This ended up being super cute. Robbie Couch is one to watch for. Happy, fluffy, funny, and diverse.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

I got an ARC of this book.

Little behind in getting this one done, damn reading slump. I ended up getting a copy of the audiobook so I could listen while I was at work. The voice acting is wonderfully done. That is a solid plus for me in this book.

Overall, the book is eh. Nothing really exciting or noteworthy. There were some little plots that seemed really exciting, but then just sort of didn’t deliver for me. The plot with Blaine being selfish over his aunt could have been wonderful, but it wasn’t enough. Blaine had a job lead for her, but didn’t give it to her because he didn’t want her to leave. It was selfish. It was a wonderful idea. Spoilers ahead until the end of the paragraph. The issue I had is when this plot wasn’t the central plot, it just didn’t exist. Then there was the anti-climatic way it was handled. The aunt was just like “that’s fine” and moved on. Then the aunt got the job and got an apartment. It just felt thrown on since there were no complications or consequences to it.

The main plot of the election was ok. It never really felt like it was going to be earth shattering or anything. I was not surprised by anything that happened. It was such a gentle read. Nothing felt like it happened. There was no real drama or big romance. There wasn’t a ton to keep me reading, thankfully audiobooks just keep going even if you zone out for a few seconds. The story isn’t bad, but it isn’t amazing.

I did really enjoy that there was zero focus on homophobia, coming out, or any of the super basic plots that queer people are allowed to have. Instead, Blaine being queer is a non-issue. Even though this was not the amazing book I was hoping for, it was unique in just how light it was. The world needs more light books. There needs to be more books where a character being queer is not the focus, but a character trait. It was great to see Blaine just being Blaine instead of Blaine being GAY BLAINE. He has a life outside of being queer, he has an identity outside of being queer. Blaine was allowed to be a whole person. It was wonderful.

I want more books like this. I need more books like this. I want more Blaines. I want more guys who are arty, who have broken hearts, who make terrible decisions, but learn a lot about themselves trying to handle their bad decisions. Blaine is far from perfect, but he is a great guy. I wanted to hear his story, even though it wasn’t super exciting. It was wonderful.

The school mascot was the worst part of the book for me. Wizards? Seriously? I am glad it isn’t racist. It just made me laugh so hard. The wizard belt buckle just was a little out there and imaging politicians wearing it was great. So worst/best, hard call.

I have reached an age where I read less YA books because I think I wouldn't like them but then I stumble upon a book like Blaine for the Win that reminds me how wrong I am avoiding the genre because I end up loving it and just simply enjoying the ride and wish I could teleport inside the book and hug these kids telling them everything is going to be alright.
Blaine had the worst of dates and his heartbreak was deep and I was heartbroken, too. He decides to change himself to get his ex back. We all know how that usually ends up. The book was so much fun while also giving us important moments. I will keep reading this author's books for sure.

This was a GREAT STORY that I couldn't put down. Robbie has proven again that he is a masterpiece at LGBT teen fiction.

This was adorable! As everyone has said before, my Legally Blonde loving heart was LIVING for this book. I enjoyed Blaine and being able to see/read all of his thoughts and emotions plainly. I think he grew on me as a character as the book went on. I think I may be growing out of high school age novels and the very obvious, but needed, lesson learning built into it. That being said, this one is one that I need on my shelves to loan out to others!

When I first read the premise for this novel, I thought Legally Blonde. I should have read the author's note first, as that was what Robbie Couch was going for. This novel pays a terrific homage to that movie and then goes in some new directions that I wasn't expecting at all!

I really just liked everything about Blaine for the Win. It's funny, heartfelt, entertaining, and there are even some parts that will just make you mad on Blaine's behalf. It's an overall clean story, as I don't recall any swearing and the most anyone does is kiss. So I'm totally fine letting my eleven year-old read it. I love that it takes place in Chicago as I grew up there (I lived in the suburbs, but still...). The city vibe in this novel adds to the overall essence. The characters and dialogue are great too. While one part felt a bit predictable, everything else in the story was a surprise once it veered from the Legally Blonde pattern. I found myself grinning and even getting teary at times.

Blaine for the Win is a winner for me! I already can't wait to read Robbie's next novel.

It took me a couple to chapters to realize this was a Legally Blonde retelling which I didn't hate. I think this was a pretty average read but there was good depth to the characters which I ended up enjoying. This was a cute and lighthearted coming of age story but it would have been a higher rating if it delved into the mental health aspect more instead of just dancing around it and made for a more well-rounded read.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge, huge sucker for high school M/M romance - there's just something so sweet and endearing about these relationships that are enthralling and captivating. Blaine for the Win is no different. Blaine is a high school junior who just got dumped, on his anniversary, at a fancy restaurant, when he believed he was going to be invited on a beach trip with his boyfriend's family. Yikes. Joey tells Blaine he just isn't serious enough because his fashion sense is quirky and he paints murals for local businesses, so he needs to pursue more serious guys if he wants to be a politician.

So, Blaine decides to become a serious guy by running for senior class President. Now, I'm not a huge fan of the changing yourself for love trope, but Blaine ends up learning a lot about himself and what his values are while engaging in this adventure so I'll give it a pass. The friend group was super entertaining and I was drawn to these characters and their struggles.

This is a slow burn, friends to lovers, romance, with one on page kiss. There is a third act fight but not a breakup. I will definitely be reading Robbie Couch's backlist after really enjoying Blaine for the Win. If you want a good revenge story, this one is for you.

**Thank you to Simon Teen and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

I didn’t really like this one a lot? But I’m not sure why, I just don’t think I was in the mood when I read it. Objectively it was well written with good characters and traction. Subjectively I got bored easily with it and couldn’t get sucked in.

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD YOU GUYS!

Let's take Legally Blonde, make it gay, and stick in high school. Then you've got Blaine for the Win.

Blaine, out to dinner with his boyfriend on their anniversary, gets dumped. His ex thinks Blaine is serious enough for the serious, political journey ahead of him. Blaine is "too goofy, too unfocused." Blaine -determined to win back his beau- signs up to run as senior class president to prove how serious he can be.

We've got all your favorite moments from Legally Blonde: plans and hijinxs, fun and supportive friends, a cute boy, an adorable dog, and even the direct quote: "What? Like it's hard?"

Read if you enjoy:
-Legally Blonde
-high school politicals
-art or plants
-brinner (breakfast for dinner, duh)
-underdog stories

What didn’t work:
-I know this YA, and our MC is 16, but Blaine was a bit self-absorbed and completely ignored what was obvious around him in terms of other’s feelings

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Blaine for the Win is out now!

Blaine Bowers is an out, gay, high school junior at Wicker West in Chicago. He has great friends and family support, and is an up-and-coming muralist, brightening some of the dingier areas of local businesses in this “gentrifying” neighborhood. Blaine’s been dating It-Boy Joey Oliver for a year, even though they are a bit of an odd match. Blaine is an ordinary artist from a modest family and Joey’s folks are very wealthy with stratospheric expectations for Joey. He might be the president of the senior class now, but he aspires to one day be POTUS. And, that’s why Joey cruelly dumps Blaine while they’re out at a posh restaurant “celebrating” their anniversary.

Blaine is devastated. He thought he and Joey were in love, and Blaine is further insulted that Joey doesn’t find him capable of being a “serious” partner, not with his humble family and muralist side gig. It’s so crushing, but at the same time, Blaine is fixated on winning Joey back. He really did love him, and is sure that Joey will come around, if only Blaine can prove he’s a serious guy. So, no more murals, and well, why not run for senior class president, too! Because that would catch Joey’s attention big time. Unfortunately, Blaine has no experience in student government at all, and his friends aren’t too keen on the ‘win the election to win back Joey,’ plan. Mostly, because they think Joey is a grade A-jerk and Blaine should move on. But, they aren’t going to let him down either, so Blaine finds himself with a small but thoughtful team ready to help him have a good showing. Except, well, his toughest competition, Zach, has not only has won the last three elections for class president…he’s also Joey’s new boyfriend.

This is a really sweet YA read that features election shenanigans, family drama, a dash of romance, and fresh new ideas for shared governance. I really enjoyed Blaine, who is a little hapless, a little hopeless, and constantly endearing. His quest to win back Joey forces him to abandon his murals, and his morals a little, causing him to act selfish in ways he has never been. This endeavor is a difficult balance for Blaine, and it ends up costing him some intimacy with his dear Aunt Starr, who’s like a surrogate parent thanks to his own parents working overtime all the time. His platform of mental health initiatives are ideal, but not his idea—and will require him to give up a lot more of his own time to manage. Blaine makes a close connection with Danny Nguyen, a student council rep and new campaign helper. Their budding friendship seems to hint at an attraction Blaine didn’t anticipate. The stress and drama of the election wear Blaine down, so much so that he starts to rethink his desire to win back Joey after all, mostly because this experience has helped Blaine recognize that Joey’s worldview is a bit toxic.

I really liked the curveballs with the plot, especially the election. Even though the stage was set for chicanery, the payoff was unique and interesting. Zach, despite being a rival, is really a good guy, and props for him being an honest politician. I loved Trish, Blaine’s bestie and campaign chair. She was fearless and the real brains behind the campaign. There is so much to celebrate within this story, with strong friendships, hints of romance, and being true to one’s values all themes at the center of the narrative. Trish, her girlfriend Camilla, and Aunt Starr are all rock solid at helping Blaine see his true worth, and urging him to make the right decisions for the right reasons. And, he does. He eventually makes full amends, bringing the whole story full circle with hope, gratitude, and style. I liked Danny’s role, too, and how Zach became a friend in the end. It’s a sweet and endearing read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys uplifting YA stories.

Whats the best way to get revenge on an ex? Steal the election and maybe in the process win his heart back. Blaine needs to win the student election to prove he's more than just a wayward artist that pains on old walls. What he doesn't expect is to find his true passion and who he really is. Blaine for the Win gives readers a great example of finding your purpose and what you are worth. While Blaine is laser focused on winning his ex back, through out the book he has growth and eventually realizes what he really wants from a partner. His messes are ones he has to clean up and face the consequences for in a realistic manner. The supporting characters are great and add to the over all plot and not just there to life Blaine.

A big thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an e-ARC of Robbie Couch's "Blaine for the Win"!

O-M-G, O-M-G you guys!! It is a great time to be legally blonde with revivals of the hit movie/musical and novels based off of the stellar plotline, such as Robbie Couch's "Legally Blonde". Blaine is ready for the perfect summer with his Student Body president boyfriend Joey, his job painting murals on the walls of local businesses, and hangouts at the Biggest Bean with his best friends Camilla and Trish. But all that comes crashing down when Joey breaks up with Blaine for not being "serious enough". Blaine decides to win back Joey by showing him he could be serious and runs to replace Joey as Student Body President.
This fun-filled romp is fantastic in both its' representation throughout the characters (such a varied cast! There were no struggles to find myself reflected there), but also in the content itself. It is a romance, it is a coming of age story, it is a look at mental health in today's youth, it is a look at the relationships around us and how they can place certain expectations on ourselves. It is a multifaceted and lighthearted read, perfect for when you are lounging on the beach this summer.

When Blaine is dumped by his boyfriend...on their one year anniversary...in a fancy restaurant, what he takes away from it is that if his now ex wants serious, he's going to get serious. This means Blaine is running for Senior Student Council President. The only problem is, he's never run for anything in his life, and going for broke might just mean losing himself.

This book was so great. It has humor, friendship, romance, and drama all in one. It's a book with heart. I highly recommend it.

This was super cute! I really enjoyed Blaine and all of his internal monologues and thoughts and growth process throughout the book. The school president thing is a cool idea and I love the message of doing what you love versus what you think you need to do.

Fabulous retelling of Legally Blonde told through the eyes of a high school junior trying to win his boyfriend back after being told he was not "serious" enough. Robbie Couch delivers in this follow up to his debut, The Sky Blues, with a lot of heart, laughs, and relatable drama. I will always pick up his books in the future.

This was a really cute YA romance book. If you are looking for a good book to read during pride month I would suggest this one. This book was a little predictable but I still found it very cute. If you are a fan of YA LGBTQ+ reads then I think you will enjoy this one. I really liked this.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest opinion.

Blaine Powers has a the perfect boyfriend, a nice gig as a muralist, a loving family and talented and supportive friends. He's also sure his boyfriend, senior student council president and very popular, will invite him to spend spring break with him and his family in Cabo San Lucas. Except nothing goes as planned and Joey breaks up with him on their one-year anniversary. In public, because he thinks Blaine isn't serious enough and he has to pursue other boys, like Zach Chesterton. Determined to prove his ex he can be what he wants, Blaine decides to run as senior council president. Even if that means changing and sacrificing what he loves about himself. Will he do it?

After loving Sky Blues I couldn't not read Robbie Couch's next book and I absolutely loved it! Blaine for the win is brilliant, hilarious and so sweet! Blaine is a loving character, a bit irritating sometimes, but I really loved reading his growth and how much he changes during this book. The story is cute and hilarious, moving and heartfelt, beautifully written, like always and I couldn't not be drawn to it right away.
I absolutely loved how Blaine learns how to love himself and his own self-worth and it was so moving to read. A fantastic character, a loving and brilliant story and definitely recommended it.

This was such a heartwarming reading! Blains growth was so fun and amazing to watch. I can’t wait to read more by this author.