Robbie Couch

Elements of the film Groundhog Day arise as Clark, 17, experiences September 19th in a time loop. The difference is that Clark – although he has unresolved issues as with the Bill Murray character - has a further complication – someone is in the loop with him. Will the gorgeous Beau, who makes an entrance on Day 310, make Clark realise his key to escaping a time loop? Or has Beau totally unrelated matters to deal with? Backing him all the way is his divorced parents and little sister. But how many times can a teen take the same day and run with it? Heart-pounding suspense and utterly recommended.… (more)

The Sky Blues is a story that's equal parts fun and heart-wrenching. This novel balances well its themes of found family, forgiveness, and self-acceptance, and immerses us in the particular world of this character while dealing with more universal questions of identity and relationships.

SPOILERS: I was not particularly fond of the "Gay for" t-shirts, but I wasn't bothered enough by it to dislike the book overall (there are plenty of ways my own friends supported me in high school that now makes me cringe). My only other nitpick is that the protagonist describes himself by his Harry Potter "House" at some point, which is not something you're likely to see from the Class of 2021.

Overall this is an enjoyable, affirming book that I'm sure many teens will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a free digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (more)

3.5 Stars

It was touch and go there for a while as I deliberated whether I was going to dislike the main character, Blaine, too much to continue reading. In the end he really grew on me in all his messy glory. This ended up being quite a fun LGBTQIA YA romance set in the vicious world of high school class president elections. After being brutally dumped by his ladder-climbing boyfriend, Blaine decides to become someone worthy of winning him back. Predictable and safe but charming none the less.… (more)