I didn't realize that this is the second book in a series, but I never felt like I missed out on an earlier book. Maybe they can be read as standalones? It's a delightful and fast-paced story, and I ended up absolutely falling in love with RV who's a wonderful character with a beautiful story!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book, in exchange of a honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review

Why Can’t Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza had an interesting premise, but I’m not sure it shined through as much as I was hoping for.

This quirky YA contemporary novel follows RV, a nerdy fifteen year old boy who is starting to explore his sexuality. Soon he realizes his friend, Bobby, a school athlete, has been having similar feelings. During summer, they have ups and downs, but begin to fall for eachother.

I really had high expectations for this, and it looked like a fun and queer, summer read. Unfortunately, I was a bit dissapointed.

To start off, I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the main characters. RV seemed a bit flat, and Bobby’s personality just didn’t clash. Together, they were a cute couple, but I couldn’t stand them individually. The plot was slow, and I found myself getting distracted quite easily while reading this.

However, I did like all of the representation. Ther are multiple LGBTQ+ characters, and the romance is interracial. I did like how this book dove into meaningful topics as well, and some parts were quite deep.

Overall, I wasn’t a huge fan. I did like the diversity and deep topics discussed, but the plot and characters didn’t interest me.

This was an important book for students, teenagers, adults who are having difficulty coming out. 3 friends over one Summer, deal with family drama; friendship changes; and the newness of coming out. Although younger children with higher reading skills would be able to read and comprehend, they may have questions and will need an appropriate adult to explain. While important, it is a sweet romantic book, I highly recommend.

I found the story and RV to be full of heart and it made me wish God had graced me with a little brother. Being that the main character in this story is questioning his sexuality I felt that how it was presented and handled was done extremely well. It’s not easy to be a teenager especially one struggling about whether they may or may not be gay. Summer did not turn out as RV had imagined it. His very best friend Chloe ended up going to Paris to spend time with her dad and Bobby has a jam-packed summer full of football practices and a part-time job his dad is forcing him to do. Not to mention his own confusion with his sexuality. Though he is somewhat farther in his journey than RV, he’s still somewhat unsure and certainly, thanks to his overly masculine dad feels the need to overcompensate his manliness.

Things at home are also stressful for RV as his parents are still working hard towards getting their US citizenship. They also ask him to work the summer at a gas station of a family friend that unbeknownst to them actually turns out to be rather dangerous. Luckily, RV has the guidance of his teacher from school Mr. Aniso. He is fast becoming an excellent mentor and someone who he can trust to help her decipher the confusion that is being a teenager. I wish I had someone like Mr. Aniso for guidance when I was growing up. I hope there are more novels in this serious as I enjoyed this novel and its predecessor a well.

I also have some news! I was able to get my hands on an advanced copy of the sequel to this awesome novel! Thanks to Netgalley! As soon as I finish it I will make sure to review it as soon as I am done. I totally looking forward to the next chapter in the adventures of the loveable RV.

DNFed at 47%

My Dad helped me give it up, actually. He said "You read half of it and you don't like it? Why do you torture your head like that!?"

And he's right, I have to start dnfing things I don't enjoy much sooner.

This is yet another story of a teenager who's trying to find his place in the world.
He is gay. Or not. He has no idea. He has "boring" parents who want him included in the Lithuanian community. He likes words. And there is a strange teacher who meets with 15- year-old boys for drinks and stuff.

I really can't point out a single thing that was inovative or remarkable. It was blunt and boring and I didn't like a single thing about it.
I'm sorry.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Why Can't Freshman Summer Be Like Pizza starts with RV who has decided his summer will be boring compared to his friend that is going to Paris and his romantic interest that is juggling working with football camp. To add to his terrible summer, RV will have to work with his dad's friend in an auto shop/gas station store. Meanwhile his family life is chaotic and his kinda-boyfriend is still struggling with their relationship.

At first I had a hard time getting into the book because of the writing. It was very stream of conscious and reminded me of a series of diary entries. But I eventually warmed up to the characters. RV's approach to his problems were sensible for someone his age. I'll admit I judged the character a little too early based on the writing style in the beginning, but I was glad I kept reading. There were a few plot lines that weren't tied up, but I guess not everything can be closed and solved as soon as summer break ends.

I have to admit Andy Roamer wrote a realistic take on a teenager's life. A lot of similar books have characters that have one main conflict going on in their life, but it is more realistic for them to struggle with different conflicts coming at them from different directions -- home life, romantic relationships, friendships. There is rarely one single issue in anyone's life. And the way it all took a toll on RV's mental health and summer experience were reasonable.