I loved that this book is not your typical love triangle book. It is truly a book where Cameron gets to figure out where does he fit. How does he fit? Most importantly does he want to fit. It is so rare to get a dating book from the male perspective and I just loved how Cameron is portrayed. He is vulnerable, open, and confused as so many teens are. Having the chance to be with the most popular girl in school is one of those things that so many people think they truly want to do. Yet I love that Cameron can really look at that relationship and assess is this where he really wants to go. I also loved the fact that Cameron researched what it might be like for his first-time having sex. You never hear about boys having some of the same insecurities as girls. I just can not praise Cameron’s depiction enough. Truly I am so glad there is a book out there that has this type of representation in it. I think both teen boys and girls are going to truly enjoy this book.
Thank you truly to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This book was AMAZING! I read it in 24 hours. I literally couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t not, could not. Also. It has references to Jane Austen who is the QUEEN!

Thank you to #Netgalley and #InkyardPress for approving me for an advanced copy of this book.

This is a coming of age story that follows MC Cameron and his struggle between being himself and trying to mold himself for a chance of a romantic relationship. I loved how Ramos showed his growth, with this process.

I loved all of the members of GANU and their overall friendship and banter. The way that D’Anthony and Jocelyn argued about everything, was hilarious. This book was literally the perfect representation of how cliquish high school can be. Even from my experience and I haven’t been in high school for some time lol. I also loved how there was a little sprinkle of romance in the book (I’m a sucker for romance). Throughout reading the book I was interested in the plot, but once I got to the 70% mark I was fully invested in Mr. Cam-Da-Man’s love life.

My only gripe was that the anime references were a little overkill for me lol. I know that it’s apart of the MC’s charm, but it got a tad bit annoying after a while. But that’s no big deal.

I would certainly recommend this one, if you are into YA fiction. And if not for nothing else then definitely for the cover, which is so adorable.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I felt the dynamics of students felt authentic and realistic. I appreciated the sincerity, the silliness, and the realities of being a teenager. I felt that Ramos was able to appeal both to current teens and to adults. The characters were great and I enjoyed the dynamics. High school English teacher approved!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am currently withholding my review in support of the Harper Collins Union Strike. I will update when union workers have received a fair agreement.

thanks for letting me read this one it was a good book but sometimes felt like i couldnt keep up with the back and forth of the future and present and i wasnt super invested in the story line but overall it would be a great book for young adults who are astill in high school

Thank you to Inkyard Press for the ARC of The Wrong Kind of Weird. Personally I was really excited to read this as it reminded me of one of my fave books, "Charming As a Verb' . While Ramos' writing style is great, I struggled to stay invested with the story line. I would still recommend this book to those who are looking for good young Black men representation, but personally it is not for me.

I got an ARC of this book.

So I get the idea of the book. I really do. I really liked parts of it. I enjoyed the Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z information. I knew exactly what was happening, because of my own love of the series. I loved the nerd stuff so much. My issue is I just don't understand why the MC ended up choosing the way he did. It made zero sense. There was no build up. If the book was about him choosing himself instead of someone who said things like how it isn't ok to make something your whole personality, yes. Instead it is a weird love triangle.

The queer characters felt thrown in. They didn't really have plots or reasons to exist most of the time. I wanted more building up of them. I loved the idea of them, but they just didn't go anywhere.

Overall, eh. It is great to see hardcore fans get some page time. I just wish the plot was more engaging and the ending felt more inline with the characters.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and could relate to some of them. I would definitely recommend this book.

uh. I loved this book. This book about manga-reading, anime-watching, cosplay-creating (self-proclaimed) geeks, nerds and dorks. I loved it. Who’d have thought???
I really dug the pacing of the book and I loved that the characters are real and flawed and, thus, MUCH more interesting. It was a great eye-opener, too, regarding type-casting in books and in life. Great read. 💜📚

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read and review The Wrong Kind of Weird.

As a huge nerd myself, the idea of this book really speaks to me. I loved all the nerdy references. I really didn’t love Karla tho and her indecisiveness.

The friendships in this book come off as real and flawed. But you can tell these characters truly care for each other. It’s a great book for someone struggling with identity and where they fit in the status quo. A coming of age tale that’s modern enough to keep your attention.

My only criticism would be that it seemed to jump around a bit and sometimes I was confused if we were in the past or present.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Wrong Kind of Weird was such a delightful and fun read that brings you back to high school. It was so realistic and cute, coming of age story. I would love to see this turned into a TV show or movie.

Great friendship groups!

I could not help but feel for Cameron and all his friends. Oh the hardships of high school. How far should one go to fit in?

I think is a really good representation of high school and the different cliches within it.
Cameron is hooking up with the most popular girl in school and has to keep it a secret. He finds out how things can blow up in your face when you're keeping a secret. And how it might mess up another good thing that you have going on.
I didn't love the characters. I am glad they grew and changed throughout the book.
I think teens will like it and be able to see themselves in someone represented in the book.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Such a cute book! Cameron, Karla and MacKenzie are brilliantly my favorite characters. So relatable and easy to love! The story just brings you back to high school with all the different cliques, awkwardness and funny moments. I loved every bit of this! Stuff got so juicy and interesting near the ending as well. I just had to read this in one sitting. Easily a 4.5 star book!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

Unfortunately, I abandoned this book. I wanted to like it and thought it may be a great read for my "geeky/anime" group of kiddos...but the language was off-putting (building in the shape of a penis) and I found teens hitting each other up on Facebook to be unbelievable. Few, if any, use that platform any more. I just couldn't find it in me to keep reading.

I am kind of a nerd. When the opportunity came up to read an ARC of The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos and the description says that the main character is a member of the Geeks and Nerds United club, I snatched up the opportunity faster than my middle school bullies could call me a nerd.

Cameron Carson is a member of the Geeks and Nerds United (G.A.N.U.) club at school. Karla Ortega is student body president and all around popular girl. They belong to two different social circles - ones that kind of hate each other. During the summer before their senior year begins, they find themselves working at a local coffee shop together and one thing leads to another. What was supposed to be just a summer fling becomes something more as the two continue to sneak around during the school year. As Cameron tries to find a way to ingratiate himself with Karla's friends and make it more "appropriate" for the two to publicly date, he finds himself drawn to newcomer Mackenzie Briggs, who isn't afraid to be herself no matter what others think of her.

The nerd representation in this book was amazing. There were debates about manga vs. anime and, subsequently, subbed vs. dubbed anime. At one point, a character goes off on a tangent about the Hand Flex Scene (capitalization added by the author, not me, but I agree with it) from 2005's Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley (if you know, you know). It felt like I was once again sitting and listening to my bestie go on and on about why it was the superior adaptation of the novel based on that one scene alone.

This novel was dedicated to the geeks, nerds, and dorks and it really shows. It read like a love letter to those who felt like outcasts growing up because of their love of all things fandom. To put the cherry on top, most (if not all, my memory storage is at a -10gb since having a kid) of the characters were people of color. As someone who grew up in a community and went to a school where people of color were the majority, it was so incredibly relatable and brought such nostalgia.

For anyone who grew up being bullied for the things they loved (or are currently being bullied), The Wrong Kind of Weird is the kind of story that will help you heal and will empower you to be unapologetically loud about the things you hold dear. As Cameron navigates the social ladder of high school, he slowly and unconsciously learns about the things that actually matter - in the grand scheme of life as well as to him personally. He finds himself swept up in the exhilaration of being in this secret relationship and tries to change himself to fit into a mold that wasn't made for him. When he finally reaches the other side of the whirlwind, it hits in a way that makes you want to travel back in time, throw this book at your younger self, and sit there until they finish reading it so you can save yourself some of the pain to come.

I have next to zero complaints about this beautiful coming of age story. Each of the characters had their distinct personalities, all the relationships were complex and fleshed out, and even the "bad guys" (for lack of a better term) were characters that I cared about. I honestly spent the majority of the time while I was reading wishing that the author was my friend in real life. My only complaint is a brief moment where they dissed oatmeal raisin cookies and I wanted to throw hands, but overall, I really just wanna be besties with them. James, if you are reading this, LET'S BE FRIENDS! (I promise not to bring you oatmeal raisin cookies - mostly because I will have already eaten them all.)

The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos is available for preorder now and will hit shelves January 3, 2023.

While this story was cute and I did enjoy reading it, there were some things that went over my head. It was very catered to a certain group of people with specific interests that I unfortunately know nothing about.

One of my favorite things about being a part of the book community is when a book arrives in the mail that you didn't know was coming, but had been eyeing on your want-to-read list. Sometimes it's just like a sign to stop everything and devour the book as soon as it arrives, and that's precisely what I did with this one!

I had never read anything by James Ramos, but I assure you they will be an author to watch for sure! This contemporary romance grabbed me with the incredible colorful cover and a great synopsis. The writing and characters took it on home for me in a delightful story that constantly had me noticing how well-written and thought-out the plotline was. From the Jane Austen tie-ins with the play and theming of the book, they had me hooked and I can't wait to recommend this one to teens, this title just had so much to offer.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for the physical ARC to read and review, it's always an honor to get to read titles from publishers releasing such incredible titles for our young adults! Books like this one always have such an important place in my heart knowing I can pass them along and recommend them to readers who need stories they relate to like this one.

Everyone needs to read this book!!! I’ve seen this book quite a number of times on my bookstagram and finally decided that it was one I needed to read. I’m really glad I did. What a beautiful and inspiring story. Overall this book was just crafted spectacularly from the characters to the plot to the romance. Love everything from James Ramos.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.