Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales --> Starting March 10th 2020

[Aly]

Summer love...gone so fast.

Will Tavares is the dream summer fling―he's fun, affectionate, kind―but just when Ollie thinks he's found his Happily Ever After, summer vacation ends and Will stops texting Ollie back. Now Ollie is one prince short of his fairytale ending, and to complicate the fairytale further, a family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and enrolled at a new school across the country. Which he minds a little less when he realizes it's the same school Will goes to...except Ollie finds that the sweet, comfortably queer guy he knew from summer isn't the same one attending Collinswood High. This Will is a class clown, closeted―and, to be honest, a bit of a jerk.

Ollie has no intention of pining after a guy who clearly isn't ready for a relationship, especially since this new, bro-y jock version of Will seems to go from hot to cold every other week. But then Will starts "coincidentally" popping up in every area of Ollie's life, from music class to the lunch table, and Ollie finds his resolve weakening.
The last time he gave Will his heart, Will handed it back to him trampled and battered. Ollie would have to be an idiot to trust him with it again.

Right? Right.

[Karen]

The NetGalley curse strikes again...forgot I had this and it should be read by today. I’m going to hop on this a little early but will check in once you start reading in a couple of days.

[Karen]

Opening couple of chapters immediately set up Olly for what will be a very awkward scenario. Even though we haven’t met him I’m forming pretty negative opinions of Will.

[Karen]

Up to ch8. (view spoiler)[ Why oh why does it seem a good idea for straight girls to play lesbian for the titillation of others? (Though it does seem there’s more to this for Lara so I’ll reserve judgment). Will is someone I find irritating right now, but maybe he’ll realise and change... (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch14. (view spoiler)[ Seeing the shifting relationships is lovely. Will is taking small steps, and the stuff with Olly’s family is hitting me a little harder than I expected. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch19. (view spoiler)[ After such a negative start, Lara is the one who seems closest to getting Olly. He is letting Will treat him so badly -enough! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Can’t wait to see what you make of this. A lot more emotional than I thought, and there really were some important points made without seeming too preachy. Still not totally convinced by the Grease links, but some things don’t change!

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ While there definitely seemed to be more there for Lara in this scene, I hate the idea of fetishizing lesbians.. as a mother of a teen girl who came out last summer, the way boys/men/people seem to see them as objects in this manner is so disappointing.

At this point Will is such a jerk and I'm not a fan. I get not being out, and the fear of coming out, but there is a grey area he could walk and still be a friend instead of the cold shoulder. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch14. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm a sobbing mess when it comes to Ollie's aunt and her cancer battle. My mom passed from cancer last June and every time it comes up in a book I turn into an emotionally unstable person lol. But I also love how close they all are and his bonds with the small ones! So sweet.

I do also really enjoy watching Will slowly grow more comfortable and make steps towards being better to Ollie. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

So I started this around 1 am and by time I left work I was at 57% and kind of forgot to post updates. But man, I am loving this. Contemporary was needed in my life - a break from so much fantasy and sci fi - and even though I'm super emotional with this and expecting it to be worse as the story wraps up, I cannot wait to see where this goes in the last third!

[Aly]

I'm glad you're liking it. I probably won't get to it until tomorrow unfortunately

[HeatherH]

I’ll watch for your updates!

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

While there definitely seemed to be more there for Lara in this scene, I hate the idea of fetishizing lesbians.. as a mother of a teen girl who came o..."

Yes, the stuff with Lara rankled me. It just feels unhelpful now to present this as your only option. Similarly with Will, he had other choice and it was frustrating that the easiest option was not to challenge anyone's outdated stereotyping.

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "So I started this around 1 am and by time I left work I was at 57% and kind of forgot to post updates. But man, I am loving this. Contemporary was needed in my life - a break from so much fantasy a..."

It was such an easy read to get into, and I totally get what you mean about how easy it is to forget to post.

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch14. [spoilers removed]"

I'm a sobbing mess when it comes to Ollie's aunt and her cancer battle. My mom passed from cancer last June and every time it comes up in a book I tu..."

Totally. My thoughts are with you regarding your mum. Sometimes the closeness of the events/emotions are too much not to react to.

[Aly]

I'm listening now! Liking this so far :)
ch 5 (view spoiler)[ I get that Will isn't out and that's for him to decide, but it sucks for Ollie. Lara is kind of irritating with how she's treating Oliie. I think she's in the closet too, at least I hope so because making out with a girl because a guy likes it is messed up (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 11 (view spoiler)[ Again, I totally get where Ollie is coming from. He and Will had sex and now Will is acting like they're just acquaintances. Will is in a hard spot with his parents and shouldn't be forced to come out and at least he's trying, but still sucks. And Lara still bugs me (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

Agreed, I'm bugged with him too

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[While there definitely seemed to be more there for Lara in this scene, I hate the idea of fetishizing lesbians.. as a mother of a teen girl who came o..." (hide spoiler)]

Yes 100%!!

[HeatherH]

Yeah, I get that Will is in a tough spot. (view spoiler)[ not having support from your family and doubting that you would from friends has to be miserable to deal with. And terrifying to think about coming out under those circumstances. But like, you can still be a friend. You can still stick up for someone being treated poorly. Grr! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch14. [spoilers removed]"

I'm a sobbing mess when it comes to Ollie's aunt and her cancer battle. My mom passed from cancer last June and every time it comes ..."

Thank you <3 Some times I find myself seeking out the grief causing books (A Million Junes, This is How You Make Friends With the Dark) and sometimes I go into a book and get blindsided (A Curse So Dark and Lonely, We Speak In Storms) but every time it is also a bit healing. And my mom loved reading YA so there's always the bit of 'I wish she could read this' that hits me with a good story.

[Aly]

ch 16 (view spoiler)[ Okay what the fuck Will? I'm over him. Sneaking around is not fair to Ollie and then he didn't think it would be a big deal that he's going to the dance with his ex girlfriend? And he didn't say he loved Ollie back. Ollie deserves better (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch14. [spoilers removed]"

I'm a sobbing mess when it comes to Ollie's aunt and her cancer battle. My mom passed from cancer last June and every ..."

Awh, I'm sorry about your mom.

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Will's parents told him they still loved him and he told his friends he's bi and with Ollie. I don't know if they're good together after all Will put Ollie through, but he was there for Ollie when his aunt died. Honestly if there were a sequel, I wouldn't expect them to be together still. (hide spoiler)] This was cute and sad and a really good read

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Can’t wait to see what you make of this. A lot more emotional than I thought, and there really were some important points made without seeming too preachy. Still not totally convinced by ..."

Definitely emotional, I may have cried a bit a couple times. The Grease link was barely there, but okay. I'm glad Ollie didn't change for Will like Sandy does for Danny

[HeatherH]

Rough night at work last night so haven’t gotten to finish but I’m off tonight so once I get some sleep this morning I plan to jump back in!

[HeatherH]

Finally finished and omgoodness this was such a sweet story! (view spoiler)[ There were definitely moments I didn't care for Will but I also saw his side in things too. So glad his parents had the reaction they did and that moment when Ollie called Matt and Darnell out for this homophobic bs comments was awesome! Cried in a few places, laughed in others and overall was pleased with the ending! (hide spoiler)]