This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story

THIS IS KIND OF AN EPIC LOVE STORY is such a good book and it makes me sad that the average rating for the book is so low on Goodreads because I read it in just over a day and loved it so much, even if I do think I understand why so many people seem to have a hard time loving it (more on that in a minute). In some ways, it kind of reads as the prototype version of FELIX EVER AFTER, only with younger characters, but it's also a really great portrayal of diversity, realistically dramatic and tempestuous teen friendships, and the trials and tribulations of first love, so it does stand on its own.Nate is an aspiring screenwriter who's painfully single. Ever since his dad died, he's had trouble forming close bonds with others because he's terrified of loving and losing again-- after all, everyone has to go away sometimes, why open yourself to hurt? It causes him to push people away and make bad decisions, even though you can kind of get where he's coming from, and how he's dooming himself with his behavior.He has a close-knit group of friends, which includes his ex, Flo, who cheated on him with the girl she's now dating. There's also Ashley, an aggressively go-getter Hermione Granger type, Gideon, a jock, and, now, Ollie, the "new kid" in school who was actually Nate's closest friend as a child... until Nate kissed him on the day he moved away, which made everything awkward, and caused them never to speak again.There really isn't a plot to this book, apart from teen boy is awkward and anxious, teen boy meets teen boy who is also awkward and anxious. Boys fall in love but keep messing up because they are bad at communicating with each other because teen boys are gonna teen. Some people complained about the drama and yes, there is a LOT. Everyone has histories with everyone and there's a lot of cheating. Normally, I hate cheating in romances, but I feel like it works better in stories about high school and college because we all know that most of those relationships DON'T last forever, and sometimes falling out with someone you used to like or even love is part of an adult journey. I've said in other reviews that I don't question teenagers making stupid decisions if they make them for believable reasons. There's a difference between a bad decision on behalf of the character and a bad decision on behalf of the author writing as that character, and here, all of the characters felt very real and believable to me.I loved the diversity of Nate's friend group. Both heroes seem to be either bi or pan (I couldn't really tell, but it seems like both of them have dated or been interested in girls). Ollie is Latinx and I think the hero is Black. His friend, Flo, is Taiwanese and Black and also bi/pan, and I think Ashley and Gideon are white and straight. Ollie is also HoH (hard of hearing) and even though I don't believe this is ownvoices in that regard, it seemed very respectfully done. I liked the signing on the page, and how communication style between him and the other characters was inclusive and respectful and focused on Ollie's needs. I also liked how grief was approached, and how a big part of the story was about Nate's mom sorting out some of her own unresolved psychological trauma, and how a big part of the narrative arc between Nate and his mom was about communication and her learning to let him go.THIS IS KIND OF AN EPIC LOVE STORY can be a really frustrating read at times because Nate does not always make the most likable decisions, and sometimes you, the reader, will get really mad at him. But the way he behaves is consistent to his character and it makes watching him learn and grow so much more rewarding as you watch him lower those prickly walls of his and learn to let others in. I think anyone who enjoys YA with topics geared towards older teens (sex, first time, relationships, long-stance relationships, college applications, internships, career decisions, grief, friend drama, etc.) will really enjoy this book, as it ticks a lot of the boxes of what I personally look for and love in YA.4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars

This is my first Kacen Callender book and certainly won't be my last. Even though these children frustrated meeeeeee, I adored them and all their messiness.Seriously Nate, our MC had me alternating between wanting to protect him at all cost, to shaking some sense into him. But I was rooting for him and Ollie :)Flo, i'm gonna say she pissed me off so much!! I know she felt guilty for her actions so was trying to make the situation right but trying to get your ex and current best friend to hang with you and your current girlfriend?? nah girl that plan was terrible.But I felt like all the mistakes these kids made were portrayed pretty realistically because did I mention how much they frustrated me??? I swear I was stressed TF out alot, reading this. From the bad advice (please don't tell your friend to make a big public declaration to their crush) to Nate just constantly second guessing everything about him and Ollie (stop hurting Ollie's feeling my god Nate!) to Flo >.> I loved how they just didnt have anything figured out. What teen does? Hell, some adults don't even know.It was an enjoyable read and I will certainly be reading more books from this author, soon I hope!

Nathan Bird broke up with his best-friend turned girlfriend, Flo, after she cheats on him with Lydia. Trying to maintain friendships has never been easy for Bird. It seems like everyone always leaves him. To make his life more complicated, on the anniversary of his father’s death, Nathan’s former best friend, Oliver James, appears back in town after the two have not spoken in five years.•This YA novel does the noble work of showing teens (and adults) the importance of connection and risks, how to apologize but how to set boundaries, showing little adults how to be good people with a diverse characters comprising, people of color, queer, and differently abled individuals. I think the strength of this book is in the representation of different people in a very average story. The plot of the book is somewhat weak falling into a will-they-won’t-they situation. It feels very natural because the lines of friendship and romance are blurred and confusing, like real life. The arc of the main and supporting characters is gentle, discovering themselves without a profound revelation. Also, the ending felt very realistic, hopeful but grounded. I really enjoyed this book and I thought it was a fun, fast read. I hope that author Kheryn Callendar contributes more books to the YA canon because this was a a great first entry from them. • Hardcover • Fiction - YA • Bought Online • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▪️

Eh. Idk. The writing was nice and I liked Ollie, but the other characters sucked (especially the main character) and like…nothing really happens? This story was way too focused on the love story. Which, yes, the title, but in books like this I’m used to there being another significant thread that drives things and it just wasn’t here.

This is what an honest YA should be. This book was so painfully honest and it hit right through my heart, I'm a pessimist too just like the main character and I'm scared of rejection and scared of the ending even before something starts. This author is trying to evoke emotions that are going to stay with you for a long time but you have to be brave and sit and cry and suffer and get frustrated at times. The cheating parts were the hardest for me I just wanted to hate Flo but couldn't and that's why I love so much this author. The writing was great, very moving and there is always something important going on. The MC was so frustrating at times and still that's what makes the story works, flawed characters and hard situations to overcome.

This book is a beautiful and innocent story of love and anxiety and coming of age, totally worth a read

The love interest of this story was amazing, the representation was great and the explorations of queer relationships was fantastic!

Eu sabia que iria gostar do livro assim que li a sinopse e vi a capa do mesmo, e não me enganei. É tão difícil encontrar romances com ambos protagonista negros, e ainda mais raro quando se trata de um romance LGBT com pessoas negras, então é maravilhoso encontrar algo tão bem escrito, fofo e cheio de representatividade combinado numa única perfeição.O romance tem o tempo certo de acontecer e o tom de humor do livro me fez gargalhar em público sem a menor vergonha.Somos apresentados ainda a um dos personagens principais que possui uma deficiência auditiva e nos é mostrado de diversas formas simples como esta deficiência afeta o relacionamento dele não só com o seu par romântico, mas como também com todos ao seu redor.No geral, um romance que me aqueceu o coração, que me fez rir e que com certeza irei reler!

So compulsively did I read this charming romance that I had to sit down and read it again! The way that the obvious and the concealed work within our minds and the plot of this novel is masterful.Such a warm and inspiring tale.

It’s basically the story about a guy who kisses his friend(s) and beats himself up about it. Not really relateable and not really very entertaining.I liked the character of Oliver James though a lot.