Hi everyone!
After a break from blog posts, I'm so happy to finally be back with a Book Your for a wholesome and endearing YA romance- Nate Plus One by Kevin Van Whyne.
Book Info:
Release Date- 10 May 2022
Genre- YA contemporary
Rep- LGBTQ, Black MC, Indian American LI
The gorgeous new feelgood LGBTQ+ romantic comedy from the author of Date Me, Bryson Keller!
Synopsis
Boy plus boy. Two weeks in Johannesburg. A summer of music, adventure, self-discovery . . . and definitely not love. What could go wrong? Nate needs a date to his cousin's wedding. Jai is Nate's best friend and secret crush. Could Jai be Nate's plus-one--and only? Nate Hargraves is a behind-the-scenes kind of guy. That's why he dreams of being a songwriter instead of a singer. But things change the summer after junior year as Nate gets ready to fly to South Africa for his cousin's lavish destination wedding. The trip is bound to be epic. Except--Nate just found out that his ex-boyfriend will be at the reception. Ugh. He does not want to face this one solo. Jai Patel, Nate's best friend (and secret crush), has his own problems. The lead singer of Jai's band, Infinite Sorrow, quit weeks before a contest that promised to be their big break. But Nate rocks Jai's world when he agrees to sing with the band. Even though Nate's not one for the spotlight, he knows this is the kind of stuff you do for . . . friends. In return, Jai volunteers to be Nate's travel buddy around South Africa, a buffer against his ex, and his plus-one at the wedding. Maybe this summer will be epic after all. Now that Nate's crush is on board, will love crash the party? Fall in love with this joyful, swoon-worthy rom-com by the author of Date Me, Bryson Keller.
My Review
RATING- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nate Plus One is the kind of sweet, wholesome read that you come back to lift your spirits and warm your heart when you've just finished reading a really fantasy book that fizzled a few of your brain cells. It's really just a simple, maybe a bit predictable YA romance story. It's cute, it's quirky and hilarious. We have our main character, Nate, who is a young teenager boy who's got a tiny crush on his best friend and is too nervous to think about it (story of their life, right?). I love a good friends-to-lovers, and this book did it perfectly. This book also talked a bit about the racism, sexism, apartheid law and the history of South Africa. It's not really heavy and just briefly skims over these topics, but I I felt like it was a very relevant thing to touch on because of the character's background. Nate is a likeable, relatable character from the get-go, and you're endeared to him and his friend group. It deals with all the messy teen anxiety, coming out, family expectations and friendship. It felt very relatable and wholesome and comforting. I think that if you are are dedicated YA reader, this is going to be the perfect slice of cake for you. But if you're not, the writing feels like a little disorienting because it definitely is simpler, but once you're a few chapters in, its the same feeling of setting in an armchair.
About the Author
Kevin van Whye was born and raised in South Africa, where his love for storytelling started at a young age. Kevin is the author of Date Me, Bryson Keller. He lives in Johannesburg, and when he’s not reading, he’s writing stories that give his characters the happy rom-com endings they deserve.
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Until next time,
Bye!