Cute "rom-com" style book with adorable characters. I loved the friendship that developed between Wade and Elijah, as well as Elijah's overall growth as a character. While the plot is predictable, the variety of characters make the story enjoyable anyway.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Read For:
Rom-Com
Theater Kids
Extrovert x Introvert
High School Romance
Strangers to Friends to Lovers

I loved this concept so much. I was looking forward to this book for a while and honestly didn’t think my request would be approved but here we are. I really enjoyed this book.

The friendship that was built was so nice. I especially liked the camping trip and how Wade just talked to Elijah's dad like it was nothing. Oh, what it would be like to be an extrovert with any social skills. Elijah slowly coming out of his shell and getting more comfortable with Wade was written really well, subtle things like Elijah comfortable with talking or eating a whole basket of fries in public.

The only negative thing to say was I didn’t really care for Reese all that much and even with that said he was important to the plot and was well written. I was so happy when Elijah came to his senses at the end though, I was worried for a moment.

I am honor bound to love a YA rom com about theater kids, but this one is such a genuinely sweet story! Wade is a senior, determined to get his year back on track and get the lead role in the musical after getting dumped by Reese. Elijah Brady is a quiet, awkward sophomore trying to find his place. When Elijah asks Wade for help making him more confident, they become close. There are, of course, many teenage feelings to go along with it.

There’s so much that feels true in this book - the stress of worried about where you’ll go to college, the pressure of what you always thought your life would look like while reconciling if it’s still what you actually want, the community of theater kids. It’s a good one!

If My Fair Brady were really a musical, it would get a standing ovation from me—this book was such a delight to read! The story follows high school senior Wade Westmore and sophomore Elijah Brady, who couldn't be more different if they tried. Extroverted Wade loves being in the limelight—so much so that his ex-boyfriend, Reese, dumped him for being too self-involved. Which is why it's doubly devastating when Reese gets the lead role in the spring musical, My Fair Lady, instead. Meanwhile, shy Elijah, who joins the stage crew to make new friends, feels like he's doomed to blend into the background. After a few disastrous days, Elijah enlists Wade to teach him how to be more popular and confident. The new and improved "Brady" will shine in the spotlight and Wade will prove that he's no longer self-centered—it's a win-win situation. But what will happen when Wade and Elijah grow closer and Reese re-enters the picture in an unexpected way?

As a huge fan of both classic musicals and romcoms, I really enjoyed how this book references both, and makes both a huge part of the story! Wade's passion for musical theater was so much fun to read about. I also am always a fan of the opposites-attract dynamic, and I feel like it was done so well here. Both Wade and Elijah are such well-written characters, with distinct voices. Wade was really charming despite his moments of self-absorption, and I loved watching him begin to realize that he doesn't always have to be perfect or put-together all the time. Elijah was so sweet and likable—one of my favorite YA protagonists in recent memory! His struggles with social anxiety and journey to growing more comfortable in himself, while realizing that he's had so much to offer all along, were definitely relatable. I also enjoyed how well-developed the side characters were—I especially loved reading about Wade's friend group! Overall, I would recommend My Fair Brady to anyone looking for a lighthearted, fun YA romcom! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

She's all that is one of my favorite movies so when I saw the comparison I knew I needed to read this book; and it let me say this book did not disappoint. The queer romance was so damn good. The characters were so loveable. This book was everything.

I adored this book so much! It was light, fun, and a joy to read. I loved all of the theater references. I enjoyed the POV from both of the main characters. Very reminiscent of the 90s/2000s rom com era. My Fair Brady was just fun to read!

"Cool shouldn't be about doing what's popular by everyone else standards. It should be about having enough confidence to be who you are, and not caring if that makes you stand out." This outstanding YA gay romance is chock full of musical theater references and self-discovery. Wade is reeling from the blow of breaking up with his boyfriend, Reese, which is only magnified when Reese wins the lead role in the school production of My Fair Lady, leaving Wade to play Col Pickering. Painfully shy and awkward Elijah Brady joins the crew in an attempt to have friends. Or even *a* friend. After his first days go badly awry, Elijah asks Wade to teach him to be more popular and confident. Hoping to prove to Reese that he's no longer self-centered, Wade agrees. Slowly, the boys become genuine friends. But what happens when Reese starts to re-enter the picture? Will that destroy what Wade and Elijah have been building between them?

I read and enjoyed @bdkennedybooks's debut novel "A Little Bit Country" earlier this year but I think this second book is even better. If you - or your readers - like queer YA stories, musicals, and the mirror/window/sliding door of finding your place in not only the community, but at home, then this is 100% the book for you/them. Pub date: Jan 23, 2024

Thank you to Brian & NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

I read A Little Bit Country a few months ago and just adored it. It was charming, it was fun, and it was filled to the brim with heart.

As expected, My Fair Brady was a knockout as well. Hands down one of the best YA books I have read this year, and I will venture to say that it was even better than ALBC. Reading Brian’s sophomore novel has cemented him as an auto-buy / auto-read author.

I could not put this down, and I flew through it in a matter of 3 days. If I had time to read it one sitting, I could easily have done so. It was compulsively readable and absorbing. I loved that there were no points in the story that felt like they were merely filler. Every plot point felt important and added something to the story. Brian’s writing is refined, engaging, and witty.

I have a love-hate relationship with dual POV books – sometimes they can just bog down the plot of a novel and not add much to a book overall. Just like A Little Bit Country was, My Fair Brady is a fantastic example of dual POV strengthening a book. There was a need for it, and it worked – because the story is one that is actually elevated by giving readers both sides of it. Speaking of POV’s … let’s talk about these main characters.

Wade. Alexa, play "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift. Despite Wade having ulterior motives for a good portion of the novel, he was so charming and I was constantly rooting for him. I do feel like some of his friends were hard on him for expressing his feelings and it was had me upset for him when we knew that he had good intentions for a lot of his actions.

Elijah. Alexa, add "You’re On Your Own, Kid" by Taylor Swift to the queue. Elijah is one of my favorite YA protagonists I’ve come across in a while! I saw so much of my own high school self in him, and that made me very invested in him. What I loved most was watching him begin to unearth his sense of self. I felt proud of him for stepping out of his loneliness, standing up for himself, and realize how worthy of a person he was.

If you were a high school theater nerd, you will be blinded by nostalgia and it will awaken core memories for you. This book will feel like a warm hug.

If you’re a fan of 1990’s / early 2000’s rom-coms, this will give you everything you need.

I cannot say enough good things about this book and am so happy I didn’t have to wait until January to read it. You will have a lot of fun with this if you're a fan of YA. There's great LGBTQ+ representation which is always fantastic.

If you're considering this book, go with it.

Also, I am also suggesting that we create an Elijah Brady fan club, and I am volunteering as president.

I loved Brian’s debut so much and was so excited to find out he was writing another book that takes place in the world of high school theatre! This book does not disappoint. Brian has this incredible way of making you fall in love with both of these main characters, despite their flaws and frustrations. They are so fully realized and it feels like you really know them.

This sophomore novel is incredibly funny, sweet, and touching. If you love the YA LGBT genre, this is a must read.

Thank you Balzer + Bray and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This book is so swoony!! Wade is handsome and popular but always seems to come in short compared to his brothers in his parents eyes. Not to mention he just got dumped by his equally handsome and popular boyfriend for be self-absorbed. Elijah is used to being invisible but would loved to have friends and not feel so alone. In his hopes to become friends with another gay boy in his grade he joins the stage crew of the schools Spring Musical. The musical that Wade happens to be in. When the two literally collide on stage Elijah forms a plan, Wade can help him be more confident and make friends. Wade agrees, this is an excellent chance to show his ex that he can care about others, just in time for Prom. But as Elijah and Wade spend more time together can Elijah concur his fears? Can Wade win back his ex? Or maybe the closeness will change things? I like both Wade and Elijah! Everything Elijah feels hit home for me as I share a lot of those feelings! And my heart hurt for Wade multiple times in the book! It’s sweet, charming, and funny! I highly recommend this for rom com fans! I can’t wait to read this again!

i’m buzzing with the fresh emotions of finishing this book like three minutes ago. it’s funny, quick, angsty, and romantic. it’s a story that’s a love letter to things that make us happy and a how-to guide on being the person you’re supposed to be.

opposites attract is a great trope and Brian uses it to its full advantage here. Wade & Elijah shouldn’t make sense, but they do. their chemistry jumps off the page and i loved their banter and quips towards each other.

i loved watching Wade’s popular, confident exterior crack and see the authentic guy come through. the kind of guy that understands he doesn’t have to always be the best version of himself.

and Elijah coming out of his shell to find the best parts of himself that have always been there was uplifting. i especially loved his witty commentary and endless trivia facts.

and i really loved how passionate Wade was about musicals and wasn’t afraid to show it.

Brian’s debut A Little Bit Country is one of my favorites and this fits nicely with that. it has the same heart and humor but dials everything up. everything comes together so perfectly and i can’t wait to have it on my shelf officially!

I LOVED Kennedy’s debut novel A Little Bit Country, but I knew that a large part of it was that I love Dolly Parton and I’m from near where the book takes place. So I was waiting for My Fair Brady with a bit of nervous excitement, hoping I would love this one too. And great news! I did!

It’s light and fun and low stakes, but I was still very invested from the start. I loved all of Elijah’s fun facts and how much importance was put on friendships. I also liked that many of the Big Wins you would usually expect to have in a story didn’t pan out…and that was painful for the characters but ultimately okay. Not the end of the world. Which I appreciate because yeah….sometimes nothing works out but it’s still going to be okay.

But warning, the desire to watch My Fair Lady (1964) will be HIGH while reading this.