Actual rating: 3.5 stars

The Breakup Lists is more of a romance book than a coming-of-age novel, but it was a cute and fun read. The plot itself isn't very action-packed, but the characters make it easy to get engrossed in the story. The major conflict/plot twist is rather predictable but it works with the plotline, and I enjoyed the ending and how things were resolved. I really appreciated how Adib Khorram introduced the characters and their identities in ways that don't make it a big deal while also not diminishing it like Jackson being hard of hearing. I also liked the way the underlying theme of the book was tied into the plot and characters with the idea of standing up for your needs/accommodations and asserting boundaries/acknowledging when people aren't putting in effort where they should be. I thought his friend, Bowie, also portrayed a good message of not letting fear get in the way of achieving goals.

I enjoyed reading this book through Jackson's perspective and his characterization in the story. I loved the different types of diverse representation offered by the book with queer, aroace, nonbinary, and disabled characters featured. The main character seems to be multidimensional and well-developed; the way the character's personality is portrayed allows the reader to quickly form connections with the character. Being able to strongly identify with the main character also makes it easy to dislike some of the other characters who weren't very accommodating. I think this issue was addressed well and how it worked to help support the theme of the book. The love interest, Liam, is a very sweet and considerate character and this does make his action near the end of the novel feel arguably a bit out of character, but it can be justified by circumstances in his personal life and for major plot point purposes. I greatly enjoyed the writing style of this book and the way Adib Khorram crafted the characters through his writing. It felt like the book had a strong narrative voice, and it made it easy to relate to the characters. The writing style felt realistic for the teen age range, and I also thought it had a good balance of dialogue, narration, and description. I like how Khorram utilized strikethroughs as a clever part of the main character's internal dialogue and how he incorporated sign language.

Overall, this isn't my favorite book by Khorram, but it was very cute!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books for the chance to read this ARC.

This book was simply amazing! The main character is a teen struggling with feelings of liking a boy and family struggles. This book has amazing representation from queer to disability. I am excited to read this authors other works.

A very cute YA romance. I loved Jackson and Liam's relationship. They had chemistry and cared so much about each other. The only thing that bothered me was how annoying Jasmine was. Also, Jackson's disability rep was amazing and I was angry with his family for not putting enough effort into understanding him.

The breakup lists

This is a cute queer novel with adorable characters.
I liked the deaf rep / CODA representation
Positive things about the book are the short chapters, its simple story makes reading very easy.
I loved Liam and Jackson's character but I hated Jasimine, I hated her too much, I think she is the character I hated the most in this story, she was so annoying.
I liked the queer rep, however I didn't love this book, it doesn't feel like a very complete story, it's easy and relatively quick to read but I lacked more character development.

I wanted to love this one a lot but it just wasn't for me. The idea of ​​the story was very interesting, however the development not so much.
Extra points for its audiobook since I listened to and read the book, the actor's voice and his dramatization are very good.
3 stars for the representation.

Thanks to netgally and the publisher for this advance copy.

The Breakup Lists is a lovely coming of age romcom with beautifully flawed characters. There is a great satisfaction that comes from watching Jackson and Liam pine for each other for so long and then finally make a move towards their own happiness, even knowing that their mistakes will hurt others. Khorram skillfully writes a main character I want to root for despite his flaws which are slowly revealed along with the injustices he endures. As more breakup lists are revealed, we see that the lists are not just written for Jacks’s sister Jasmine about her exes, but also show longtime grudges held by Jackson. Meanwhile the actions of Jackson’s best friends Liam and Bowie provide a stark contrast to the worst (ableist) and the well meaning characters who don't provide adequate accommodations for Jackson. The journey is messy like real life, but there is hope that Jackson will start standing up for what he wants and needs and become a better person in the process.

this book was truly such a blast! my previous experience with adib khorram was with their short story included in an anthology collection, which i had adored. instantly, i knew i wanted to read more from him and especially a full length novel. so when i saw that he was publishing the breakup lists, a book about a theater-loving, queer teen i had to get my hands on it!

and i’m so so glad that i did. not only was the theater nerd out in full force in this book, but there was competitive swimming AND disability representation (which i truly had no idea what present in this book). i wish there was more people shouting about how khorram portrayed our deaf main character (who is wearing hearing aids on the cover i just totally didn’t realize!). while i can not speak personally on the representation as i’m not deaf/hard of hearing, khorram’s depiction of jackson’s disability felt quite accurate. he doesn’t hear everything which is representative has jackson physically missing the words and attempting to fill in the black. his assumptions aren’t always correct. people will get frustrated with him. he communicates with his friends through ASL. it was so incredible to see and was truly the highlight of this books.

as for the writing structure, while i didn’t personally love jackson’s internal monologue crossing things out on page, it does get toned down as we progress through the story. and did sometime’s lead to a laugh. so while it took a while to get used to that stylistic choice, it did become quite workable.

okay, moving onto liam. i love liam. i think he is the sweetest soul, and while he think’s he is a people pleasure, i just know he has the best intentions, even if it does end in disaster. i was so curious to see how his story would play out and i loved how it was executed. while jackson can be very strong with his lists, and his worries, i loved seeing liam’s calm demeanor. i think they were such a great pairing and while they took a while to get where they were, it was worth the trouble.

The Breakup Lists is a fun, fast-paced YA romance perfect for all the theatre kids and under-appreciated techies.

I found the plot engaging. “High school romance but make it queer” holds a special place in my heart. There were a few parts that dragged a little bit for me, but overall I had a really good reading experience. Khorram writes teens in a believable way and doesn’t shy away from having flawed main characters.

Speaking of MCs, Jackson was great. I thought it was interesting reading a book from a deaf youth’s perspective and since the story was first person single POV, it felt like the experiences became so much more vivid. At first I was completely thrown when the dialogues suddenly said “somethingsomethingsomething” but when I caught on, it definitely hit home how often people forgot that even with a hearing aid, Jackson could really struggle with picking up what was being said. This book definitely made me more aware of the everyday challenges those who are deaf/hard of hearing can face.

This was my first book by this author and I’m definitely interested in picking up more.

Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for giving me a chance to read an eARC of this book. The Breakup Lists is available now.

i absolutely adore this book. the writing, characters, plot and humor come together to make a delightful reading experience. it's messy, full of teenage angst, hilarious, cringey, romantic and fun. i would watch this as a disney channel original movie in a heartbeat.

I knew I would like this, because Adib Khorram has this way of writing characters and situations that really grab you, and I enjoyed it so much!

Jackson doesn't trust easily and he has a lot of frustration that he doesn't deal with in the healthiest way. And of course that comes back to bite him.

The way his deafness is written is really cool. It's always there as something making it just that little bit more difficult for him, and it's never forgotten in the story. The fact that Liam learns to sign for him is adorable. Liam in general is kind of adorable.

It's a book about high school kids so naturally there are misunderstandings and miscommunication and pettiness and drama. It has a definite 90s teen movie vibe which I love.

It's also a queer theatre book which is a lot of fun and makes it even better. There were so many things that reminded me of my own high school days.

The audiobook was performed well and I really liked the characters' voices and the way the narrator captured the humor and frustration in the text.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for providing an early copy for review.

"The Breakup List" by Adib Khorram is a whirlwind of teenage drama and heartfelt storytelling that transported me back to the angst and ecstasy of being 16. The protagonist's journey through love and heartbreak resonated deeply with me, reminding me of those turbulent years when every emotion felt magnified and every crush felt like the end of the world.

Khorram skillfully captures the essence of teenage emotions, blending them with a storyline that evokes the nostalgia of classic DCOMs and teen rom-coms. As I delved into the pages of this book, I found myself yelling, screaming, and swooning alongside the characters, completely immersed in their world.

What truly struck me was the authenticity of the protagonist's experience as a gay teenager navigating love and relationships. The struggles, the hopes, and the longing are portrayed with such sincerity that it's impossible not to empathize with him.

In the end, "The Breakup List" left me feeling like a feral alley cat—wildly alive and craving more. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that I wouldn't hesitate to ride again and again. If you're looking for a book that will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel like you're reliving your teenage years, then look no further. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved, lost, and dared to love again.

4.5 stars

Was this book cheesy and predictable and kind of basic? Yes. Did I still really love it? Yes. This reminded me why I love YA romances because while they do get cheesy and not really realistic but they can be so entertaining. I loved Jackson in this book! He is a character I could relate to and I feel like he was honestly complex and realistic. His best friend Bowie had my heart, they were so iconic and they were a great duo. I absolutely adored Liam, he was the sweetest guy ever and honestly would be the best boyfriend ever. I loved getting to see them become friends and fall in love. Their relationship didn't progress in the way I was expecting, but I still enjoyed reading about it. I felt like the dynamics in this book when it came to friendship, siblings, and relationships in high school felt on point. I will say, I absolutely hated Jackson's sister, Jasmine. She was so horrible and does not deserve any redemption at all. Everything was made all about her and yet she would always deny it. She was a horrible sister to Jackson and I don't want him around her because he deserves better. Other than that, I really did love this book and now I need to check out other books by this author because I loved his writing and the way he portrayed his characters.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me this ARC! Everyone should go check it out right now.

The Breakup Lists is a sweet and well-crafted teen romance. You'll wonder how Jackson can possibly be so oblivious, but even if the tropes feel familiar, Khorram writes characters that you will care about and want to spend time with. The theatre drama (drama drama?) is fun and relatable for other current or former theatre kids, and the Deaf representation feels thoughtful and authentic. Jackson's (how to say this in the most normal way possible...) developing libido (perfect) also felt so realistic and rarely portrayed in YA.

I absolutely love Adib Khorram books. I absolutely love all teh representation in these books and can't wait to get the next one whenever it comes out. Like Alexis Hall, Adib Khorram can do no wrong when it comes to writing in my eyes.

This was a lot of fun! I always love Adib's books and this was no different. I loved the hard of hearing rep and the way Jackson grew throughout the book. This was SLOWWWW BURNNN and I didn't realize that. I was WAITING for that first kiss!!!

4.5 stars rounded up

The Breakup Lists is a queer YA rom-com set in the world of high school theatre, and it's very good. And dramatic, but that comes with the territory! Jackson Ghasnavi is deaf and a techie for the school drama program. He also makes breakup lists for himself and his sister- lists of what's terrible about their exes. One of his terrible exes is a lead actor in their rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jackson is crushing on the seemingly straight senior swim captain to snagged the role of Jesus in the production. Oh, and his sister also seems to be into him....

This of course gives the dramatics you might expect from hormonal teenagers in love, but it's also really sweet and heartfelt with strong elements of friendship and found family. I also loved how Jackson's disability is integral to the way he experiences life, but isn't what the story is about. I don't know if I've read a book like this with a deaf main character and it was cool. If this sounds up your alley I would definitely recommend it! I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

“Even though I’m the Theatre Kid, my sister is the dramatic one.”

Jackson is proud to be a “techie”—he’s the stage manager for his high school’s theater department. He doesn’t mind being behind the scenes instead, because he knows he’s the glue keeping the shows running, keeping his teacher on track, and helping wherever he can.

He’s also a cynic when it comes to romance, having had his heart broken once and watching his parents get divorced. But his sister Jasmine is constantly crushing on someone, dating them, and then the relationship ends. So Jackson helps Jasmine by creating “breakup lists” for each of her exes, which list all of their faults, both serious and superficial.

When Liam, a handsome swimmer, decides to audition for the musical, he and Jackson become very good friends. Jackson definitely is attracted to Liam, and sometimes he thinks Liam is flirting with him, but Liam is straight, right? So when Jasmine starts crushing on Liam, he encourages Liam to start dating Jasmine. Which, of course, fills him with jealousy.

This is a sweet story of friendship, love, family drama, and fighting to be seen and heard and valued. It’s predictable, sure, but Adib Khorram gives the story extra depth because it also deals with disability, specifically hearing impairment and deafness, and the struggles—and beautiful moments—that people living with those disabilities face.

I’ve loved everything Khorram has written, and this was no exception.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the advance copy!!

5⭐️

I thought I had outgrown YA novels and was mostly reading them for my students, but I was so wrong. This wonderful romcom was so addictive. I had to read every spare minute. I think my family thought I had a code brown myself. Every parent knows that the toilet is the most quiet place in the house and I gratefully took advantage of that.
The story of Liam and Jackson is so pure and beautifully described. The longing for each other, the knees touching, not daring to say what you actually feel and therefore making stupid choices.
The story was predictable, but at no point was it disturbing. The writing style prevents it from becoming cliché and it gives you a wonderful insight into the minds of two teenagers who want nothing more than each other, but are also looking for themselves.
I will definitely recommend this book to my students. I'm sure they will enjoy it too.

Thank you netgalley and penguinTeen for providing the arc. This is my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I am not sure how i feel about this book in the end. I liked the plot well enough! But there was a stylistic choice of crossing some things out and i didn't totally understand the meaning of it? It felt overly specific in a way that just didn't work for me. My expectations were high because i like Adib Khorram but ultimately this book was just pretty good.

I do think it is very appropriate to be in high school libraries and that there are kids who will connect well with it!

NetGalley ARC.

A cute YA rom-com with a diverse set of characters!!
Super easy to read with great themes for all ages.

The book is told from Jackson's pov, an Iranian American deaf/hoh theatre kid, who is falling in love for the first time and it's just so sweet and tender. It's classic YA with a lot of diversity which we LOVE <333
I thoroughly enjoyed this story except I could not STAND Jackson's sister and what she did to him.

The adorable tension between Jackson and Liam was making me just kick my feet!!! I loved it so much.
Thank you so much Dial books & Penguin Teen for the ARC of this sweet book!

In “The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram, the author has created a multilayered and complex story, one in which the characters are three dimensional and the romance is realistic and authentic. From the very start, I liked the depth of the story, with Jackson differently abled and the conflict set up between him and his sister. I like that the author doesn’t shy away from depicting Jackson’s deafness and does so with sensitivity and understanding.
Part of what makes the story so endearing is seeing how Jackson struggles with his feelings. He clearly hasn’t resolved issues from his parent’s divorce nor should he have. This creates a complex dynamic but I love how the friendship between him and Liam grows. I especially like how it forces Jackson to deal with some of his issues and stand up for himself with others. Liam is also treated with empathy and his feelings are as important to the story as Jackson.
If you like emotional stories full of drama, multilayered and complex narratives and characters, this story is for you. If you liked Heartstopper you will likely enjoy this novel as well. It has the same depth, a similar authenticity and characters you can empathize with, especially Jackson. I loved the honesty and the drama.