I loved this book when I read it, but Joel Leslie brought this book to life for me. This may be his best narration of all those I’ve listened to.

Alex is adorable and sweet and everything you’d expect from a kid who grew up surrounded by love. I believe cinnamon roll definitely applies. Brandon, he breaks my heart, and I spent the whole book wanting to make things better for him. This is a difficult book as Brandon was sexually assaulted by a teacher as a twelve year old and the affects of that have completely and understandably taken over his life. But they find each other and make each other’s lives so much better. This is not a “love fixes everything” story though, it is a story that shows how the love of those around you can give you the desire and courage to fight for yourself. I was teary at many points.

Plus all the fun characters from Mark Cooper vs. America are present and they are too loveable to not want to spend more time with them.

An absolute win for me in all the ways.