, however it's the only one with a gay couple as the focus, so I won't be reading the others.
All in all it was a good read with a fun mystery and great modeling of growing a relationship out of respect and knowing the other person rather than simply on looks and hormones.