Edward Underhill's This Changes Everything is a charming and heartwarming coming-of-age story that captures the magic of New York City and the excitement of young love. It's a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected encounters can lead to the most meaningful connections.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! Abby is going on a band trip to New York, New York, and even more exciting and nerve wracking she is going to confess her love to her best friend, Kat. During the band tour of the city that never sleeps she ends up getting on the wrong train and finds herself with another teen, Leo, a trans boy, that made the same mistake but from a different high school band. After Abby tells Leo her plans he decides that they could go around to different places in New York and pick some souvenirs up for Kat. They explore New York and even though they are looking for presents to gift Kat; Abby and Leo end up falling for each other.

This was super cute, I found the characters a tad annoying at points but nothing deal breaking, it’s an adventurous coming of age LGBTQ+ YA romance that I think people should definitely read.

Truly tugged on my heartstrings and also made me want to live in New York! Underhill is a master at his craft!

This book is a love letter to NYC and Queerness (two of my favorite things).

Abby has spent the last few months on tumblr trying to figure herself out - is she gay? is she a lesbian? At the least, she definitely knows she's in love with her best friend, Kat. A hopeless romantic of sorts, she clings to this romance novel they shared, taking place in NYC, as the perfect way to come out and tell Kat she's in love with her. The perfect setting is NYC on her school's marching band's trip as they're preparing to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. She finds a signed copy and annotates it and is just waiting for the universe to give her the sign that now is the time.

Leo has spent the last few weeks dreading the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade trip with his school marching band. He's been interviewed at home and he's going to be on live television as Leo, but his extended family still knows him as "just a tomboy." Stuck in the middle of family politics, his identity has been hidden from his family outside of his parents and his sister. They can no longer deny that he's a boy once he's on TV and the hometown news interview happens. And he doesn't know what this means.

But then the universe intervenes and they step on the wrong train and get thrown out of all their plans with their own marching bands. One mishap after another, they start exploring NYC together, seeing all these places definitely not on their itinerary, but making the trip so special. Just one day that they get to spend in New York City, going from Union Square to Chelsea Market to Chinatown to the Empire State Building. One day of some kind of magic, where they get to just be themselves, be seen, and also learn more about themselves than ever. A day of adventure just for the two of them.

This book will hold a special place in my heart as a queer girl who spent a year in NYC when I was still figuring myself out and feeling more comfortable in my identity. A city as big as New York is a place where you feel like you are everything and you are nothing, both at the same time, and how special that can be. A place where you can run into other queer people without trying to, and fitting in regardless. A place where dreams can happen, even if they're different from how you imagined.

I was captivated the whole time and loved spending the day with Abby and Leo, seeing how different their experiences are, really leaning into who they are as people, really learning to just be themselves, even when it might mean being a little messy. Highly recommend this book, and a great way to get a little "festive" around Thanksgiving.

2.75 stars, rounded up to 3.

I adored Underhill’s first book and was hoping I would love this one as well but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. There’s a line between being grumpy and being a jerk, Leo fairly consistently fell on the side of just being a jerk. I also felt we never actually got to know him. The romance wasn’t good, very much felt like a switch being flipped.

Cant fully elaborate, but this felt like a romance film from the 90s set in NYC in the best way. Of course, it was also super queer and had this lovely coming of age story.
Obsessed with how we know Edward Underhill is a musician with each book he writes. I need more marching band romances in my life.

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill is a heartfelt and moving YA novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery. Following the story of a young protagonist facing life-altering choices, it delves into how a single day can reshape our lives. Underhill’s writing is both poetic and relatable, making the journey deeply impactful.

This one really wasn't for me. I have a hard time with books about fangirls and love stories between strangers who just got to know each other, but I wanted to give this a shot because I really liked Edward's previous book. Unfortunately, I really wasn't the target audience for this one.

*This Day Changes Everything* follows Abby and Leo as they arrive in New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, only to lose their respective bands and board the wrong train together. Abby is optimistic about the day, believing it will be magical, while Leo approaches it with hesitation.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Leo, a trans character, navigating his feelings as the "Logistical Headache," while Abby, an avid romance novel fan, seeks her own happy ending. The story features authentic discussions of queerness, with both characters being somewhat unlabeled, providing refreshing representation.

The whimsical New York setting adds depth to the narrative, making it more engaging. The romance between Abby and Leo is sweet, effectively using the grumpy/sunshine dynamic and other beloved tropes. Although the 24-hour romance trope isn’t usually a favorite, the pacing kept it enjoyable. Overall, it’s a charming story filled with relatable characters and heartfelt moments.

I enjoyed Edward Underhill’s debut novel, but this one is my favorite of the two. It has so many fun references to New York City, marching band nerdiness, and a celebration of books and fanfiction. I had a lot of fun reading this one.

The story alternates between Abby and Leo’s points of view, so we get to watch them get to know one another and learn to read one another as they experience a wild “lost in New York” kind of adventure. Abby’s relationship with Leo starts out as a bond between people who got on the wrong train, but it becomes so much more. I thought the pacing of the relationship was really nicely done.


Abby loves a romance novel set in New York and wants to celebrate her love for the book on her trip to the city. She thinks about the scenes in the book set in different places and wants to capture the magic of reading the book and falling in love, but things keep unfolding in ways that are at odds with her plans. I liked the way she and Leo navigated the unexpected moments.

Both Leo and Abby are from marching band groups that visit New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I’ve never read a book with that kind of plot before, and I felt like this one did really capture both the essence of marching band rehearsal and what I imagine the parade is like.

I think the only thing odd about this book is the timing of the release date. It came out in February. Because of the story centering around the Thanksgiving Parade, I would have thought it would come out in the fall or closer to the holidays.


Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book so much. It’s got lots of sweet moments and fun antics. If you love visiting New York City, this is definitely one to put in your reading list!

This review will post live on October 22, 2024

Did not enjoy the beginning of this book. I hate when a ROMANCE book belittles the ROMANCE genre. I don’t think this is the author for me!

I loved this one! The main characters were real and relatable and the plot was a lot of fun. It was a really enjoyable read!

this book is about 2 queer teens finding their place in the world / general teen identity struggles, as a 20yo, i'm now a guest in the YA genre & don't think my personal unenjoyment should mean anything in the space of YA books because they're not for me & aren't supposed to be. i can and do enjoy YA books, but for certain ones, my experience reading them is irrelevant to their existence and purpose. seeing the YA genre becoming increasingly more tailored to adult readers due to the industry's insatiable affluenza, the last thing i want is to further saturate books made for teens with critiques from an adult perspective.
although i still feel so young & so not an adult, i have a sense of self & an assuredness in my beliefs/decisions from life experience teens just do not have yet, & while reading about characters struggling to find themselves in a contemporary world isn't my preference, that doesn't nullify the absolutely vital presence & celebration of their representation/exploration. due to these things, i didn't enjoy the book & decided not to finish it, but also won't be taking up space on any platforms about it because my experience doesn't and can't measure it—i am not the audience it was written for, & that is not a flaw.
adults absolutely can love & enjoy reading YA, but in the times when we don't, it's imperative for the voices our own are overshadowing that we recognize we are guests in YA spaces, & our negative feedback (& even constructive criticism, if it's from an adult perspective not prioritizing the teen audience/reader/experience) does not belong. idk if the date of this review will show, but that's why i'm posting this statement so long after the book's publication (and only here). thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy

Touching book. Really pulled at my heart. The characters were well written and the story well written. Definitely in my top reads for the year

“This Day Changes Everything” by Edward Underhill is a whirlwind of emotions, and I loved every second of it. The story perfectly captures how fate can bring two unlikely people together when everything seems to go wrong—and yet, so right. Abby and Leo’s day-long adventure through New York City is filled with serendipity, charm, and vulnerability. Their relationship unfolds so naturally that by the end, you’re left believing that sometimes all it takes is one extraordinary day for two people to find something truly special.

What really resonated with me was the sweet and heartwarming way Abby and Leo’s connection grows over the course of that single day. I loved seeing how their relationship progresses from strangers to something so much more in a way that feels both spontaneous and inevitable. The story is a testament to how, when two people are perfect for each other, time doesn’t matter—it’s the connection that does. The way they navigate the ups and downs of their day, learning about themselves and each other, adds layers of depth to the story. The little moments of humor, heart, and honesty make it a beautiful experience.

The exploration of Abby and Leo’s queer identities is another aspect I adored. Watching them come to terms with their feelings and experiences while on this unexpected journey felt authentic and moving. Sure, there are some moments where their teenage angst shows through, but that’s what makes it all the more realistic—they’re teenagers, after all! Despite everything, Abby’s belief in the magic of the universe and Leo’s more grounded skepticism balance each other out perfectly. “This Day Changes Everything” is a heartfelt and delightful rom-com that reminds you how much can change in just one day.

Teenage angst and self-discovery, LGBTQIA+ style.

This was a sweet story of two high school kids who met by accident in NYC while traveling with their marching bands as they were preparing for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The novel takes place on that one fateful day that changes their lives in unexpected ways.

Abby believes in magic and signs from the Universe, and thinks this trip will provide her with the chance to share her feelings she has for her best friend Kat in an epic way. Leo on the other hand is the grumpy to her sunshine and is worried about not being accepted as the trans male he is. As fate unfolds, the two share a whirlwind day that does just what the title says, and I enjoyed all of it.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! I selected this YA rom-dram (didn’t know that was a genre 😂) because it sounded like a Rainbow Rowell type story and the author was new to me. I’ll be checking out his previous novel Always the Almost soon!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

There was like a Ying vs Yang thing going on with both Abby and Leo. Although they are from two different high schools, they meet in the cutest way.

There isnt a whole lot I can say that hasn't been said before. I love the 24 hour romances and adored both Abby and Leo

This book was so good. It was such a sweet, fluffy queer romance that also dealt with more serious queer topics (coming out to family, questioning your identity, etc.). But there were so many goofy shenanigans that keep the story moving, and it was very much a happy story.
I loved the grumpy x sunshine trope in this book. It felt like there was a legitimate reason for the grumpiness (anxiety over being outed) and it didn’t do a random 180 but took its time with melting the frozen heart.
Yes, I cried at the end while snuggled with my stuffed animals.
I liked the ambigious, yet happy, ending.

This was such a sweet YA book with queer and trans rep about finding yourself while being lost in NYC. Major Ferris Bueller’s Day Off vibes with an impromptu scavenger hunt. When Abby loses the book she’s been annotating for her best friend (and crush) she thinks it the of the world, but really it’s the beginning of the most epic day in New York. I loved the found family aspect and how the two main characters open up to each other throughout their time together.

after reviewing edward underhill’s debut last year and absolutely adoring it, i had high hopes for their sophomore novel and he sure did not disappoint. this story of two teens in marching band having shenanigans across new york city on thanksgiving eve was the story i never knew i truly needed. not even discussing the characters yet, the actual plot of two teens separating from their high school groups going on essentially a scavenger hunt across the city, all while coming to terms with their feelings, their identities, it was peak 2000s rom-com energy for me. and if it wasn’t marketed as that, it definitely should be.

getting to follow abby and leo’s live in this 2 day snippet was truly a highlight. it’s always so funny to read about people visiting the city i grew up around for the first time. experiencing the overwhelming energy that is NYC. and underhill depicted their adventures so well. showcasing some iconic and popular landmarks, up to the quintessential experiences like the hole-in-the-wall pizza places. were the native new yorkers a tad too nice to our out of towners… yes. but we let it slide in the name of romcom movie magic! i think overall, it was an honest look at the mayhem of the city, even (and especially really) before a major holiday.

i loved abby and leo so much. seeing them see each other, fully. accepting their queer identities. having this whirlwind romance and adventure. it was truly just so heartwarming. all i want is to read about them in college, anytime after the books ends really. their relationship is just so precious.