I loved this book about not only coming out as trans, but also trying to get ready for a young pianists contest. Miles, the newly out trans boy has chosen Tchaikovky’s piano concerto no. 1 the first movement. It is not totally necessary to know what that sounds like, and I have to admit I did not look it up until the end, but once I did, I realized I would have appreciated some of the thoughts he has about the chords and the peddling.

One of the themes of this novel, about young love, and teenage communication and queerness, and oh, yes, a pianist contest, is that you are inventing yourself. Finding out who you are. This is something that Mile’s piano teacher keeps trying to get across. To know himself, and know what the music means to him.

And it is very much a YA type book, with misunderstandings, and fake dating, and all the things that YA is known for, but it is also a sweet, budding romance.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday books for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

YA isn't typically my vibe but this cover drew me in. I loved the trans representation and the writing style was easy to read. It was a quick read that kept me hooked and rooting for the couple!

I absolutely loved this one. In the author’s note, they talk about how important it is to have stories of trans joy, that the point here was to show that there are spaces for trans folks and that the journey of our main character was really to just learn to accept himself. There were instances of transphobia, but we got to see Miles learn how to love himself in a way that the opinions of others became a background thing instead of his main focus. So much piano, so many joyful moments, I truly loved it and recommend this one to all of my queer pals, and even non queer pals who want to read some queer joy with a happily ever after.

I read this all in one sitting, and had an overall great time. I absolutely loved how the side characters were more fleshed out during the second half, although I wish they had gotten more depth in the first half; I especially wished for more depth with Eric, the love interest, because his backstory seemed very compelling and interesting and it feels like a bit of a wasted opportunity to not dive deeper into it. Still, I really loved the main character of this book as well as the plot structure, and think fans of I Wish You All the Best will totally love this book!!

This book made my heart feel warm. It made me feel seen and surrounded by understanding and hope even as it confronted the hardest parts of Miles’ story. It made me HEAR the music he was playing and feel what he was feeling when he was playing it. I am overjoyed to have experienced this story and I am honored to have been given the chance.

I actually adored this book and everything about it. It's complex, heartfelt, and joyful. In times when there is so much to be frustrated about in the world, stories of joy are more important than ever and Always the Almost makes sure that hope and happiness is ever-present.

Miles is such a great character to live in the head of. He's dealing with his transition and struggling with how to join together his life before and his life afterwards. At first, it's easy to want to shake Miles and tell him to stop obsessing over his ex-boyfriend, Shane, but the more the big delves into what Miles is feeling and why his previous relationship was so important to him, it becomes clear and your heart breaks for him a little. I also loved Eric, who comes into Miles' life and is one of the sweetest and loveliest characters in YA that I've read recently. Rachel and Paige are also great secondary characters who have their own drama that they are dealing with.

The focus on Miles' piano playing is also a great plot to propel the story forward with. How Miles feels when playing piano and the emphasis his teacher, Stefania, places on joy and embracing the possibility of optimism instead of defeatism was so lovely, and it goes hand in hand with how Miles feels about himself.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely tore through this sweet confection of a novel, which tells the charming story of a trans boy who is navigating how the parts of his life fit into this new understanding of his identity. Miles shows readers how the familiar can become unfamiliar as we grow and change. The romance is this book is makes you swoon, and I can only hope to see more love interests like Miles and Eric grace the pages of literature for all ages!

Really wasn't a fan of the whole cheating/miscommunication tropes in this book but besides for that it was amazing. I read it all in one sitting, I really liked the main character's POV and the music aspects as well as the LGBT+ rep!

Fake dating? Friends-to-lovers? Academic rival? I was instantly interested in this one after reading the synopsis and I was not disappointed. There was a few angsty moments, but for the most part this one was so cute. At the beginning of the novel, Miles and his ex-boyfriend Shane have just run into each other for the first time since breaking up two weeks ago. Miles is determined to win back Shane but gets a bit distracted when there is a new kid at school, Eric. Eric and Miles have an instant connection and Eric is the first person to ever ask Miles what his pronouns are.

Overall, this is a cute, YA romance. I really enjoyed the story and the characters.

This was such a sweet and heartfelt book! It does have it's darker moments, so be sure to check out the content warnings if you think you might need them, but wow! The way the book describes music made me think about it in a whole new way, and Miles is a character you'll fall for immediately! It's both messy and joyful in the best ways, and I binged this book in one sitting! Check it out if you're looking for a YA romance!

Thanks Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I enjoyed this book so much I couldn’t put it down and finished in a day! After Miles announced that he was trans his boyfriend Shane dumped him. His dad has had difficulty accepting Miles and his mom has accepted he’s a boy just fine, she just wants him to be straight. On top of this he’s trying to win a piano competition that he’s always come in second place for. On New Years Eve he makes a resolution to win the competition and to win his ex-boyfriend back. After all he’s the same person and Shane will see that he still loves Miles, nothings changed. When he meets Eric things are different, Eric sees him for him. Can he move on from his ex? Is there something more going on with Eric? Can he win the competition? I love Miles persistence in learning who he is! I feel like he has an idea of who he is and spends the book becoming that person in spite of the people who might not see him that way or be able to see him that way yet! I loved Eric’s genuineness! I loved that he saw Miles exactly how Miles wanted to be seen. Things would be better if we could all just see others that way! I also liked Miles journey with his piano playing and I loved how Stefania always pushed him to find his connected to the music! I think Edward Underhill captured a persons persistence to become who they are very well! I think this book will be helpful to many and everyone should read it! Can’t wait to read it again in February!

In this YA rom-com,a trans classical pianist resolves to spend his junior year winning back his ex-boyfriend and defeating his arch-nemesis at the biggest piano competition of the year. This is such an deeply emotional story.The plot is exactly what you think it's going to be and that is fine because it's fun to read.
To conclude, Always the Almost is a awesome book. The writing is good, the romance is pretty cute. If you're up for some queer ya, you can't go wrong with this.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this one! I got a bit frustrated with the Shane and Miles drama, but thankfully, it relented at the end. I'll admit that for a good portion of the book I shipped Miles and Cameron, despite knowing it wouldn't happen. (I mean, what could be better?? Two enemy pianists speaking to each other through music. *swoon*) Miles and Eric were cute together, and I loved how supportive Eric was. Watching him cheer Miles on at every piano competition reminded me to do the same for my friends. I picked this one up because of the characters, but I ended up really enjoying the story and characters!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!