4.6

The “reformed bully” trope is one that I honestly feel has been done to death in media. There’s a sliding scale from somewhat forgivable acts to reprehensible offenses and Donick Walsh and the Reset Button by Nathaniel Shea represents a character who lands smack dab in the middle. The story follows the aforementioned Donick, a closested teen with a reputation for being one of the biggest bullies at his school: Donick’s journey of atonement got to me in particular— as a former victim of bullying I can’t imagine what I would do if one of the kids who used to pick on me reached out and apologized after all these years. Would I feel sad? Anger? Or maybe just stone cold numbness. The characters in the book displayed a range of reactions to Donick’s apology tour. Donick’s relationship with Michael was another highlight of the book. Forgiveness isn’t a given and watching Micheal struggle to accept the new person Donick had become was incredibly interesting to watch. As all those philosophers say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day!” Thus, I’d like to give this book a 4.6 out of 5 stars and thank Netgalley and Shea Taylor for giving me access to this ARC!

I started reading this book expecting some Rom-com story,I assume i ended up surprised by the serious tones the narrative would take ate some moments and the very careful way homophobia was described in here. Its a story about friendship,hope,and about to be loyal to ourselves. I really enjoyed it !

Am I giving this book bonus points for all the YOI references? Maybe.

Okay so this starts from a point were I didn't see many „bully“ stories start and that is already after Donick, our bully, had a change of heart and now he is trying to make up for all the wrongdoings. Throughout the book we follow two POVS, one is from Donick and the other one from his ex best friend Michael. Donick I trying to make it up to people he hurt over the years, one of them being Michael, who is not so fast to forgive him as some other kids in their school are.

Okay so overall I really did enjoy this. I think characters were well developed and I can tell author really cared about them. I’m really glad that the book addressed that just because you’re sorry about what you did it doesn’t mean that the other people have to forgive you. And while that goes, I was also able to relate to Donick and his struggles and wanted things to turn out well for him too. The family aspects were nice addition. I’m glad that the relationship between Donick and his dad ended on a positive note. I liked the contrast between Donick’s (ex)friends and Michael’s friends. I also liked the romantic relationship which can also be tricky when you do the whole bully thing but it was well done and it was developed slowly so the characters were given some time to reconnect before it started really going down the romantic route.

It’s not really a five star for me due two main reasons. One being that I think that some parts of this book could benefit from stronger editing. Since we have dual POVS some scenes that happened in the book were described twice from each POV which I found unnecessary or at least it would be better to tell don’t show in that case because sometimes both POV then lead to the same thing. So it was a bit repetitive, especially with things like text messages that got repeated two chapters in a row. I did also found some elements a bit cheesy and I didn’t really like how those secret letters sounded in a sense that it made me feel as if someone younger was writing them rather than the actual character that did. But that didn’t affect my rating that much.

The second reason could be totally me and maybe I just didn’t interpret it right especially because I don’t think that the book was trying to do that at all but I didn’t like how some queer elements were done especially some discussions on queer community and sexuality and just how these kids tended to talk about it. But I also understand the characters are teenagers and sometimes they think like that. I was just waiting for them to have like a “character development” moment where they realized that maybe the way they think about some things isn’t the best but that never came.

Other than that I really found this book fun and enjoyable. It’s a bit longer but I feel like I read it quite fast because it was hard to put down.

Despite the awkward title, Donick Walsh and the Reset Button is a good read. Author Nathaniel Shea does a good job with the main characters, Nick and Michael, and a decent job with the lesser characters, where stereotypes do prevail. But it's a catching read. The layout of the novel disses the reader as it leaves out letters constantly and places the letter beginning the subsequent paragraph a line or two before the ending of the current paragraph. Very annoying, at least to me.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

The story of Donick’s redemption after having been a bully since middle school is written beautifully. We see Donick not only apologize for his wrong doings, but also take steps towards being kind when he knew he would get no reward. Nathaniel Shea did a wonderful job explaining Donick’s reasons for being an asshole without ever trying to excuse his behavior. As a reader we know he has caused much damage but his character development never makes us feel bad for him, we slowly behind to like him.

However, I feel as if many of the side characters are there to try to fulfill a stereotypical role, and they are set aside and forgotten until they need to help or cause trouble for Donick. I started liking certain characters but ended up forgetting about them for chapters at a time. The use of references to popular music, TV shows, anime, and movies is attention grabbing at first, but ultimately the story felt too saturated with this. Towards the end of the story, Michael’s sister makes a comment about Sailor Moon that did manage to make me laugh.

Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button is ultimately entertaining, but the very cartoon-like side characters and pacing did make it a bit difficult to push through at times.

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets a darker version of High School Musical in this fastpaced and addictive story about finding your true self, facing your wrongs and making amends. And maybe finding some new friends and love on the way.

Donick (Nick) Walsh has been the stereotype high school jock for years, harassing anyone being nerdy, different or just in his way. But it wasn’t always like this. Up until Nick was eleven, he had a best friend, Michael Penrose, and was into “dorky things” like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and wondering what it would be like to kiss a boy. Or, more specifically, what it would be like to kiss Michael. When he finally tried it, his father walked in on them, and the horror and anger from his dad put Nick on the toxic, masculine football playing, homophobic track he’s been on ever since.

Michael on his hand never really understood what happened. One day, Nick was his best friend, the next day, Nick punched him in the face and looked at him with resentment, either calling him names or avoiding him entirely. The hurt and bitterness kept growing over the years, and got even worse with Nick suddenly coming back into his life again when getting injured and joining the school revue instead of playing football.

I really loved all the musical theatre references and the wonderful representation, but most of all the complex, fleshed out characters, as well as how the story shows how hard it can be to truly change and grow. Not only for the person trying to grow and make amends, but also for the persons around him. Forgiveness isn’t granted just because you ask for it. The hurt you have caused might just be too much to get over, and you have to find a way to live with yourself for the damage you have caused. It was really great that the story was told in dual POVs, so that both aspects were shown so clearly, and we could see how toxic it can be for the victim as well to refuse to confront the past and let the bitterness control your life.

I did find the “Secret Admirer”-thing a little cheesy and over the top though, and I would have liked to get to see more of Nick’s struggle with his conscience before wanting to hit the reset button. Now we entered the story when he already knew that he wanted to change, with glimpses back to his former mean bully self, but we never really got to be part of the internal character transformation as such. But those are just minor complaints.

All in all, this was an emotional, poignant and addictive story about breaking free from toxic expectations to be your true self, making amends and finding new friends and love. I read this book in one sitting, it was such an easy and fast read, full of wonderful music and theatre references and relatable characters. (Just be aware of the trigger warning for homophobia.)

📖Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button by Nathaniel Shea
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4.5 Stars!

What a book! It has been a long time since I read YA focused on high schoolers and in all honesty? This made me miss it so much. I read this book in one sitting, it was an easy and fast read, that as someone who just left high school, made so much sense to me.

Donick Walsh and the Reset-Button is a story about a bully who wants to redeem himself, he wants to change and grow out of his bad habits. I know what this struggle looks like, especially with people like Nick who were indoctrinated to behave like this. Did he always have a choice? Yes, children can sense what's right or wrong too, but that's the thing about psychology and the indoctrination of children. I enjoyed that topic being touched on. Donick, our main character, took the decision to change in his senior year, some would call it late, but he is seventeen years old, that's the age when you start building the adult you will become.

The reasons I asked for this ARC were (a.) because I found it really interesting, the cover was appealing, the title was fun and it was LGBTQIA+. And (b.) all this struggle that Nick and Michael had triggered a memory. During my junior year, I had something similar happen to me (without the romantic connotation) someone like Nick had to own up to so much damage, he was once my best friend, and it took me time to forgive. I saw myself in Michael, that anger and bitterness were things I had gone through. It was a delight to see more books portraying high schoolers with all their depth, feelings, and psychology. The side characters were great, you can see how all of them have a different process system of the circumstances they were put in, and even though I got frustrated when their type of forgiveness was pushed into Michael, I really understood their behaviors.

The theatrics part of the book had me hooked, I have always loved theater arts, and seeing all these kids being brought together by it made me feel at home.

Now, my 5 stars go down to 4.5 for some parts I didn't enjoy in the writing. First, I believe there are exclamation marks during narrations that directly change the connotation of the text, I do understand what I read was an ARC but that is my observation. I also noted the following: I believe it's a thing of times changing and/or my own preferences, but the way Nick texted with numbers to complete words had me annoyed. I do use some of these abbreviations but I think that was used excessively in Nick's writing. Other than that, the book was amazing.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing this ARC.
And to the author, Nathaniel Shea, congratulations on this amazing book, it was impossible for me to put it down. I will order that physical copy as soon as it's out and be looking forward to more of your books. You have captivated a young adult (ironic, isn't it?)

I do not miss high-school days, if I'm being honest. This was the redemption arc of Donick Walsh, who used to be one of the biggest bullies in school. All Nick wants to do was quit football and dance but didn't because of his father. This book speaks heavily of bullying and homophobic slurs. Kids sometime can be the worst and mainly its due to the views of their parental figureheads.

This story was about how Nick trying to amend his wrongdoings and it was heartbreaking at times and hopeful as well. I enjoyed the story.

After having enough of being the school bully, Nick decides to hit the reset-button. High School Musical meets Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I liked it but it was too long & repetitive for me.

What do you get if you cross My Name Is Earl, High School Musical and Simon Verses? Donik Walsh And The Reset Button. A story of reinvention that felt cathartic and earned, and left me rooting for Nick at every turn. His fight for acceptance and the strong themes of authenticity and nature vs nurture inevitably left me reflecting on myself and the things that make me happy. (Fortunately one of those things is Queer YA fiction)

The characters in the book are very believable, almost to a fault. They read like real teenagers, making all the mistakes you’d expect and struggling to share their feelings like any teenage boy I’ve ever met. Michael is probably the most realistic anime fan I’ve read (and I’m not just saying that because he suggested History Maker for the revue). Nathaniel Shea clearly knows what he’s talking about when it comes to pop culture, music and dance!

It always takes me a moment to adjust when I start a book written in the present tense. (Just not my preference) This book however, took a little extra adjustment. Donik’s chapters are written in the present tense whereas Michael’s are written in the past tense. An unusual but intriguing choice that almost makes it feel like Nick is catching up to his new friends, making new discoveries about himself and this new world, and we’re along for the ride. It works somehow.

I absolutely loved this book. I can’t wait for everyone I know to read it so I can talk to them about it. I cancelled plans so I could keep reading it - I’m not even kidding.

“Everybody tries to be different, and do we ever succeed, I wonder?”

This book was so good! I was sucked in from the moment I started it and finished it in less than 24 hours because I just couldn’t put it down. I really felt seen in some of the struggles faced by the main character when it comes to self acceptance. The story and the journey felt very powerful to me. The ending did leave me with quite a few questions about what will happen next. I definitely would love to see more of these characters and find out what life has in store for them.

Thanks to all parties involved for the providing of this arc on Netgalley.

This was an enjoyable, entertaining read for me! I was hooked by the premise, and the first few pages confirmed this impression. I had a lot of fun reading about Donick's attempts to turn a new leaf. Especially enjoyable were his struggles to reconcile past!asshole!Donick with present!repenting!Donick, though I occasionally felt that his change in behavior was a bit too streamlined and that good actions started coming naturally to Donick way too soon.

As a whole, I'd say that Donick is an endearing main character, and that I similarly enjoyed reading about a few other characters (notably Liam and Brent). Now Michael, whose POV alternates with Donick's through the book and who is the love interest…him, I'm a little more hesitant about. Some of his characteristics and/or insights I enjoyed, whereas others I'm still skeptical about. Mainly, he was presented as this awesome, uber good guy, yet that doesn't seem to shine through a lot in his characterization. Mostly, he sounds like kind of a dick - not a bully by far, but not especially nice either. It wouldn't have bothered me so much (his prickliness was sometimes fun!) had not the dissonance between my impression and most characters' opinion about him been so jarring. His character development felt also a bit patchy, like a few steps had been missed regarding his romantic feelings for the MC, especially towards the story's end.

The conclusion as a whole felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying to me, like it was more an afterthought than anything else. I was similarly unconvinced by the character development of Donick's dad, which contributed to the rushed feeling I got from the resolution. My last grumble will be that we didn't get any other rep beside gay guys and one lesbian, which is kinda weird considering the setting (come on, theater kids? Dancers? That's a perfect excuse if I ever heard one) and queer kids being known for flocking together.


That being said, the story itself was engaging, with very few low tempo moments, and it raised a couple interesting thoughts around bullying as a social phenomenon as well as the act of forgiving. On that note, I appreciate the array of reactions from the characters depending on different personalities and level of offense. Although I have to say…I'm definitely the type of person who would hold a grudge and feel good about it, so the overall message of forgiving being the better option in most cases was utterly lost on me.

I liked this! The Shea's prose was engaging and kept me turning the pages, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in the characters and their struggles. The book dealt with complex themes that were relevant to our current social climate, especially to gay teens, and the author tackled these issues with sensitivity and nuance. Excited to see what he writes next!

I was so attracted to this beautiful, lively cover, and the concept behind the book is so interesting. I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this vibrant and unique book.

What made me feel this story is complicated. There were moments where I could not stop reading, others where I wanted to skip pages and some where I wanted to leave the book. But I liked it.
The most important thing to clarify, is that I feel that this is a story that has many small objectives, but that actually focuses on the path of Nick and how he dealt with people and behaviors that wrap his daily life.
So, on the one hand, he wants to renew his person, be friendlier with others. Treat them as human beings, come on.
This arc seems very interesting to me. First, because as a Latin who lives in a town forgotten by God and that in reality spent his dead time at school reading or seeing anime, I make a mythological experience that there are so hard bullies ... Of course I knew people who were put the appearance of others from time to time, but to the point that Nick and his friends made? God no. It seems super hardcore if it is something that really happens.
At first, these constant apologies almost with the same words bored me a little, because half of the book is exactly that. I feel that it was a bit repetitive and lost strength after the first times. It makes sense again in the last apology to the girl; Although after knowing that story I thought it would be necessary to go to the psychologist. I mean, wanting to adapt so much that you forget any minimum of empathy seems dangerous to me. These guys, athletes, seem dangerous.
I also find it disturbing how nobody dares to never report them. These boys did horrible things, physical and psychologically. Perhaps there is no tangible evidence of psychological damage day by day that can be used against them, but there are physical evidence. Not even Nick complaints. And why? Why does it feel a penalty of seeing yourself as weak? I miss me a little with the new he who are trying to introduce us.
Anyway, I feel that, although Donick apologizes for these past actions, it is not like his mentality has changed a lot, anyway. Generally, when he was going to apologize to someone, he made a description of what this person was like and the characteristics of his body with which he referred to them, it became almost the only important thing of that person. For example, once he apologized with a prominent nose boy, who was very good running.

Donick's mind: his nose, his big nose.
Donick's mouth: how well runs, friend. I wanted to apologize for bullying for your nose.

I don't know what is the need to emphasize so much.
That is, I as a human being realize when people have a large nose, badly made eyebrows are fat and that kind of thing. But, in addition to a first look at those physical aspects, I stop thinking completely. It is not relevant at all, why throw so many thoughts?
I don't know if the rare is me.
The other arc on which the book is centered is in Nick's homosexuality.
Because his friends are homophobic, his father is homophobic and he himself has pretended to be homophobic for years since his father found him kissing his best friend.
I feel that the first difficult point is actually his father, because Nick depends in every way of him, as all the young people of our parents depend.
The second is himself. Because he has internalized homophobia. In fact, it seems that all the characters have it. They always talk about what is normal in gays and what not. Even when Donick leaves the closet with one of them, their answer is generally: "Ah, that explains the dance." As if wanting to dedicate yourself to dance or be good dancing it was something, although not exclusive to gays, at least not normal for a heterosexual man.
I feel that many stereotypes have been drawn in this book: the rude athletes, the tomboy lesbian, the gay boys who are effeminate. And all this is used as a standard within Nick's school. Forgetting that the same prota is gay and the only stereotype that fills is the thug to hide his identity. But, when it finally comes out, it's not like he stopping to like the things he liked before and suddenly dyed his hair. So why keep saying things like "Ah, that explains the dance"? We are what we are, not for our sexuality or gender. These things do not define our personality or our tastes.
Finally, there is romance.
I like to develop slowly, do not want to give these two boys casual encounters to make them realize their feelings. In fact, half the book both barely and turn to look each other. There is a lot of tension on the part of Donick and a mess of hate on Michael's side, so I think it occurs quite naturally and because of enough stages.
Anyway, romance is not the main thing. Many of their interactions are not narrated, but through the conversations they have with other people are implicit. While I am not very fan of this system when it refers to developing relationships, at least I prefer it to simply tell us that from one moment to another they already love each other, when their interaction has been nil.
However, since there is a conversation where Nick tells Michael that he is making the change for Michael, maybe I lacked a little screen interaction. If you wanted to give importance to romance relating it to Donick's change in attitude, it must have been much more natural.
As I said, Michael spends more than half of the book hating Nick. And I find it annoying, like the grudding person I am, that his friends and family would like to turn his feelings and his past with Donick as if that did not matter. Because while they forgave him for his attitude, they must keep in mind that each person is a different world. Pressing and making him spend time with Nick when Michael did not want to do it, seems like a transgression of the limits he put.
I do not see necessary Michael's point of view in this history, because the story is about Donick and the first two points that I have already been talked about.
necessary
This is demonstrated when, despite the fact that Michael's arch is he wanting to enter the university and the rejection letters he obtains, in the end nothing is reached with that. There is no alternative solution, it only happens. And, although I like it, because it gives a realistic perspective of life in which we do not always get what we want, in the great scheme of events it doesn't matter..
As I said, I have a very strange relationship with what I read and what I like about this history and what I don't like. But, finally, the truth is that I really enjoyed this reading.
P.S. Gil and Liam? Someone helps the poor child ...
PD2. As a lover of Yuri Plisetsky, it seems horrible to me that with a Yuri!!! On Ice theme !!! he has never been named. Otayuri rights!

Sorry for grammage and spelling offenses, I am not a native speaker.

I have...mixed feelings about this one. I don't know if maybe it just wasn't for me, if I've outgrown this type of book, or if my frustrations are valid. I'm going with a 3 out of 5 because I didn't hate it overall, I just disliked every single character at different points in the story.

Initially I was incredibly annoyed at Michael's friends for constantly making him feel like he's not allowed to be angry about the past, but then about 60% through the book I settled on the fact that Michael is just kind of a gigantic asshole and then I agreed with his friends. One scene of him blowing up and being irrational and cruel I could have understood, but we're really starting to push it when it happens upwards of three times.

When it comes to Michael's friends I didn't mind Calista, but I loathed every time Brent was on the page. I don't think constant sexual harassment is a cute character quirk. Nick's old friends are stereotypical homophobes, and an alarming amount of characters are described in dialogue and internal monologue derogatorily by their physical appearance like multiple girls are described by their overweight appearance.

And then when it comes to Nick, I was on board for the entire book. He had me on his side, he was a former piece of shit and people are allowed to change and grow and while I thought a lot of what surrounded that was a bit cheesy, I understood it. But then the final conversation he has while trying to make amends with a person he wronged in the past threw it all out the window, and I couldn't find the redemption in there for him anymore. That was just too big for me to come back from.

And that's where I'm torn, because I honestly can't tell if they're supposed to all SUPPOSED to be different degrees of terrible and it's an example of even the "good" people can be pretty shitty, or if the characters traits aren't supposed to be judged as harshly as I am.

So I've settled on a 3 because I liked the bones of the story, and I liked certain interactions because characters and I don't think it's fair for me to give it anything lower because I truly don't know if I just missed the whole point of the book or what.

This was a unique concept and I enjoyed how well it was written. Nathaniel Shea does a great job in writing this and creating a bunch of realistic characters. I enjoyed every part of the story and getting to know Donick Walsh and Michael. It was a interesting concept and I enjoyed how good the characters were. It does a great job in telling the what ifs.

"My face gets hot. “No,” I say, taking a step back. “I promise. I—I wouldn’t—I mean, I was looking at the pictures was all.” I want to stare suddenly at the secret admirer notes. !at crooked red heart seems to want my eyes desperately. “Your twins—I—I didn’t know about them.”“Yeah well, you wouldn’t, would you?” His nostrils flair. He won’t look at me. When he speaks again, his tone is flat. “Phone call over?” I don’t trust my voice, so I nod. “All right, then get out,” he finishes and crosses to the dresser."

What a great book! I'm not usually a YA reader, but I enjoyed this one from start to finish. The characters were so much more complex and nuanced than most YA authors typically dare to be. I love that the whole story centers around forgiveness and growth - even when forgiveness isn't granted or growth isn't easily achieved.

Donick is such a great character. He wants to be better but has to overcome so much internalized hatred and, frankly, his own well-earned past reputation. I love that his past behavior was actually bad, not in a sanitized way, but in a way that actually is hard to forgive even if it's understandable. His journey toward healing and moving on into the life he's chosen for himself was so well paced throughout the book that it felt believable and earned rather than coming across like a Disney channel movie.

Our love interest Michael, by contrast, is sort of regressing through the book. As Nick becomes a better version of himself, Michael is consumed by his bitterness toward his old friend. This was an awesome way to show how refusing to confront the past can be toxic without giving some saccharine message about forgiveness being the right choice in all scenarios. It was more that not confronting his past with Nick was actually bad for Michael. The progression of their relationship was so interesting, and it never unfolded exactly how I expected!

The side characters in the story were all delightful and contribute to the overall theme. Plus, the entire theater setting was so delightful. If you love broadway, anime, or really anything "nerdy", this book will read like one big hug. It was great to read something from an author who clearly enjoys and understands the subject they're writing about!

All in all, super highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a complex, queer coming of age story!

An interesting story full of twists, turns, fun characters and overall a book I would consider reading time and time again.