Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book unfortunately didn't work for me at all. It fell completely flat for me. Mainly that's because to me, the lighthearted, humorous tone of the book really clashed with the story. I kept expecting to feel an emotional response to what was happening, but because the tone stayed so humorous, I didn't end up feeling what the main character was supposedly feeling.

I loved this book, it went above and beyond all my expectations. I loved the suspense and seeing the main character discover all these things about himself, and seeing him grow into who is really is.

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Calvin is a typical seventh grader struggling to figure out who he is. Readers meet him at an embarrassing moment in his life when he falls off the stage during a performance. The story then jumps seventy-three days to the last day of school. Immediately, we see the friend dynamics come into play and start to see what will unfold in the book. Readers follow along for the summer and see the angst and crises involved among middle school friends. Matejek-Morris offers a view from Calvin's perspective so readers don't learn as much about his friends. They can feel a bit one-dimensional at times as seen through Calvin's point of view. Calvin is a likeable character and readers will connect with his struggles to see himself and figure out what he wants in life. Too often, one of his friends worked to make him feel smaller so she could be the star. He is oblivious to other friends who see him for who he is and know he can shine.
I wish the story had developed some of the other characters as well but understand the focus on Calvin. I appreciate the way the author addresses relationships and affirms that people need time to figure out who they are drawn to.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Calvin is best friends with Kennedy and Jonah, but things start to become problematic when he has a disastrous performance in Cinderella. Kennedy is Cinderella, and Jonah is the prince. Calvin is a footman who blows his lines (the titular "forsooth") and "ruins" the play. When Calvin sees Jonah and Kennedy kissing afterwards, it strikes him oddly, but the really upsetting thing occurs later, on the last day of school. When yearbooks are signed, Kennedy uses the opportunity to tell Calvin that she's leaving to move to New York City to live with her mother and go to a performing arts school. Calvin is devasted. In the wake of this announcement, he develops some new friends, including Kennedy's rival, Maia, and neighbor Blake. Calvin's mother makes him go to choir practice at the Catholic church, and Maia hopes to get the solo. After another disastrous occurrence, the priest gives the solo to Calvin. He keeps that information to himself, especially since Maia is helping him and Jonah put together a film that they hope will encourage Kennedy to move back. Calvin is anxious about many things, and Blake, whose father suffers from anxiety, teaches him some valuable coping skills. Calvin is attracted to both boys, but his Catholic upbringing makes him want to deny this. His older sister is dating a boy, and keeping it secret because the parents are so strict, so he knows he can't tell them, even though his father seems to be oddly understanding at several points in the book. Jonah is studying for his bar mitzvah, and trying to find a way to honor his deceased father at the ceremony. Calvin helps him, but also has moments with Blake. When Maia finds out about the solo, that new friendship is in danger of falling through. The whole summer is very tense for many reasons, and when Kennedy comes back to visit (after blocking both Calvin and Jonah from her social media after realizing they like each other), things get very dramatic. Will Calvin be able to figure out what it is that he wants from his family and friends so that he has the support he needs to be his authentic self?
Strengths: This captured the progession of middle school romances in a very realistic way-- a whole lot of the process is just figuring out if the other person likes you, and if they do... what do you even do? Layering this on top of a theater background gives it some form, and the addition of friend drama is perfect, because losing at least one friend in middle school is almost guaranteed. There should probably be a few more middle grade books with families who are religious, but it is becoming increasingly rare for families to have religious affiliations. The interactions with Calvin and his parents and sister are quite interesting. The inclusion of Kennedy's social media "fame" will make this even more appealing to young readers.
Weaknesses: This had a LOT of angsty drama. I wish that there had been more of an underlying plot that dealt with something other than Calvin figuring out his identity or his relationship with his friends and family.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who liked Better Nate Than Ever or Pancholy's Nikhil Out Loud.