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Anything Could Happen
by
When you’re in love with the wrong person for the right reasons, anything could happen.
Tretch lives in a very small town where everybody's in everybody else's business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend. For his part, Matt is completely oblivious to the way Tretch feels – and Tretch can’t tell whether that makes it better or worse.
The ...more
Tretch lives in a very small town where everybody's in everybody else's business. Which makes it hard for him to be in love with his straight best friend. For his part, Matt is completely oblivious to the way Tretch feels – and Tretch can’t tell whether that makes it better or worse.
The ...more
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Hardcover, 282 pages
Published
May 26th 2015
by Push
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4.5
What a shame that I don't have Anything Could Happen anymore in my playlist. This book is somehow inspired by that beautiful song by Ellie Goulding. If I still have that song (I have no idea the song had been vanished in my music library), I'd played it while I'm reading this book.
I felt happiness and the warm in my heart reading Anything Could Happen (like what these kinds of books did ...more
"There's sickness, and there's sadness. But the thing is, there's love, too. I try never to forget that."
What a shame that I don't have Anything Could Happen anymore in my playlist. This book is somehow inspired by that beautiful song by Ellie Goulding. If I still have that song (I have no idea the song had been vanished in my music library), I'd played it while I'm reading this book.
I felt happiness and the warm in my heart reading Anything Could Happen (like what these kinds of books did ...more

It’s not every book that can convincingly cast a character with such seemingly unrelated skills. A closet dance fiend who can also (albeit a bit dubiously) aid in delivering a calf. Tretch keeps these truths hidden, right along with another fact he hasn’t figured out how to share.
He appreciates the perks of life in a tiny town while acknowledging the total lack of privacy. Also absent, is the population to properly support a funky, refurbished theatre. So, no matter how cool the 1976 King Kong ...more
He appreciates the perks of life in a tiny town while acknowledging the total lack of privacy. Also absent, is the population to properly support a funky, refurbished theatre. So, no matter how cool the 1976 King Kong ...more

I had high hopes for this Anything Could Happen. I love reading LGBTQ+ fiction, and was immediately drawn in when I saw there was a gay MC. Pair that with his being in love with his straight best friend, and I was hopeful for a lot of the themes that could be explored. I ended up feeling disappointed and found the story a little jumbled.
Firstly, there was a lot going on in this story and I found the plot lacking in focus. There are so many elements thrown into this story that aren't developed ...more
Firstly, there was a lot going on in this story and I found the plot lacking in focus. There are so many elements thrown into this story that aren't developed ...more

2 stars
I am disappointed

I was expecting so much from this book but it let me down so bad. I've been wanting to read it since the day it came out (2015) and I read it now at the end of 2016. Okay, I have a lot of things to complain about Anything could happen.
But first of all, let's start with the plot. It seemed really interesting at first mainly because it's something that happens to almost everyone, we all are vulnerable to fall in love with a really close friend, right? The thing is harder ...more
I am disappointed

I was expecting so much from this book but it let me down so bad. I've been wanting to read it since the day it came out (2015) and I read it now at the end of 2016. Okay, I have a lot of things to complain about Anything could happen.
But first of all, let's start with the plot. It seemed really interesting at first mainly because it's something that happens to almost everyone, we all are vulnerable to fall in love with a really close friend, right? The thing is harder ...more


2.5 stars. I really wanted to love Anything Could Happen, but nope, it didn't hit me in the right spot. I've had an emotional response at the beginning of the novel along these lines:
"Hold fast, I thought, and then, Hold fast because life is fast, which seemed like a logical conclusion....more
That’s when he slid his right hand along the edge of the seat, found mine, and squeezed. It sent this gentle buzzing feeling right up the back of my neck, and with it not a complete thought yet, but the essence

What did I think of this one? You mean apart from the feeling that Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding are prolly going to end up richer because of this book?
Ha ha ha! Kidding aside, I thought the book was simple. Wait! When I say simple, I don't say it in the negative sense. What I mean is that, really the beauty of Anything Could Happen is in its simplicity. How it did not try so hard to add BIG MOMENTS which would have diverted the story out of its main purpose and/or focus. How it did not try to
...more
When did I stop dancing around my room? I mean really dancing. I twirl or sway now and again, but where did my reach for the stars need to dance go?
Memories. The memories a book can spark and pull out of me is just one of the many reasons why I read. Some books make me reminisce about where I’ve been or who I was. Others help me see and dream of where I want to go or who I want to be. Every so often a book comes along that does both though—inspires memories of the past and hopes for the future. ...more

I'm just going to take a second to mourn....okay...okay. I think I'm over the disappointment...no...wait...okay...now I'm over it.
Anything Could Happen was one of those books I was really looking forward too. A gay guy in love with his straight best friend? Fuck yeah. Hottie on the cover? Fuck yeah. Cute romance promised? Fuck yeah. But, once I actually dove into the story I found myself struggling to find any meat in the story.
Tretch is in love with his best friend Matt, who is unfortunately ...more
Anything Could Happen was one of those books I was really looking forward too. A gay guy in love with his straight best friend? Fuck yeah. Hottie on the cover? Fuck yeah. Cute romance promised? Fuck yeah. But, once I actually dove into the story I found myself struggling to find any meat in the story.
Tretch is in love with his best friend Matt, who is unfortunately ...more

Read The Full Review At fANGIRLconfessions!
I received a review copy courtesy of the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or views regarding the book whatsoever.
I'm soooo disappointed in this book.
* Deep Sigh *
I am a HUGE fan of LGBT. I love how the characters and stories are always so lively, creative, over-the-top, diverse, etc. So I truly was excited when I received Anything Could Happen for review. What I thought was going to be an amazing coming of age story about a young guy in ...more
I received a review copy courtesy of the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or views regarding the book whatsoever.
I'm soooo disappointed in this book.
* Deep Sigh *
I am a HUGE fan of LGBT. I love how the characters and stories are always so lively, creative, over-the-top, diverse, etc. So I truly was excited when I received Anything Could Happen for review. What I thought was going to be an amazing coming of age story about a young guy in ...more

Once in a blue moon, along will come a book that I wish my younger self could read. Will Walton's ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN perfectly captures the sometimes soaring, sometimes heart-crushing nature of unrequited adolescent love. His prose is sophisticated but accessible, and the relationships in Tretch's life are presented in this nuanced but beautiful way, allowing us to see how this really special protagonist engages with those most important to him. Because of Walton's timeless style and deftly
...more

Oct 23, 2015
Kels
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
ya,
bittersweet,
yawn,
bag-full-of-meh,
mixed-feelings,
easy-read,
contemporary,
romance,
slow-pace,
realistic-fiction
I started off really loving this book!!! BUT unfortunately, somewhere towards the middle Anything Could Happen just dragged itself into yawn territory. It went from being curious and entertaining to a pretty dull shade of gray, with not much excitement or drama or anything interesting happening with the MC.
I think the writing in this novel is pretty solid. I loved the flow of it, which made this an easy quick read for me. I also really liked all of the characters, from the MC Tretch-O, to his ...more
I think the writing in this novel is pretty solid. I loved the flow of it, which made this an easy quick read for me. I also really liked all of the characters, from the MC Tretch-O, to his ...more

This is a gentle, positive story about a gay boy in a small town who has a crush on his straight best friend. Tretch has secretly been in love with Matt for years, and he's stuck in a bit of a limbo. His own family loves him and he's sure they'd be okay with him being gay... or almost sure. Not quite enough to have come out to them yet. His best friend Matt has two dads, so he'd surely be good with someone being gay, and he's protective of Tretch. But no matter how often Tretch pictures coming
...more

This book is perfect. I vibrated, hummed, laughed, cried, danced, forgot to breathe. I felt like Tretch was part of me every minute I was reading, partly because the writing is so good you can't help but feel everything he feels, but also partly because I recognize him--in myself and in my life. This book tells a complex story, different from ones you've read before, and every moment feels true.

I don't know why it took me so long to finally read this one. Now that I have, I honestly don't know what to say. This book resonated with me on a level I didn't expect. The last time I felt this way about a contemporary was when I read (and watched) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky. Really, this book is a gem. Maybe when I've stepped away from this one long enough, I'll come back here to give a proper review, but for now just know that I loved this one. I look forward to
...more

. : — 4
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2KzXzjJ
buddy read with L.C.!!!!
you know how sometimes you start a book and you’re like “oh this book is going to be x, y & z.” and it turns out the book is everything BUT x, y & z in a really good way? well this book was that but to the tenth power. to begin with, i thought this book was going to be a simple & silly gay contemporary with a butt load of cheesy romance that is unrealistic for characters who are 15 but still a ...more
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2KzXzjJ
buddy read with L.C.!!!!
you know how sometimes you start a book and you’re like “oh this book is going to be x, y & z.” and it turns out the book is everything BUT x, y & z in a really good way? well this book was that but to the tenth power. to begin with, i thought this book was going to be a simple & silly gay contemporary with a butt load of cheesy romance that is unrealistic for characters who are 15 but still a ...more

In a young voice, perhaps too young for a high schooler, this book tells the story of Trench. It follows the same old trope of gay boy falls for straight best friend. Unfortunately, anyone well versed in this genre has been there, done that. There is of course a secondary female character, and Trent finds himself in a situation of forced intimacy. This is followed by the usual female love interest of his male crush, a device used to create tension and jealousy. It is all so trite and derivative.
...more

This book has everything - joy, heartfelt tears, and the blissful celebration of a dance party. I rooted out loud for Tretch (publicly) and then immediately book talked this smart novel to the three random strangers who wondered what book could bring such responses. (And, we are now friends because they will pass this book's magic along as well.). The best, most authentic, most necessary book I have read in quite awhile.

"Reading’s just another form of travel, after all.”
And what an adventure this book was!
Man oh man this story wasn’t what I expected. When I came into this, I was expecting the majority of this story to be about Tretch and his straight best friend, Matt. I thought I was preparing for romantic drama, the family drama with coming out, the drama with Tretch coming to terms with who he is.
But this story was so much more than that.
My initial thoughts about the story had me intrigued, but when I ...more
And what an adventure this book was!
Man oh man this story wasn’t what I expected. When I came into this, I was expecting the majority of this story to be about Tretch and his straight best friend, Matt. I thought I was preparing for romantic drama, the family drama with coming out, the drama with Tretch coming to terms with who he is.
But this story was so much more than that.
My initial thoughts about the story had me intrigued, but when I ...more

Apr 12, 2015
Dahlia
added it
Really sweet m/m YA I think perfectly fills a gap in the younger YA side. Not that there aren't great gay YAs appropriate for the younger set, but the ones that come to mind for me immediately are all romances. So often at that age, it's about coming into your own and the trickiness of unrequited love that comes with having such a strong connection to someone, but with the fundamental and (usually) impassable barrier of conflicting sexual orientations in the way, and I think ACH nails that while
...more

Lovely. Just lovely! The characters were real and complex, and it's such a sweet look into one young man's coming of age. I cared about the characters so much. They are delightful. I didn't want to part with them!
And another thing - I just zoomed along. I was never bored, and wanted to stay in the little world Walton created.
Re-read in 2016. Still so good. Tretch has such a sweet disposition. We all need characters who represent us, and can show us the good.
And another thing - I just zoomed along. I was never bored, and wanted to stay in the little world Walton created.
Re-read in 2016. Still so good. Tretch has such a sweet disposition. We all need characters who represent us, and can show us the good.

Such a beautiful story about friendship, family, first love and finding yourself. Tretch was such an inspiring character, with an original story. I loved that this book showed how much music, and also books, can mean to teenagers, how they give people hope, inspiration and, somehow, a friend. It's a fast, light read, well written, and at the same time meaningful. Loved it!

Oct 19, 2014
Frankie Brown
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
my-friend-wrote-this
WILL WROTE THIS!!!!!
I am going to write a review very very soon.
**
and now the cover is on Goodreads!!! can't wait can't wait can't wait to hold it.
I am going to write a review very very soon.
**
and now the cover is on Goodreads!!! can't wait can't wait can't wait to hold it.

I loved the unrequited romance that was present in this book and how realistic it was. As I indulged in this sweet book, I realised it was tough to put it down. I felt happiness fluttering in my heart. I smiled, laughed, and was teary-eyed. Will Walton's writing takes the reader on an awe-inspiring adventure—right from the first chapter. When I reached the ending, I just couldn't get enough. In spite of this book being a beautiful one, at the end, I felt a tad empty—it did seem abrupt especially
...more

The full review can be found at The Book Bratz
Anything Can Happen is both warmly written and heart swelling. I found it to be something refreshing in in Young Adult, and will surely be a book I will be pushing at people.
Tretch knew he way gay the moment Matt grabbed his hand at church. But he lives in the south, where being gay isn't something that is easily understood. Ironically Matt has two dads, and constantly reminds other people as well as himself that he isn't gay. During winter break ...more
Anything Can Happen is both warmly written and heart swelling. I found it to be something refreshing in in Young Adult, and will surely be a book I will be pushing at people.
Tretch knew he way gay the moment Matt grabbed his hand at church. But he lives in the south, where being gay isn't something that is easily understood. Ironically Matt has two dads, and constantly reminds other people as well as himself that he isn't gay. During winter break ...more

All I wanted was to read a novel where two guys fall in love but instead I got a typical coming of age narrative of a gay character. It was nice and all but it's just that I've read similar stories soooo many times (Boy Meets Boy, The Vast Fields of Ordinary, David Inside Out, Out of the Pocket and most recently More Happy Than Not) that this one didn't hold much appeal to me. Still a nice read though, just didn't blow me away like More Happy Than Not.

Need more stars as 5 is not enough!! Walton has written a book that is like a perfect cup of tea-flavorful, heartwarming and soul-soothing! Tretch is a dear character that you want be a part of your community—mowing lawns, riding his bike, shopping at the local bookstore.
I believe it is important to note that this book serves as a marker, among several-though not enough-of the progress we are making in society. This is a coming of age book and a first love book among many in those genres; ...more
I believe it is important to note that this book serves as a marker, among several-though not enough-of the progress we are making in society. This is a coming of age book and a first love book among many in those genres; ...more

If you want to have your heart broken with sweetness and the ache of trying to figure out the world as a teen, if you're looking for a story about queer youth where their relationship with their family is full of love despite the fear of coming out, if you want joy and dancing and small-town realness, then this book is right up your alley. What a treat to have this book out in the world and available for us to adore!
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Book Review | 1 | 6 | Feb 02, 2016 09:17AM | |
Crazy for Young A...: Anything Could Happen, by Will Walton → Start Date: May 29, 2015 | 27 | 45 | Jun 14, 2015 06:14PM |
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“There’s sickness, and there’s sadness. But the thing is, there’s love, too. I try never to forget that.”
—
20 likes
“Dancing is spiritual. Dancing is personal. Some people look at a dancing person and say, What a total show-off. They only notice the body of the dancing person. They look at the way the elbows jut out, the way the hips shake and the neck bends. They criticize all of these things, saying, This dancing person shouldn't be dancing. This dancing person has no rhythm.
But the dancer is immune to all of this.”
—
5 likes
More quotes…
But the dancer is immune to all of this.”