And They Were Roommates Book Review

I got to read an ARC of one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it lived up to the hype!

I’m quite literally bouncing in my seat to be able to talk to you about the myriad of things I love about And They Were Roommates by Page Powers. So welcome, welcome, and I hope you’re ready to buckle up and come along for the ride of me fan-girling and pterodactyl screeching 😀

First, the legal jargon: I was approved to read and review this book on NetGalley. A huge thank you to NetGalley, Page Powers, and his publisher for the opportunity! A positive review was not required, and all thoughts and opinions are my own. 🙂

Official book blurb:

“A hilarious, unputdownable second-chance-romance about the most unlikely, gay roommate mishap. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.

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…”

*deep breath*

*loud squealing noises and flailing up and down*

*deep breath*

Okay, okay, okay. I honestly don’t even know where to start. This book is just SO GOOD, you guys. It’s honestly one of the best YA books I have read recreationally in a long, long time.

From the very first page, I was rooting for Charlie. Felt for Charlie. Wanted all the good things to happen to Charlie and wanted to beat up anyone who made him feel shitty or lesser than. That’s how you know it’s going to be a good book – when you’re so fully immersed in the story that the characters feel like real people.

The other characters were just as amazing though. Seriously, I could write a dissertation on all of them.

Jasper, who seems so aloof and carefree and socially unaware due to his wealth and status, yet hides so much more inside. Whose desire to always be there for his friends and for Charlie shine through in everything he does.

Xavier, who is one of the first side characters we meet and becomes the first found family member of Charlie’s boarding school friend group. The way he looks after Charlie and goes out of his way to help him and be kind to him means so much.

Robby and his glittery horse trading cards. His obsession with horses that none of his friends tease him about – they just accept him as he is. (It was very endearing to have the horse-girl stereotype flipped on its head. SO WHOLESOME.)

Blaze… Oh my god. This child. This is the most feral kid and I adored him. The way he wore his blazer like a cape. The way he spoke like he was a medieval lord. The random poses he struck. His obsession and fear of arachnids. How he was so willing to help out his friends and be there for Charlie.

None of them should have worked together as a friend group at a boarding school where your rank is determined by how well you perform in your classes, and yet their camraderie is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise cutthroat enviornment.

The love letter mission across the book is such a unique and silly and absolutely wonderful plot line. Charlie is still reeling from the broken heart Jasper gave him years ago, so writing love letters seems like such a waste of time when he doesn’t believe in love anymore. And Jasper is determined to get him to learn how to write about love and poetry again, even if Charlie is an unwilling student.

The budding tension between Charlie and Jasper and wondering if/when Jasper might recognize Charlie was SO GOOD. I legit read the last 55% of the book in one sitting and could scarcely read fast enough. I HAD to know what happened between them. I HAD to know whether Charlie succeeded with the letters and still managed to place at the boarding school so he could stay. I HAD to know how everything played out right that very moment.

And while I’m nearing spoiler territory and thus have to remain vague, just know that this book never once disappointed. I finished it with a million warm fuzzy feelings in my chest and the knowlege that I absolutely needed to get a physical copy of this book once it released.

And They Were Roommates was easily one of my top reads of the year, and one of the easiest 5-stars I’ve given a book. 🙂 I highly recommend if you’re looking for a queer YA book with fantastic characters, witty banter, all the found family vibes, excellent slow-burn romance, and a plot that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. I’ll be revisiting this book for sure!