I’ve been a fan of Edward Underhilll for a while and so I knew I wanted to read this latest release. In Case You Read This is a story that scooped out my heart. I loved this tender romance, but even more so this story about finding our place. Keep reading this book review of In Case You Read This for my full thoughts.
Summary
Arden isn’t excited about moving. Los Angeles was an easy place to fit in and find a supportive queer community. But Winifred, Michigan? That sounds like a much more difficult place to exist.
Pasadena, California, is the perfect city for Gabe’s reinvention. Everyone knew everything about him in small-town Shelby, Illinois. Gabe, who wants to be out and proud, can’t wait to relocate.
When Arden and Gabe randomly meet in the lobby of a motel in Nebraska, it feels like fate. Both are trans, but more importantly, both are huge fans of the band Damaged Pixie Dream Boi. Clearly, the universe is trying to tell them something. Right?
But after an incredible evening of hanging out, the pair part ways only knowing the other’s first name. And as both boys struggle to adjust to their new homes, their thoughts keep being drawn back to their time together. Is one perfect night enough to bring Arden and Gabe back to each other, or will the boys need some help to find each other again?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The character development in In Case You Read This is superb. I loved seeing Arden and Gabe not only open up to each other, in a rare moment of vulnerability, but also develop as themselves. We can see the ways in which both are struggling with these new homes, their family, and finding a space for themselves. For Arden, can he find a space where he can feel accepted as a queer person in this small town? And for Gabe will he be able to swim among the swarm and navigate his relationship with his sister? I loved witnessing their journey and failed attempts to connect.
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It’s a testament to how the love of music can connect people. This dual POV YA story celebrates friendship. These little pockets of safety, of acceptance, where we don’t expect it. We can think of our future, our home, our family, as one thing, but what happens when it’s different than we pictured? Could it be better? For me their individual journeys overshadows the romance in the best way. Find In Case You Read This on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.