Now he’s trading parties and beach days for community service at a seaside conservation center—fair enough. But thanks to his new reputation, the cute intern, Chip, won’t even give him a shot. Still, Zack finds himself falling for Chip between dolphin encounters and shark costume disasters, which means he suddenly has way more on the line than he ever expected.
Zack may be good at winning on the field, but can he keep up the lie without losing himself? (Pub Date: May 02 2023)
I had my eyes on this book for multiple reasons: cute cover, ownvoice, soccer boy and nerd boy relationship, and so on. And it didn't disappoint me.
3.5 rounded up.
This does have a romance, but I don't think it was the point. Even if the romance isn't just a side story, the plot is really about how Zack needs to find his real self now his team's captain is graduating and he wants to be his successor. But what if he needs to pay a price too high for it? It starts with having to cover for the former captain and then being forced into community service for it. His team is not too happy with the change or with what they believe Zack has done either. And the worst of all, the cute boy he meets on the beach isn't at all in love with the persona Zack has given so much to build, but the real Zack might just be what he needs to attract him.
Meeting people's expectations, finding out what really makes you happy, what the important stuff in life are, that's the journey the book proposes. It is just another YA romance, but it's cute, heartwarming, and a fast read too. Also, a queer romance that doesn't talk about coming out has got to deserve bonus points.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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