This book probably just wasn’t for me. But the amount of times sex is mentioned in the first few pages is just super off putting and for them to go into a relationship when he legitimately only wanted him for sex is just crazy to me. I also hated how casual it was discussed to put yourself in chat rooms or online for sec with strangers. That isn’t normal nor should we act like it is.

"Always Raining Here" is a lighthearted graphic novel that captures someone chasing love in all the wrong ways. Carter is impulsive and goes for what he wants, oftentimes without considering what others might want or even if they want the same thing.

I felt like this story started a little rocky for me. I am glad I continued reading, not only because it was cute and fun at the end of the day but also because we really get to experience character growth in both Carter and Adrian. We see both of them grow into themselves and ultimately into their relationship with each other. If you were to ask me where this shines, that would be where.

If you love graphic novels and lighthearted reads that celebrate queer love and characters I Would absolutely recommend this. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 rounded up to 4/5 stars

Always Raining Here is a romance story about two people who could not be more different. Adrian is quiet and keeps to himself mostly. Carter is a little chaotic and outgoing. An awkward friendship is formed, but naturally turns into something more. Opposites truly do attract and connection is found in the most unexpected ways leading to a story full of sweet moments between two people falling in love.

The art is adorable and the story gets better as it goes on. I think there are a few things that would be considered problematic today, but I have seen that the beginning of this webtoon was originally put out over a decade ago so I think that makes a little more sense. I can’t help but think these characters are sweet even if they are a little cheesy.

I received an e-arc through NetGalley for me to read and review.

If you need a new fix that now that Heartstopper has ended, Always Raining Here will help fill that gap. This queer love story starts out a little hard. But you grow to love the main character. By the end, it’s just so bleeping happy. These are two guys who maybe shouldn’t like each other but they do. There are things about growing up and family expectations. Apparently, this was a Web comic that’s been turned into a full book for First Second. It translates well, but there are occasional jump scenes where it feels like there might be something missing in between. But overall, the story works well. I know once you read it, you’ll want more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

3.5 stars!

I’m not 100% sure I really liked Carter and how he went about trying to get with Adrian. He was really persistent and annoying and borderline creepy at points. I also didn’t really like the art switches. I’d be interested in continuing the story because it seems like their relationship is going to mellow at from the rocky start, but it just wasn’t a great look on Carter. He does seem like a nice guy and he was willing and ready to help others, he’s just a bit of a pest.

3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Overall, this was a very cute graphic novel. Carter constantly harassing Adrien and pestering him for sex at the beginning was a big ick, but I did enjoy the way their relationship developed after that. I didn’t love the art at first, but by the end I really enjoyed it. Since this was originally a webcomic, I suspect there was a decent time gap between the first few chapters being drawn and the last ones being drawn, because it seems like the art got much more consistent in the end.

I loved this story. I found Carter a little insufferable at first, but I'm glad I finished the book because I wound up loving them. The artwork is simple, but cute and enjoyable. I plan on purchasing this book and recommending it to readers. I hope to read more about these characters.

lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5 rounded up to 4

Pretty standard gay slice of life high school comic.. Felt a bit weird how much the main character wouldn't take no for an answer when he was turned down like 20 times - pretty tired of that trope being seen as romantic. I did appreciate the character growth and development over the course of the book and the little mini-comics between chapters.

Adapted from the webcomic of the same name, Always Raining Here tells the story of two gay teenagers, Carter and Adrian. The two seem like polar opposites, yet they are drawn together throughout this quirky graphic novel.. The imagery throughout the book is delightful with many of the images receiving updates from the original online run of the comic. The story is both heartwarming and funny; there were several moments that I genuinely laughed out loud at Carter's antics. With this in mind, I was not the biggest fan of how their relationship began with Carter vying so desperately to have sex despite Adrian's clear rebuttals. Fortunately the rest of their relationship took on a healthier tone and made for someone genuinely sweet moments. The plot felt a little thin but the story was a fun time overall.

Not super interesting but it was okay. i wasn't super impressed with either of the main characters and how they acted.

This was such a cute romance graphic novel.Adrian and Carter are adorable. I hope there is more volumes in this series.

I thought this was a cute graphic novel. There were times I was a little confused by the storyline and the art style changed at times as well (perhaps because this was adapted from a web novel?). Other than that, however, the story was simple, but cute. I read this in a single sitting and, overall, I enjoyed the experience!

A romance story about two queer boys falling for each other in their small Vancouver town. I came to enjoy the story by the end, but definitely was put off by the intensity of Carter's obsession with trying to get Adrian to sleep with him, despite not knowing anything about him beyond his sexuality. It wasn't a great dynamic, and if I encountered someone acting that way in real life I'd try to intervene -- stalking someone isn't cool, actually! If I ignored the first part and just considered how their friendship evolved over the course of the last 3/4ths of the book, though, Carter turned out to be a good kid and he and Adrian genuinely cared for each other by the end of the book. Maybe if I think of it in light of the teen movies I grew up watching I'd be more okay with how things play out in the start?

A debut YA graphic novel featuring two gay Vancouver teen. high school boys who find themselves being friends then more despite their opposite in every way natures. This was cute, messy and full of drama but also relatable and romantic. Highly recommended for fans of the Heartbreaker series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I am really sad that this did not meet my expectations based on the cover art and synopsis. The lack of consent and toxicity are just too much to look beyond here. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I can take it or leave it. The boys live in a rundown town and Carter is a sex-starved queer kid. He doesn't have much in the way of avenues and wants to turn to the internet (which places this book not in the contemporary realm but a little earlier than that-- which can also be gleaned through the toxicity of his language toward Aidan, the new boy he's approaching).

Obviously the plot is a developing relationship between the boys as an enemies to lovers graphic novel, but it wasn't strong in any area-- basically forgettable. While I like that the art isn't cookie-cutter, it also doesn't sweep me up in the story any more than the dialogue does. But it's authentic dialogue for a horny teen boy who goes to parties. That's what I like since I always appreciate realistic portrayals of teen experiences as options for accessing through text.

3.5 rounded up for the cute vibes. This graphic novel can't help but be compared to Heartstopper in that we have two boys in high school from different friend groups who catch feelings after spending time together and learning more about each other's actual lives outside of the image they put off in school. It would have benefitted from a little more depth into the struggles each boy was experiencing - making the journey from webcomic to full length novel should have involved some more resolution for various plot points, such as the unhealthy situationship Adrien is in at the beginning, and the school pressures they each feel about their parents and their futures. I loved the way Carter came in all sexually aggressive and in his pursuit of changing Adrien's mind about giving him a chance he ended up falling into a relatively PG connection before the DTR conversation. Great for fans of Heartstopper and Seven Days.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!

Didn't love this one. <spoiler>The art was cute, although the switches between the full pages to the four-panel vignettes was sometimes a bit jarring. The plot focus on consent was sort of brushed over -- I get that we're supposed to see Carter's growth of character as he really starts to fall for Adrian, but it doesn't quite hit right all the same. The side characters are rather flat, and only seem to appear when there's exposition to be shared. Not a bad book overall but perhaps just not for me!</spoiler>

This is a cute story of not just love but friendship. I saw that the webtoon came out years ago. I am glad that I came across this and I wish that there was more to their story. Maybe the authors will come out with more stories for these boys.