Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Always the Almost is a beautiful story about growing into your true self. It is a story about trans joy.

I've been really excited about this book ever since I stumbled upon it for two things. One, the focus on music and playing music. Two, the queerness. As a queer person myself, I always love to read books with queer representation to both support my community and learn more about different sexualities and experiences.

The book started really strong for me. As someone who had played the violin for over ten years and whose violin had also been a big part of my childhood, that first chapter really resonated with me. I was really excited to read a YA contemporary in which the main character, Miles, is adept in music as it is something I relate to. This musical aspect is something I continue to love throughout the whole book. I love the symphonic descriptions and the emotions that come to play while playing and losing yourself in the joy of music.

I also loved the characters, Miles and his friends were all very cheerful and queerly chaotic.

However, I did stumble upon one issue within this book that was a huge turn-off for me and that is the cheating trope. I have zero tolerance for cheating and think it is the most disrespectful thing you can do to your significant other. I lose all respect for those who do. It is irredeemable in my eyes. So I was really taken aback when it happened in this book as I was not expecting it at all.
<spoiler>What made it worse is that the cheating happened twice. Not only does Miles cheat on Eric, but in the lesbian side couple (Miles' friends) Paige also cheats on Rachel. In my eyes, it was just unnecessary to have both couples go through it.</spoiler>
After that, I lost my respect for the characters who cheated and it broke something in my connection to them, making me care less about the story. I recognize that this is a personal preference and that others might not make such a big deal out it as I am. But I've seen firsthand the damage cheating can do to the person who's been cheated on. It breaks them. It destroys their trust, and makes them paranoid. It makes them doubt themselves whether they're good enough. It's so damaging to their mental health and I think it is just an awful thing to do to someone you're supposed to love.
I understand that the typical storyline of a YA contemporary is that all comes crashing down after the happiest moment but this book would have been perfect if the cheating had not been in there. Anything but cheating would have been better.

I tried to enjoy the book just as much as I was before this ordeal but it had put a damper on my enjoyment of it and created an uncrossable bridge between the story and me. My connection to the story had wavered and I did not manage to get close to it again and just read on with a certain detachment which made me incredibly sad.

All in all, this book was a 3/3.5 star read for me. But I feel torn rating this book 3 stars on social platforms because I want to support my fellow queer authors and help get queer books out there for more people to enjoy. That's why I'm rating it up to four stars. It really is a great book if you can look past the cheating. The trans rep and experiences are beautifully done and I'm sure they will be very meaningful to my trans people out there looking for a great relatable read.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Edward Underhill and the publisher of the book for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Miles has two New Year 's Resolutions, one win back his ex-boyfriend and two beat his rival at the big upcoming piano competition. It's not going to be easy, but Miles is determined to do both.

Miles is soon distracted by the new boy in town, Eric. They soon pretend to date so they can score an invitation to the couples-only Valentine's Day party. Miles cannot figure out why he likes Eric so much. Will Miles be able to learn to love himself for who he is?

This was a wonderful read and I think it is an important one for kids today!

This is a solid debut romance that does an excellent job highlighting the way our protagonist, Miles, navigates his sense of self and his relationship with others as he comes out as trans. I appreciate the way Edward Underhill depicts Miles' ex, Shane, and how both guys come to terms with their feelings toward one another, but I was also glad to see Miles' heartwarming relationship with Eric (who deserves all the good in the world, perhaps more than Miles could give at the beginning of this book). I could have done without some of the cheating, gaslighting, and other drama because I wanted to see Underhill explore more of Miles' family dynamics and other vulnerable moments, but I guess this also serves to highlight Miles and his friends as flawed humans and, well, teenagers.

I guess I just wasn't feeling as emotionally connected as all the others reviewers but that's okay.
I always say read for yourself and decide.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really cute YA romance from a debut author. The books is the story of Miles, a trans pianist who is trying to find his place in the world after recently coming out and Eric, a queer gentle artist who just moved to Milwaukee and seems to accept Miles as he is.

“And here now, in my earrings and my black shirt and my dress shoes, I am not trying to be, i just am. Trans. Queer. He, him, his.the labels I have chooses and no labels at all.”

I truly enjoyed reading this book and it gave me Felix ever after vibes (which is a book I loved). I enjoyed the Milwaukee references in this book and how gentle and kind Eric is. The relationship between this two made me smile and I appreciated seeing how Miles learned from his mistakes and matured thought out the book. The reason this book is not a five starts for me is that at times the secondary characters felt flat and underdeveloped and some of the plots lines seemed unnecessary. Still looking forward to whatever the author writes next!

3.5 rounded to four

It's so great to see trans people getting to be center stage, instead of the Problem Side Character. Yeah, more, please!

Unfortunately, Miles, our trans hero, is a bit of a problem. For a teen coming of age novel while coming out, and with a downs siblings and resulting family dynamics (sympathetically presented) I felt that these aspects could have used more exploration. The music thread was terrific, though I winced at the unexamined snobbery. (Oh, pew, who could ever condescend to play Beethoven!)

But there was so. Much. Cheating and gaslighting. And most of it seemed unnecessary. Which left me ambivalent. I wouldn't dis-recommend the book--it's got a lot going for it, and Underhill is a talent to watch--but adults handing it off to a kid, especially one struggling to figure out who they are, might come with some reservations. Or at least an invitation to talk out the issues.

Huge thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored this book - phenomenal debut by Underhill! In the author's note, he stated that this story is meant to be about joy, and at it's core, this book wonderfully encapsulated that. There was pain, mistakes, and bumps along the road, but it truly did embody what the author was hoping for - pure happiness and joy. This is a must read for queer and trans youth and has a message that I think many of us adults can resonate with as well.

Miles' struggle with who he was and who he is, if those are the same people, and how he can authentically show that to the world was a journey of failure, discovery, enlightenment, and it was so powerful. I loved that though this was a romance novel, romance wasn't at the forefront as much as self-discovery and confidence was. The relationship between Miles and Eric was natural and I loved the slow burn into something healthy and beautiful. All the side characters were also amazing and I loved how they were all so different, from Miles' lesbian best friend duo to his parents to his intimidating piano instructor to Eric's little sister. Everyone else's personalities and stories really complimented Miles' and the overarching theme of the novel.

I cannot speak highly enough of the importance of this book for a look into what it means to truly go through a self-discovery journey. Though it is a YA novel, the writing and the message can be appreciated by all. 4.5 stars and I can't wait to read more from Underhill in the future.

This book is just amazing. I was in a reading slump when I started this, and it caught me up from the first chapter. Miles and his friends and his faults felt so real to me.

One of Miles’ goals is to win the regional piano competition: the resolution of that was completely satisfying. The whole piano arc was also really well done. And it made me want to listen to piano concertos, so...

YA books set in high school stress me out because there’s usually a Big Mistake that causes a rift with the love interest and/or best friends. It’s the worrying about the Big Mistake that stresses me out, and while this was no exception, I have to say: the mistake itself felt natural and realistic, and didn’t drag on too long. And the apology/atonement was also incredibly well done.

Hats off to Edward Underhill. I really hope that trans kids in small towns will find this book and it will help them say, like Miles does:

“I am queer.
I am trans.
I am full of joy.”

I got an ARC from Netgalley; opinions are my own.

Always the Almost follows Miles, a transgender teen shortly after his coming out, who must balance friends, relationships, and piano competitions, all while struggling to find his true self.

This was a really quick read and I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate the author’s disclosure at the beginning, because it helped me rationalize some of the more uncomfortable and unbecoming moments as part of the process of transitioning, both for the Miles and the people closest to him. While I don’t have the same experiences, I feel like Always the Almost did a great job of showing the realities and imperfections of being a teen and growing up, and how universal it is.

- Oh my heart! This book! I love it! It's tender and prickly and full of confusion and love and passion.
- Miles and Eric are so sweet. I loved watching them figure out themselves and each other, even when they made silly teenagery mistakes.
- This book does have elements of transphobia and queerphobia, but it's ultimately about joy. Joy in yourself, in your hobbies, in your relationships.

This book was definitely full of trans joy! There is so much in the social aspect of being a teen but to also come out and try to make sure everyone knows what your already know and feel. There were definitely some processing issues for some but others saw Miles for who he was.
I loved Eric and his beautiful way of living life and their sweet moments.
And the teen piano championships was very fascinating to follow. I love music and piano has always been on my bucket list. Probably should find a place to do lessons. But to be so driven and talented at such a young age is always so amazing to me.
Tw: for some online bullying. As usual ignorance lives and breeds online and it's easier to type something you would never say to someone's face. My thinking is if you wouldn't say it to the person's face then don't type it. Simple.

Thank you stmartinspress and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I LOVED this book! I felt like once I started it I just couldn't put it down. With the comparison between this and Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda, I knew that I would really enjoy this. It was just filled with queer joy, heartfelt, and inspiring. What a great debut novel, highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this!

A sweet, romantic story, I loved Eric so much. The supporting cast was fantastic. Miles refusing to let go of Shane gave me the ick though, I was so disappointed he didn’t take “I’m not gay” for an answer which led to drama and hurt. Loved the piano competition! Overall enjoyed reading it, and would recommend.

This book was just absolutely brilliant. As a queer musician, seeing music written so beautifully as an art that carries queer joy, coping, and just so much emotion is wonderful. I also adored the character work and the writing style. Underhill is brilliant in his depiction of art, competition, and the confusion that can come with navigating high school and one's relationship.

The only thing I wish for this book is that the side characters, especially Stefania got more depth. It felt like everything with them happened in the last 50 pages of the book, and that was a tad odd. It's still an incredibly wholesome book and I was just smiling the entire time.

Always the Almost was one of those books that I both wanted to speed through and savor. Poignant and compelling, with well-drawn, believable characters and trans joy at its heart. I loved Miles and felt that as a reader, I was fully in his corner even as he made mistakes. The lynchpin of music guiding his own personal identity with music was beautiful.

There's always room for more trans, gay books on my shelf and Always the Almost is a beautiful and heartfelt addition to my shelf, as a trans pianist finds joy in himself and what he loves to do. It's an angsty story that is overall uplifting and sweet!

- I liked how Eric thought about Miles being lactose intolerant with the coffee scene
- I love how much Eric respects and communicates with Miles about his comfort ability when it comes to him being trans
- The flirty scenes and first kiss gives me happy butterflies

The way the characters interact off each other is so entertaining and raw. You can pick out so many relatable moments and project yourself in one way or another. I enjoyed the love shared between Eric and Miles because they are both moving on from past lives while also finding new parts of themselves.

The way the piano competition scenes are written feel so real. You can truly understand Miles’ anxiety and have anticipation for how the performance will go, like it’s happening in real time.

Such a fantastic read for Valentine’s Day!

Miles Jacobson, a trans boy in Wisconsin, spends much of time playing piano and hanging out with his two best friends ever since his boyfriend, Shane, dumped him shortly after he came out as trans. With a new year looming, Miles makes two resolutions: to win Shane back and to beat Cameron, his very annoying rival, in the regional piano competition. Miles's plans, though, are complicated when a new boy moves to town. Eric could not be more different than Shane -- he is also an artist and immediately embraces Miles for exactly who he is. But Miles is determined to stay focused on his goals until an unexpected kiss turns his friendship with Eric into more. Miles is confused about why Eric likes him, about whether he still has feelings for Shane, and whether he has what it takes to beat Cameron and finally win a trip to the national competitions -- all a recipe for a confusing year.

This is a terrific debut, full of warm and multi-dimensional characters -- from Miles and Eric, to Miles's two best friends, to Eric's sister, to Miles's piano teacher -- and a charming story.

Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's hard to express how much I loved this book. It touched and soothed my soul in a way no recent book has. It was an honor to receive an ARC and I'll treasure the story and its message for a long, long time.

We need more queer joy like this. I feel seen. If I had read this as a teen, things I felt about my identity would have made sense so much sooner. I understand and empathize with a lot of what Miles goes through. It's a beautifully told journey and I think everyone should read it.

All of the characters are wonderful. Rachel and Paige are distinct from one another, despite how often we see them as a unit. Eric deserves the world. Shane bucks the stereotypes. Miles parents break your heart and stitch it back together. Cameron is hateful but you can't help feeling sorry for him at the same time.

I've already recommended this to so many people. Go read it!

Always the Almost by Edward Underhill is a phenomenal young adult, coming of age novel that is sure to pull at your heartstrings while also filling you up with joy. This book revolves trans pianist Miles Jacobson as he navigates the want to win his ex back & the need to finally beat his arch-nemesis at the biggest piano competition all while balancing school, old friends, a surprising new friend, parents & all the teenage angst. Miles is also on an emotional journey of discovery & learning to love one’s authentic self. I loved this book!

I feel very honored & so lucky that I was able to read & review this. This one had me all up in my feels. It’s heart-wrenching. It’s heart-warming. It’s an extremely important & vulnerable coming of age romance.

I feel like authors obviously put their heart into their writing & you can tell. But then, there’s just those books that also have lagniappe, just a little something extra & this is one of those novels. It is spectacular & undoubtedly has the indescribable more that just makes a novel sparkle.

Classical music isn’t my typical genre, but this book made it fascinating. I loved learning that Tchaikovsky was gay. I became so attuned to these characters that I felt genuine nerves at their final performance. I also thought that Eric was such a wonderful character. I loved his cinnamon roll heart & I really appreciated getting to experience his journey as well. The banter & the relationship was just pure goals. I really appreciated the disability representation with his sister, Nina, who was an absolute delight.

If anyone is looking for a young adult coming of age romance read, this should absolutely go to the top of your list!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Trigger warnings: This book mentions &:or contains non-malicious) mentions of the main character’s deadname, brief instances of misgendering, online transphobia (anonymous nastiness directed at trans character), mentions/discussion of racism experienced by a character, discussion of trauma as a result of bullying, body dysphoria & mentions of previous (off-screen) sexual harassment experienced by a side character.

I will add this to my social media closer to relapse date & add links once I do.