This book looks very generic based on the cover, but the premise is very fresh. This is so much more than the tired rom-com cover would suggest.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great YA book. I was eager to read this one just based on the cover alone because it is absolutely stunning, but the content was great as well. This book has great rep, but make sure to check your trigger warnings, just to ensure you take care of yourselves, friends! If you're looking for a book that deals with identity, relationships, learning to love, and also has a trans mc then this is definitely the book for you! Also the side characters? So great.

This book definitely reminded me why I still read YA romance. The feels I had while reading can't be topped by regular romance (imo). Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

This book was such a delightful read that explores what it means to always be almost good or whole enough. I loved the exploration of non-binary/trans identities between the main characters while also helping it seem normal in their world/society. The music plot line was also an interesting touch and something that propelled me through the book. I think this is a great teen read and can't wait to put it in the hands of library patrons.

This book just didn't work for me, in any way shape, or form. I can understand why other people like it, it just wasn't for me. I mean, this does deal with some important topics, and it does it pretty well. I also think that if I were younger I might have liked this a bit more. However, I read it now and it irked me quite a bit. The main character was just really selfish, and overdramatic. His ability to make every small thing massive, and every single thing completely about himself is truly something special. So because of that I just didn't connect with our main character, and because so much of this book is about his personal struggles, I also just didn't connect with anything in the book. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the friendships in this book. They seemed just the slightest bit toxic, and it didn't get adressed AT ALL. The romance also wasn't my favourite. I just think it was really underdeveloped. The main character was just WAY too stuck up on his ex, and I also felt like the only reason he got together with the love interest was because he didn't care he was trans. So yeah, this just didn't work for me but I didn't hate it either.

A beautiful story of first love that should be in every library in America. Queer, empowering, tender, real. Loved it so much.

This was truly one of the most special books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I laughed, I cried, but most importantly I learned something. Such an amazing story.

a thoughtful coming of age story about knowing who you are, falling in love, friendship and family!. my favorite part of the book was miles and his piano teacher, who is not only super supportive and wise but hilarious. there's a lot going on here and the romance drama felt pretty forced, but i understood the character's motivations. overall a fun read with well-developed characters.

This is a sweet and heartfelt LBGTQIA+ YA romance. The representation(specifically Trans) Was well written and there was such Trans joy and self-discovery throughout the entire books.
I loved the chemistry between Miles and Eric. You could feel it and were automatically "shipping" them and rooting them on. Both characters we likeable, funny, and quirky.
The characters were also relatable and interesting.
Even the side characters were written well and accurately.
My only negative remark or off putting part of this entire book for me was the cheating storyline. I'm not much a fan for this trope or plot type, especially not in a YA book.
Otherwise i found this book wholesome and engaging.


Thank you Wednesday books and NetGalley for the Advanced Copy.

This was such a cute yet really thoughtful read! I loved the characters and the side characters. The cover caught me attention but the story kept me engaged. I can't wait to see what else the author writes in the future.

The former competitive musician in me had a field day over this book. Trans teen Miles wants to win back his ex who he lost after transitioning. He fake dates new student Eric to try and make the ex jealous, all while getting ready to compete in an annual classical piano competition.

There was a ton of queer and trans joy in this. Miles is such a gem of a person who constantly feels like he isn’t enough. The title is something that I think a lot of queer people understand on a fundamental level. The feeling of almost being enough, of almost being good enough. You’re always “the almost” but never the one. Even if you’re not a classical pianist, you still see yourself in Miles’s story.

The answer at the end of this is a resounding, “You are good enough and you’re not the almost.”

It was a message that resonated with me. Can’t wait for Underhill’s next one.

4 stars

this was better than i expected. i really like the cover as well, very eye catching at a first glance. i think that the plot started a little bit slower, more so than I think would be ideal. however it was good ultimately

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- this was a story filled with trans joy and moments of pain, but the characters made you want to root for them. there was an aspect i didn’t like, and that was the cheating plot (why do we need those) but overall, i really enjoyed this story!

Such a great book. Great to see trans rep in a YA book! It does touch on some harder/darker subjects so check the content warning before you read!

SWOONY. Ok I loved this book. the trans joy that is on full display here is so lovely and had me tearing up at moments. The characters and story felt so real and genuine. I feel like I would go to the ends of the earth for Miles and Eric and Rachel and Nina and Stephania and jsut wow.

I really need more people to read and fall in love with Miles' story and friends and family so that I can gush about them constantly.

I just finished and already want to start it over again. A big fat 5 stars and I'm already excited to see what else this amazing author publishes in the future!

Thank you to netgalley for an e-arc of Always the Almost.
This was such a solid young adult novel - the writing was strong, the story so full of joy, the plot and characters all so well written and interesting. The side characters were all so well developed
overall, this was such a great book, and i look forward to more from the author

This is a sweet and heartfelt queer YA romance. The book was filled with queer (particularly trans) joy and self-discovery. Any instrumentalist or teen at the top of their field will relate to Miles and his piano-playing ambitions. And anyone who has ever still had a crush of their ex, wanted a relationship who wasn't right for them, or fallen for someone unintentionally, will be able to relate to the romance.

This is certainly a book I will recommend to teens who like reading romance.

Far too late for me to be leaving a review here, but this is one of my new favourite YA novels! I absolutely loved seeing Miles grow more confident in himself and get to experience queer and trans joy. Truly such a treat of a book.

This was an interesting story about a trans pianist struggling with coming out and revealing that they are trans. It notes the struggles with how people changed their relationships with him, how they addressed him and the derogatory comments that were associated with determining that they wanted to live their life as their true self. It sometimes comes off a bit whiny, but overall it covers the issues and struggles that people in these situations might face. It's not a light subject to cover, but I believe it was well done.

This was actually my first book with a side character with Down syndrome and I just loved it... Unabashedly queer and trans rep as well. There isn't much that I can say besides read the book because it is a must read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC. This is my honest review.

Always the Almost is a romance, a coming of age, a story about being true to yourself, finding your place, and persevering.

The blurb gives us a great synopsis.

Miles is an engaging character. His POV is approachable, relatable, and touching. He's finally determined to live his life true to himself and who he is, but he has some relationship issues--his dad and his former boyfriend--that leave him troubled.

He's also a spectacular pianist who is preparing for one of the biggest competitions of his life..

He meets new kid, Eric, at the right time and right place and their relationship grows from friendship to something much more. Eric is everything Miles needs and wants and Eric cherishes who Miles is in a way many around him do not. I appreciated Eric so much. He's a wonderful character and the chemistry between Eric and Miles was significant.

The piano competition story that runs through the book is well done. Stefania, Miles new piano instructor, is an intriguing and compelling character--brusque, determined, intimidating, and deeply caring. The other piano competitors are delineated characters, not melding into the background but feeling unique and recognizable.

Miles's two best friends create some tension in the dynamic and have some relationship issues of their own. They are handled fairly well overall, perhaps could have benefitted from a bit more characterization.

Miles's ex, who broke up with him when he transitioned, certainly could be an antagonist here and in some ways he is, but the author eventually gives us a nuanced view at his perspective and the emotions and confusion that he is struggling with as he attempts to move from boy friend to simply a friend. There are some bumps in the road for that too, and some questionable choices made by the characters but it is believable for their age and situations. It was overall handled well.

This was an engaging read, with relatable and interesting characters. The relationships felt realistic and I think this was a great queer YA story with a trans protagonist.