DNFd at 8%
The main characters were annoying me.

*Thank you netgalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book helped heal something in me that I didn’t know needed healed. When people figure out they’re trans later in life, it often feels like there’s parts of their childhood that are just missing, because they experienced them as a version of themself that doesn’t feel right. For me, reading trans representation in YA, fills those empty spaces. For me, someone who’s entire middle school and high school years were filled to the brim with band, this book was perfect.

This is the cutest! A grumpy sunshine YA rom com. Two teens stuck together in New York City creating adorable memories and eventually falling in love. I loved this story and the main characters! And also the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a huge part of this which makes this even better.

Trekking through New York City on a quest to win her secret love, Abby goes through mishap after mishap while discovering herself, the community, and the life she might want to lead. On this journey, unwillingly at first, is Leo who is facing his own life challenge as a result of the trip to NYC. These two bang heads at first only to realize that they may have more in common than they thought.

I always wondered what it would be like to follow the pages of a book and see whether it would have the same impact. I’m actually trying to think of a book where I would want to visit every place the character went and at the moment I am drawing a blank. This is a common theme in stories and I confess the one that immediately comes to mind is An Affair to Remember (Dir. Leo McCarey, 1957). Scenes from this movie have been duplicated or reminisced on in many entertainment forms.

This Day Changes Everything is a romcom meet cute young adult romp. I enjoyed the journey of Leo and Abby. It was a lot of fun as information was parsed out and the characters bonded. Their issues are discussed in depth as people flow in and out of their path. I really liked the souvenir collection, but not the result of it (chuckle - trying not to give anything away).

The secondary cast is used to provide information or another point of view. Edward Underhill doesn’t shy away from the ignorance within our own rainbow circle and how we deal with it and grow.

Overall, their day is touched by magic just like the movies. The story can lag at times as there are a lot of details and both characters share their thoughts on the same events. Just like a movie there is a big finish so wait for it. This Day Changes Everything will have you smiling at the end.

I don't know what it was with this story it just wasn't something that keep me wanting to read it I was okay with putting it down. I don't know if it the insta love or just all the talk about band and the Macy parade or what it just didn't fully click with me

I absolutely adored Edward Underhill's debut and had pretty high expectations for his sophomore book. Luckily, This Day Changes Everything won me over, too. As a former band kid, I was enamored by this love letter to marching band and nerds everywhere (and New York, really). Plus, the fun (if a little unrealistic) Ferris Bueller's Day Off-style misadventures made for a winding and exciting plot. I loved both Abby's and Leo's characters and voices and their story was an easy one to fall in love with. Plus, for all the light and fluffy romance stuff, there is an equal amount of realness and tough topics that made for a well-rounded read.

The 24-hour romance trope is not one of my favorites, and even though it was fairly well executed, it still was the main reason this wasn't a five-star read for me. Some of the aspects just felt a little rushed or over the top.

Edward Underhill's *This Day Changes Everything* is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the transformative power of pivotal moments in life. Underhill's evocative storytelling and deep character introspection create a compelling narrative that resonates on an emotional level. The book’s blend of heartfelt drama and insightful reflections makes it a memorable read.

This was a cute queer story. I love that it took place in New York City and you got to see different parts of it because the characters were trying to complete a little task list for a romantic gesture. This book was definitely about exploring in more ways than one. I loved the setting and the characters. Overall an enjoyable queer read.

content warning: transphobia, deadnaming, homophobia

Audiobook specific: I enjoyed both narrators. Logan is one I have enjoyed before so I was excited to hear them again.

Thank you to Wednesday books for an ecopy. All thoughts are my own.

3.5 rounded down to 3

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

I'm reviewing this 5 months after reading the novel, and I'm gonna be honest... I don't remember a thing. I didn't even remember reading this until I saw it in my goodreads. Once I read the description, however, small bits are slowly coming back to me.

I'm not saying that me forgetting literally everything about this is necessarily a bad thing, I obviously was enticed by it enough to read it in only one day, but it definitely also wasn't a memorable book for me. I wish I could write a better review than this, unfortunately I just don't remember any of my thoughts on it at all.

What a beautiful romance story. This novel encapsulates everything I want in a YA romance from the whirlwind experience, changing emotions, complex characters, and just an abundance of hope. Underhill has approached the complexity and hope for his characters in a truly unique way. Leo, a trans boy, from North Carolina is about to be outed to his extended family via coverage of him playing in the marching band in the Macy's day parade on national television and Abby, a maybe lesbian in love with her best friend, from Missouri find a liminal space in NYC. After hoping on the wrong subway and finding themselves stuck together, Abby and Leo get a chance to get to know one another on an epic quest through a city that allows them to exists as they are.

This Day Changes Everything follows Abby and Leo, two teens that meet while in New York to perform with their respective marching bands in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After getting on the wrong subway train, the two explore the city and get to know one another and themselves.

This was a really fun YA novel. It's a quick and relatively light read. My only criticism is that the characters felt a little underdeveloped but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. This is my second read from Edward Underhill and I'm excited to see what comes next from this author.

this book was so beautiful. the representation was everything and don't even get me started on the beautiful cover. gorgeous.

this was v fun, reminded me a lot of 'dash & lily's book of dares' but WOW falling in love in one day gave me a big ick. otherwise, this was a quick read that i had a good time with!

This Day Changes Everything is the super cute second YA lbgtq+ romance by Edward Underhill. Abby and Leo, two teens that are in NYC to perform with their separate school marching bands to perform in the Macy's day parade, end up having a life changing day together when they both get on to the wrong subway train. Not only are Abby and Leo on an adventure in NYC but they are also on an adventure of self discovery. Abby has just recently come to the realization that she might be queer, but because of the small town she comes from, she doesn’t feel she has any peers to help her navigate these feelings. Leo is a trans boy just trying to get accepted and seen for who he is by his school and also his own family. This book had everything a YA romance needed. There’s hidden smiles, angst, group texts, amazingly supportive friends, and the sweetest kiss. Just like Always the Almost, This Day Changes Everything is such a well written novel about being a teen and discovering your sexual Identity and just trying to feel accepted, especially by your family, for your gender identity. Edward Underhill’s romances are great for anyone, but they’re especially great for those in the trans and lbgtq+ community. Thank you netgalley and SMP for a digital copy of this arc.

4.5 stars! This book was so fun! I love a book that takes place over about a day because you get so much detail and you truly feel like you’re with the characters as the time starts to tick by. I really enjoyed the main characters and this is such a great YA book that deals with identity and love. I enjoyed how this book examines gender and sexuality, and also how it dispels some common misconceptions about how there is no one “right” way to love someone. This really made my heart so happy. That warm and fuzzy feeling was definitely there for me. I do wish we had a little more about what happened after the end of the day adventure that is the main plot, but I also understand why the author stopped the story where it did.

The fast-paced plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Underhill's vivid descriptions of New York City transport readers to the heart of the action, making it feel like they're experiencing the city alongside the characters.

Immediately, I wanted to read Edward Underhill's sophomore novel based on the cover!

Abby Akerman thinks everything has a rightful place and fate. She's thrilled to be marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, especially with it being the same setting as her all-time favorite romance read. It's the perfect time, in her opinion, to open up about her feelings towards her best friend.

Leo Brewer just wants to get on the bus, march in the parade, and go back home. He KNOWS and trusts that the world is out to bite them,, one bad luck happening at a time. This especially is about to become true as their whole family, ahem Southern family, finds out that they're trans. Thanks a lot, Universe.

But the Universe definitely has other plans as Leo and Abby run into each other on the wrong subway train in NYC. Off on a mission to help Abby share her feelings and stop fate from happening for Leo, they set their sights on exploring NYC. To them, this day will change everything.

I enjoyed reading another Underhill, this time dealing with NYC and the magic of belief in all the right places. I strongly believe the importance of others seeing themselves on the page and find that every single time I open a book authored by Edward.

Ahhhhhhh!!! Edward Underhill has done it again. This book was so, so good. There were so many elements that left me wanting more, because these characters were so close to my chest. I love the musical elements in both of his books, and I hope we get to see more of that moving forward from him! These transmasculine queer characters are EXACTLY what we need right now, and Edward has a gift in telling their stories!

I have been withholding my review in support of the boycott on St. Martin’s Press and it’s imprints and I will continue to do so until a the concerns are addressed. Readers and influencers demand accountability and action.

This book was requested by a previous Lesbrary reviewer who did not finish or review it. In order to keep my Netgalley feedback up to date, I am submitting this review marking it as a DNF, though it was another reviewer who requested this.