This was a solid book about 2 angry boys who aren't necessarily very likable, but seem very very real. I liked the people they surrounded themselves with a lot. I would encourage anyone reading this to seek out trans reviewers!

I think the narrator for this book was very good. Their performance had great acting, and it really lent itself to the experience of reading the book. The inflection and diction throughout was great.

However, I wasn't a big fan of the book. I thought the main characters were horrible beyond redemption, it was formulaic in a way I'm very tired of reading: main characters are terrible to their friends, burn all their bridges, barely fix their mistakes, say their sorry's, and the side characters magically forgive them.

I also thought the rep in this book was bad. The trans rep was good, however the rest... not so much. Lukas' internalized ableism was never analyzed, focused on, or respected half as much as Jeremy's internalized issues with being trans. Furthermore, the two POC side characters are consistently side-lined, only there as props for the main characters to be horrible to, and never treated with the intrigue and justice I think their characters deserved.

The pacing of this book was a mess, and I think we could cut out a good 1/4th of this book and it would be much more coherent and readable. Of course, if the side characters and Lukas were given half as much air time as Jeremy was to explore their issues and do their characters justice, cutting the 1/4th wouldn't even be needed.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the chance to listen to this audiobook, narrated by Avi Roque! I love the narrator so much and the voice is absolutely perfect! It made me feel like I was there with Jeremy and Lukas, in their relationship, fights, love and battles, swooning and laughing and be so happy to listen to this story.

TW: homophobia, transphobia, bullying, violence

Jeremy is the cheer captain, student body student and determined to be Homecoming King. After he came out as transgender, he's decided of not bow to anyone, not to the bigots, not to the bullies, not to the outdated school admnistration, unwilling to protect him from the bullying. So he decides to challenge his ex boyfriend for the titles of Homecoming King.
Lukas is a football star and head of the Homecoming Committee and he's trying to find order in his life after his older brother's death and losing the long-term girlfriend, who turned out to be a boy. Jeremy and Lukas start a battle for the title, in a story made of mistakes, hurts, love and bonds, unbreakable ones, while facing one other, their feelings and their unresolved questions.

May the best man win is a wonderful and compelling story and I loved so much listening to the audiobook! It was an emotional rollercoaster and I definitely recommend it to everyone who loves a story about love, second chances and queer love.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the eARC for review!

Do not let this incredible cover fool you. This is not a fluffy, easy story.

TW: Transphobia, dead naming, misogyny, bullying, attempted sexual assault, harassment, violence, homophobia, ableism

Exes Jeremy and Lukas have a lot on the line with the Homecoming king title. For Lukas, it means stepping out of his late brother's shadow and earning a sure acceptance into one of the ivy leagues that would finally make his parent's proud. For Jeremy, it means everyone has finally accepted what he's always known: he is a guy, and he's not gonna let his pseudo-progressive school and some transphobic classmates stand in his way. But before he came out, Jeremy used to be Lukas's girlfriend, and Lukas never understood why he ended things. Competition heats up as the two vie for the crown, and neither of them seem to care who they hurt in the process.

First and foremost, the audiobook was great. I did end up listening to it in 1.25 speed, but I loved the narrator, Avi Roque, and found the voices of all the characters easy enough to follow. I'm also very happy Avi is a member of the LGBTQ+ community themself. They were a great fit, and really brought the book to life!

Lets start with the good: I feel like I am better for having read this story. Ellor goes very into depth on several trans issues, and even though I wasn't a huge fan of Jeremy's character, I really understood where he was coming from. He has a truly great arc in the book, and his chapters definitely opened my eyes more to the trans experience. Ellor also delved into ableist issues with our other lead, Lukas, who is neuro-divergent. His chapters stuck out to me; Lukas's voice was so raw, so needing, so lost. I wanted to give him a big hug.

We also have a great cast of side characters, all of whom felt distinct and fleshed out, and all of whom had their own issues going on outside the main conflicts of the story. Ellor's diversity extended well beyond the two white male leads, and I was happy to see issues of race and the gender spectrum talked about as well.

All that said, I found the book a bit tough to get through because, obviously, it deals with some heavy themes. But more so because I really didn't enjoy Jeremy's character. Like I mentioned, I understand why he is the way he is. He's a small guy struggling to be seen in the world as he sees himself, constantly having to remind others of his gender identity and queerness. Fighting against transphobia, both overt and unconscious. So I get it. But like... he is also kind of an asshole. I won't go too much into detail (you'll have to read it for yourself!), but let's just say his arc is one of the most dramatic in the book.

Lukas. My sweet bb Lukas. I love that kid. An angel who just wants to keep his family together. A kid who struggles with social cues and nuance and has no idea why the guy he loves dumped him out of no-where before coming out. A boy who wants to be homecoming king so he can get into an ivy school and finally fill the shoes left behind by his perfect brother. I'm a bit bias... he's definitely not perfect. He makes mistakes. He takes things too far in his competition for the crown.

Complicated characters. Deep themes, troubling to some. Lots of ups and downs. A very relevant story in today's day and age; even as progressive as someone might think they are, there will always be things that cishet people can never understand. Thankfully we have people like Z.R. Ellor to tell the stories we need to hear. 3.5 stars.