Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

Being a novel in verse, this was a pretty quick read. It wasn't my favourite novel in verse I've read, but it was one of the shortest so I'm putting it down to that and the fact it had less space to go deeper.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and Eric felt like a very complex character despite not getting to spend a lot of time with him. This could easily be stretched to a novel if the author (who is only 19!) wanted to and I'm really keen to read more of their work going forward!

I hate to say that this book didn’t hit the spot for me. I love what it tried to do but it either didn’t execute it very well to it went over my head.

This is an all the feels kind of book, that not only tells a complex story in the most beautiful way, it also inspired me to go back to writing and even make a few poems myself. The characters are very well explained and executed, giving you as much information as you're gonna need, with a dynamic atmosphere. The plot feels truly meaningful, important and something not only worth telling, but also extremely relatable. The world building is worth talking about, but I need to talk about the writing: although it achieves great things, reading it became a bit confusing on some of the poems. Another confusing aspect is whether it's an original story or an autobiography (I assume it's the first one).
All in all, it's a book that makes you feel infinite and reminds me of El Chico de las Estrellas by Chris Pueyo.
Please beware of trigger warnings (could be spoilers) like mentions of violence, cheating, very religious family, and family not accepting coming out.

I honestly couldn't wrap my head around this book. The plot was OK I suppose to some extent, but the verses aren't good. It's written more as words divided into lines and not actually decent verses with magical words and stuff like that. Sad to say this because I honestly expected a lot more from the book.

I'm super conflicted about this and honestly wish I could have given it a higher rating. I think there is something really uplifting in this novel about a gay black teen finding his feet in a very coming-of-age way. I just have really high standards when it comes to novels written in verse. I think it is a hard thing to get right and if you get it wrong it can hinder your message rather than help it. I found it to be the case here.

Before I get into the issues I found with the format of this I do want to get into the plot a bit. Early on I was having a hard time finding the "special sauce" of the plot, if you will, as it was coming off as super generic but I do think that the narrative, like the protagonist, does find a good conclusion to a tale you've heard before (in both hetero and queer contexts). I really did enjoy the ending, found it cathartic and relevant, even if the journey to it was a bit bumpy.

The real problem I had with this novel is the choice to make it in verse. I fully believe that if you are writing a verse it is because there is too much emotion that prose cannot do it justice! But unfortunately, this read like choppy prose not lyrical verse. I'm going to be savage here... but it read like it was written in verse in order to shortcut the narrative rather than to enhance it. Where is the lyricism? I mean, the protagonist has bouts of black-out anger... what a perfect opportunity to go all out with a lyrical depiction of that emotional upheaval? sorry... no... we get none of that. Just line after line brimming with a monotonous energy that is hard to shake. There is no rhythm or lyricism, no playing with the form or the voice of the piece. nothing.

This had a lot of potentials, and given that it is the author's debut, I will keep my eye out for something more from them. I would love to see growth from this. The next one will be better, I can feel it.

I didn’t enjoy this poetry book very much. I gave this a two out of five stars. I was hoping to enjoy this more than I did I, I usually enjoy most poetry.

I was given an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not a person who would ordinarily select a book of poetry. While browsing books, this jewel of a book actually jumped out and said pick me. I am so glad I did. The prose and poetry in this book are beautifully written and flow effortlessly from one page to the other. It follows the life of Eric, “Dandelion” the pet-name used by his loving mother, father,Stan, a preacher. best friends,nAndrea and Eric have been the best of friends since primary school. Xavier has become a constant part of Andrea’slife now. She and Eric had a tradition of shopping thrift store to find their perfect back to school look but for some reason Xavier has to come along to everything that was Eric and Andrea’s thing.. The book is a story that takes you through first unrequited love/crush. The sad end of a first love. It was so lovely the way the story unravels. Absolutely a must read. I adored the book and would recommend. I would also recommend trying something outside your genre. You might find a gem too.
Special thanks to #NetGalley, #West44Books, #Angel Barber, and #DandelionTravels for the opportunity to review early.

Another Hi-Lo book that suffers from a lack of the Hi. Simplicity of language and clarity of story don't have to mean paper thin plot lines and endings that rush up too quickly. It's a shame, since the concept for this book is so good, and the parts that are well written and decently explored do very well; the ideas of cheating, gender nonconformity, running away... all have enough power that they could have turned into a great story, but instead seem more like an outline of a book; instances of special or poetic phrasing aren't quite enough to bring this into the realm of a polished, high interest novel.

Heartbreaking but also inspiring. A great read for anyone trying to figure out just who they are in this wild world. Super easy and quick to read, but lacks a punch!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I realised very early on that I am very much not in the target demographic of this book. This was the first time I've read a hi-lo book and I am quite unsure on how to judge it.
Eric, is a black gay person who after he learns that his dad was cheating on his mum, goes on his childhood friend's vacation home to process his feelings.
The book is fairly short and easy to get through, exactly what the author intended. I really enjoyed that it was split in poem-like sections. Eric's experience with gender, sexuality and race seem earnest and although they are not written very much in depth. I mostly enjoyed Eric's relationship with his parents, especially with his dad. Sadly Eric's friends, Andrea, Xavier and Zachary are very one dimensional. I felt no attachment to the love interest at all at any point during the book. I felt that there was so much to be explored, but the author chose not to, maybe because of the limitations of the hi-lo genre. Sadly, I can't say I enjoyed the book that much, however I cant but appreciate it for its attempt to breach serious topics with simple language, and so I give it 3 hearts.