thank you to netgalley and macmillan children's publishing group for this eARC!

i thoroughly enjoyed this book. it was freaking adorable.
powars did an outstanding job writing teenagers that spoke like teenagers. any cringe i felt about dialogue in this book was an “ew high school boy” cringe not an “ew that’s not how high schoolers talk” cringe.

the conflict was great. it was the perfect blend of absurd and realistic; it for sure felt like some silly high school shenanigans. the issues charlie was having also felt very realistic. a teenage boy would one hundred percent hold that kind of grudge. 

the side characters were great. they felt well-developed enough for their level of involvement in the story and they were all so fun to read. there was a really good balance of your classic teen boy and adorable softies.

i didn’t really love jasper by the end the way i usually hope to with romance novels. i don’t think we spent enough time with him after his facade “falls” to really know him as a character. that said, he was very fun to read and he is definitely a cutie.

i kind of hated delilah? to an extent i get it—she’s a teenage girl—but i feel like charlie was too easily forgiving with her. she was kind of a jerk when he was going through a lot and didn’t ever sincerely apologize for it.

all in all, this was so fun to read. it’s exactly what i’m looking for in this style of novel and i will 100% recommend this anytime i can.

The tongue in cheek title really sets the town for the book. It is a great second chance rom-com and the humor is front and center. The only thing that felt a little off for me was the characters were so young. Not to say that teens cannot have deep love and relationships, but the idea that these two had a deep and intimate relationship, separated and then came back together by the 10th grade felt like a little much. At least make them seniors. I loved that it combines typical teenage shenanigans with the love and joy of a traditional romance. The trans and queer rep was great too!

Keeping in mind that this is a YA novel (and therefore suspending my disbelief about the characters being too young for love), it wasn't bad. I really appreciate trans rep in books, especially YA books. But most of the side characters didn't really feel well developed and I don't think there was much resolution to most of the conflicts throughout the book.

What I loved:
- Charlie as a main character! I didn’t always LIKE him, but he felt very real to me. The total trans acceptance was amazing. There was only the fear of transphobia, never demonstrated transphobia.
- The setting! I just love boarding school settings, and a boarding school with a bunch of geniuses? Amazing
- The secret love letter sending club. Kids are so innovative; when they wanna do something, they’ll find a way to do it. So this seemed believable to me.
- The friendships between Charlie and Luis and Charlie and Xavier! These felt like two of the most developed side characters (see below), and I just adored them. Especially the big manly man gym bro Xavier who had a heart of gold.

What didn’t work for me:
- The ages of the characters: to me, this would have worked better if Charlie was a junior or senior in HS (rather than a sophomore). He met and fell in love with Jasper two summers ago, which seems kinda young to me.
- I found it unbelievable that Jasper was still pining over Charlie after two years. Again, he’s a HS sophomore.
- some of the side characters (like Delilah [Charlie’s best friend], Charlie’s mom, even sometimes Jasper) felt one-dimensional and like caricatures. They just fell flat and not fleshed out.
- Jasper grew on me, but his extreme self-centeredness is really off-putting. I mean, posters of himself on the ceiling? And a huge cardboard cutout of himself? We never really get an understanding of why Jasper is this way, but anybody this outwardly obsessed with themselves has a reason for it, don't they?
- The romance didn’t even really pick up until like 88% through the book. And even then we didn’t get to see them together as a couple like at all. So it didn’t even really feel like a slow burn, it just felt mostly non existent.
- OH almost forgot: is it not EXTREMELY weird that Jasper is supposedly one of the "sexiest" poets alive (according to a magazine or something)? He's 15 or 16. There's no discussion of how gross this in the book... are adults voting for a minor in a sexy poets contest? Bc that's v creepy

I would definitely recommend this book! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book!

I thought the title of this one was so fun that I had to read it! And They Were Roommates follows our main character Charlie, a trans teenager who is attending a prestigious but very strict boarding school as a scholarship student. We see Charlie struggles as he deals with rigorous coursework, athletic requirements, making friends and dealing with his roommate who he previously had a fling with at summer camp. We meet a cast of characters from Delilah, Charlie’s best friend who attends a sister school, to Jasper, Charlie’s roommate and a brilliant poet.

Overall, this book was fun and lighthearted! I like Charlie and felt he was the most fleshed out of the characters. He seems very relatable and reminds me of some of my friends growing up. His journey to finding his place at the school is very real and heartwarming. I think most of us have been through times where we felt like we didn’t fit in and the writing really does a good job of putting the reader in that headspace. This is a book I wish we had more of when I was in hi

The dialogue was chaotic and took a little getting used to but I think it was very funny! It gets silly at some points but I think based on the title the reader will know to expect that going into this book! It’s part of the charm!

I had a few issues with some of the supporting characters though because it feels like we didn’t get to properly know all of them, or that some of them were more caricatures of people than actual people. For instance one of Charlie’s new friends is a boy genius who only speaks in medieval jargon and acts like he is a knight for the entire story. I found that quite annoying at first but figured it would let up at some point; however, it continues for the whole book. It feels like some of the bits that were originally funny just were drawn out for too long or maybe were a bit too childish for my liking.

I'm a simple person, I see queer romance with a trans main character, I request. Especially with that cover and title. And I'm so glad I did.

Charlie and Jasper are adorable and made me so incredibly giddy. Charlie is truly doing his best to get through the semester without messing up or getting outed. And Jasper is somehow the correct balance of lovably annoying and dense as a rock, while still ending up really genuine and caring.

The only critique I have is the side characters and Charlie's relationship to them felt flat. I just wish there was more there.

Even so, this book got me out a mental/emotional rut and brightened my week so much I'm sure I looked a little crazy to the people walking past me. With that, I'm planning to read Powars' debut novel when I need another pick-me-up.

Thank you NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ARC.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I selected this one, but I really enjoyed it.

I love to read romance novels from the spectrum of LGBTQIA+, and often it is easy to find MLM or sapphic novels, but the other letters are not always as well represented. This was a great YA romance that featured just that and did so in a meaningful and powerful way.

I'm going to start with my dislikes first. Jasper. I mean he grows on me through the book, but his personality was a little much. I visualize him as a male Galinda with his trunks, bottles, posters, and cutout. I can understand he is "famous," but I don't think most famous people would decorate their room as such, especially when we learn of the reason he is with Charlie.

I also was not in love with the academy itself and the concept of letters. I live in the Northeast where there are boarding schools a plenty. I can't see why such a prestigious school wouldn't want to teach it's students about technology and social media if it's goal is to create future leaders in every industry.

What I did love was the palpable fear Charlie had of being found out. While I can't understand firsthand the feeling of being post transition, I can empathize with how scary it can be for people to know you, the whole you. In the current political climate, this becomes even more important. I really enjoyed Jasper's transition and confusion as he learns it all. I imagine for a teen boy this would be very confusing in terms of sexuality. I see him as almost demisexual. I loved the dialogue between Charlie and Jasper. I also loved watching Charlie go from scared and afraid to realizing people can know him and support him. Not only that, but that everyone else is worried about their own struggles they rarely notice what is right in front of them.

Another aspect I appreciated is how Charlie's mom created a lot of fear for him, almost as though she wasn't fully accepting who he is. In addition, the ridiculous academics is something that needs to calm down. I think the author did a great job at highlighting just how damaging to mental health these schools are, especially for those whose parents can't name a building or have a large connection. I've seen this in students I've worked with before. They begin to fall apart from the constant having to do more and better.

Big kudos to Page Powers. I'm going to look into more of your works!

This was Really sweet. A queer take on she’s the man/ Shakespeare. Also fills the void for the queer elephant Glinda writing.

I was surprised how much I liked it. Though, I will admit that it was slow going at first; but once it gets going, the going gets good.

Charlie is a Trans teen that got suck with a roommate even though he had asked for a single for dorm. You see how he took the time to 'be a boy', and how the other boys accepted him implicitly but he struggled to see that. Felt ever so lonely trying to adjust to new school, keep up with the grades, stress over having a roommate, stress over being found out... the principal threw him in a loop. Not realizing the principal did him a favor. He made great friends, and realized everyone is having similar challenge, doesn't matter if they are rich, smart, or top ranks.

Oh then there's Jasper, whom they've met 'before'. He's smart, top ranks, took little effort and get good marks, popular with other kids. You know the type you love to hate, and jealous of them. Underneath it all, he has a very clear view that he knows the moment he falls from grace, the kids will pile on because they're not authentic.

The dialogue is witty, the band of STIPS are truly a brotherhood. My favorite member is Blasé. This YA really shows true journey of any teen, add trans and awakening in the mix it really shows you growing is not easy for ANYBODY. This is a very tame, not super dramatic way to show/reflect challenges for kids who lives under pressure and give themselves more pressure to do well and achieve what is expected of them. At the end, there are true friendships, true relationships, and true feels in the there.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing for the ARC

Needed a pick-me-up today and I knew this would deliver. While reading, I kept thinking how fun this would be as a movie. It reminded me of She's the Man but with an actually trans main character. Page Powars writes such funny books, verging on ridiculous but with enough heart to still give them enough depth. This has some similarities with his previous book in terms of the secret club only the students know about, but it's also wholly its own thing.

I was so excited when I was approved for an e-arc of And They Were Roommates. The Borrow a Boyfriend Club was one of my favorite books last year so I was stoked to receive the opportunity to read his next release early.

Charlie has been accepted into the prestigious Valentine’s Academy for Boys, a dream come true for him. The only catch is having to keep the fact that he’s trans a secret. Shouldn’t be a problem since he plans on keeping his distance from his fellow peers and managed to snag a single all for himself. Except, apparently, the check for the room never arrived and instead of enjoying solitude in his room he is paired with a roommate. And not just any roommate, but Charlie’s ex from before he transitioned: Jasper. Charlie begins to see all his dreams crumble around him, except, as it turns out, Jasper doesn’t even recognize Charlie anymore.

I really enjoyed this story overall. I will say I did get confused at points, mainly about the school and some of the rules/ traditions, but it was still a fin read! I liked the characters and it was a little angsty at the end, but ultimately had a happy ending. Looking forward to Powers’ next work!

My feelings about this book are somewhat complicated. The representation of transgender teens is important, and I appreciated reading this book because of this. The relationship between Charlie and Jasper was well done and interesting—the conversations when it was just the two of them were layered and felt real. However, the school did not feel realistic or interesting to read about. It took me out of the story. The letters and STRIP also felt like they took away from the main story. The ending felt rushed in relation to how the school began to change. I wish the book had focused on the main dynamic of Charlie and Jasper.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

THIS WAS SOOOO FREAKING FUN AND CUTE!!!

I wil preface and say theres a lot of the world building that you gotta not think too hard about otherwise you’re gonna have a miserable time (the prestigious of the academy, the romanticization built classes, the fact that the whole boys school is have love letters written through 3rd party services 😭) However, if you just accept and don’t question too much of that, this book feel like a cheesy romcom movie, that will have giggling kicking yourself silly.

Charlie doesn't care about romance. He cares about keeping his scholarship to his boarding school and hiding his trans identity. He can keep his cool until he finds out he has a roommate. Not just any roommate, but the guy that kissed him (and several other girls) at camp before Charlie transitioned.

This romance was cute, slow-burned, and fun. I liked the characters. Some of them weren't super believable, but that's ok in a silly YA book. What I didn't like was when the characters got together, they seemed to act like pretty experienced adults. For boys that had barely (or hadn't) dated, and had kissed only a few people, they had moves that would rival some adults. There isn't sex or anything more than making out on page, but I just didn't find the kissing something two awkward boys exploring their first or second relationship would do.

This is one of those books that starts off a bit chaotic but quickly pulls you into its fun, lighthearted energy. At first, it feels like the story isn’t taking itself seriously at all—the character names are ridiculous (in a hilarious way), and Jasper, the love interest, feels like he walked straight out of a cartoon. But as the story progresses, you settle into the vibe and just go with it.

It’s a super fast-paced book, the kind you end up reading in one sitting. The plot revolves around Charlie, a trans protagonist, and his involvement in a love letter mystery (which is such a classic teenage priority, making it even more believable and funny). The way Charlie’s identity is handled is done with a lot of care and respect, and it feels really true to how a 15-year-old would experience those emotions and struggles.

The side characters are definitely a highlight—Delilah, Xavier, Blaze, and Luis all add depth to the story, and I especially liked the reconciliation moments between Charlie and some of them, including his mom and Delilah. And then there’s Jasper, who at first seemed way too over-the-top to be a serious love interest, but as the book goes on, his motivations become clearer, and you get to know him better—turns out, he’s actually really sweet.

In the end, And They Were Roommates is a feel-good book with an adorable romance, a fluffy, silly plot in the best way, and characters that make the whole experience even more enjoyable. If you embrace the chaotic fun, it’s a really delightful read!

dnf at 42% because jasper annoys me i’m so sorry

i *really* tried this one because i wanted to give it the attention it deserves—i’m usually the first person to dnf things because my tbr could stretch from here to neptune, so i gave this one more than my usual 30 page try.

this book is very fluffy and goofy. easy to read. huge ouran hshc vibes. i kept reading jasper’s lines in tamaki’s voice. this book is wonderful in that it’s a trans coming of age story that doesn’t focus on transphobia. unfortunately, because of the silly energy, this one was not for me. but! i have faith it will find its audience, so i still give it a 3/5. i don’t have any actual complaints other than jasper being too much of a goof for my tastes, so i may give it another shot someday. i have a colleague who read this and really enjoyed it, so we will be submitting it as a recommendation for our collections team to acquire when released.

all opinions are my own. thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me an eARC.

The summary of this book was better than the book. I really didn't feel like any romance happened. It was just the main characters scared to be who they were. This was a huge let down.

I loved this book. I am a fan of Page Powars! I loved their first novel, The Borrow a Boyfriend Club. This endearing YA novel is so sweet and will undoubtedly be beloved for so many readers. I loved the two main characters, Charlie and Jaspser, so much. Powars so thoughtfully captures first love and self-love. I smiled from ear to ear, reading this novel.

This really cute. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I really loved the friendships Charlie made during his first few months at Valentine Academy.

As much as I enjoyed Powars' debut, I'm sad to say that I thoroughly disliked And They Were Roommates. This is shock; I requested an advanced copy purely because I thought I'd love this book just as much, if not more. Since this is a negative review, you can expect detailed reasoning on what went wrong for me.

First things first, we have to talk about how eerily similar And They Were Roommates is to Powar's previous novel. In this book, there is yet another student-run secret society aimed at creating romantic connections. If that didn't already happen, I would have been impressed by the idea. Instead, I was frustrated with this apparent plot repurposing.

To add on to that, for me, the romance element failed.

Three years prior, Jasper and Charlie met at summer camp. That's the start of their love story. But as a reader, I saw none of that development. By the time And They Were Roommates starts, Jasper only comes across as self-centered. The suite Jasper now shares with Charlie is filled with life-size photos of himself and endless printed copies of his poems. It's just not cute. From my point of view, there's no build-up to this relationship, so I struggled to comprehend why they ended up together. Plus, knowing the ways in which Jasper manipulated this situation to get what he wanted doesn't scream romantic to me.

As a whole, And They Were Roommates left me with more questions than answers. I might be a massive overthinker but some of these plot holes / inconsistencies are bound to bother other readers.

Mainly: Jasper, and later Charlie, write love letters for their fellow students. But if the campuses are strictly separated by gender, that means these two cannot writes responses on behalf of the girls. So what happens when a girl gets an anonymous letter? Of course she can write her own reply, but if the message was unexpected, doesn't it seem creepy that an unknown guy is hitting on her through a third-party service?

Having said all that, I did enjoy the trans representation. Positive stories with transgender main characters are exactly what the world needs right now, so if you're looking for a YA story about acceptance and found family, check out And They Were Roommates!

Bottom line: The trans rep is the best part of this book...