This is unfortunately a DNF for me. I have tried three times to read this. Including the audio book. But I just cannot get into it. I do like underhills writing. This story was just not for me. I think the falling in love in one day trope can work but it doesn’t in this instance.

Sunshine and grumpy, being lost and finding yourself and great representation!

What I loved most about this story is the powerful parallel between being lost and getting lost. Leo feels unseen and misunderstood, with his family unaware of his trans identity and others constantly misgendering him. Abby is equally lost, caught up in a romance novel fantasy while secretly in love with her best friend, Kat. Everything changes when they both get lost on the New York subway.

I’ve always had a soft spot for romances with wild, impossible scenarios but relatable characters. It’s the appeal, right? While these things may never happen in real life, the characters feel real enough that the story feels closer to home.

First and foremost I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book. These thoughts are all my own.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. As someone who has struggled to label myself to fit into the box that society excepts, I completely resonated with the FMC. This was such a beautiful read that spans over just a few hours. I found myself longing to find out what happens next.

This book was cute, sweet, and swoony. It was an adventure in the big city perfect for teen readers, and I’d happily recommend it to anyone who wants a book celebrating New York.

Rating: 3.5

I'd like to acknowledge that this book was not written for me and that if I was a teenager, I probably would have loved it. That being said, I thought it started losing steam a little over halfway through and the writing got a little repetitive. Other than that it was good.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

From the exciting setting that is New York, the utter chaos of trying to capture memories in the busy city, to the way the characters are willing to go to great lengths for those they care about, this book was such a joy to read!

Cute story about fate! This Day Changes Everything is a romcom meet cute young adult romp. I enjoyed the journey of Leo and Abby. It was a lot of fun as information was parsed out and the characters bonded. Their issues are discussed in depth as people flow in and out of their path. I really liked the souvenir collection, but not the result of it (chuckle - trying not to give anything away).

The secondary cast is used to provide information or another point of view. Edward Underhill doesn’t shy away from the ignorance within our own rainbow circle and how we deal with it and grow.

Overall, their day is touched by magic just like the movies. The story can lag at times as there are a lot of details and both characters share their thoughts on the same events. Just like a movie there is a big finish so wait for it. This Day Changes Everything will have you smiling at the end.
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The diversity and range of characters in this book was wonderful. The setting of New York was fun and helped facilitate a visual for me while reading the book. Most of all I loved the queer representation and how it was discussed and handled.

I snapped this title up because of the setting and the premise - I am a sucker for a holiday-themed read. It did not disappoint. It gave me all the feels this past Thanksgiving. I fell in love with the characters. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and funny romantic comedy

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy and the opportunity !

This was a fun book that made me want to visit New York. It really was like a modern day queer Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I loved that movie so I definitely had high expectations for the book.

While fun, this also covers some deep topics about identity and what it’s like to be a Queer teenager.
Something to keep in mind with certain triggers.

Overall i really enjoyed it and love the work of this author.

Edward Underhill's This Changes Everything is a charming and heartwarming coming-of-age story that captures the magic of New York City and the excitement of young love. It's a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected encounters can lead to the most meaningful connections.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! Abby is going on a band trip to New York, New York, and even more exciting and nerve wracking she is going to confess her love to her best friend, Kat. During the band tour of the city that never sleeps she ends up getting on the wrong train and finds herself with another teen, Leo, a trans boy, that made the same mistake but from a different high school band. After Abby tells Leo her plans he decides that they could go around to different places in New York and pick some souvenirs up for Kat. They explore New York and even though they are looking for presents to gift Kat; Abby and Leo end up falling for each other.

This was super cute, I found the characters a tad annoying at points but nothing deal breaking, it’s an adventurous coming of age LGBTQ+ YA romance that I think people should definitely read.

Truly tugged on my heartstrings and also made me want to live in New York! Underhill is a master at his craft!

This book is a love letter to NYC and Queerness (two of my favorite things).

Abby has spent the last few months on tumblr trying to figure herself out - is she gay? is she a lesbian? At the least, she definitely knows she's in love with her best friend, Kat. A hopeless romantic of sorts, she clings to this romance novel they shared, taking place in NYC, as the perfect way to come out and tell Kat she's in love with her. The perfect setting is NYC on her school's marching band's trip as they're preparing to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. She finds a signed copy and annotates it and is just waiting for the universe to give her the sign that now is the time.

Leo has spent the last few weeks dreading the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade trip with his school marching band. He's been interviewed at home and he's going to be on live television as Leo, but his extended family still knows him as "just a tomboy." Stuck in the middle of family politics, his identity has been hidden from his family outside of his parents and his sister. They can no longer deny that he's a boy once he's on TV and the hometown news interview happens. And he doesn't know what this means.

But then the universe intervenes and they step on the wrong train and get thrown out of all their plans with their own marching bands. One mishap after another, they start exploring NYC together, seeing all these places definitely not on their itinerary, but making the trip so special. Just one day that they get to spend in New York City, going from Union Square to Chelsea Market to Chinatown to the Empire State Building. One day of some kind of magic, where they get to just be themselves, be seen, and also learn more about themselves than ever. A day of adventure just for the two of them.

This book will hold a special place in my heart as a queer girl who spent a year in NYC when I was still figuring myself out and feeling more comfortable in my identity. A city as big as New York is a place where you feel like you are everything and you are nothing, both at the same time, and how special that can be. A place where you can run into other queer people without trying to, and fitting in regardless. A place where dreams can happen, even if they're different from how you imagined.

I was captivated the whole time and loved spending the day with Abby and Leo, seeing how different their experiences are, really leaning into who they are as people, really learning to just be themselves, even when it might mean being a little messy. Highly recommend this book, and a great way to get a little "festive" around Thanksgiving.

2.75 stars, rounded up to 3.

I adored Underhill’s first book and was hoping I would love this one as well but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. There’s a line between being grumpy and being a jerk, Leo fairly consistently fell on the side of just being a jerk. I also felt we never actually got to know him. The romance wasn’t good, very much felt like a switch being flipped.

Cant fully elaborate, but this felt like a romance film from the 90s set in NYC in the best way. Of course, it was also super queer and had this lovely coming of age story.
Obsessed with how we know Edward Underhill is a musician with each book he writes. I need more marching band romances in my life.

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill is a heartfelt and moving YA novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery. Following the story of a young protagonist facing life-altering choices, it delves into how a single day can reshape our lives. Underhill’s writing is both poetic and relatable, making the journey deeply impactful.

This one really wasn't for me. I have a hard time with books about fangirls and love stories between strangers who just got to know each other, but I wanted to give this a shot because I really liked Edward's previous book. Unfortunately, I really wasn't the target audience for this one.

*This Day Changes Everything* follows Abby and Leo as they arrive in New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, only to lose their respective bands and board the wrong train together. Abby is optimistic about the day, believing it will be magical, while Leo approaches it with hesitation.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Leo, a trans character, navigating his feelings as the "Logistical Headache," while Abby, an avid romance novel fan, seeks her own happy ending. The story features authentic discussions of queerness, with both characters being somewhat unlabeled, providing refreshing representation.

The whimsical New York setting adds depth to the narrative, making it more engaging. The romance between Abby and Leo is sweet, effectively using the grumpy/sunshine dynamic and other beloved tropes. Although the 24-hour romance trope isn’t usually a favorite, the pacing kept it enjoyable. Overall, it’s a charming story filled with relatable characters and heartfelt moments.