Wren is unkissed. There were few moments when he thought "Now", but then the moments were gone. But this summer will be the summer where he's got his first kiss. And maybe there is the perfect candidate waiting.
"Never been kissed" is a feel-good read! I really enjoyed the Kiss-Quest.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Wren Roland has never been kissed and he really wants that. Feeling nostalgic on the eve of his birthday he starts sending e-mails to all the boys he loved before he came out, only to regret it in the morning. After all, though, what could happen? Meeting again Derick Haverford, one of his pre-coming-out crush isn't in the plan, not it's working with him as new social media intern. Derick doesn't feel the same about the almost kiss as Wren does, though, so what could really happen? As their summer becomes consumed by a project that could save the struggling drive-in where they work, Wren and Derick start to spend more and more time together and Wren begins to think, maybe, he could have that famous kiss.

I absolutely loved Never been kissed! It was sweet, hilarious and so heartfelt! A feel-good summer queer read with unforgettable characters, a cute story and second chances. This book was lovely, truly amazing and I couldn't not devoured it right away. Wren is a brilliant character, I loved him so much and his bond with Derick, their feelings and thoughts and I couldn't wait to read what would happen in the next page.
A really cute romantic comedy, with sweet characters. I only wish they would have been developed more, but overall the book was pretty great.
With almost kiss in the past, friends to lovers, a plan to save a drive-in, Never been kissed was a really nice read.

Best book I’ve read in such a long time!! This story was so lovely, I had to read it a second time and the second time was even better! These characters are home to me now and I implore you to buy this book right this second.

This was a really cute rom com about trying to save a drive in from going out of business. Add in some enemies-to friends- to lovers and I was sold. There were some elements of this book I didn't like but most come down to characters needing to be developed more. (Also it's not a dodge Camaro, I am sad that this error made it into the print copy as well) Overall a good read and I look forward to reading more Timothy Janovsky in the future.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I saw this book everywhere. Every queer person in my life was dying for this book to come out, which was the biggest stamp of approval you could ask for.

This is such a sweet, mushy-gushy romance, and I loved every minute. I loved the demi-sexual representation in this book. I love having this book in my toolkit when someone asks for awesome books with specific representation. The pacing was perfect, the comedy was so good, and the book was filled with some beloved tropes- it's everything you want.

I loved the idea that this book raises that it is never too late to fall in love for the first time.

This was one of my most anticipated released for 2022 and I was not disappointed! I love a good MLM romance and this one being about a queer boy who loves movies and trying to figure his life out post-college really hit home.
The writing is funny, the characters are funny and relatable and as someone who loves the to all the boys books and movies, this definitely lived up to the hype of being a queer version of that.
My only "issue" (and this is a serious nitpick) is that sometimes I found it a bit too predictable, but that's just me.
Overall, I loved it and, if I'm not mistaken, its the first in a series, so now I'm just eagerly waiting the rest of the books to come out!

This was so freaking cute!! At first, I wasn’t sure if this book would be for me. The writing style wasn’t working for me for the first couple of chapters. However, that all changed when Wren sent emails to the 4 guys he almost kissed. Needless to say, after that, I was immediately invested.

Never Been Kissed is a fun rom-com that celebrates movies, second chances, and figuring out yourself and your sexual identity in your own time. Wren has identified as gay, but he doesn’t feel like that is quite right. As the book progresses, Wren realizes he is demisexual. Once Wren figures this out, it’s like a lightbulb goes off. He feels like he understands himself and his romantic relationships a lot better. I love how the author writes this process. He allows Wren to figure things out in his own time and shows there isn’t a deadline to figuring out your identity.

If you’re looking for a romance book with great LGBTQIA+ representation, an adorable romance, and an endearing, funny main character, then give Never Been Kissed a try!

Never Been Kissed is a great summer romcom that combines the thrill of falling for someone with the adventure of self discovery. The romance between Wren and Derrick was sweet, but I think the best part had to be the exploration of sexual/romantic attraction. It was beautiful to see Wren learn about demisexuality and that multiple labels can be right for him, and Derrick respect his boundaries.

The drive in theater's story was so touching as well. However, the side characters could be a bit over the top and obnoxious at times which would really pull me out of what would otherwise be really nice moments.

eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This debut romance is full of heart and charm, perfect for fans of The Charm Offensive and Casey McQuiston. Wren is a 22-year old movie buff with a film degree who's never been kissed. When he accidentally sends out a series of draft emails to all of his almost first kisses (a la To All The Boys I've Loved Before), he's mortified. But his life only goes from bad to worse when he learns that the former best friend who ghosted him after an almost-kiss will be working alongside him at the drive-in movie theater this summer. I loved the dawning realization and acceptance of Wren's demi-sexuality and how he and Derrick figure out their relationship dynamics. Also the drive in and exhumation of a lost, local horror flick! Great, fun read. Also, a little bit heartbreaking since my local drive-in is closing soon, so that storyline really hit home.

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND SOURCEBOOKS CASABLANCA FOR THE ARC!

This book is adorable, a real comfort book. I’m really happy to have the chance to read it! Wren is a very relatable character and I felt for him, because I’m in the ace/demi spectre too. It’s the first time I see this aspect of me in a book in a such similar situation. I’m crying and I’m not the crying type.
The book is a little simple and I aspect Alice to be more reclutant and difficult because she’s a recluse and she never wanted to show her movie. So I quite don’t understand why she choose to say yes to Wren.
The romance in this book, however, is ADORABLE! I love the secondo chance trope and Wren and Derrick are just too cute! They have such an healthy relationship. Yes, they have some miscommunication problems and they are basically two idiots in love, but they also are sensitive, full of respect for each other, and really in love.
So I really hope this book will be loved, because it deserves it!

Really cute queer romcom. Light and easy to read with loveable characters and an adorable plot. Would make an excellent Hallmark movie, which I mean as a compliment.

Rating 4/5
Plot 4/5
Spice 2/5
Character Development 4/5

[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]

“Never Been Kissed” is the first book in Timothy Janovsky’s Boy Meets Boy series. This book tells the story of Wren Roland and Derick Haverford. Wren has never been kissed before and dreams of the movie-perfect ending with his soulmate. On his birthday, Wren decides to send an email out to all the boys he loved before he came out and had the chance to tell them. Wren doesn’t think anyone will respond, but oh boy is he wrong. Derick was one of Wren's first “pre-coming-out-crush”. When Derick and Wren both spend their summer at the drive-in, the two are drawn to one another, and Wren’s picture-perfect kiss is close.

This book was so cute! I loved the rom-com aspect and this book is filled with diverse representations from the LGBTQIA+ community (white gay demisexual questioning cis male main character, white sapphic cis female side characters, white bisexual cis female side character, white gay side characters, white achillean cis male side character). If you enjoyed “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before", “Red White & Royal Blue”, “Boyfriend Material", and “What If It's Us", you’ll enjoy this book!

"Never Been Kissed" is a cute, but sometimes slow paced novel that will be enjoyed by film history buffs. It did not captivate me as I was expected mainly because of the fact that I could not place the novel in either the adult or the young adult section. I think it's supposed to be the former, but the characters felt very young.
The romance did not convince me either, but I did enjoy the conversations revolving around heteronormativity, and labelling yourself. It is hard, coming to terms with one's sexuality and gender identity. It is a struggle even in a liberal environment.

I do think it would be great as a nice tv movie!

As a note, while this is technically a New Adult book as its characters are in their early-ish twenties, it reads young and is definitely appropriate for a Young Adult/Teen audience. I think going in expecting a sexy New Adult rom-com sort of messed with my expectations when it really belongs to a Young Adult audience. Overall, this rom-com was very okay for me. I didn't find it particularly engaging or any characters particularly lovable or any scenes particularly swoony, but it was a fairly solid rom-com, I guess. I won't be recommending it, but I also wouldn't jump in anywhere to say it's bad; I think the book and I just didn't mesh.

Cute and fluffy! Perfect for fans of To All the Boys and for all the hopeless romantics out there! Goofy and relatable while still complex characters made this a very quick and enjoyable read! After all, who doesn't love a good happily ever after?!? Will definitely be checking out future books by Timothy Janovsky!

This was a nice change for me. I've been into some heavy stuff and this hit the spot. Nice fluffy, sweet and funny. This Romcom hit all the points I love in a romance. There is some (I wouldn't say heavy) but tougher topics in here, finding ones self, loving ones self. Demisexualality is a somewhat newer term I've only seen once in another book and I'm looking forward to doing some research on that

DRC provided by Sourcebook Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: queer demisexual homoromantic white protagonist, queer Jewish secondary character, queer Latine secondary character, gay white secondary character, tertiary characters of colour, queer Black tertiary character, bisexual white tertiary character, lesbian tertiary characters,

Content Warning: anxiety, alcohol, parental pressure, implied homophobia,

Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky is an adult contemporary romance which couples the sweetness and unexpectedness of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” with the introspection and drama one expects from coming-of-age films in the vein of “Alex, Strangelove” or “Beautiful Thing”.

The hopeless romantic Wren dreams of the perfect first kiss. He just graduated from university and is excited about working again at the drive-in he has worked at since his teen years. After a night out with hid best-friends and roommates though, in his inebriated state Wren sends out emails to everyone he almost kissed. What he did not expect is that one of them would reply, and even more unconceivable, that they would be working together for the summer.

Janovsky’s brilliant debut captured my heart. Touching on the topics of forgiveness, demisexuality, adulthood, homophobia and family, and the sexism of Tinseltown, this book made me happy. I smiled. I laughed at the one-liners. I teared up. It is really a shining book.

This sweet romantic story features a lovable ace/demi protagonist with heart and sacrifices nothing but being a romance without the heat. Full of coming of age heart and even a bit of Maureen this few good story is perfect for YA collections.

"Call me old-fashioned, but I fight the urge to share as much as possible because my self-conscious nature can't handle having to steal my supply of serotonin from likes and comments."

There is so much to love about Never Been Kissed, but one of my favourite aspects is the fluidity of romantic and sexual identities. Wren shows that it's okay to identify differently or change your ‘label’ as you grow and learn more about yourself - especially once you start dating and putting prior conceptions to the test in the real world. Though he feels trapped because he came out as gay, Wren no longer believes the term truly encompasses him as a person. I love the open discussion, initiated by Brandon after a disastrous experience, that helps him come to terms with himself and his romantic history. It helps to show how learning more about yourself can improve your relationships with those around you.

Never Been Kissed models how beautiful open and honest communication in relationships can be. This is demonstrated in both friendships and romantic relationships, and the close bonds between a lot of these characters prove how important this kind of communication can be. Wren’s demisexuality helped emphasise how a relationship can feel good but shallow when someone is holding back or hiding something - even if it’s out of fear or insecurity, and not necessarily dishonesty. When all the cards are on the table, it’s easy to see real growth and connection, allowing for a wonderful and fulfilling relationship.

As expected with new adult fiction, Never Been Kissed covers a period in these characters' lives when they are trying to find themselves and the people they will be. I loved that several threads were running throughout the narrative, lending complexity to what could have been a simple but sweet love story. A lot is going on here, but we never lose the central thread that makes this an incredibly easy and enjoyable read.

I really appreciated the aspect of this story that unpacked what it means to be demisexual and all the self-discovery that came with it. I struggled more with the plot, which felt like it meandered, only to pick up too late in the game. The letters sent to previous crushes also felt like the hook, but then it fizzled out within chapters. That said, I'm really glad there are more mlm books in the mainstream Adult Romance space now, including this one. It felt like for so long there was just nothing but there IS a market for them and I'm happy this book exists in the world.