Happy Sunday my bookish friends, today I’m really excited for my stop on the Ultimate Blog Tour with The Write Reads for debut novel, Straight Expectations. My first book of May and what a brilliant start to the month. Before I head into my review here is a little bit more about the book.
Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan Published by Penguin on May 4, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Love & Romance
Amazon | Waterstones
Goodreads
The brilliant debut novel from author, presenter and LGBTQ+ advocate Calum McSwiggan!
Seventeen-year-old Max has always been out, proud and just a little spoiled. Frustrated by the lack of romantic options in his small-town high school, during an argument with his lifelong best friend Dean, Max lashes out and says he wishes he had never been born gay.
Max gets more than he bargained for when he wakes up to find his wish has come true - not only have his feelings for boys vanished, but so has Dean.
With his school life turned upside down and his relationship with his family in tatters, Max sets out on a journey of rediscovery to find a way back to the life he took for granted, and the romance he thought he'd never have.
Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Sex Education.
Another book I didn’t really know what to expect. Opening the first few pages on my kindle and I knew I was going to love it. It instantly it gave me Boy Queen by George Lester and Heartstopper vibes.
Max is loud and proud at school, he has a massive crush on an Oliver Cheng in the football squad but he isn’t brave enough to ask him. He has the best group of people around him and being surrounded by his talented friends Dean and Alicia he takes it for granted. He shines with pride but he’s lost himself along the way and he wants everything to be there for him on a silver platter. He wishes he could have a normal straight life, like they have it easy romantically. His wish comes true in more ways than one when the next day he wakes up in an alternate universe a girlfriend and no best friend. Now his feelings are more mixed than ever, but first to find his way back he embarks of a journey of self-discovery.
I loved every part of this book. It sort of reminded me of a queer Christmas Carol instead of ghosts we had an alternate universe and Cinderella, Max was waiting for the glass slipper to fit. Most of all I loved ALL of the characters, they each brought something to the book, they each formed Max’s personality. I loved Alicia, arty people together. Dean is just hilariously fabulous in every way, he has the most infectious persona that you can’t help but smile. Even to Mrs A the drama teacher that sows the seed to where Max’s journey should start. Oh and there was a librarian called Imraan too. Us librarians stick together.
Calum McSwiggan has a brilliant way of writing that I adore. He really captures the struggles of being a teenager whether that’s finding out who you are, relationships and or the pressure of your future. This is perfect for my students and I would highly recommend this as a librarian/reader. Straight Expectations is a vibrant, comedic, exploration of finding your identity, finding who you are and where you fit in. Read this book with Pride as I did. It’s a loveable book from start to the beginning.
My little contribution to the cause. maybe they’ll find their way into the hand of the rich kid and help a little, but even if not at least they make the library a bit more colourful. – Imraan, Librarian: Straight Expectations
Thank you to Penguin Platform and The Write Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.
