This book was a ray of rainbow sunshine. It was adorable and cute and funny. I ate up every silly road trip minute. But, while it had lots of humor, it was also full of heart and self realization and learning to love yourself for who you are and not what others believe you should be. Jack is a wonderfully full of life character that acts super in your face as a result of years of bullying. He does not want to be shamed back into the closet, so he is boisterous, loud, and proud. Nate hates it at first, but as he comes to know Jack he sees his defiance of expectations and cruelty, and he really appreciates Jack's openness and charm. Nate is a shy, reserved individual. So, when Jack revealed the truth to everyone he was upset with Jack, as well as Tariq. But, he begins to open up more, to let others she how genuinely lovely and caring he is, and smart, and devoted. The way their friends sided with Dylan, when he is an absolute dick, had me furious. He was awful to Jack, emotionally abusive, using him as a boyfriend prop, and he is an all around ass. Good luck to Tariq, what a downgrade from Nate. However, Tariq's cheating was worse because he just could not be with Nate because Nate was no yet comfortable coming out. But, instead of being honest with Nate, he cheated. He's supposed to be a good guy, maybe he and Dylan are the perfect pair. Yuck! The way this road trip helps Jack to realize how much he hates all the fakeness of social media, how being in the present for the sake of it is better. How Nate learns to be free and himself. How the two of them accept each other and help each other see the best parts of themselves. It was such a lovely way to honour friendship and the buds of new love. The addition of Nate's family, who act sort of as the comedic buffer to the hard stuff, was ingenious. Plus, when things were getting really hard they were there for Nate, and Jack, without question. They pushed the boys to discover themselves, while also allowing them to know they had people rooting for them, supporting them, loving them. A loving homage to all those families who truly love their children unconditionally. They gave Nate his space until he was ready to tell them about his sexuality, then they did not allow him to wallow in sadness all summer for someone who was not deserving of his devotion. If you need uplifting, laughter, and an adorable friends to something more book, than please please please read this amazing story!
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