I tried really hard to like this one but I ran into two problematic things that I couldn't push through.

There's a strong emphasis on penetrative sex being the ONLY sex that counts as losing your virginity. Not only that, but it harps on the the social construct of the significance of virginity, losing it and needing penetration to fit the public opinion of virginity and sex.

My other aspect was having sex with another person while dating someone else, but labeling it okay, harmless, and no big deal because you didn't define the relationship to say you're exclusive. I understand this is much more common in todays dating world. However, by perpetrating these standards, it sets the bar low and keeps it there.

Jay’s Gay Agenda follows Jay as he moves from a small town where he is the only out gay kid to Seattle where he hopes to find other’s like him and accomplish his “gay agenda”.

One thing that I really liked about the book is the story was hilarious with lots of jokes and quips spread throughout. This humor made the book very easy and enjoyable to read through. Another thing I really liked was how sex-positive the story was with no one judging these characters for either having sex (or for not wanting to have sex yet).

However, the plot and characters though were hit and miss for me as I loved the idea of the Gay Agenda but despised the way that Jay went about accomplishing this agenda. Jay commits some very questionable actions in his journey to cross things off his agenda and basically makes this agenda his whole personality. It made Jay seem very one sided and made him a very unlikeable main character. Several of the other characters also seemed very one sided in their goals and didn’t have much other personality or character development.

There were also two things that I didn’t like that had nothing to do with the plot. One thing that I did not enjoy was two mentions of the coronavirus pandemic thrown in as jokes. The jokes just seemed kind of random and unnecessary. Maybe if this was being published years after the pandemic was over it would seem more humorous but personally for me I found the jokes fell flat and they dragged me out of the story. The other thing I did not really like/ confused me is that the character Max states they use he/him and she/her pronouns but is never referred to with she/her pronouns.

While I don’t think it will be a story that everyone enjoys with the very unlikeable actions of the main character, overall, I thought this story was hilarious and very easy to read.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get into this one. Between the way-too-often repeating of the lists Jay created, and the "statistical" shout-outs, it slogged the book down to the point where I didn't want to continue reading. I also couldn't get into Jay, as a main character. This very well could be a case of "me, not the book", as I'm sure it will find its audience.

This one was cute. It centers around Jay, a gay high schooler who finds out his family is moving to Seattle. It’ll be his first time around other gay kids and he’s thrilled-even if it means leaving behind his BFF, Lu.

Definitely YA, but like, written to be read as YA, not adult (if you know what I mean?!). There is a lot of mentions of sex and virginity and while the scenes aren’t super descriptive, they are still very prevalent (which I have no issues with, just a disclaimer! I love seeing a sex positive story!).

As a straight woman, I know my room to speak about stories like this is small, because I’ve never had to experience the things characters like Jay has (being the only gay kid in school, etc). That being said, I enjoyed this book. I liked Jay, I liked his list making. I like that he messed up and realized he messed up...then was thoughtful about how to fix his mistakes. I liked his thought process. I appreciate that we are seeing gay characters in books more often now, because how wonderful for teens / YAs to see that represented! It was also important to see the discussion of stereotypes, and smashing those stereotypes.

I loved Jay’s friendship with Lu and Max-everyone needs a good best friend! The drama was good, but not super juicy! Overall I’d give this one 4 stars, only because I felt like the dialogue and references were a little young for me at times (but only occasionally; i am 30 after all, which is so sad to type out). I enjoyed the writing, I enjoyed the story, I liked the characters and character development! Congratulations to Jason June on the debut novel! You did wonderfully!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

3.5 stars
Jay’s Gay Agenda had the potential to be a really fun book for me. But it didn’t end up being a home run sadly. I loved how nerdy Jay was with numbers. He loved statistics and lists and it was so fun. All of the characters he meets in his new home in Seattle are really fun as well. There was one character that I loved and at the end of the book I read the “about the author” and realized that he looks exactly how I pictured this character and he identifies as gender queer like this character as well. I loved that. I love reading own voices books and learning about different sexualities and backgrounds.
What ended up being hard for me was just all of the drama. It might be typical behavior for high schoolers now, I’m not sure. But it was too much for me.
Jay made so many poor choices and his loyal friends did as well that I ended up not really rooting for Jay in the end.
He definitely learned some good lessons though.
I can see others really enjoying this one, but it didn’t wow me.

~3/5✨: I was in the mood for a LBGTQ+ YA story with a contemporary feel so when I saw this book's really cute cover and read the description, I requested an ARC for review. But I'm a little sad to say that it did disappoint a little bit. The book wasn't bad by any means but I just don't think I've vibed well with the tone and the overrall story. I feel like this read could be amazing to someone else but just not for me.

I just felt like the first chapter rushed through his freshman year for seemingly no reason and suddenly he was a senior. I, personally, didn't need the context it was trying to give and if it wasn't meant for context but story plot, then it could have been fleshed out more. Otherwise, it was a quick read and I got really invested into the story as I finished the book in one day.

However, I did have to take breaks as Jay often felt very unlikable that made it hard to root for him. Especially the overused miscommunication trope. I also wanted more of the romantic interest because despite being centered around romance/finding love, it felt very lack luster. I love that the book was all about being sex positive and I did enjoy the side characters (Damon/Max/etc.). But the execution of the story felt a little off.

----Spoiler Alert----

The "cheating" but not really because they're not exclusive was very yike for me personally. And I think it made me want better for Albert than Jay because other than his (Jay's) desire for other boys, we didn't really get much of him that allowed me to ship them. I also disliked the way they hyped Reese up to be an ass and then turned around and had Max apologize to him b/c he "meant well" despite never getting to see the redeemable quallities of Reese we were just simply told that he has, didn't sit well with me.

Also as much as I felt for Lu (and understand how in the wrong Jay was), their friendship felt very one-sided in the beginning chapters. It's never right to leave your friends for a man but its okay when Lu does it but not Jay? Also Lu was going to have Jay come up with a costume and then he was not allowed to be apart of it until she got dumped and he let it slide? No fam. It made no sense and I wasn't here for it.

Also side note, but in one of the earlier chapters, Jay mentioned "corona quarantine" super casually and then never again so am I lead to believe that the pandemic is over in this universe? If not, were they wearing masks the entire time in the book and I wasn't aware? What is up with that.

This was a great book! I liked Jay - the joy he felt at moving into his new life was such fun. The inclusive supporting cast of characters and their messy relationships were excellent, and I liked the inclusion of a character whose family was dealing with major financial problems. Beyond that: lots of fun with lists, statistics, and puns; plus, this book is super sex positive. :)

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I do enjoy me some cute, lgbt, YA stories. This, though, is like one of those Hallmark movies that pretends to be all cute and sweet and romantic, but if you actually think about it, the guy/girl is cheating on their significant other, even if it is their childhood sweetheart or best friend's older brother or whatever trop they're on that week.

So. Here's the thing. "Sex positive" is definitely good and a thing we want to encourage. But...maybe not like this? LGBTQ people are already labeled as "explicit" or whatever in media, just by existing. It doesn't really help matters when you have a character like this that could honestly just be a white frat boy and a revolving list of sorority girls.

I don't really have a way to conclude this review. Other than maybe...don't?

Jason June's YA confessional, "Jay's Gay Agenda" uses humor and humility to great effect to harness the drama and disaster of young love and lust. A perfect selection for LGBTQIA+ authentic #ownvoices for both a cis gay teen and a genderqueer teen exploring and explaining what their identity and sexuality mean to them and for them in pursuing relationships, both romantic and platonic. Addresses some stereotypes but isn't a heavy "issues" tone.

Omg this book was literally so so so so good! Okay so this book started off when a certain something happens and Jay ends up in Seattle hes the new kid and I just loved going on this journey with him! The characters in this story were so realistic and they felt like actual people that I could talk to or have met. The setting was amazing I have always wanted to visit Seattle and this story felt like I was actually there. At some points I was like Jay why are you doing that or this is so not a good decision but this is what humans do no one is perfect and we all make messy messy mistakes and I just loved this story so much. I also really liked the familial dynamics in this story! I cannot wait to read more by this author and if this seems like something you would enjoy I would highly recommend it!

This was an enjoyable and thoughtful read. It tells the story of a gay high school student from a small town in Washington who, after his mom gets a new job, moves to Seattle and finally is part of a more thriving and diverse community. The book tells the story of his adjustments to this new environment, with its highs and lows. The characters were well drawn and compelling. It was also an engaging story and often quite funny. Highly recommended!

Jay’s Gay Agenda is a fun and heartfelt story about an 18-year-old who can’t wait to move from a small town to progressive Seattle for his senior year to experience his first gay kiss, boyfriend, and more. In his haste to cross off the accomplishments on his Gay Agenda, he alienates his best friend, messes up new friendships, and sabotages his new relationship with the perfect boy. Readers can’t help cheering on Jay , an endearing protagonist overwhelmed by his new freedom. The story is both sex- and emotion- positive, funny and witty, and a big warm hug.

I am obsessed with JAY'S GAY AGENDA. Jay is truly a human protagonist - we get to see him make bad decisions, as well as good ones, and watch him grow from his mistakes. At the end, we celebrate his achievements and triumphs, truly knowing that he deserves it and has done the work.
Also, I love the nonbinary representation that June puts in. As a fellow enby, I immediately latched onto Max as my favorite character and honestly, the way Max is portrayed has helped me truly live the last few days. I will be putting my preorder as soon as I get paid!

JAY'S GAY AGENDA is a teenage rom com about finding your true self, finding a community, and how to balance exciting changes in life with the life that you had before. Jay is a pretty realistic teenager who is finally finding the opportunity to come into his own, and how that excitement can sometimes lead to self centered and selfish actions. Jay can be unlikable at times, but to be fair almost all of the teen characters have their moments of being selfish and vindictive (outside of Albert, who is basically a great guy and a really nice love interest for Jay, though Jay takes that for granted). It makes for realism, but it also makes for frustrating reading at times. Along with that, some things get wrapped up a little too pat, and it feels pretty run of the mill. But that said it is a rom com at its heart, and there have been plenty of books like this for straight romances. LGBTQIA+ romance and relationships should be afforded run of the mill romance stories as well. And I'm not really the intended audience of this story. At the end of the days, I think that teens will love it.

JAY'S GAY AGENDA has heart and fluff with just enough drama to make it interesting. If you are looking for a fun romance to promote to the teens in your life, this could be the one!

DNF

I could not stand the dialogue in this book so I had to stop reading. It was just so over the top and clingy. All of the characters were annoying and self centered and I couldn’t stand them. Some of my biggest book peeves are miscommunication and MCs who are pathological liars and this book features both of these tropes. I also hate when YA books try to hard to sound like ‘real teens’ by throwing in things like memes and text lingo. It’s cringy, unrealistic, and heavily dates the book. I was once I in the place of being the only queer teen in a small home town and I was excited to see that story told here, but I’m disappointed in this book.

This book was cooky and sweet and I thoroughly enjoyed it as a reader. This would be a fun "extra" book that students could read for a book report but the thematic wealth is lacking for the purpose of a curriculum read. Nonetheless, I definitely appreciate the value of a read that is not catered specifically to a classroom. High school students who are queer and trying to find a community will find a home in this really silly and lighthearted book. I myself found that this would have been a really special read when I was in high school trying to figure out my place and find my queer community as a closeted queer teenager.

This was an adorable read. It was refreshing to read a YA novel that is so sex-positive and feels like it will be relatable for teens today. I found Jay to be an endearing character and I appreciated the variety of racial and gender identity in the cast of characters. Would definitely recommend to YA romance readers!

A sweet and messy story about finally getting the chance to be yourself and fall in love. Highlights the importance of queer community, the complications of teen dating, and is full of realistically flawed characters.

I love Jason June and think this was a really great YA debut.

Jay is a the only out gay kid in his small town, and feels like he's on the sidelines watching as everyone around him experiences love. Jay compiles his own Gay Agenda, a list of "to-dos" in his own journey to finding romance, which he starts to work on when his family moves to Seattle. What follows is a new community, a new start, and new opportunities to cross the "firsts" off his list. But as he does so, he makes mistakes and navigates the changing relationships in his life.

I really appreciated this book because I feel like it really touched on some significant and relevant themes. As Jay experiences new aspects of his life, the reader is reminded of important lessons: that we learn through our mistakes, life is messy and doesn't always follow our laid-out "lists," and that we need to nurture the meaningful relationships in our lives. And this book accomplishes this with lots of humor, sex-positivity, and swoonworthy moments included.

There were elements of the book that I didn't love -- the storyline with Tony just made me feel like I couldn't be invested completely in the eventual romance with Albert. That whole thing just bummed me out. As did Lu's storyline and the whole idea of "just move to a big city and things will be better" element that was kind of overtly there (even if it wasn't intended). But overall, a really enjoyable read.

A big thanks to NetGalley and HarperTeen for the e-ARC!

Lord and Taylor! I fracking love this book!

Sarah's List about Jay's Gay Agenda
1. It is a rom-com with the sweetest, funniest meet cute (Hello, PrinterBot!)
2. It's a multi-layered friendship drama. Will Jay be able to adjust to his thriving new life in Seattle while maintaining his connection to his BFF? Can he help his new friend Max to mend his damaged friendships?
3. It's a coming of age story that drives how the importance of being brutally honest. What might seem like a harmless lie of omission, can have major impacts.
4. It's a sweet and entertaining romance that will have readers racing to find out what happens to Jay and his agenda.

The representation in this book is fantastic. So many teens feel isolated and alone. Following Jay on his adventures and watching him learn from his mistakes will provide hope to all readers.