I was really looking forward to this, but it ended up just being okay for me. It was a bit over the top and the characters were more like caricatures. If you're in the mood for a goofy, lighthearted YA read, this is the move. It's just not what I was expecting or wanting. It didn't help that I didn't really care for the two leads or feel the romance between them at all either. I didn't hate this, but I definitely wouldn't read it again either

"A hilarious, unputdownable second-chance-romance about the most unlikely, gay roommate mishap. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston."

Summary: "Romance is the last thing on Charlie’s mind. On his first day at Valentine Academy for Boys, Charlie’s carefully crafted plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student is set in motion. Only to be immediately destroyed. Charlie has been assigned the worst roommate in the world (possibly the universe): Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned. Except, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie. Who knows how long until Jasper realizes the truth? Charlie has one shot at freedom and a dorm room all to himself, but only if he helps Jasper write love letters on behalf of their fellow students first. No problem. Charlie can help Jasper with some silly letters. Surely, no unintended consequences will arise…"

This book is just comforting, fun, queer YA. Which is must needed! It was so good! and it made me smile so many times. I really liked that it gave me both ends of a trans journey: at times being scared or hiding, but also the joy of acceptance, confidence and love.
Powars touched on subjects like economic disadvantages in academic settings and the toxic competitiveness of academia while also showing healthy "male friendships" and dynamics. It truly was a fresh easy read and I would 100% recommended to friends.

This was such a fun read! Did it give me anxiety over this poor boy stressing himself out to an unhealthy level over getting kicked out of his prestigious all-boys school for a variety of reasons that, while seemingly ridiculous, were valid because people are terrible? Yes! Did I feel kinda bad for the sweet gnome/love obsessed receptionist that he kept lying to? Also yes! Were there a couple of things that felt like plot devices that made me a little annoyed? I mean, yeah kinda. But! The characters were freaking awesome! The pace of the story felt really good too. I just loved how genuinely nice everyone was! The romance was also very sweet and the end was satisfying.

3.5 Stars Rounded Up-

This book was so fun! Romance is a genre I love and hate. Especially teen romance, however queer teen romance is something I will never ever pass up. This story felt like a warm hug. Yes it is predictable, and yes sometimes the characters can feel flat, however I do think that is because is from Charlie's POV and let's be honest... he admitted he wasn't being the best friend. He's a little self absorbed but that does come with the territory of living in fear of being found out, potentially being kicked out for not good enough grades, someone who feels he is carrying the weight of expectation and potential disappointment, and well, always self analyzing to control how you are being perceived.

The ending went as expected without much room for development but I knew because this is that kind of story. I will assume he put in the work to be a better friend and overcome his fears. However that does not discount the story of getting to that point.

The writing was good! It was funny and cringe but that is how these stories go I think. You just have to embrace it and I had a good time going in without much expectations. It was a really sweet story and I am so thankful it skipped the whole transgender trauma tropes (though it did not escape some YA romance tropes). As much as I had a fun time reading this, my stars are relative to not only how well I enjoyed this book but how it made me feel and overall how well constructed it is.

Thank you as always to Netgalley for the EARC and the chance to read this book early!

However campy you think this book is, think campier. No, seriously. There's a twelve-year-old who calls himself Blaze Alpha Destroyer (Of Worlds) and speaks with the cadence and vocabulary of a medieval knight in shining armor in this book, and he's not even close to being the protagonist. I had a splendid (and, at some points, bizarre) time reading this book, and I can't wait to see what Page cooks up next.

4 /5 ★
↳ Definitely teetering between 4 and 4.5 for sure. 4.25? Guess so! But also ∞ /5 because everyone needs to read and share this book and uplift trans kids and their stories and voices!

Date Finished ~ 03.25.2025
★ 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖊 - 𝖒𝖞 𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 𝖒𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖗𝖘 ★

"𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚍. 𝚅𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚖𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞."
"𝙸 𝚋𝚎𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚘𝚗?"
"'𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘. 𝙽𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑' - 𝙸 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 - '𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙸'𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞.'"

𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑺 + 𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑪𝑬 ~
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ FTM MMC
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ Forced Proximity
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ Miscommunication
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ❌🌶️

𝑴𝒀 𝑩𝑰𝑮𝑮𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑻𝑨𝑲𝑬𝑨𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 ~
╰┈➤ And they were roommates? Oh my god, they were roommates.
╰┈➤ This is my first time reading one of Page's books, however I really enjoyed his writing style, and felt his motivation as an author was always clear and consistent throughout the story. I also enjoyed that his characters felt youthful and true to their ages. More often than not, many HS setting books still sound "adult" - but there was an overlying innocence and simplicity to these boys that I believe helped sell the overall messages of acceptance and friendship/found family.
╰┈➤ I absolutely adored the tone of this book, and the banter between the characters. I found myself often laughing to the dry, witty comments the characters made, and absolutely loved Charlie. The book is light-hearted and fast paced, and is definitely going to put a smile on your face.
╰┈➤ Something I appreciated throughout the book was that every student was insecure in their own way, and to the point that popularity is only a perception - and everyone has their own quirks. I think in it's own way too, this shows that hatred is taught, that you aren't born with it. All of these boys found solace in their differences, because they had one another to lean on.
╰┈➤ Something I would love to see explored more is Jasper's supposed animosity to P.M. I felt it was a little blurry between just plain success rivalry or if it was something deeper besides just him leaving out of the blue (which may have been intentional) but I often was lead to believe that Jasper had a crush on P.M. - which I do feel like may have watered down the betrayal he felt and pining he has done for the past 2 years over Charlie. I would also love to see more of Delilah and Charlies friendship, as I felt like we didn't get enough of their relationship before she kind of blew up on Charlie. I LOVED Blaze, Robby, and Xavier though, and love the full scope of diversity shared in this book.

𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫 ~
I recommend everyone read this book, as it is proof that all trans kids want is to be accepted. To be seen and heard, without biases and judgement. I will definitely be reading Page's other published book, and look forward to what he writes in the future!

A fun second chance romance between a trans guy finally going to the boarding school of his dreams, only to be forced to be roommates with the guy who gave him his his first kiss before breaking his heart, a year before his transition.

This is a tricky book to review because I genuinely enjoyed the first half, but as I kept reading, I realized I found it increasingly ridiculous, to the point of becoming annoying.
It’s a fun, fast-paced story, but the same qualities that make it entertaining also make it feel over-the-top and unbelievable. You have to be in the right mood to embrace these exaggerated, caricature-like characters doing absurd things. For me, the novelty wore off, and the exaggerated nature of the story ultimately overpowered my initial enjoyment.

Had to DNF, the main character's roommate was simply to extreme, it felt like reading a cartoon character everytime he was on page. Loved the concept and the main character, but this secondary character completely ruined it for me.

while charlie is trying to keep jasper at arms length and hoping he goes away as soon as possible, he discovers things about jasper that makes him rethink everything. could this lead to their second chance?

this books main focus (to me) is the growth of charlie and finding his place within an all boys boarding school being trans. while he tries his hardest to keep a distance from all males, he ends up developing long lasting friendships and they prove that he fits in perfect and he has his people that like him for him no matter what.

This book was a delight. Page Powars has created a wonderfully relatable story about a trans teenager that most trans teens themselves can find something in to relate to. I found myself laughing and smiling and rolling my eyes while reading this book, which I think is a marker of excellent YA romance. While this book does follow some cliches of the genre, I can easily look past it because queer people deserve books like this. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Thanks to Netgallery I got to read this book as an arc! This book is so cute it the perfect palette cleanser after what I’ve been reading. Plus it a perfect romantic comedy. If you like Ouran High School host Club you will love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan & Page Powars for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a fun boarding school coming of age romance story. The full cast of characters was absolutely delightful and our two leads were so endearing. I loved watching Charlie find his people and his place. I love seeing more trans stories hitting our shelves. Trans folk should see themselves more often in art and others need to learn more about their experiences.

I’d been looking forward to this book for a long time because it sounded like such an interesting premise. Charlie, a young trans guy, is living stealth at his new all boys boarding school only to be put in a room with Jasper, the boy who broke his heart years ago at summer camp. But Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie after his transition. What will happen if he figures out Charlie’s secret… and will sparks fly between the two again as they have to work together writing love letters on behalf of the other students at school?

I’m honestly so sad that I didn’t end up enjoying this book more. But I found it hard to concentrate on the parts I was liking, because what annoyed me about the book just overpowered my reading experience. So many of the side characters were ridiculous caricatures instead of actual people. There were too many kooky, quirky characters and situations for me to be able to feel invested in what was going on because nothing felt real. Additionally, I didn’t feel like the chemistry and romance between Charlie and Jasper was developed enough. It was so rushed at the end. The plot about the love letters seemed like it was overtaking the book to the point where there wasn’t enough time for character development or moving the zany caricatures into fleshed out people.

I think if the book sounds interesting to you and you know that you enjoy a sillier tone in books then this might work for you. The story about academic pressures, being closeted in a traditional institution, and healing from old heartbreak does still shine through all the wacky situations in the book at times.

Want to read something fun, fluffy, and laugh-out-loud funny? Save this for your TBR and pick it up once it’s out! Honestly, this book was just a good time! The characters are heartfelt, quirky, and relatable— and while the story is somewhat predictable and silly at times, it’s still a blast to read and a perfect fluff story for when you need a break from the gloom and doom of reality (or your other reads, depending on your tastes). The cover absolutely matches the vibe of the story, the title is perfect for it, and this book truly delivers what it sought out to achieve. I hope you choose to read this, and enjoy!

“Two roommates. One secret. A lot of love letters.” Charlie is a new student at an all-boys school. He hopes to excel academically and avoid drawing attention to himself. However, everything changes when he encounters Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke his heart before he transitioned.
I don't even know where to start. The characters and storyline connected so well. The sub-story about Strip was unique and well done so well. The tension between Charle and Jasper made me excited to see where the book was going to go. One issue I often find with books is that they tend to resolve conflicts too quickly for my taste. I would have preferred to see the characters reconnect as friends before diving into a deeper relationship. Aside from that, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

If you enjoyed Borrow a Boyfriend club you’ll enjoy And They Were Roommates! It was funny, entertaining, and the pacing was good. I’ll be purchasing a copy for my school library.

As soon as I saw that the MC was a transman, I needed to read it IMMEDIATELY! Trans books have my whole heart.

Charlie just wants to survive Valentine's Academy for Boys, but theres been a mistake, 1. he has a roommate. 2. his roommate is the first person that ever broke his heart. How is he meant to keep his identity hidden with a roommate as obnoxious as Jasper Grimes?

This book was very enjoyable. An easy read, a heartwarming ending, and a lovable cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed the side characters diverse personalities and how they all supported Charlie even if he didn't fully realize their involvement. I felt like Charlie's attitude toward love wasn't always logical, but it only made me want to understand him more. I really related to his mindset as a transman, desperately wanting to blend in, become invisible, and garner zero spotlight. But by letting a select few in, he was able to feel more confident and comfortable.

3.75—This was such a good time! There was something about the setting, the characters, and the various dynamics which were very reminiscent of Ouran High School Host Club. iykyk.

Overall, I felt this had the right about goofiness to offset the stress Charlie is under, and a lot of these moments paved the way for heartfelt connections between him and the other boys. Without them I do not think this would have been as successful of a story, plus it’s funny to see how strange boys can be in their own environment. I also liked that, despite Charlie’s worries, his identity was not made into a crisis by those around him—the other accepted him, the faculty listened, and it didn’t overshadow his experience of just being a boy who is falling in love despite the awkward situation he finds himself in. This was clunky and moody and so representative of being a teenager which was very endearing, though sometimes also meant certain moments felt overblown—but again, teenager. There was a layer of improbability and ridiculousness that simultaneously kept this entire story afloat while also making certain things difficult for me as a reader. (Fine, it was the uniforms. I had to dissociate from what they were intended to look like for my own sanity. I couldn’t get into a romance when they were all dressed like THAT. Sry.)

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an ARC of this to read and review!

1 Sentence Summary: On Charlie’s first day of school at Valentine Academy for Boys, his plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student comes crumbling down when he is assigned Jasper Grimes as a roommate—the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the summer before he transitioned; at least Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie, but how long will he be able to pull this off without revealing himself?

My Thoughts: 3.5 stars rounded up! The whole premise of this book was absurd, but in a funny/entertaining way. My main complaint was that I wasn’t very invested in the romance because I found the love interest, Jasper, to be so obnoxious.

Overall, this was a fun read full of secret clubs, boarding school shenanigans, stress & panic, crazy schemes, poetry writing, new friends, trans representation, and teenage romance.

I did like the author’s first book, The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, a lot better, but this one was still pretty good.

Recommend to: Fans of boarding school romance and love letters.

(Warnings: swearing)

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars is a heartfelt, charming, and refreshingly wholesome YA romance that’s equal parts sweet and hilarious. The story follows Charlie, a trans teen starting fresh at Valentine Academy for Boys, where he’s determined to keep his identity under wraps and just focus on surviving high school. But his plans are immediately derailed when he’s assigned the worst possible roommate: Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke his heart years ago—back before Charlie transitioned. The catch? Jasper doesn’t recognize him. Charlie agrees to help Jasper write love letters for their classmates in exchange for a shot at getting a single dorm room, but of course, spending late nights discussing romance and feelings with your crush (who doesn’t know it’s you) is bound to get messy. The miscommunication between Charlie and Jasper feels so authentic—like, yeah, these are two teenage boys who are bad at feelings, and it’s both frustrating and endearing in the best way.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it handles Charlie’s identity. In a world where trans characters often face overt transphobia in stories, it’s incredibly refreshing to see a narrative where Charlie’s struggles are more internal—centered on passing, fitting in, and navigating his own fears and insecurities. It’s a story that feels hopeful and affirming, and it’s so needed, especially for trans readers looking for representation that doesn’t revolve around trauma. Charlie is such a relatable protagonist, and his journey of self-acceptance and finding love is beautifully done.

Overall, And They Were Roommates is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, and deeply touching read. It’s a story about love, identity, and the messy, beautiful process of figuring out who you are. Whether you’re a fan of YA romance or just looking for a book that’ll make you smile, this one’s a winner. I absolutely adored it!