Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on April 12, 2022
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
High school junior Blaine Bowers has it all—the perfect boyfriend, a pretty sweet gig as a muralist for local Windy City businesses, a loving family, and awesome, talented friends. And he is absolutely, 100% positive that aforementioned perfect boyfriend—senior student council president and Mr. Popular of Wicker West High School, Joey—is going to invite Blaine to spend spring break with his family in beautiful, sunny Cabo San Lucas.
Except Joey breaks up with him instead. In public. On their one-year anniversary.
Because, according to Joey, Blaine is too goofy, too flighty, too…unserious. And if Joey wants to go far in life, he needs to start dating more serious guys. Guys like Zach Chesterton.
Determined to prove that Blaine can be what Joey wants, Blaine decides to enter the running to become his successor (and beat out Joey’s new boyfriend, Zach) as senior student council president.
But is he willing to sacrifice everything he loves about himself to do it?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Robbie Couch has a gift for writing intimate stories that draw the reader into the protagonist’s cares and concerns. Within the first pages, Blaine had become real to me, and I was cheering for him—along with his cool friends and cool aunt—even as I anticipated the messes to come. And when the messes struck, I cried with him.
Blaine is surrounded by a diverse cast of loving, supportive friends and family. Friends and family—and a slow-burn romantic interest—who accept and support him, but who also let him know when he steers off course. (With much banter and smirking and flirting.) What’s more, even the antagonistic characters (i.e., Zach, Joey) have dimension. I love how Blaine and View Spoiler » find common ground, despite their apparent differences, and begin to grow a friendship. The community also takes on a life of its own as Blaine’s journey to discovering the Serious Guy in himself takes us through his little pocket of Chicago.
Blaine for the Win explores the complexities and messiness of everyday life. As the story follows Blaine out of his comfort zone, it delves into the wellness struggles of school/teen life (and let’s face it, adults can relate!), the desire for success and need for belonging, and the coming-of-age journey to finding the Serious Person (i.e., the passion that fuels our purpose) inside of us.
This book is sweetness-overload. I had a blast and cannot wait to read Robbie Couch’s next book!
Diversity: View Spoiler »
Five Takeaways
- There is no one image of a Serious Guy (or Girl). Whatever you’re passionate about and pursue—that is what makes you serious.
- Get yourself a BFF like Trish, who’ll support you because she cares, but will also tell you to your face what you’re doing wrong (i.e., what will come back to hurt you). (See where she agrees to be his campaign captain.)
- “Let’s Talk.” Or, listen—actually listen—to people. Put you yourself last when the other party opens up and you’ll hear what’s (actually) going on. A real leader listens to the people, then builds a platform to help fulfill their voters’ needs.
- You can start something for the wrong reasons, but find the right reasons to continue.
- Mental wellness matters. Everyone needs a Wellness Initiative.
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