Hello my lovely readers, it’s been a while again, back to work has kicked my butt again. Anyways let’s not dwell on that, I’m here once again with another one of The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour for Becky Albertalli’s new book, Kate in Waiting and I’m excited to share my review. So before I get into that here is a little bit more about the book.
Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli Published by Penguin on April 22, 2021
Genres: LGBTQ+, Contemporary, Romance
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Goodreads
From bestselling YA rom-com queen Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Love, Simon), comes a new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life and, yes, theatre.
Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not codependent. Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.But when Kate and Andy's latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script. Matt Olsson is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson. Turns out, communal crushes aren't so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson's friendship.
My Review
Let’s start by saying that this is my FIRST Becky Albertalli book! I know I can hear you screaming ‘why!!!!’ – I mean she’s written so many amazing books that as a librarian are constantly off the shelves. I own them I promise you but it’s that never ending TBR that gets in the way. But hey, on a bright note I’ve started my Becky Albertalli reading journey I’m not going to stop now!
Kate and Anderson are life long friends, their friendship gives them life. They are the best version of married couple without being married. They talk about everything, they do everything together, they will always consult one another on life choices or simply what to wear for the day, they are inseparable is what I’m trying to say. During a summer camp they are faced with an even stranger part of their friendship, they share a communal crush, his name is Matt Olsen. Being in theatre, you always told to break a leg, well Kate and Andy would be hopping without each other. When Matt turns up at their high school as a senior, they couldn’t be more happier, or are they?!
This may be a slight spoiler to the plot line but I think an obvsious one. Kate describes the absence of Andy and it pretty much sums up their relationship.
“It feels like standing on the doorstep without a key to your own home.”
It’s quite possible my favourite line because it has so much emotion to what is quite possibly one of favourite queer friendships. I had a friend like Andy in school, and he was there for you no matter what, he made you feel loved and had the best fashion advice. Some girls can be utter bitches which is what Kate had to deal especially with the f-boys and f-girls of the school. Least you know you can rely on Andy for absolutely anything. Kate is also quite possibly blind when it comes to love. Love for her friends and her crushes that sometimes she misses the someone that’s standing right in front of her which I did find a little bit of annoying trait to her character.
As unfamiliar as I am with Becky’s writing, plot line and style of YA, Kate in Waiting has quite possibly the best cast inclusive and diverse characters and I honestly loved each and everyone of them. Noah and Rania being the characters in the spotlight. These characters made me laugh even on the quiet coach of the train. Whoops! I loved her style of writing when it comes to queer YA. It’s not heavy but fun, that will make you smile all the way through and those are the ones I love. If your a fan of Sophie Gonzales, Only Mostly Devastated that I read last year, or a life long fan of Becky, then this super cute, fun, enjoyable YA Rom-Com is the book for you!
Thank you to Dave and Penguin for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
Fab review!