3.5 stars rounded up. This was an interesting take on a queer coming of age story. There wasn't really much of a plot and the romance part felt pretty thin, but I liked the characters and the slice of life aspect worked well for both narratives. The story felt real and the world felt lived in, which is always a plus.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Read from August 22nd, 2024 to September 1st, 2024. Written on September 3rd, 2024.

I was not expecting this story at all. I mean wow. A beautiful Greek story about two young men in search for something new and coming to terms with everything around them. From Sotiris, a young author in search of his words and in a constant mental fight between what and who he wants to Harvey, navigating his fathers' imminent divorce and a new life in Darlinghurst.

Now, at first I didn't realise the connection between the two characters, but when little hints started appearing throughout the book, I quickly put together the puzzle and found the missing piece that made this book so much more interesting to read and enjoy. Past and present converging in a single home.

It was so beautiful to read a story about finding love while at the same time reading about it coming apart. More like beautifully heartbreaking. And what I love about this is that the characters aren't perfect; they fail, they make mistakes, they say and do things that hurt others or themselves, and though, in some parts, they make up for that, some of those mistakes carry on and they affect everything. I adore the fact that, even though the story ends like it does, I can just imagine what happens afterwards; the somewhat open ending leaves you grasping for more and yet satisfied with the idea of "What could be?".

I do have to say that the story did lose me a little bit in the first part. I lost interest for a short while because I felt like neither story was moving along smoothly, either too slow or too fast. Thankfully, it did pick up the pace and those rough patches soon disappeared. Apart from that, the writing was great and the illustration of the cover is amazing and the chapters/parts were well divided.

Thank you for the opportunity and I hope people read this book and love the story of Harvey and Sotiris like I did.

(I would just like to point out that Sotiris doesn't like lavender. To some people that may be blasphemous, but I disagree with that because like him, I also hate lavender (the smell at least). It made me feel seen, so thank you.)

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group | A & U Children that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on September 3rd, 2024)

We Could Be Something is a story with a message: That our lives are a messy confection of our best intentions and missed opportunities, our grand gestures and our small ones, our kindnesses and our regrets. It reminds its readers that in seeking to be ‘Something’, we sometimes fail to see the significance in being who we are.

This book is really cute. I have to be honest: I expect a little more, but it was an okay book, I guess. The romance felt a little flat to me, but the themes are really interesting, especially the parent’s divorce and the “child prodige”. This last especially really it hard.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I did not expect this book to hit me so hard in my feelings.

These characters are so human; they mess up a lot (Sotiris especially), but they are constantly trying their best at the same time, while struggling to figure out their dreams. I love how the author doesn't flinch from making these characters so complicated and messy, but at the same time he manages to keep them sympathetic and real.

I figured out the connection between the characters at about 20% but I think it's not supposed to be a huge plot twist anyway so it's fine. I loved how their stories paralleled each other's right up till the ending—and that ending was devastating.

I feel like Sotiris' story received more focus, which makes sense in the book, but it makes it feel like Harvey's story doesn't get enough precedence, not to mention that Harvey's story also involves Sotiris but not the other way around, which makes their narratives feel unbalanced.

Overall, this is an excellent story with realistic characters, one that will be sticking with me for sure.

This book… it’s going to stick with me for a while, I can already tell that.

This book will pull you in from page one and won’t let go of you until the very end. The writing is amazing, and will hit you in all of the emotions. Hope, grief, sadness; a time for endings and new beginnings. The two stories weave themselves together in a beautiful way. When they finally click together, it’s magical.

Harvey is an interesting kid that you can tell is a product of his upbringing at points in the story, but he shows he has more to him than you first see. While he can be frustrating, especially in the beginning parts of the story, his growth is fantastic.

Sotiris is an interesting character, but I just couldn’t get myself to care about him quite as much. He’s definitely flawed, but not really in a lovable way. He has the power to be the one that could bring about his own downfall.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

In his latest young adult novel, "We Could Be Something," Will Kostakis delivers a poignant and humorous exploration of family, fame, and first love. The author skillfully weaves together a compelling narrative that resonates with readers, offering a heartfelt look at the complexities of growing up and finding one's place in the world.

Kostakis's writing shines as he crafts authentic and relatable characters. The protagonist's journey is both touching and entertaining, as he navigates the challenges of coming out, falling in love, and dealing with family expectations. The author's ability to balance humor with emotional depth creates a reading experience that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of Greek-Australian family dynamics. Kostakis draws from his own experiences to create a rich, nuanced depiction of cultural identity and intergenerational relationships. The interactions between the main character, his mother, and his grandmother are particularly well-executed, offering moments of both tension and tenderness that feel genuine and lived-in.

While the novel tackles serious themes, it maintains a light touch that prevents it from becoming overly heavy. Kostakis's trademark wit is evident throughout, providing welcome moments of levity that balance out the more emotional scenes. This blend of humor and heart is likely to appeal to a wide range of young adult readers.

The pacing of the story is generally well-managed, keeping readers engaged as they follow the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. However, some readers may find certain plot points predictable or wish for more depth in exploring some of the secondary characters.

Overall, "We Could Be Something" is a solid addition to Kostakis's body of work. It showcases his growth as an author and his ability to create stories that resonate with contemporary young adult audiences. The novel's exploration of identity, family, and first love is both timely and timeless, making it a worthwhile read for fans of YA fiction.

Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with a focus on LGBTQ+ experiences, family dynamics, and cultural identity will find much to appreciate in this heartfelt and humorous novel. While it may not break entirely new ground in the genre, "We Could Be Something" offers a warm, engaging, and ultimately uplifting reading experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its audience.

I think the story has so much potential and with a few tweaks it could’ve been so much more for me. There are a few times when the writing style feels off and I feel the story is too slow to make it extremely exciting. I also think that the synopsis and its genre are a big part of my disappointment. I think the book doesn’t exactly fall into the romance category and would be better placed under YA contemporary. The romance genre on NetGalley also led me to believe that Harvey and Sotiris were going to be the book's couple. Those factors aside, I do like the message behind the book. I think it’s a powerful commentary on dreams and how we let them affect us. While it isn’t obviously clear at first how Harvey and Sotiris’ story comes together, once I figured it out, I found myself enjoying the book a bit more. It was amusing thinking back on the parts I already read and finally picking out the hints in the novel I missed the first time.

I will post my review on my Instagram a week after the publication date, so on September 10th. If you would like me to publish it sooner, then feel free to let me know.

While this is normally not typically my cup of tea (the romance aspect), I was still pleasantly surprised by this one. I had to get into it, but by the time I got into it I hardly ever wanted to put it down. I especially care a lot about proyiayia, she's so precious. Definitely would recommend.

I think this is a great coming-of-age story. The characters are loveable and ones that you can relate to for various reasons. The pacing was good and kept the story moving as we followed the developing relationship. The book is more than just a romance, it is a story of learning to love and accept yourself, explore parts of yourself, and to find community and love in those around you. It is a great coming-of-age book, and I highly recommend it for YA readers, especially those who are looking to see themselves in a queer love story.