I have always had a soft spot for romances that feature bizarre, impossible scenarios with very real, human characters in them. That’s the draw, right? We know these things don’t happen in real life, but the characters feel like someone you could meet on any old day, so the story feels closer to you somehow.

This Day Changes Everything is the epitome of that feeling.

Leo and Abby are two confused, anxious, queer teens who have a singular, whirlwind day together in NYC. There’s no way they realistically would’ve gotten away with it. It’s utterly fantastical. And yet Leo is sitting with very real feelings of anxiety and dread around his transness and Abby is still discovering exactly how she fits under the queer and they’re a little cringey and it’s all so endearing and human and very, very *real*.

This book inspired such a fondness in me in a way that only queer books can. I love a good “feel good” read and that’s exactly what this is.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!!

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill tells the story of Abby, Leo and the adventure they have in New York City.

I LOVED Almost the Always so I was looking forward to this book...I shouldn't have. The story was boring, the characters were 1 dimensional and the romance wasn't fleshed out at all. I thought Abby and Leo were annoying and disrespectful to their friends. I wasn't rooting for them to get together. I was also disappointed by the entire interaction with The Author. The only part I enjoyed was the scavenger hunt in the bookstore. I would not recommend this book.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

- “This Day Changes Everything” followed two main characters. Abby and Leo as they arrive in New York with their respective marching band for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Abby believes in the universe and fate while Leo doesn’t believe in fate or any magical universe that could me messing with fate. A wrong subway and a chance of fate Abby and Leo find themselves lost in Manhattan.
- First, I love the grumpy/ sunshine trope but make it a queer love story. That just takes the cake. I loved the main characters so much. I love the arcs and character development both of the characters went through. Not only growing as people but growing in their own understanding of their sexuality and gender. The characters are lovable and feel genuine. I feel in love with the dynamic of the two main characters and how their interactions flows together beautifully.
- I love that the background setting is in New York City. There is just something magical about discovering yourself in the city. Every time I thought they were going to get caught I was nervous for them. I was so invested in the story and how the plot continued. I couldn’t put the book down.
- I absolutely feel in love with the scene at The Strand. I feel like this was the beginning for both characters to grow in the terms of understanding their own queerness and what it means to them. The scavenger hunt at The Strand was such a character developing place for Abby and Leo. When they both finally admitted to themselves they liked each other, I was in love. I fell in love with this story and these characters.
- “I see you, you exist to me” scene was beautifully written and it just made the whole book. That you can just exist as a queer person and you don’t have to prove anything to anyone about your own queerness made me personally feel so seen. As a queer person myself, this scene just filled my heart with so much joy.
- While I was reading through this story a million things popped out to me where I would annotate it. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to do just that.
- Thank you to Wednesday Books and Net Gallery for this arc in exchange of my honest review.

The way that this book sucked me in and would not let me go was so wonderful to experience. It brought me right back to high school both in the wide eyed teenaged feelings that Abby and Leo were having, but it also felt like I was reading the kind of instant classic I used to be handed in English class. Two teens "lost" in New York trying to find their way "home" but also getting into shenanigans and hijinks along the way?? And the element of two queer kids from the middle of nowhere parts of the country where they feel isolated and alone, finding community in each other and in the wider world that New York opens up for them just warmed my heart, I found myself unable to put this book down for large chunks of time, I never wanted it to end. This book just existing is going to change young queer kids lives and I am so so grateful that it exists and that I have gotten the chance to read it. I cannot speak highly enough, what a wonderful read.

When Abby and Leo both get on the wrong train, they spend their day together exploring NYC together the day before thanksgiving, the day before their two bands perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I really loved the first book that this author wrote so I walked into this with really high expectations, and it did not disappoint.
I loved how diverse the book was. How all of the events correspond together in perfect harmony. The characters that we met along the way came at a perfect time with the plot and it was just amazing. The covers also gorgeous, so bonus.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC

THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I downloaded it this morning and then almost immediately was sucked into it and I only meant to read the first chapter but now I’m finished with it and it’s over and I’m just supposed to move on with my life???????

I really loved Edward Underhill’s writing in Always the Almost, and I knew the moment I saw the cover reveal of this one that I wanted it on my shelves. I am so grateful I received an early copy of this one. This Day Changes Everything is a love letter to the romance genre. If it’s a romance cliché, you can almost guarantee you’ll find some iteration of it in this book, written in the freshest, twistiest, most wonderful way possible. He takes a story that has been told a million times and makes it feel brand new. The characters are lovable and real, and the story centers their joy above all things. I truly cannot recommend this book enough.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC! All views reflected are my own.

Edward Underhill has shown himself to be an incredibly talented author with two wonderful books both centering the experience of queer teens in small mid-west towns. Some of the things that really stood out to me were Abby and Leo's individual experiences of feeling alone in their queerness, their worries about how their family would respond, and their desire to be enough just as they are. I loved it and will absolutely read anything Edward Underhill writes moving forward.

The opposing sides of our main characters is so interesting and fun to read! Starting with Leo first, he is a recent lot come out trans boy. Struggling with the relationships around him and trusting people, the fear of rejection consuming him. He doesn’t allow himself to dream and hope too much. On the opposite end Abby, is a romantic with beliefs in the universe and questioning parts of her sexuality and how that shapes her.

I love the discussions of gay/lesbian not being the only label and that labels aren’t required. Through all the people our main characters experience they look into themselves more.

I loved watching how much Abby and Leo impacted each other in such a short time. Abby learned to believe in love but also the realistic side, no t the idea she created in her head. Leo on the other hand allowed himself to feel love and not self sabotage at every turn when things go wrong.

Side note, I LOVE the cover! Just as gorgeous as the first book!

I absolutely LOVED this book. I really love when Authors connect their books with present day because it makes the reading experience that much more personal. I will definitely be recommending this for circulation at my library once it's published!

Pub Date: 02/13/24
CW: mentions of deadnaming, transphobia, homophobia, mentions of being outed

A huge fuckin’ thank you to Rivka Holler for sending me an eARC. When I say I was SURPRISED to find the invite in my email!!!

Right off the bat, I love that we never know Leo’s dead name. It’s irrelevant and Edward makes sure we know it.

This was such a cute, easy read. Leo and Abby are the cutest rivals to reluctant friends to “oh shit I might like you?” and it’s adorable. The fact they both had to come to terms with their feelings over the course of a very stressful twelve hours and their friends were totally in on it makes it all the more special and adorable.

This was such a good read. It was cute, it was queer, and it was fulfilling. I’m so looking forward to the next one.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 4 stars

This Day Changes Everything follows Abby and Leo as they arrive in New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Both of them then losing their respective bands and getting on the same wrong train. These two teens have very different moods about the trip, Abby believing today would be a magical day, and Leo being much more hesitant about it.

I was very excited to receive this E-ARC since I was a huge fan of Underhill’s debut, Always the Almost. This is notably by the same author, including all of the last book’s charming writing.

First of all, the characters were everything! I loved both MCs and their arcs. Both of them were developed well with the time given and they’re both very relatable! Leo being the trans Logistical Headache hit home. His POV always had me in shambles. Abby was also an amazing character. Her obsession with romance novels and happy endings was great. I adored the emphasis by the end on making something with what the Universe gives you instead of letting it control you.

Secondly, I love that this is a very very queer book despite being m/f. The discussions of queerness are real and raw. Both main characters are sorta unlabeled which is something not often seen. It’s great to see some queer rep where labels aren’t such an emphasis. (This isn’t to negate the importance of labels of course, it’s just gray to see!)

The setting of the book was also a great inclusion. It made the whole story much more whimsical and was overall a great backdrop to a great story. I loved that I recognized some of the places. This definitely made me want to drive over to NY right now.

The romance was pretty sweet overall and I was really rooting for them all throughout the story. The grumpy/sunshine was executed perfectly and there are plenty other well immersed tropes that had me giggling. I wasn’t totally a fan just because I’m not a fan of the 24 hour romance trope but I really liked this despite that. (The pacing made it much more bare able then others)

Overall, if you’re looking for a short, queer, coming of age novel, then this is for you! Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK. The cuteness, the wholesomeness, the magic of connecting with someone over forced/chosen proximity and falling in love with them, the vulnerable discussions about queerness and coming out and labels, and the absolute wholesomeness of "seeing" someone 😭 there's an "I see you, you exist to me" scene, and I teared up so hard.

Almost the entire book takes place over one day, one day of adventuring in New York (side note: I really want to go to NY now), and yeah one day seems fast burn, but the connection is such a wholesome slow-burn, I'm so obsessed with the pacing in this book.

TWs - anxiety over coming out as queer, transphobia

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This was super cute! I loved Abby and Leo. Unfortunately though, considering how grounded in the Present Day USA this was, I was disappointed by the lack of mention of masking and couldn't stop thinking about how as they run around NYC they're absolutely going to get COVID. But other people probably won't mind that as much :/

Beautiful amazing gorgeous 💞✨💗🤍💖


Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Thank you @netgalley for sending me an ARC of This Day Changes Everything in exchange for an honest review!

I love this book! It's a novel about queer joy and discovering yourself. Abby and Leo are both from small towns, so they have a harder time navigating what it means to be queer in today's society. Small town queer people don't always have the resources or the support people in big towns have, especially in rural areas with a majority of elderly population. So it's easy for them to feel alone, but this story teaches both Abby and Leo that they're not alone.
This book also focuses on how problematic non-supportive families can be to queer people. Leo's parents are initially not really supportive, which takes a huge toll on his mental health. But by the end, things get resolved and he feels alot freer.
Another important theme is how you may feels guilty for taking up space when it comes to situations such as coming out to family members. You feel guilty for fights that may occur, even though it's not your fault. Everyone deserves to take their own space, other's actions are not in our control.
Leo and Abby travelling through New York felt so whimsical and adventurous. I loved reading about their adventures and the places they go.
Their friends are also amazing character, who support them through thick and thin, keeping their secret during the trip.
I really loved this novel and I recommend it to fans of romance and coming-of-age novels!

TW:mentions of transphobia and homophobia.

Abby plays clarinet in her Missouri high school's marching band, and she wants to take the opportunity of the band's trip to New York City for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to tell her best friend Kat that she's in love with her. While Abby is still trying to understand her own sexuality, she believes in true love and wants to use their mutual love for a particular book set in NYC as a way of expressing her feelings for Kat.

Leo, a drummer in his North Carolina marching band, is headed to NYC for the same reason, but he's much less excited about the trip because it means he will be inadvertently outed to his conservative family as a trans male. His best friends Evan and Gina know and support him, but his folks back home have already proven unwilling to rock the boat with the family at large.

As both bands tour the city the day before the parade, Abby and Leo both get separated from their groups and end up on the wrong subway train together. As they struggle to find their way back to their friends, they learn more about each other and develop a tentative friendship -- but their time in the big city moves pretty fast, and they might just miss out on something more.

There's so much to love about this book, starting with Abby and Leo and how they are growing in understanding about their own sexuality and gender, thanks to supportive friends and a more welcoming and accepting atmosphere (love that bookstore scene!). Both characters are imperfect but genuine, and their growth over the course of the book was heartwarming to read. And while their adventures running around NYC on their own might be a bit unbelievable for two teens from small towns, I sure had fun reading about them.

This is Edward Underhill's second book, and he just keeps knocking them out of the park. 4.5 stars rounded up.

CW: transphobia and misgendering

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

i love queer ya book about learning and loving your true self and this book was exactly that! i couldn’t get enough of it and i finished the book in one day!

i really related to abby and leo and loved their dynamic!

thank you netgalley for the eARC!

I’m starting to see that Edward Underhill really is the type of author who knows exactly how to pull at your heartstrings but make your entire being happy at the same time. I was lucky enough to also get an advance copy of his first work, ‘Always The Almost’ last year and both stories have brought me so much joy.

At the root of the story is discovering who you are, very coming of age in a time when it’s sometimes difficult to get others to understand. I’ve said it before but stories like these, that unpack the very real turmoil queer teens go through, is more important than ever. They need to be heard. As someone who grew up as a queer teen with no sense of what that meant or who that made me and not knowing who would accept me, Abby’s story especially hits me.

Both Abby and Leo are lost but in very different ways. It takes New York, one of the most magical places in the world to me, and it takes you on a whirlwind of adventures in such a short span of time. Both lead characters are incredibly endearing and as much as I adore the romance aspect, the bonds of their friendship were also very strong. The representation was beautiful — finding space for trans youth and also kids who might not know where they fall yet and that’s okay. It details that happiness isn’t dependent on a label and as long you are true to yourself, then there’s nothing else to worry about. That bookstore scene will stick with me and it made me so giddy, I can’t even properly explain it.

Using New York City as a backdrop, as cliche as it might be, really adds to the whimsicality of the narrative. It’s so freeing and beautiful, taking you through ups and downs with the same lifts and dips as the marching band music Abby and Leo play. You feel it and it doesn’t have to be the most realistic or plausible for it to feel that way. Sometimes believing in a little magic is what helps us create that magic in our every day lives and you get that theme throughout the entire novel. No matter what age you are or how you describe yourself, there is a slice of happiness to be found in this book. In the span of 24 hours. Not to mention, the ending had my heart soaring to outer space.

Extra shoutout to the supporting friend group who are exactly the kind of people you want on your side and when you’re two teenagers running around in New York unsupervised. I couldn’t adore them more if I tried.

Thank you always to St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for providing me with an advanced copy for reviewing purposes!

This Day Changes Everything is exactly the kind of book I wish I’d had when I was a teenager. It’s a heartwarming YA romance that explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and falling in love for the first time.

The setup for this book is amazing. Leo and Abby are two teenagers from small towns - each navigating their own personal struggles - who find themselves in New York City to play with their marching bands in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. When they both get separated from their groups, a series of spontaneous adventures ensue.

I really appreciated the author’s vibrant descriptions of NYC; it was almost as if the city was one of the main characters. The descriptions of NYC beautifully capture the spirit of the city, with its boundless energy, and the magic of unexpected encounters.

Leo and Abby are really endearing, and I found myself rooting for them to continue their adventures & continue forging their connection.

There's just SO MUCH JOY in this novel in general. Definitely a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming, wholesome coming of age romance.

Leo is a trans-boy, and isn’t out to his extended family, who are all going to be at his parents house to watch as he marches, with his band, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York. Abby is in love with her best friend, and isn’t sure if she is a lesbian, or gay, or what, but she loves her so much, and wants to spend the day that she has, before the parade that she is also marching in, with her, so she can profess her love.
But things do not work out as either Abby or Leo plan, and they get put together in the wrong place at the wrong time, and try to get back to their bands as they travel around New York City.

At first I got frustrated with the author. I wanted Abby to profess her love. I wanted Abby to have her best friend as her lover. And so did Abby. I didn’t want her to fall in love with Leo. But as the day progressed, and they looked for souvenirs for Kat, they gradually started having feelings for each other.

And that worked. Really, as much as I was rooting for Kat and Abby, it worked.

Cute story, really. The acknowledgement showed just how much research he had to do to get all the locations, and incidents to work right.
Thanks to Netgally for making this book available for an honest review. This is coming out from St. Martin’s Press, division Wednesday Books, the 13th of February 2024.