CWs: sibling death; ableism and internal ableism; misgendering, deadnaming, and transphobia; homophobia; bullying; racism; references to sexual harassment/assault; references to abusive parents and divorce; underage drinking; infidelity; graphic physical assault

This book is not a rom-com. It's a story about two hurt, twisted, angry rivals projecting all of their pain, rage, and deep-seated need for affirmation onto their school's race for homecoming king. It's intense, and the stakes are higher than I've ever seen in a story like this. If You Should See Me in a Crown had an evil twin on the polar opposite side of the emotional spectrum and then had a baby with The Witch King, you would have this book.

I think this is a really important addition to the YA contemporary canon, especially as a piece of trans fiction, but I can already tell that it's going to be polarizing and get a bad rap for having "unlikeable" characters. It's definitely one of those narrative car crashes you can't look away from, and I think I kind of loved it. With that said, I'm still processing what that means.

As I said, May the Best Man Win is a story that centers two angry, grieving, messy teenagers who don't know where to place their rage and their frustration when it feels like the world is taking away their control, and so they project all of that onto each other, especially when they already have a challenging history as exes. Each of them knows the other person "can take" their ugliness and their anger, so they pour all of it into this homecoming race. Is it healthy? No. Does it set a "good example"? No. But it does make sense.

And when I say that they're truly battling it out for Homecoming King, I don't mean some light sabotage, spying, or shenanigans. I mean they are actively trying to hurt one another and hurt each other's chances, and they do things that could potentially harm themselves and other people, both physically and emotionally. There are times when they definitely cross the moral line, and it's purely because there is so much at stake for each of them. It is an ugly battle between two ruthless, unforgiving exes, and truth be told, that take-no-prisoners approach was one of the biggest draws of the story for me, because the book is not attempting to romanticize or sanctify either character, which is something we rarely see especially in queer YA fiction.

Jeremy is a really fascinating character to me, because he is so terrified and isolated, and a lot of his fear and anger stems from the fact that he's afraid no one will truly love him while seeing him for his transness. He's also grieving, in a way, because he's mourning the life he was never allowed to have until coming out and transitioning, and also the femininity and feminine spaces that he's had to give up in the process of transitioning. Above all, the story does such job of commenting on how transmasc people, specifically, are in danger of adopting toxic masculinity as a means to shield ourselves and "successfully" pass, if our goal is to pass.

The story really looks at how Jeremy has had to distance himself from all things "feminine"—not just clothing and make-up, but even "feminine" behaviors and attitudes such as softness, empathy, generosity, and openness—just to be awarded the badge of "manhood" on cis men's terms. And it's not that he necessarily wants to disconnect himself from those things, but he feels like he's not allowed to have them or express them, because that opens the door to people invalidating his identity. And no, that shouldn't be the case, but that's the way it is. So he adopts a lot of aggression and even violence because he thinks if he can't get people to see him as a man, maybe he can get them to fear him as a man, because he thinks fear is a shortcut to respect.

So there's a lot tied up for him in this competition, because he sees winning the crown as getting his classmates and the school administration to not only see him as a man, but like him as a man enough to vote for him, and to see him as a man who deserves to *win* and not merely exist. There's equally as much tied up in the homecoming race for Lukas, who is grieving the loss of his brother and wanting to prove to his family that he can secure a future for himself as a queer Autistic person, since winning Homecoming King pretty much guarantees an acceptance to an Ivy League school. Not only that, but his family is falling apart because of his brother's death, and his parents are on the verge of divorce. So he's also trying to prove that he can be a source of pride and happiness for him just like his brother was.

When you take all of those layers into consideration, you realize it's a lot. It's dark, it's fucked up, and it's not right to put all that on the shoulders of two teenage boys. And yet, that is exactly what the world does. This story understands that we don't simply arrive at realizations, we come into to them, we bring our baggage into them along the way, and how we come into the decisions we make is just as important as the decisions themselves. And, in truth, the process of coming into ourselves and our choices is not always palatable, neat, or clear-cut, and that's okay.

This story touches on so many valid issues and dangers that transmasculine people face, more than I can possibly address in this review. But it's also about what comes next after the breaking point, why it can feel so scary and impossible to ask for love, and how to use anger and action in productive ways. The main thing I took issue with is the pace of the romance, because that switch from rivalry to second chance romance felt a bit underdeveloped in the space given. And, by extension, I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending note either, which felt a little incongruous with the tone of the story and the characters.

With that said, I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it, and I think it's going to be such a gift and a necessary offering to young trans readers.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this to review! It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, but not in a bad way! Just much heavier than I was expected. But there are a lot of great issues discussed in here, and it has a lot of other great things going for it!

Let’s start with the good things! This book has a great cast of diverse characters (even if the main characters aren’t the most likeable, more on that below). I especially liked Sol; they were a great foil to Jeremy and Lukas and often a voice of reason. Ellor also captured the elite high school feel, down to the homecoming competition and the feel of the book. It felt authentic and gave the characters a great backdrop.

Ellor also focused a lot on character growth, and man, did these characters have so much room to grow. Jeremy was very angry for most of the book, internalizing a lot of toxic masculinity traits that are sometimes hard to read. I do think he changed by the end of the book, even if he still has a long way to go. He’s still just a teenager! Lukas is also angry, though not as fiery as Jeremy. They both have hurt feelings that could definitely use therapy, and maybe they’ll get it in the future!

Now, the negatives. One of my main complaints is the pacing. A lot of parts felt dragged out, while the ending felt a bit rushed to me. Especially the reconciliation between Jeremy and Lukas. I specifically wanted that aspect of the plot to be…slower? It’s scrunched into the last quarter of the book and I wanted more of them working out their problems. With each other and their friends.

Also, I absolutely loathed the AP Bio teacher. She deliberately makes tests that students can’t pass and I hate teachers like that. Like, how is any student learning anything? And she was so unwilling to work with Lukas when he said he needed his laptop to take notes. Lukas is autistic, and even though he hadn’t really informed the school, she still should have been willing to work with him. That’s what teachers do.

I’m not sure that I can comment on the authenticity of the representation of Lukas’s autism, so I would seek out own voices reviews for that. But al in all, even if this wasn’t the rom-com I was expecting, this is a strong debut and I can’t wait to read more from ZR Ellor in the future.

I received this book from the publisher/tour company in exchange of an honest review.... sadly... I couldn't finish this one. I mean, I loved the plot, I loved Lukas/Lucas, I liked that Lukas/Lucas had autism (and he was at points quite relatable and I am happy to see a person with autism who isn't like Sheldon for once as that is how autism often gets shown), I love the whole Homecoming thing (something we don't have in our country so I love books about it and seeing how crazy things can get. All those things were great. All those things would be a reason for me to give this book a 4 stars.
HOWEVER, Jeremy just ruined it all for me. Constantly judging people, making weird remarks (like calling someone a fuckhead, or saying things that he wouldn't tell the cheerleading team about the girl who is lesbian but then also remarking that no one talks to him anyway), making comments about cis people while seriously dude, people don't hate you for you being trans, they hate you because you are a fucking dick who plays with everyone and don't care if it hurts someone. I mean, Jeremy is just a horrible person. I am sorry if that is harsh, but it is the truth. If Jeremy was just a character in the book and we would see him at times I would have probably read on. But he is a main character and his POV just wasn't my cup of tea, with each page I just wanted to yeet my ereader to the wall. Jeremy needs to face reality and maybe just be there for his friends and be kind, instead of using them and then being shocked people are angry.

A huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley.

Although this book has a super bright and cute cover, don’t let this book fool you. “May the Best Man Win” is not your average exes to enemies to lovers and contains a deep commentary on coming out as trans, dealing with people from your past and what it means to face your feelings head on.

Z. R. Ellor’s debut novel centers around exes, Jeremy and Lukas. Jeremy is a transitioning cheerleader who just wants to be taken seriously. Lukas is dealing with the aftermath of his older brother’s death that has left his family in shambles, despite him not being the greatest brother. Bitter from their break up, the two end up competing for the title of homecoming king which forces them to take a look at themselves, the school around them and the relationship that came to an abrupt and bitter end.

“May the Best Man Win” tackles a lot of issues that strikes a chord with readers from almost any background. Jeremy faces a lot of pushback and blatant transphobia that at first made me uncomfortable and angry. But as I read it, I realized that was one of the major points of Jeremey’s character. This book does not sugarcoat the transphobia and low-key attacks that trans people likely deal with on a normal basis. In addition to transphobia, the book relays a number of messages about college admissions and high school hype that high schoolers, seniors especially, can resonate with. In addition to Jeremey’s story, Lukas’s story with his family is one readers can sympathize with.

Both boys face a number of struggles that all come back to fitting in and being seen as equal. This message has stuck around the longest after having finished it and becomes clearer the longer readers sit with the book. But with every good message, there are bound to be some not so great qualities of a book and this one definitely has a few.

Although I can look back on the book and see what it was doing, the reading experience is at times exhausting and frustrating to say the least. As readers learn about Jeremy and Lukas’s relationship in the past, frustration towards both of them (though Jeremey in particular) grows and they become unlikable main characters. Jeremey’s motives are never fully explained either as he constantly reflects on how upset he was at his actions and the decisions he made.

And perhaps the biggest struggle I had with the book was that I could not, for the life of me, keep the characters straight in my head. Common friends among both of them shop up and flip sides as to who they’re mad at, that for the first 57% of the book I was wondering which character was which. This is topped by the fact they talk about the other so much that it gets lost as to whose perspective the chapter is in.

Despite these struggles, the book manages to pull itself together at the end for a fitting and semi-relieving ending.

The Verdict

“May the Best Man Win” shows that Ellor has potential in this genre. Though his debut novel does a wonderful job at tackling bigger issues revolving around higher education and their attitudes towards the LGBT+ community, it is equally met with unlikable characters and a complicated reading experience. Overall, this book is good and worth a read through, but be prepared for a more intense reading experience than the cover may lead you on to believe.

Final rating: 3.5/5 stars

There was a lot I really liked about this book.
First off, the correct terminology and representation of the trans but also LGBTQIA+ community. For that reason alone I believe people will like it.
Second, Jeremy is a character who is easy to connect to. I worried I wouldn’t connect to a trans story but honestly, I have a new appreciation for what each person might go through during transition.
What I didn’t like about the story was actually just the main plot. I did not care enough about homecoming and who was voted in. I liked everything else about the story but found myself bored with the pettiness and stupid things they would do to each other.
All in all it was an eye opening read for the trans information but I couldn’t connect with the story.

I want to start by saying that the way this book was marketed from the cover, synopsis, and where I saw it pushed made me think it was a contemporary teen rom-com with a trans main character. It was not at all. This was a much darker, heavier book than I expected. Death of a sibling, internalized ableism, and intense transphobia doesn’t make a strong basis for a rom-com. I was reading this during a two-week break between college semesters and honestly, I wanted a light, fluffy, read and thought that this book would be that for me but it definitely was not.

I also found myself unable to root for either main character because they were both just awful humans who seemed to enjoy sabotaging and destroying everything they touched. I found myself constantly questioning why Jeremy didn’t just wait the year to come out start transitioning after waiting this long, and just give himself a fresh start in college. His indignant response to being bullied for being trans was a bit laughable because coming out as a senior when you’re the cheerleading captain and expecting no resistance/transphobia seemed like a stretch. His assumption that Sol’s life was somehow amazing and wonderful even though they were out as non-binary but his sucked as a trans guy seemed like willful ignorance and thinking that because Sol wasn’t as popular and therefore less visible, that Sol’s life was allegedly better than his when it’s likely that Sol’s life is worse with no one fearing bullying them because of their popularity.

How Lukas’s autism was addressed and his refusal to utilize resources that would have made his life easier rubbed me the wrong way as a disabled student who has used accommodations since elementary school without it being a big deal. If Lukas’s autism was severe enough to bother getting diagnosed, the most likely reason to even bother getting an official diagnosis is to get accommodations in school.

As a current college kid and a recent high school grad, I can confidently say that the idea that homecoming king/queen just get to automatically go to Ivy League schools because the alumni are rich and have connections is fake, at this point your application has to have something extremely unique and impressive to even be waitlisted. The idea that students wouldn’t be using technology to take notes in school is also laughable. Recently technology has become more and more of a natural part of the classroom and I have been using it without issue in the classroom for at least six years currently.

#NetGalley #MayTheBestManWin
I thank NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review :)
All I have to say is this....everyone pick this book up when releases.
You absolutely will not be disappointed 🙌🏼

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

May the Best Man Win excited me due to its fun premise, evoking similar vibes to other queer books I liked, such as You Should See Me in a Crown or The Henna Wars. And even if there was a suggestion that one or both leads would be a bit messy, why shouldn’t they be?

And on their own, the characters are indeed a strong point. Jeremy has recently come out as trans, and I really felt for him as he experienced lack of acceptance and worse from family and peers. From his mother who would always see him as a daughter to the classmates who either misgender him at worst or struggle with their perception of him now that he’s transitioned. Even though he’s not perfect and he makes messed-up choices himself, I could empathize with his worldview and reasoning for doing what he did.

I also liked Lukas. I liked the nuance to him trying to negotiate his feelings around Jeremy and his gender identity, especially as the two of them were in a relationship prior to Jeremy’s transition. The statement that he still saw Jeremy as the same person, despite having transitioned, was reassuring. He’s also dealing with his own issues of grief at the loss of his brother and the fact that he’s also different from others due to being autistic also makes him a compelling character.

But when it came to their interactions with each other and even some of the other characters (like Lukas dating a girl he and Jeremy both know and then kissing someone else), I found myself a bit turned off. And the fact that they basically spend most of the book making assumptions about each other (including when Jeremy gets jealous of the aforementioned kissing, due to the guy looking like him, except that he’s cis). It comes together at the end, but even though I understand the point to an extent (they’re teens, they’re not going to act like “rational” adults!) I still wanted more communication and less drama.

I did enjoy this book, although with caveats, due to the drama and the heavier themes not hinted at by the peppy rom-com branding. I do think a lot of readers will enjoy this, especially those looking for more trans rep in YA fiction.

Overall, this was an ok book. I’m part of the LGBTQ community, but there were times the language did become preachy and used buzzwords that took away from the story. It may be that I’m older than the targeted audience, but I found it hard to relate to the characters. I’m still not out to many people, so I understand the fear and discomfort, but I also found the behavior of some of the characters frustrating. Teens are learning as they grow, so I wasn’t surprised that the characters were selfish, and by the end they had learned and grew, but there were many times I was annoyed with how the characters interacted with each other. I liked LGBTQ coming of age novels from when I was a teen and from the past few years more so than this novel. I did like the overall concept and inclusivity in this book. I think it’s a good look into what it’s like to be trans or gay. It’s important for kids to know to have empathy for LGBTQ or other communities. There are plenty of teens that will enjoy this novel.

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN is an emotionally charged narrative following two teen boys as they compete for the Homecoming Crown. Both Jeremy and Lukas have pinned their expectations for the future on being Homecoming King: Lukas thinks it will ensure his access to an Ivy League school and stop his parents from splitting apart after the death of his older brother; and after coming out as trans, Jeremy wants to prove to himself and the entire school that he deserves the title. Both boys have a lot to learn, especially as they lash out at each other and their friends in destructive ways.

The first person narration allows the reader to immerse themselves in the experiences of Lukas and Jeremy, and in the complex thoughts both are having about their role in high school, in relation to each other, and whatever future college might bring. It works well as a lens into the messiness of teenage minds and experiences. I appreciated how early this was set in the boys' senior year; it wasn't a story that needed a neat wrap-up in the form of graduation and launching into the perfect college experience, because it's clear from the story that real life is anything but perfect.

It's a fascinating and important story but not one that should be read without first exploring what content warnings readers might need; the author has made them available on Goodreads.

This book was not at all what I was expecting. I did expect the enemies to lovers trope and feel that the author kept my interest alternating between the two perspectives. I will say this about the characters. They are toxic. But toxic in such a way that they are real. Jeremy is struggling with the dysphoria of being trans. Lukas is struggling with a broken family and his constant desire to make everyone feel better. He does have an autism diagnosis, but I don’t feel like that was handled deftly. We get the idea that he’s more on the high functioning side, merely lacking social skills. I did enjoy the story. I think that it’s great trans representation, and really delves into the struggles.

I loved this book so much, it was amazingly wonderful, and heartwarming. I also appreciated how well it tackled serious themes while staying very true to the young adult characters. I laughed and cried. It was a joyous celebration of young LGBTQ+ love, and I'm sure it will mean so much to so many.

Well, dang. I was SO excited about the premise of this one, but it fell flat in some areas.

Second chance romances and diverse rep are definitely my thing, and we need more books about trans/gay/autistic issues. Also, this is not a fluffy romcom - it's a serious book that covers deep issues like trauma, grief, homophobia, transphobia, autism, and ableism. These were all things that I enjoyed being incorporated into the story.

What fell short for me was the way the characters didn't seem to grow much - their story arc felt incomplete. There were SO many times where the MCs took advantage of their friends, or made hugely selfish choices, and didn't really reconcile that. The apologies were weak, and there wasn't character growth until (not exaggerating) 90% in. And SO much angst and miscommunication.

Bullying is also a huge theme in this, but I didn't care for how that plot line was (not) handled/resolved. I agreed with the underlying points that were trying to be conveyed about how hard it can be to be supported at school, but I felt that it was left unsatisfactorily unresolved.

Despite being excited by this premise, this book really fell flat for me. Instead, I'd recommend reading You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson. Queer high school students competing for the homecoming crown, a very well-written cast of characters, and POC actually in the spotlight.

CW: Death of family member, transphobia, homophobia, sexual harassment, bullying, assault (on and off page), ableism, misgendering, toxic masculinity

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group (Roaring Brook Press) for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

<b> I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</b>

Jeremy Harkiss has felt like there’s been something wrong with him his whole life. Trying to be the perfect “girl” everyone wanted him to be— popular, student body president, captain of the cheerleading team, beautiful. But during his senior year Jeremy finally gets to be himself. After dumping his ex and telling his mother he’s a boy, Jeremy is done pretending. He decides to run for homecoming king against his ex-boyfriend. It’s a challenge for him, as some in the school don’t see him for who he really is, but he’s not going to let that get in his way.

Lukas Rivers has been hiding something from everyone his whole life. Lukas is Autistic, but he doesn’t want anyone to know. Star player on the football team, head of the homecoming committee, and well-liked by the whole school, but only his family and his ex know his secret. Lukas is also struggling with the death of his “perfect” brother the prior summer. It doesn’t help that he was dumped by his best friend the day of the funeral, with no explanation why. His family is falling apart in front of his very eyes; Lukas needs to win Homecoming king— this will bring his family back together, or so he thinks. He’s got the crown in the bag, until his ex Jeremy announces his own run.

This is a fight for the crown. <I> May the Best Man Win. </i>

This book was super cute and I loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend if you’re looking to read something fluffy, but also serious. You really get to feel everything Lukas is going through in his body dysmorphia and self doubt. Also, lovers to enemies to lovers is always a serve!

TW/ Body dysmorphia, transphobia, homophobia, TERF, etc.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Roaring Brook Press, for the chance to read and review one of my most anticipated books of 2021!

TW: transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, abuse, dysphoria, physical violence, ableist language, homophobic slurs and homophobia

Jeremy Harkiss is the cheer captain and student body president and he won't let his coming out as trangender boy define him and ruin his senior year. He's determined to be seen as he is, a boy and he's ready to battle against bigots and the outdated school administration, so he decides to run as Homecoming King, challenging his ex Lukas for the title.
Lukas is a football start and head of the Homecoming Commitee and he's struggling to put order in his life after being dumped by his long-term girlfriend, who turned out to be a boy and his own family falling apart and he won't let Jeremy steal his crown, after having broken his heart.
So they start an intense battle, made of sabotage, cheating, involving their friends and, soon, the whole school, in their rivarly, while struggling with their own fears, doubts and wounds. But when they are forced to work together in order to save Homecoming, Jeremy and Lukas have to face the hurt they are hiding and their mutual attraction.

May the best man win is such an amazing novel and I loved everything about it. Told by two POVs, Jeremy's and Lukas', the stoy is intense, wonderful and heartwrenching, tackling important themes as transphobia and homophobia, misgendering, deadnaming, violence, aggression and so much more.
The story focuses on Jeremy and Lukas and their complicated and intense journey in finding themselves and one other, their places and community, facing family's, school's and society's expectations.

Jeremy is struggling with the bigots at school, a complicated relationship with his mother, dysphoria and the desire to be finally seen as he is: a boy. Not Lukas' ex girlfriend, not a lesbian, not a pretender, but himself, but he's forced to face constant transphobia at school, above all from his ex friend Philip and to fight against the school administration, who doesn't want to do anything in order to protect him, not wanting to jeopardize Philip's father money donations.
His decision to run as Homecoming King is strongly connected with his desire to be seen as he is. At the same time Jeremy is acutely aware of how little the school is doing in order to protected the marginalized community and he's determined to change things. His battle with Lukas is also complicated by unresolved feelings, painful and intense past and their profound wounds and bonds.

Lukas' life is falling apart around him, since his older (and cruel) brother died and his family changed, stopping talking to one other. He wants to fix everything, to put order in his messy life and becoming a Homecoming King is the only way he's seeing to attract college's attentions and making his family proud of him, struggling to be seen by them. Lukas is autistic, even though few know about it and he's under the costant pressure of being the perfect football player, the perfect son, the perfect student, carrying his family's, his school's expectations on his shoulder. The author wrote skillfully his complicated relationship with his family and brother, the pain of losing him, but also the relief of not being hurt by him anymore, his need to salvage what he can and to keep his family together.
His painful breakup with Jeremy, the pain of having lost him, after years and years together, the knowledge of not knowing exactly why it happened weighs down on him, filling both of them with anger and pain, pushing them in all-out war, threatening to burn down everything and everyone around them.

Their journey is messy and complicated by intrusive thoughts, like feeling unwanted and unloved, heartwrenching past and interactions, bad days. Both Jeremy and Lukas show the world a front, what people want to see, a fake Jeremy and a fake Lukas, in order to be accepted, loved and included, at school and at home. But slowly the pressure of not being themselves threatens to destroy them both and Jeremy and Lukas have to face themselves and one other and be finally honest and happy.
Both of them feel unwanted and unloved and keep thinking everything (family's and their own's expectations) will be solved with the crown, while the whole world is crashing around them. Slowly they are forced to accept the reality and start loving themselves for who they are and not what the others want them to be, realizing the love and support from their friends and family members.
On this note, I have to say I loved the side characters, above all Sol and their constant energy and jokes and Ben and Naomi, with their support and love, even though they all were "forced" in the middle of Jeremy's and Lukas' breakup, aftermath and fights.

Jeremy and Lukas are intense, complex and amazing main characters. They are teenagers, they are messed up, desperate, filled with anger and pain. They make mistakes, hurt people, apologize, struggle to be better, to be and find themselves in a world, often, bent into put people in labeled boxes and in smothering them.

I loved how the author talked about Jeremy's anger and fire and the wonderful and supportive queer community he finally finds, where he can fit and be himself, how Lukas, after struggling for so long under the pressure of being someone he wasn't, learns to embrace and be himself.

Jeremy's and Lukas' relationship is truly intense, moving and heartwrenching, made of still open wounds, unresolved tension and questions, pain and desires. While facing one other in the battle for the Homecoming King, while struggling with their own problems at home and school, between lessons and friends and fights, Jeremy and Lukas slowly realize how much they still care and love about one other, under all the pain and misunderstandings. It was really beautiful reading how they fit, how much they are still in love and how to move from there.

"We fit together like puzzle pieces, my fire and his reason, my energy and his comfortable arms." (quote from the earc, so it can be subject to change)

May the best man win also tackles how often the powers, as the school administration, can turn a blind eye only for monetary gain, refusing to acknowledge and listen to victims denouncing harassments, sexual, physical, hate speech and so on, leaving more often than not people alone and afraid to speak, because they are afraid they won't get their justice. Even though it doesn't solve the problem with the whole school system at Jeremy's and Lukas' school, I was really moved and impressed by the community's support and love in defending their classmates and in their desire to change things for the better.

The novel also talks about stereotypical thoughts about being gay, trans and female, about what it means "being a man", misogyny and harmful behaviour.

I really loved reading May the best man win. The story is amazing, brilliant and I enjoyed so much reading about Jeremy's and Lukas' journey and their incredible and intense bond.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is by far my biggest disappointment of 2021 so far. This book had so much promise to be an adorable romantic comedy with one of the cutest premises ever, but due largely to the fact that it is being disgustingly mismarketed as a cutesy rom com when it is, in fact, not funny and it is not a romance, it falls directly on its face when there is nothing but angst and hollow characters to hold it up.

To say that this book was a slog would be a bit of an understatement. I started this book on March 15th and it took me until today, April 30th, to drag myself across the finish line. It might have honestly taken me longer if my copy from NetGalley weren't expiring in just a few hours.

As I mentioned before, I did expect this book to have a completely different tone from what it ended up having, but it also didn't focus on Homecoming the same way I expected it to. I really expected this to be the two boys pranking back and forth throughout Homecoming week and any fun and trouble that might occur in between, but the conflict of this book barely involves the race for Homecoming King. Instead, it's about a bully at the school, the school's Code of Conduct, and Lukas's struggles to succeed despite his extra challenges due to the fact that he's autistic. This shift in focus wouldn't be so bad if it actually meant something at the end of the book, but so much is abandoned, shoved aside, or just plain ignored by the end that it really left me wanting for something.

This book really is just angst on wheels. While I do think this is an honest portrayal of a trans character in Jeremy, it also feels like there is nowhere near enough depth to him. He oftentimes reads as a bit of a parody of himself, though, especially in the parts that deal with the Code of Conduct and Philip, the school bully. All nuance is thrown straight out the window when it comes to Jeremy's conflicts in the story and it's extremely difficult to relate to him as a character when he feels like he's built purely of nothing but anger and being trans. And I say this knowing that a lot of trans folks are angry, and they have every right to be. I'm angry for a lot of trans folks who don't get the rights they deserve. So when their representation is boiled down to nothing but a hate filled boy whose friends all hate him, it sort of ends up feeling like an empty portrayal. If I didn't already know the author was trans, I truly might have thought this was written by someone who was cis. Someone well-meaning, perhaps, but misguided. Jeremy's personality is that he's angry and trans. Show me why Lukas loves him, why his friends care about him, because I don't get it. Ellor failed to write a compelling, believable trans character, which is a real damn shame, probably the biggest failing of this book, in my opinion.

Lukas's character is dealt with the same lack of care. Lukas is autistic and his family is grieving after the death of his older brother. I think Lukas's autism is handled the way I wish Jeremy's trans-ness had been handled: as a trait of his but not a defining character trait. It affects Lukas's schooling and even causes him to cheat, but his autism doesn't rule his storyline the same way Jeremy being trans rules his. I know these two things are not exactly comparable, but again, it just handles this completely normal thing, autism, and treats it like this completely normal thing. Why couldn't Jeremy being trans be like this?

I digress. The part of Lukas's story that annoyed me most was his issues with his family. We get maybe two or three full, real scenes including Lukas's parents, but in each one, we are never really shown the issues Lukas is having with them, other than perhaps the fact that they are distant. There is a really strange scene that comes out of nowhere in the latter half of the book involving Lukas's mother that gets absolutely no resolution by the end, it just happens, even appears to be a big, life-changing event for Lukas, but Ellor's major pacing issues leave no room for any conflicts to actually breathe, change, or resolve.

And, since I've mentioned it, let's discuss Ellor's issues with pacing! Have any of you ever gotten into a car with a 15-year-old who's preparing for their permit test? It starts a little rough; there's a lot of jolting, stopping and starting as they get used to the brakes and, once they get going, they might start to get the hang of it, but eventually they have to use those brakes again, so it's just a lot of stopping and starting, a lack of surety, and often no true sense of direction.

This whole analogy is to say: Z.R. Ellor's pacing feels exactly like a 15-year-old kid learning to drive. Scenes end suddenly and move along to the next bit, often in ways that makes it difficult for the reader to get their bearings or follow the extremely tenuous threads that string each scene together. Any time it seems like Ellor gains a little momentum, he shoots himself in the foot, hitting the brakes immediately before pivoting elsewhere. Lukas and Jeremy both seem to drift through scenes, telling us the things they're thinking without those thoughts having much bearing on the scenes at hand most of the time. Also, this book is written from the first person POV in the present tense, which only made it feel like I was reading a hollow What I Did Over the Summer essay a high schooler was forced to write.

It's so frustrating that this story is all about these two boys' hardships but the pacing and all-around average to poor writing quality make it impossible to hold onto anything. It feels every bit the debut that it is.

And, speaking of holding onto things, this book gave me absolutely no reason to root for Lukas and Jeremy to be together. None of the flashbacks or stories from before their breakup led me to believe the two of them really ever loved each other, which hurts the story greatly, since much of the drama comes from their lingering feelings for one another. They both seemed to admire one another, but they had next to zero chemistry, so when they're still pining over each other, it feels like actors reading a script, not two boys who have complicated yet sincere feelings for each other.

I honestly think I could go on, but I really have already wasted enough time with this one. It's boring, its marketing is misleading, and you can tell from just about every aspect of this book that it is a debut with shockingly little polish and utterly empty characters, apart from Sol, the best part of the book.

It's rushed, yet it somehow also feels agonizingly slow. I wanted this premise to work, I was so prepared to be swept away by this book. I legitimately pumped my fists in the air when I got approved for this one, so I really had high hopes for it to work. But you know what they say about high expectations: the higher they are, the longer and harder the fall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the e-arc of this book!

May the Best Man Win by ZR Elliot is full of messy queers, found community, and second chances. It's not a light romcom, although it has both romance and some funny bits. It's definitely more of a cautionary tale for what happens when society forces queer kids to wade through the waters of homophobia and abuse on their own.

Jeremy is a few things. He's a cheerleader, he's gay, he's popular. He's also trans but he's looking to make a mark on his high school in his senior year so that his trans-ness doesn't define him. He doesn't want to be a trans guy, he just wants to be a guy. His solution? Run and win homecoming King. The only problem is that his ex Lukas is also running in a desperate attempt to try and keep the pieces of his family together. They'll spend the school year locked in a battle to guarantee the outcome - may the best man win.

The first thing I want to touch on in this review is the main characters. Yes, they're awful in some parts. Yes, they do some truly stupid things in the name of proving their points. They're messy. They're scared. They're desperate. They're teenagers. That's what happens when kids are left to wade through the politics of privilege and identity completely alone. Jeremy comes off as an absolutely egotistical ass - and the really lovely thing about that is it's the suit of armor people sometimes wear in order to hide the soft bits underneath. He's scared and lonely and feels unworthy of love. Lukas is autistic and his brother has just passed away, so he's trying very hard to keep everything together and be both himself and the son his parents lost. I really loved his character. He's just trying his best to shoulder everything. But he also makes some really bad decisions and I think that's okay. He's a really loveable character and I think the author did a fantastic job here of letting them be flawed and angry at a system that denies them entry for being different.

The aspect of the found community of fellow queers that Jeremy finds is so important. It really is the only way safety and understanding are found for some people. But the author took that a step further to touch on the fact that although the community is supposed to be a safe haven, there's also those within that gatekeep identities and try to use their privilege as a way to decide who's queer enough, who's allowed to exist in certain spaces. It's hard when you have to watch your back inside the space you're supposed to feel safe.

The side characters were all fun to read, and I appreciate that their friends didn't let Jeremy and Lukas get away with their shenanigans easily. They definitely had to grovel a bit and go through the entire journey to realize the how's and why's of their behavior, and I'm glad we got to see that aspect of it. The storyline of the rich, privileged school who pledges equality and protection while also doing nothing to see that both of those are assured was such a good example of how lip service is well and good until action actually needs to be taken. So many times big institutions (and I don't just mean school, I mean all of them) preach equality and pledge to do better only to fail when it really matters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Definitely recommend it if you're a fan of enemies to lovers and second chance romance, with some commentary on queer kids dealing with societal issues.

CW: Death of family member, transphobia, homophobia, sexual harassment, bullying, assault (on and off page), ableism, misgendering, toxic masculinity

I really struggled writing this review. I wasn’t expecting May the Best Man Win to be so gut wrenching and emotional. Readers should definitely be aware that this is not a cute and lighthearted romcom. There are certainly tender and sweet moments, but the majority of the novel is an emotional rollercoaster of anger, pain, fear, and confusion. The overall tone was very dark, with the main characters doing anything and everything to achieve their own selfish goals. I understand that Jeremy and Lukas are flawed individuals, but they did some pretty unforgivable things to each other and their supposed friends. I didn’t feel that there was ever really any accountability or reckoning for those actions. This made it hard to root for Lukas or Jeremy individually and/or as a couple since they were so unlikeable. Ultimately, I think there was so much going on in the book that it felt overwhelming and disjointed. Readers are only allowed to skim the surface of many of the topics and issues. For example, Lukas’s autism is mentioned, but only to explain some of his actions. His internalized ableism is never fully addressed or given the proper attention. The pacing seemed to stall and meander a bit in the middle and then suddenly it was racing to the finish. The entire drama about financially saving Homecoming felt over the top and unbelievable. I enjoyed Ben, Naomi, and Sol a lot, but I felt like they were almost like props, only to be used when convenient to move the story along. I wish those characters had been explored more, especially Sol.

The writing kept me reading to see what would happen next though and the book brought up many interesting and thoughtful discussions about sexuality and queerness. I appreciated the raw honesty and vulnerability of the characters and I think many readers will find beauty and comfort in this novel.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

When high school senior Jeremy Harkiss comes out as transgender he finds himself running for homecoming king against his ex, Lukas. This one has a lot of angst, which made it hard for me to get into the story, but once I did I was in. This story highlights how difficult (read: dangerous) society makes life for transgender/nonbinary people and how we (read: cis) regularly harm them in so many ways. Jeremy’s transition was a joy to read because it was heartbreaking and illuminating. The story as a whole made so many poignant observations about sex and gender and how we need to normalize everything non-binary. Supporting everyone in their journey to live their best authentic life benefits communities as a whole. Lukus’s story was equally compelling as he came to understand his own sexuality and how to become the best version of himself. I appreciated how he is on the autism spectrum and that is unique to his experience, but it wasn’t written as the center of his identity. This book has so much important representation, everyone and anyone should read it.

CW: transphobia, biphobia, homophobia, parental discord, hate crimes within schools

This one was a doozy. In my opinion, the cover makes it seems like this very adorable queer romance between two exes and their enemies-to-lovers story but it's a lot more than that. This book covers some very emotionally tolling situations that trans folk have to encounter in high school. It sheds light on matters such as schools not taking the sides of victims/survivors and instead of standing on the sideline so as to not upset the white cis community.

At first, Jeremy came off as mean and just like a machine that was barreling down not caring who he hurt along the way. But as you continue to read, you begin to understand that it's okay for him to feel angry when his fellow classmates continue to misgender him or deadname him. I promise it all comes together. Lukas was a lot to handle emotionally, as well. He was the character that put everyone else's needs before his own no matter the situation. It was difficult to see him literally tearing himself apart to please this image and path he had conjured in his mind.

Overall, the story was amazing. It was brutally honest and emotionally charged.