Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert --> Starting June 9th 2020

[Aly]

When two "big name fans" go head-to-head at a convention, love isn't the only thing at stake.

Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly popular, Conrad Stewart seems to have it all...but in reality, he's scrambling to keep his life from tumbling out of control.

Brilliant, guarded, and endlessly driven, Alden Roth may as well be the poster boy for perfection...but even he can't help but feel a little broken inside.

When these mortal enemies are stuck together on a cross-country road trip to the biggest fan convention of their lives, their infamous rivalry takes a backseat as an unexpected connection is forged. Yet each has a reason why they have to win the upcoming Odyssey gaming tournament and neither is willing to let emotion get in the way―even if it means giving up their one chance at something truly magical.

[Karen]

Will get to start this on time!

[Aly]

Yay! I'm starting this after the Fascinators so I should be on time also

[Aly]

I just found out this isn't out on audio for another week so I'll see about getting the ebook.

[Karen]

Up to ch6. The dynamic between these two is weird-don’t understand how they can not work out the difference between their view and the reality.

[Karen]

Up to ch7. (view spoiler)[ The Professor’s accident is an inevitable catalyst for bringing these two together, but I would hate to be the third wheel on this trip. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch6. The dynamic between these two is weird-don’t understand how they can not work out the difference between their view and the reality."

I guess they're wrapped up in their own dramas?

[Aly]

ch 6 (view spoiler)[ I feel really bad for Conrad. I don't know how I would handle not having somewhere to live and no money. I wonder what happened to him to end up in this situation?
Alden seems like he needs to tell his moms what he actually wants and to stop trying to live up to their expectations. Obviously he doesn't want to be a doctor like his sisters. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch13. (view spoiler)[ The getting two together actually didn’t feel as forced as I thought it might. Gradual thawing of the walls here, but there’s something about the setting that feels a bit like a confessional. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch17. (view spoiler)[ Seeing the two views really does highlight how you can miss so much when you’re focusing on your own drama. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I'm hoping to read much more of this when I get home from work

[Karen]

I’m curious to see what you make of it. The characters remind me a little of my Pokemon-mad son, but I’ve just got to ch31. Ouch! (view spoiler)[ This is running a little deeper than I thought it would when I picked it up. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

haha I love that comparison!

[Karen]

Aly, I’m curious to see what you make of this. It’s quite different to what I expected. I felt the depiction of their romance was so much more natural than some books manage, and I definitely felt for each of them one way or another. A little geeky part of me loved the gaming element, but it also made it a little hard to engage fully with the characters (keep hearing those voices of ‘gaming is a perfectly good hobby, but not something to make a living out of’)-it felt like they were in-between adults. I don’t think I’ve explained that very well.

[Aly]

I get what you mean, they're about 23 and so technically adults but they seem to have a lot to learn. I'm going home soon and diving back into this!

[Karen]

Aly wrote: "ch 6 I feel really bad for Conrad. I don't know how I would handle not having somewhere to live and no money. I wonder what happened to him to end up in this situation?
Alden seems like he needs ..."

Finding out their back stories was a crucial part of feeling more for them in my view. Conrad really had a tough time - and it must be so hard to not feel you can tell anyone this.

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch7. [spoilers removed]"

So true, (view spoiler)[ I felt bad for their friend to have to deal with the fighting and tension (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 11 (view spoiler)[ Wow this is a disaster trip. First the professor gets hurt, then Jasper's sister is sick and he has to leave. Now that they're alone, I wonder if they'll be forced to work out some issues?

It's terrible that Conrad's parents cut him off like that and haven't bothered to make contact for a year. It blows my mind that people still have a negative reaction to someone being gay. Get over yourself already (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch13. [spoilers removed]"

Yes (view spoiler)[ I can see how being trapped in a car for hours would break down barriers and make you talk. The confessional part is spot on! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch17. [spoilers removed]"

Yes!

[Aly]

ch 20 (view spoiler)[ Wow Conrad's dad is a piece of work. I'm glad Conrad didn't cave and go back for conversion therapy or whatever.

Alden may have less dire problems, but it's still hard that his moms are pushing him toward something he doesn't want. He needs to figure out what he wants to do and tell them. I definitely think he should work with kids (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "I’m curious to see what you make of it. The characters remind me a little of my Pokemon-mad son, but I’ve just got to ch31. Ouch! [spoilers removed]"

Yeah (view spoiler)[ it did go deep and I really like that. The tournament is a big deal, but I think Conrad needs it more (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ I loved this! Conrad won and got a nice job offer for something he loves. And he's with Alden and they're working everything out. Such a cute story and I'm excited to read Jasper's part next year! (hide spoiler)]