3.5 stars. Charlie and Jasper are roommates at a private boys' school called the Valentine Academy, where the students are dedicated to the *love* (get it?) of learning. But what Jasper doesn't realize is that he and Charlie have met, before Charlie transitioned, and he doesn't seem to recognize Charlie from their camp romance a few summers before. Since Charlie is determined to keep his trans identity a secret at his new school, he can't even confront Jasper about how things ended.

Meanwhile, an elite group of students has a secret club where they write love letters on behalf of other students, and smuggle them to the girls' school next door. This is taken extremely seriously by everyone on both sides of the wall separating the schools. Also Charlie has to remain at the top of his class or he loses his scholarship immediately and will be sent home.

I love a boarding school book, but this one was just too wacky. The other students are eccentric to the point of cartoonish. Jasper was super annoying most of the time. The burgeoning relationship at the center of the book doesn't get enough time to develop.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This is a solid YA romance that I think will appeal to younger teens in particular! I do think that Powars' debut was much stronger, as I particularly felt that the supporting characters here were all fairly one dimensional / exaggerated. I do think Charlie was a fantastic character though!

5 out of 5 stars

Rep: Bi trans MC, bi LI, Vietnamese SC, Black SCs, gay Latino SC, Filipino minor character

Content warnings: I can't really give details without it turning into a spoiler, but there's a situation involving questionable ethics related to privacy/consent -- but it's not actually as bad as it sounds!

I'm pretty certain that nothing will ever be able to top "The Borrow a Boyfriend Club," but "And They Were Roommates" definitely came close. I knew I'd love it based solely on the chapter titles, and am pleased to announce that it delivered all the same humor, engaging atmosphere, fun characters with great development, and skill in writing of Page Powars's debut. Several moments had me laughing out loud, and the overall vibes actually managed to make me miss being in school.

Powars once again gives us a sweet romance and delightful cast that I would watch a sitcom about in a heartbeat. Now that we have two books to compare, I feel confident in declaring him one of the best YA authors currently in the game. I'm already so excited to read what he publishes next!

On the technical side of things, I think calculus and chemistry need to be switched in the schedule listing, based on Charlie later going to chemistry after calculus.

**HUGE thank you to Roaring Brook Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES is as fun and chaotic and full of heart as it sounds! Page Powars is truly a refreshing voice in YA, with his absurd jokes and much-needed representation. I can't wait to keep buying his books!

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES is the follow-up to Powars's debut that we all needed, and one that cements him as a fresh, big-hearted, and FUN voice in YA romance. The tension between Charlie and Jasper is palpable, thanks to the backstory of their summer camp fling + the high stakes Charlie feels about keeping his cover at his boarding school. Valentine Academy feels like a real place, the cast of characters is just as specific and ridiculous as in THE BORROW A BOYFRIEND CLUB (Blaze Alpha Destroyer can do no wrong), and the plot is page-turning enough for even the most reluctant reader. Heists to deliver secret love letters?! Say no more! This sophomore novel will delight loyal and new fans alike.