Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales is a book I had been highly anticipating since it is being described as Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless with inspiration from Grease. I enjoyed the mix of fun and seriousness in the book, although the plot is not overly unique, and the characters are all so complex. There is also a theme of family, which I always love in a book. Ultimately, this is a great book for those looking for a more meaningful contemporary that will also deliver laughter.
Title: Only Mostly Devastated Author: Sophie Gonzales
Also by this author: If This Gets Out
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Rating:
SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA meets CLUELESS in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease
Summer love...gone so fast.
Ollie and Will were meant to be a summer fling—casual, fun, and done. But when Ollie’s aunt's health takes a turn for the worse and his family decides to stay in North Carolina to take care of her, Ollie lets himself hope this fling can grow to something more. Dreams that are crushed when he sees Will at a school party and finds that the sweet and affectionate (and comfortably queer) guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High.
Will is more than a little shocked to see Ollie the evening of that first day of school. While his summer was spent being very much himself, back at school he’s simply known as one of the varsity basketball guys. Now Will is faced with the biggest challenge of his life: follow his heart and risk his friendships, or stay firmly in the closet and lose what he loves most.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
This book follows Ollie and Will who had a summer fling that quickly ended when Will stopped replying to Ollie’s texts. When Ollie moves to North Carolina permanently, he finds himself at Will’s school and discovers that Will is not out yet. I found this story to be fun, but it is also quite complex and tackles many heavy topics such as terminal illness. While I enjoyed most of it, I didn’t find the story that original. Because I have read so many different versions of this, I found it predictable and difficult to truly get into.
❀ Diverse Cast of Characters
Gonzales’s diverse cast of characters is one of the book’s strengths. I really appreciated how each one of them is so realistic, and they act their age, which can be hard to come by in YA. For starters, Ollie is a fantastic main character. He is funny and sweet, and he knows what he wants. He is in a difficult situation as he likes someone who is still working on coming to terms with their feelings, but I loved how he stays true to himself and doesn’t let Will’s hesitancy get him down too much. The side characters are also well-developed, and they all have their own backstories and flaws. That being said, having each character’s issues as a focus of the book does overshadow the main conflicts.
❀ Strong Family Theme
One of my favourite aspects of this book is the theme of family. Ollie’s aunt has cancer, and his family moves in order to be closer to her. Ollie immediately steps up and helps out with her kids, and this is so heartwarming to read about. I always love reading about family over romance, and these touching scenes make the book even more enjoyable.
❀ A Moving Story
Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales is a moving story about a boy who falls for someone who is not yet comfortable going public with his sexuality. I enjoyed the developed characters who evolve throughout the book and the theme of family. I would recommend this one to those looking for a wholesome yet sentimental contemporary.
About Sophie Gonzales
Sophie Gonzales writes Young Adult queer rom coms with memorable characters, biting wit and endless heart.
She is the author of The Law of Inertia, which released 2018 with Amberjack Publishing. Her debut YA rom-com, Only Mostly Devastated, is slated for Winter 2020 through Wednesday Books / Macmillan.
When she isn’t writing, Sophie can be found ice skating, performing in musical theatre, and practicing the piano. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia where she works as a psychologist. She is represented by Moe Ferrara of Bookends Literary Agency.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I need to read this one soon. It does have a very typical plot line – so I can see how it might be difficult to read at times – but I’m glad you enjoyed it overall. Ollie sounds wonderful!
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I hope that you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it! 🙂
I am intrigued by the sentimental aspects of this one. Thanks for your thoughts!
It is one that pulls at your heart strings, for sure! 🙂
This book gets all the good reviews right now! Adding to my TBR.
I hope that you love it, Sophie! 🙂
That’s too bad that it wasn’t more original. It sounded like it had a lot of potential to be one of those special reads.
Yes! I had really high expectations for something more unique. 🙂
I was a fan of the romance, but the two things you mentioned were also my standouts. The family element was so strong and I loved it. I also really appreciate the amazing ensemble Gonzales put together for this book. Each character were full formed and really contributed to my enjoyment of this story
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Sam! 🙂
I haven’t heard of this book but it really sounds like a fun read. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
It had some really fun elements, for sure! 🙂
Sounds like a good read.
I would love to read this! Diverse characters are a selling point!
Cool book that some can relate to!
Sounds like a really awesome book, love the cover!
This book sounds really good.