I absolutely LOVED this book. From the opening pages, the author gives us an engaging, complicated story that kept me turning the page. It's a wonderful book for the YA audience that's interested in reading about the trans experience. The issues are presented delicately and realistically.

I especially loved the way the author brought Charlie and Jasper together. It was creative and fun. The author didn't create a stereotypical characters. Instead, they gave us two young men who blended into the student body, The two of them danced around their relationship like any young LGBTQIA+ people would, and that's what made this lovely.

By the time I got to the end, I didn't want the book to be over. I wanted to learn more about how Charlie and Jasper navigated their complicated relationship. I'd welcome a sequel if the author delivers one. The writing is tight, accessible, and fun. I hope the author keeps writing like this for a generation of YA readers who need exposure to these issues.

I’m not one to read a lot of books about high school but this book was lovely. It’s so nice to see a book about a trans main character that doesn’t focus around transphobia. And the main character wasn’t sexualized. This is just a unique coming of age story.

Solid 4 stars. Good pacing. Nice romance story. Excellent high school lgbtq representation. It felt hopeful at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for giving me this arc!

As Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I thought it was perfect time to pick up this book and let me tell you it did not disappoint! This book delivered all the puns and laughable moments while still being about to pull on your heartstrings. I loved seeing the character development from our MMC Charlie as he navigates his new school. If you want a fluffy romance novel full of charm I would absolutely recommend this!

Review: And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

Page Powars’ forthcoming novel, And They Were Roommates, is a heartwarming, witty, and deeply resonant story that skillfully balances a delightful romantic comedy with themes of self-discovery, trust, and resilience. At its core is a second-chance romance that will tug at your heartstrings, nestled within a lovable ensemble cast of quirky, flawed, and unforgettable characters. Powars weaves a narrative that is both joyful and tender, reminding readers of the importance of connection—with others and, most importantly, with oneself.

The novel follows a trans protagonist navigating the complexities of love, friendship, and self-acceptance. What stands out is how unapologetically authentic and nuanced the representation is. At a time when trans and queer communities are facing increasing hostility, Powars offers a narrative that reclaims space, providing both a mirror for LGBTQIA+ readers to see themselves and a window for others to gain empathy and understanding. This book is not just a story; it is a lifeline, a celebration, and a statement of resistance against the dehumanization of trans individuals.

Beyond its representation, And They Were Roommates is an exploration of trust—both in others and in oneself. Powars masterfully shows how the protagonist learns to open up to others and rediscover their own sense of worth. The romance is a slow burn, steeped in tension, misunderstandings, and deeply emotional moments, making the resolution all the more satisfying. The ensemble cast of friends and chosen family creates a sense of community that feels real and necessary, adding humor and warmth to the story without ever overshadowing its central themes.

In a literary landscape that still struggles to fully embrace diverse voices, And They Were Roommates is a necessary reminder of why books from the LGBTQIA+ community are essential—not just for queer readers, but for everyone. These stories expand our understanding of humanity, challenge prejudices, and create spaces where love and authenticity can thrive. Powars has given us a gift: a book that entertains, heals, and inspires all at once.

Whether you’re seeking a love story, a laugh, or a poignant exploration of self-discovery, this novel delivers. And They Were Roommates is a triumph that deserves a place on everyone’s bookshelf.

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

Release Date: May 27

Thank you @roaringbrook and @netgalley for the ARC

Rating:

Review:
Overall, I thought this was cute! I really enjoyed the story and the interactions between all the characters. My main issue with the book itself was the writing style. Anytime I’ve DNF’d a book, it’s because of the writing style or just severely disliking the main character. While I didn’t DNF this (because I did like it), I did have an issue with the writing. For me, it just felt like something was a little off with the cadence of the writing in this one. I loved all the characters, but there was something about the rhythm of the sentences that made me struggle to enjoy the actual reading experience. I actually texted a friend of mine and said “I feel like you can’t smoothly read the sentences.” BUT I did love seeing the character development that Charlie goes through, and even just the way his perception of the other characters shifts as he realizes there’s power in giving people a chance to prove you wrong.

Synopsis:
Romance is the last thing on Charlie’s mind.

On his first day at Valentine Academy for Boys, Charlie’s carefully crafted plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student is set in motion. Only to be immediately destroyed. Charlie has been assigned the worst roommate in the world (possibly the universe): Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned.

Except, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie.

Who knows how long until Jasper realizes the truth? Charlie has one shot at freedom and a dorm room all to himself, but only if he helps Jasper write love letters on behalf of their fellow students first. No problem. Charlie can help Jasper with some silly letters.

Long nights spent discussing deep romantic feelings with Jasper? Surely, no unintended consequences will arise…

I had very high expectations for this book and I am happy to say it delivered! For starters, it was so funny and sweet. I loved all the terrible puns throughout the book, especially with Charlie’s confused and aghast reactions. The chapter titles were also a fun touch. And the characters were all so wholesome. I loved Charlie so much, and he had great development learning to make friends and be more open and trusting and in touch with his emotions. I also liked Jasper a lot, as he was so chaotic but also loyal and caring. Of course, I adored the rest of STRIP and the tightknit group they formed. I also liked their mission of love letter writing and delivery, and how that shaped the plot. It was such a fun and cute plot but also sparked a lot of deep emotion for Charlie and Jasper. The one part of the plot I did not really understand the point of was everything with P.M. I also kind of wish there had been some flashbacks to Charlie, Jasper, and Delilah at camp. But overall this book was everything I wanted it to be and I cannot recommend it enough!

i stayed up all night finishing this! i need page powars to keep writing more trans romcom books. i also really loved the chapter titles

And They Were Roomates at its core is about a trans boy who finds his people and love along the way. Charlie has wanted to go to Valentine school for a long time, his mom has told him all about her time as a scholar there. But when he gets there his single room is now a double and he is rooming with the principal's nephew, who also was his former crush. Valentine School is strict, competitive, and Charlie is just trying to get through his classes to keep his scholarship. As the resident scholar, he is expected to help tutor classmates and gets involved in a covert letter writing campaign to get letters to the sister campus next store. As he connects with his classmates to make sure the operation is a success he starts to feel like maybe he can actually be himself here. 

Overall this story is about a boy making friends, and feeling comfortable enough to start letting his walls down and let those friends see him. It was so refreshing to see Charlie's friends accept him for who is, and show him that he is worthy (of lots) but also of being in school with them.  

This was a fun story and it celebrated breaking down old establishment rules and showed how people can come together. This made me smile and laugh. I'd definitely recommend picking it up! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Charlie is excepted to his dream school the Valentine Academy for Boys only he has a little secret that he's afraid the very traditional school might fine out his big secret that he's trans. Much to his dismay he's roomed with a boy who broke his heart before he transitioned.

This book was sweet and silly. I really enjoyed all the background characters who were given their own time to shine and interesting personalities. It was fun to watch Charlie grow and realize that he can make friends and trust people.

These boys put themselves in all kinds of silly and wild situations. This was a fast and fun read and I found myself rooting for Charlie and Jasper to grow closer.

Highly recommend for anyone that's looking for a charming romance to read that will make you smile.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honestly review.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Page Powars for allowing me to read a Net Galley copy of his upcoming book, And They Were Roommates, which will be available on Amazon on May 27th, 2025.

Charlie’s plan on hiding the fact that he’s the first trans student in Valentine’s Academy for Boys is shattered when he realizes that he has a roommate. The student? Jasper Grimes, the very same boy that broke Charlie’s heart before he transitioned. The situation becomes more complicated when Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie. In order to get his own dorm room, Charlie agrees to help Jasper write a bunch of love letters for other students. Will Jasper figure out who Charlie is before their agreement is fulfilled? Or will letters and long talks about romantic feelings cause more truths to be unveiled?

This book was great. You have Charlie, a sassy, talented and intelligent teenager that is stressed about grades and people finding out that he’s trans at school. You have Jasper, a sunshiny, handsome, charismatic, poetry-crafting teenager that is determined to write love letters with Charlie’s help and get to know Charlie. I related to Charlie on so many levels especially when it came to stressing about grades so much because he was afraid to lose his scholarship and being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, not to mention being hurt by a previous romance. I wanted to hug him many times and cheered for him and the friends he made throughout the story. Blaze was a hoot, and I honestly applaud some of the students’ abilities to do a pull-up. The interactions between Charlie and Jasper were often funny and gave me Ouran Host Club vibes (Charlie as Haruhi and Jasper as Tamaki). There were a lot of hilarious and touching moments peppered amidst the stress of love letters, course work, hidden identity, and figuring out what romance means to many. Overall, if you like secrets, great LGBTQ+ representation, wonderful found family, discussions about academic stress and parental expectations, love letters, and sweet second-chance romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book. Here’s the link with more information: Amazon.com: And They Were Roommates eBook : Powars, Page: Kindle Store

Right off the bat this book is striking, as the author chose to write in first person present tense. I thought this decision was not only clever but seamlessly done. It complimented the transgender narrative very well, and I was truly grateful to have such an accurate perspective on what it is like being a trans teen- even more so at a school that has never experienced a transgender student. To name a few, Charlies nervousness about height (despite him being 5'8) or his self consciousness about people seeing his face too closely was both incredibly realistic and great unreliable narration. The fear of being outed to a student body of all cisgender boys, to faculty without rules or regulations to protect you, is such a stressful situation to say the least, and the actions of Charlie were believable and true to his circumstance. You can feel the pressure and anxiety alongside him. The humor and language was also pitch perfect for the intended age range. It wasn't dumbed down or given a sort of "Disney voice" as some YA's tend to lean towards, thus making it flexible across reading and maturity levels.

One of the biggest issues that I had was the usage of internet slang/terms throughout the story. Not that this is an outright bad thing, nor was it done too frequently. However, it is hard to ignore the title that is clearly a reference towards a popular vine, which I would assume brought in many of the books readers. This author has an attractive cover, a great voice, and an eye for character dynamic- he does not need to rely on references to draw in attention, and I would be quite disappointed if that was the reason for its usage. Another instance was in "Unspoken Guideline 14," quoting another internet trend that usually begins with explaining how one might off themselves in front of another person, and ends with "forever changing the trajectory of his life." I feel that although it could appeal to the audiences generation, I wished the author had been more creative with these choices as these phrases are not his own.

I also felt that Delilah's character hadn't been fully thought out enough. One of the only things we get to know about her is that when things/rules make her angry or get in her/her friends way she reacts destructively. Why? If this is Charlies best friend, I feel that we should have gotten a better insight into who she was, yet there seemed to be something lacking there. Similarly, P.M. had much less of an impact than what the story was leading up to, which contributed to an ending without much power. The ending to me felt a bit weaker and more rushed than the original prose, and I did not care as much as I thought I would upon the books completion. It's as though I am still waiting for Chekov's gun to go off... I am unsure how else to place my thoughts.

Regardless, the central story was wonderfully crafted. The internal and external conflicts were smoothly and authentically done; truly displaying the pressure to appease others, begging the question of how to be the smartest in a room full of the smartest people. It shows us how intelligence and knowledge is endless, yet how careless we can be when faced with emotions. The character work on both Charlie and Jasper were very entertaining and greatly executed through their actions, and I hope that there will be more opportunity for transgender narration and experience to be written like this one has.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded to a 4.

I'm sorry. I loved Page Powars fluffy debut and was ready for more of the same. But sadly, I didn't like And They Were Roommates as much as The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, and I decided to DNF at 22%.

I liked the writing, and I liked having two trans characters (especially at times like these). But what I didn't like was that Page Powars's fluffiness and wit were set in tenth gear. This story was just too over the top for me, and I didn't particularly like Jasper.

But hey, if you like goofy and rather dramatic personalities, then this might be the book for you!

everything i loved about powars' debut - the chaos, the camp, the emotional tempo, the broships - was dialed up to 11 in AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES - but unfortunately it was too much for me. the multiple dramatic plot threads completely overshadowed and oversimplified the characters and their relationships, leaving me with a superficial and honestly grating story that i just didn't enjoy.

I really enjoyed this book. I can't say it was realistic (ex. it's illegal in New York to discriminate against trans people, and as Valentine Academy is no longer a religious school they can't discriminate against Charlie, plus some of the characters were highly pretentious) but it was good. I liked the friendships in it and how Charlie slowly grew less afraid to exist.

Being trans isn't the main focal point, though it is relevant. Instead everyone gets to be actual people, and no one is really defined by any one trait. There is an odd obsession with love letters, but that was the only thing that really irked me, though it was also most of the plot.

Overall it's a very good book I want to read again.

2.5 stars. I did enjoy this book but a lot of things fell flat with me. I thought all the characters were a bit annoying, Jasper- the love interest- especially. Charlie was cute but a lot of things he did irked me. The whole school is actually insane with its rules and postings of the grades. But I guess if they didn’t have these rules than strip would have no reason to be there bc students could use their phones and text the girls school.

I would have liked this if it was more about Charlie struggling to hide his secret rather than about the love letters

Small note: I also think if a book is going to put a map in the beginning it should be relevant to the story.

And They Were Roommates takes a quirky look at the archaic system of single gendered schools, rigorous academia and judging people by their covers and boils it into a fun romp of a time (even if it was sometimes a little unfocused).

The book focuses on Charlie, who is a transgender teenage boy who is finally attending his first year at the all boys school that, years ago during a summer program, was essential in helping him realize his own gender identity. The school is rigorous, with all sorts of rules about ranking and a split off from the all girls equivalent, and Charlie's there on a scholarship—so keeping his grades high is important. But when he gets there things aren't so simple, because instead of the single room that he paid for, he ends up roommates with Jasper; a boy who broke his heart that summer. Before he transitioned. Who certainly doesn't recognize him. He ends up tied into schemes with Jasper and Friends to communicate with the all girls school via love letters, and all sorts of hijinks ensue.

Perhaps too many hijinks! The premise of this book was extremely fun but there was definitely at least three too many plots—pieces of Charlie's lore like his mother who attended the all girls school and currently runs a failing bookshop, an old student known as PM who abandoned Charlie's current group of friends the year prior who was given a lot of importance early in the narrative and then kind of fizzled out towards the end, Charlie's friendship with his dear friend Delilah who goes to the all girls school and her frustrations with his involvement in some school activities. There were a lot of threads that were started that never really felt completed to me and just felt like superfluous information in a book that was already plot driven over character driven.

As a character based reader I did struggle a little bit with this despite it being a fun premise because none of the characters were particularly fleshed out for me—most notably Jasper, who is our love interest and who I never fully understood both he and Charlie's past and why he would be desirable to Charlie and the present. He was definitely a fun character—or at least a caricature—but it wasn't until about 80% into the book that I saw any sort of redeeming quality for him that wasn't a little bit of a gag. In general I struggled a lot with all of the characters and the way none of them seemed to speak like normal teenagers. I'm sure this was intended as a quirky part of the novel but it didn't necessarily work for me.

The plot was extremely fun and the world building was excellent—every time little pieces of information about the school these students are attending was given to me, I cataloged it away for safekeeping. It didn't necessarily feel like a place that I would ever believe actually existed, but for a sweet YA romance, particularly one dealing with antiquated school structures and how that ties into gender in our modern day, it was great.

All in all I think this book will be a fun read for those who are looking for a light-hearted academia romance reminiscent of old 2000s anime (think Ouran High School Host Club!). If you suspend your disbelief for a little while and just choose to exist in Charlie's World you'll have a great time.

I enjoyed this coming-of-age story in which we follow Charlie through his first year at a prestigious boarding school. Upon arrival in the boys' dorm, transgender teen Charlie's anxiety spikes (understandably) when he's surprised to learn that he has a roommate and that physical education (gym class) is mandatory. What’s more is that his roommate is his ex!

This could become a disaster at any time – his roommate could recognize him and out him, his physique could raise questions in Phys Ed, he could fail to remain in the top 5 ranking of his class and lose his scholarship. The anxiety is real, and well-represented.

Thankfully for Charlie, and readers, he falls into a great friend group and enjoys his time at boarding school. The fun of reading Charlie’s story is learning how.

I added this to my tbr the moment I finished The Borrow a Boyfriend Club. Powars is hilarious and his humor continues to shine through his writing. Plus the premise is just incredible. Does a good job of balancing high school melodrama with endearing characters. Like TBABC, there’s a quirky ensemble cast that’s sure to leave you smiling. It’s also heartwarming to see a trans mc affirmed and supported by the people around him. And incredibly important to see in YA, especially! Hell yeah!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

And They Were Roommates is a heartwarming and chaotic second-chance romance that delivers plenty of humor and queer joy. Charlie's journey as a trans student navigating the complexities of a new school, a secret identity, and unresolved feelings with his infuriating yet captivating roommate, Jasper, is compelling and emotional. The love letter subplot adds a charming touch, creating moments of vulnerability and connection between the characters.

While the romance has its swoon-worthy moments, Charlie’s internal anxiety can feel repetitive, and Jasper's character might divide readers. That said, the book excels in its exploration of identity and belonging, supported by a well-developed cast of side characters who add depth and warmth to the story. It's a fun and poignant read that balances messy emotions with a vibrant setting and heartfelt representation.

This was such a gloriously fun time!! Wow I laughed so much and fell so in love with the characters, the whole “and they were roommates” thing is a massive joke amongst my friends and I and it was so nice to see it in a light through this story!