Take care what do you wish for!

In an anger outburst, openly gay Max, 17, still looking for being noticed by the one, wished himself to have never been born gay. To be straight and enjoy it, like most of the other kids in school. When his wish come true, he may figure out that being happy with one´s lot is a sign of wisdom.

Straight Expectations, the debut novel by YouTuber and LGBT advocate Calum McSwiggan is a queer rom-com with a story hard to put down. The surprising twist of being suddenly transferred into the reality of wishes or wishful thinking makes the story both surprising and an useful for anyone trying to understand the realities of the queer youth.

I particularly liked how topics that are definitely useful for understanding the everyday queer life are wrapped in an appealing writing, with a story keeping the reader interested. Although it may address mostly a young, teenage audience, anyone looking for a good start of exploring queer topics can read this book and at the end of it, he or she will definitely change their minds.

PS: There are some cute fashion tips as well, just sayin´.

I absolutely loved Straight Expectations! Firstly, I have to say, what an awesome title. Love a good pun, and this is a really fun one.

And for the story, it's a familiar trope, the Freaky Friday/Big thing where you're suddenly in someone else's life, and you have to navigate it without causing too much concern or damage, while figuring out how to reverse it. What we have here, though is a refreshing new take on that trope. Max goes to sleep gay and wakes up straight. It's not just him though, the world has changed around him, from his wardrobe to his family and friends.

I was really impressed with how well this change was presented. Max is still absolutely Max, the character we grow to love over the first part of the book is still very much there. The changes largely come in how he perceives the world, his focus changes. Specifically his focus sort of changes from the boys to the girls, but he notices different details. It's like a change of filter, and is a really effective way to show us the same person seeing the world anew.

One of the things I wasn't expecting was how much Max's world has changed with him being straight. It's not just that he now sees things differently. In his new reality, Max has been straight his whole life, and the ripple effects of that are extraordinary. We don't always realise how big an impact we have on the people around us. I'd say we rarely realise it. And it's remarkable to see, but it all feels so right, not forced.

One thing I loved is how out and proud Max is. This isn't a story about someone struggling with their sexuality, or the discrimination they face. There are plenty of books like that. This is a joyful story about someone who is openly and confidently gay. But even then, he's finding it makes his life harder, because he has a crush on one of the only other gay boys in school, is struggling to approach him and is bemoaning his fate. It's a typical high school crush/romance, but made worse for him because of his sexuality.

The supporting cast are simply wonderful. I absolutely, and completely love Dean! He's just so incredible and confident and downright awesome. I'd love to see a whole book about Dean. And I love that, as perfect as he seems, he isn't perfect. There are flaws, he has his worries and his anxieties and these play out so well. Alicia is also wonderful, and I really liked seeing how different she was in Straight Max's world. Throw in a cute crush who actually has a really decent personality too, some very supportive parents and guardians, and a couple of very contrasting teachers and you've got a really solid cast of characters. The "sets" are fab too, and the school plays and ball alone have me promising to buy copies for two of my friends who both love Little Shop of Horrors and one is planning a Halloween ball and I think this would be ideal inspiration.

Straight Expectations has some serious matters at its heart. It has an emotional core there about teen love and lust, friendships and romances. It also looks at how we decide what we want to do with our lives and how we impact the people around us, both positively and negatively. But beyond all of that, Straight Expectations is a joyous book. It is funny, sweet, romantic and absolutely full of joy. I love it!

In Straight Expectations by Callum McSwiggan, Max is one of a handful of LGBT+ students at Woodside Academy. The dating pool for the high school’s LGBT+ community leaves a lot to be desired. Max is also pretty sure that his crush, Oliver Cheng, doesn’t know that he exists.

One day Max and his best friend, Dean, had a fight in which Max wished that he wasn’t gay. Everywhere he looked there were straight couples in love. It looked so easy for them. Why was finding love so difficult for Max?

The next morning Max wakes up and feels different. He soon realizes that he might be straight and also has a girlfriend. Everything should be great now, right? Max got what he wanted but it isn’t what he imagined. He has a girlfriend but the whole relationship feels weird. Dean, the one person that he misses, cannot be found. Dean seems like the most talented, awesome friend that anyone could have. We all need a Dean in our lives.

How many times have we wished to have a different life? Max spends some time reflecting on how he got to this upside down world. He wants to get back to his other life with some necessary changes. He’s sure that he doesn’t want a girlfriend. He is still sure that he’s actually and factually gay.

Most of the characters were likable, except for the one horrible teacher that mistreats the LGBT+ students. There was a student that bullied Max when he was younger. Now the kid is trying to make amends. It takes a while for Max to see that he should give the kid a second chance at friendship. I was glad that he was finally willing to forgive the kid.

Max does get to know Oliver Cheng while in the alternate universe. There could be a chance for love between them if only Max could return to his other life and make amends with Dean.

If you are a fan of LGBT+ romances that are reminiscent of Freaky Friday, then you will probably enjoy Straight Expectations. If you are a cruel gym teacher or a relentless bully, then I would suggest reading some anti-bullying books before reading this book.

Thank you to The Write Reads and NetGalley for letting me participate in this book tour. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

Fabulous gay teen max is many things, fashionable, gay, dramatic, boy obsessed, crop top living and oh yeah obsessed with Oliver Cheng. With best friends, Alicia the amazing artist and Dean the drag queen acting star, they’re the perfect trio. But they convince max to message Oliver and when there’s no response max loses control of himself, saying awful things and worst making a terrible wish. Queue a modern freaky Friday. Only max isn’t a different person, he’s a different sexuality and in this parallel universe he’s always been straight max. Worse even, his friends and families lives are all changed for the worse and he has no idea how to get back to his world. Wishes don’t mean much unless you can come to terms with who you are, regardless of sexuality but also not ashamed of it either. The sexuality switch was a bold choice and when I first started this book it made me feel weird, but the lengths max goes to and the overall cuteness of the characters make it worth a read

This book was everything the fact that the main character of Max had a great friendships, knew who he was but was getting frustrated by the lack of romance especially when you have eyes for someone who doesn't know how you feel about them. The banter between Max, Dean and Alicia was sooooo good these characters made the story as does the side characters. I think that Callum for a debut novel did a sterling job and I am intrigued to see what he will write next as I most certainly will be reading it whatever it is.

I'm not going to spoil what happens in the book but I will say Max realises that words have power and because of these words everything was not quite as they should be.

For all the above reasons I am giving Straight Expectations 5 Stars

This is a sweet, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will keep you turning the pages to find out how everything turns out.

I devoured this book right up. I’m not sure what I expected when I started reading, but what I got was a fantastic blend of Freaky Friday and It’s a Wonderful Life all blended to perfection. Our main character learns the lesson of be careful what you wish for, and maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side in the biggest and worst way possible. Sure, some things are better, but some things are worse when his wish comes true.

McSwiggan developed beautiful, believable, flawed, but lovable characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. I especially enjoyed the teacher who was on the LGBTQplus kids side, and enjoyed hating the one who wasn’t. The blurb and several reviews called Max spoiled, and maybe he was. But sometimes we have to live life to learn some things. Life is hard and complicated, as he learns very quickly. I especially enjoyed the beautiful interconnectedness of each aspect of life the author showed through this story. How one small detail, Max being gay, impacted so much of his life.

I hope the wonder of seeing books like this for young adults will never wear off for me. Growing up in the 90s and early 00s, especially in the Deep South of the United States, meant very little access to books or other media with LGBTQplus representation. Even today, the Deep South has a lot of work to do in this regard. So it warms my heart every time I read a book intended for young people making it clear that they are okay. Representation matters so much. I’m thankful for authors like Mr. McSwiggan, and authors like him, for making things easier for the next generation of kids. I will absolutely read whatever he writes next.

Who’s It For
If you love a good romance, especially an LGBTQIplus Young Adult one, this one will absolutely tick all the boxes. Homophobes need not apply, because this book is out and proud – even if it needed all of us to learn a lesson along the way. If you like your books to teach a little lesson, provide some social commentary, and have a wonderfully diverse and amazing cast of characters, snap this book up today.

Content Warning: Homophobia, drinking, drugs, adult situations, adult language, racism

A fun take on the classic 'be careful what you wish for'. Max is having one of those days - nothing's going right, his crush doesn't even know he exists, and in a fit of hopelessness he wishes he was one of the straight kids. After all, everything is always so easy for them, right? They never have any problems!

If I have any complaints about this book - and this is such a petty thing I shouldn't even be saying it! - it's how slowly things happen; we're a fifth of the way in before Max even makes his wish. This is fine if you want the extra time to get to know the characters, but as they're all a bit different in the 'new' reality anyway, it felt odd to me. But that's absolutely a personal thing and shouldn't affect anyone else's enjoyment.

I loved the descriptions of the outfits Max puts together, and the shows - I wish my school had done that version of Little Shop of Horrors! There are some genuinely heartfelt moments in both realities too - I loved, although it's a tiny thing, the fact that Darius shows up without complaint to collect his more-than-slightly drunk daughter and doesn't seem upset about it, even checking with her boyfriend - whom he doesn't much like at the time - to make sure he's safe and doesn't want a lift home as well. That's great parenting, and it's treated as totally normal by everyone.

This is a great read that people are going to really enjoy.

I absolutely adored this fast-paced, funny, and insightful queer YA contemporary story. It explored some important and fascinating themes in an incredibly approachable and relatable way. I have no doubt many teens will love it. I know I would have at that age. The characters, themes, and unique premise came together really well to create something quite special.

There were so many lovable characters in this book. Max really did have some great friends, and the found family vibes of his group at school were wonderful to read. They were all so diverse, and I appreciated getting so many different personalities and perspectives. Each of the characters had big personas, and all of them brought something unique to the story. The story centered on Max, though, and his struggle with identifying what he wanted for his future. He was flawed in many ways. He was selfish and often acted impulsively without thinking through how those decisions would impact others. He was so wrapped up in his own trauma and fear of missing out on the 'normal' high school experience that he was seemingly oblivious to all the great things he already had in his life. Does this sound like a teenager yet? lol. The author did a great job of crafting the character into a relatable teen undergoing a bit of an identity crisis while also feeling uncertain of the future.

After wishing he could be normal, Max woke up straight one day. He quickly learned that being straight wasn't as perfect as it seemed. The grass isn't always greener, right? I loved how this premise allowed for the exploration of what it means to be queer. Despite being attracted only to girls, Max was still the same person. He learned that his sexual orientation didn't define his entire personality but was instead only one piece, albeit an important one. He still liked and disliked all the same things, and he even figured out what he wanted to do with his life while being 'straight Max.' With its unique premise, the story was also able to illustrate the differences between sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Despite the change to his sexual orientation, Max was still interested in a lot of feminine things while also being straight. Stereotypes often link being gay with being feminine, but that's really not true. There are plenty of super masculine queer people, as well as straight men who present with more feminine qualities or interests. This story provided the perfect opportunity to analyze many of those stereotypes, and the author did a great job with it.

I also liked the subplot involving Thomas because I think it teaches such an important lesson. Thomas was a bully in elementary/middle school and tormented Max regularly. As a result, Max developed the mentality of 'once a homophobe, always a homophobe.' I don't fault Max for that because what Thomas did to him was really horrible, but putting Thomas in that box with no chance for redemption isn't good either. People change and grow. We are not static beings and none of us are perfect all the time. Thomas' arc showed how people can change for the better and how giving them an opportunity to do so can actually help heal some trauma. Obviously, this isn't always the case because not everyone changes, but I found that arc cathartic to read and wish I'd had the chance to have a similar ending with some of my bullies from earlier in life. However, I do wish Thomas would have been a bit more fleshed out as a character, and I really would have loved to see a bit more of him and Max reconciling. I still enjoyed what we got, though.

I wish the book had been a little longer with a tiny bit more emphasis on the world-building. I read a ton of sci fi and fantasy, and I found myself wanting to know more about the mechanics of Max's parallel universe. Was it actually a parallel universe? Was it a dream? What happened to the original 'straight Max?' I just had so many questions. lol. I know that none of that is particularly necessary for the story the author was trying to tell, but I would have liked it nonetheless. Overall, though, I really loved this book and definitely recommend it if you enjoy contemporary queer YA stories. Therefore, I rate this book 4.25 out of 5 stars.

The characters in this book went on quite a wild ride throughout the course of this book. Max, Dean and Alicia made up a wonderful trio of friends who all had their own issues and arcs across the story that was wonderful to see. Especially because the overall message of the book was that it is important to be yourself and follow your passions. They all came to life off of the page. Plus, the supporting cast of the book was also all complex and that is something that I always appreciated in a contemporary story.

At the beginning, I was unsure about this story, however, after reading it all and being able to reflect back I really enjoyed this book and how everything came together at the end because it was really satisfying. The ending was very cute and happy and everything that I want out of a queer YA contemporary book, it warmed my heart so much. I will not talk too much as I do not wish to give away any spoilers (because you should see what you think of it for yourself)!

The writing was easy to read and I think that despite the brief hiccup at the beginning, did deal with the issues in this book in a good and respectful way. It felt classic YA contemporary with a queer and modern twist that meant it was fresh and relevant for today.

This book was wonderful. I enjoyed it. It did take a while to get into it but once I did I had a fun time with this read. The characters were written wonderfully and I found joy in them. I think that the characters had to be one of my favorite parts of this book. Because as a reader, I found myself laughing because of the small things like the inside jokes that they had.
I enjoyed how Max got his wish. Because I think that he needed to see what it was like to not only have a straight relationship but what it was like to not have Dean in his life. It kind of reminded me of the movie Freaky Friday with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. I don't know if the author took inspiration from that movie for this book but I think that it worked with how this book was written.
Before Max got his wish of being straight, I wasn't the biggest fan of how Max was constantly bringing up his crush every moment that he got. But I did enjoy the fact that once Max got his wish he could see that his crush was just a normal teen guy and there was no reason why he couldn't talk to him before. It’s not that I minded it was just a little annoying but I understand that I am not the target audience for this book.
There was one thing I wasn't a fan of when it came to writing. I enjoyed the writing, I just wasn't a fan of the clutch word of said. It was like every time someone spoke it was “Max said” Even when Max asked a question it will sometimes be followed up with “Max said” even though Max asked a question.

I was delighted to be invited to join The Write Reads blog tour for this colourful new YA release. There really are few things I love more than a good gay rom-com, so I was very excited to devour this one. In case you were wondering, it is absolutely no relation to the Charles Dickens classic novel of a similar name!

Max has always been out and proud but recently, he has been frustrated with his inability to get a boyfriend in the small town he lives in. One evening, while hanging out with his best friends Dean and Alicia, he loses it and wishes that he could just live a normal life like the straight kids seem to. But the next morning, Max is astonished to discover that his crush on Oliver Cheng has gone and that Alicia is apparently his girlfriend -and he can see how hot she is! The worst part is that Dean doesn’t seem to exist in this reality. How can Max get back to the life where he’s living his truth alongside his best friend?

I think my favourite part of this book was the fact that it all felt so authentic. I don’t think that Max could have been written by anyone other than a queer man and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of Max’s thoughts and feelings mirror the thoughts and feelings that McSwiggan knows very well. I definitely believed in all of the other characters too, so I’m sure that they’ve also been lifted from real life.

I really enjoyed the humour and laughed along with Max and his friends multiple times. They make such stupid, juvenile comments but they’re the kind that you can’t help but laugh at. I also adored how strongly their love shines through their dialogue and there’s a real found family vibe to them despite them all having supportive, present parents.

The fact that a real LGBTQ+ bookshop is mentioned gave me a lot of joy because I could tell that McSwiggan was shouting out to them. I also noticed a passing reference to a certain queer YA summer camp book that I’ve read and therefore could recognise (at least I hope it’s the one I’m thinking of!). These little Easter eggs drew attention to the queer YA community and I really thought it was a lovely gesture and homage to that.

Ultimately, the story is about the power of good strong friendships in your teenage years. While Straight Expectations is specifically about the importance of these connections for queer kids, the same sentiment could be extended to neurodiverse kids, creative kids or those who are simply ‘a little bit different’ in some way. Finding allies and those who truly understand you on a personal level is vital to good mental health and self-acceptance.

Straight Expectations is a fun, sparkly rom-com about grass not always being greener on the other side but not being able to see that till you’re standing on it. The friendships were so special and I couldn’t stop smiling at the genuine platonic love that leaked through every page, the fabulous theatrical performances and the wholesome ending.

If you're looking for a queer, inclusive read that will give you all those fuzzy, warm feelings, look no further because Straight Expectations is exactly that!

Max has always been out and proud! He's a part of a great group of friends, has a supportive family and fancies the hottest boy in school, but when he has a bit of a disagreement with his best friends Dean and Alicia he wishes he could be straight and things could be less complicated. Little does he know his wish will come true, and he will spend some time being heterosexual. Is it all its cracked up to be for Max? Does it make everything simpler?

A beautiful, wholesome book with characters that you will fall completely in love with, this is a book for anyone who has wished away the things that make them different. It's a story about celebrating who you are and who you love and having people around you who will lift you up.

I loved Max's self reflection. He really does some soul searching, and I loved watching him find so much acceptance for himself. You can't help but wish well for him and hope he gets the love story he deserves. The friendships in Straight Expectations are so beautiful, and I loved the relationships between the group dynamic. The diversity is spectacular, and the themes of homophobia and bullying are dealt with sensitively.

Overall, I can't recommend this book enough it's funny, it's empowering, and it's just a book that feels polished. I wanted to hug so many of the characters, Debut authors really are smashing it out of the park! If you're looking for a wonderful queer read, then this is one that should definitely be on your radar.

This is a modern and gay version of Big with our protagonist Max wishing away his gayness in a fit of frustration and being transported into what his life would have been like if he was straight. The absolute horror! (There is a Freaky Friday reference made in the book but I chose Big because the switch here only directly affects the one person).

The switch does take a little time to happen but I think it’s important for the plot that we spend time with the characters in their present reality first. We also get a slightly extended resolution which, for me, allowed more time for everything to be wrapped up leaving this as a very satisfying stand alone read - not that I’d be against reading more books featuring these characters.

I think fans of Simon James Green and Heartstopper will eat this up both because of the humour and in that it features a whole diverse cast and I loved how intersectionality was addressed too with Max being forced to face up to his white gay privilege.

I really appreciated how all the side characters were explored as individuals in their own right and not just in terms of how they fit into Max’s life. And gosh this is the second YA book I’ve read in a row that features the parents!

Fans of musicals will also be in luck reading this and I don’t think I’ll be alone in desperately wanting to see the drag versions of Mean Girls and Little Shop of Horrors become a real thing.

Thanks to The Write Reads and the publisher for access to the gifted eARC. Opinions are my own. Do check out the tour to see other people’s views.

I’m so pleased to get to be a part of the #blogtour for Straight Expectations. I may be a little older than perhaps the average YA reader but I love that we live in a time where all reading choices are acceptable and branching out from the ‘traditional’ is positively encouraged! Reading a story set at the end of secondary school brings back a strange nostalgia combined with the joy that I don’t have to be a modern teen navigating the world, whilst simultaneously terrified about helping my daughter with this in years to come. Max, Dean and Alicia are three best friends who are enjoying their final year at school before heading off into the big wide world. Dean and Alicia more or less know what they want to do with their lives, and also how hard they’ll need to work to make it happen. Max is less sure and is struggling, not just with what next but with some wider issues about his identity and relationships. It seems that his friends have it all sussed and he is never going to get there. Anger gets the better of him and sets of a cascade of strange events!

You’ll have seen from the blurb that Max finds himself in a strange alternative version of his life following a fight. This sets up Straight Expectations to explore a large number of issues including racism, family tensions and core values, in addition to the friendship struggles which triggered the jump. I think it is so important to be able to talk about anything and everything and when books address difficult issues so openly, it may help start conversations which might not happen otherwise. The story is reasonably light but these areas are key to some of the plot lines and keep a good balance and pace to the book.

Despite having his moments, I really liked Max as a character and was rooting for him throughout. I think it is so easy to get caught up in what isn’t going well and to forget about all the amazing things you do have. Similarly, Alicia and Dean are both really well written, the kind of group of friends I would have wanted to hang out with. They were all lucky to have very supportive parents which perhaps won’t be the case for all readers, but as a parent reading this book, it has made me think about how I parent and how I can do it better. In saying that, I’m not sure that it is possible not to be completely mortifying to your child no matter what you do, but here’s hoping!

As an adult reading Straight Expectations I thoroughly enjoyed it and I believe that I would have felt the same reading it two decades ago. I think it is fun and entertaining read and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who fancies trying something new.

Maxwell Baker has a crush on Dean Jackson, who has always been out as gay.

The two boys are the only openly queer boys at school 'woodside academy' until Oliver Cheng the new boy at school, but he is not friends with these guys yet.

Last year at school, 'Dean was born to be on the stage... Sometimes it feels like I was forgotten about when they were handing out talent'. Dean will go from drama school to the west end Max predicts.

This year the school is putting on the play is 'the little shop of horrors', where Dean plays the Leeds and their good friend Alicia is doing the set designs.

There is a big change in the book when Maxs Wakes to find himself in 'strage world' -Theres no rational explanation for any of this'
Straight Max has good taste after he devovers the new clothes in his wardrobe.
Max's parents are even back together back together.

'Maybe this change is a blessing and not a curse. I might be straight here-that's definitely the big catastrophic downside' Max states.

Will he ever switch back, or should he stay straight?
No one knows who Dean is, in strage world will he ever be found? will he be stuck in 'straight' world, not being in tiredly happy.

This is a great coming of age novel, especially for teens who are struggling with their sexuality. It has a wide range of characters that are realatable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a complementary digital copy of this ebook in exchange for a full, frank and honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I think that there will be quite a few queer people who read Straight Expectations who've had a similar thought to the book's lead character, that they wish they could lead an easy, regular, heterosexual life. I think that having that thought is fairly normal for anyone in a marginalised group, the desire to have it easier, to not be targeted because of your identity. I also think that it's a thought that is probably going to be shared more with older queer readers, those who grew up during Section 28 when even the very whispers of someone being gay in school was the potential to destroy your life. Whilst things are very far from perfect now, with more and more homophobic and transphobic bills and legislation being passed, the general perception and acceptance of queer people has improved a lot; especially amongst younger generations. As such, the central conflict of this book, of wishing away your homosexuality, will probably feel more shocking to the books intended younger readers.

Straight Expectations tells the story of Max, a young 17-year-old gay boy living in a small English village. Max came out at age twelve, and his best friend, Dean, has always stood beside him; largely because Dean is the only other gay person Max has known most of his life. The two of them are also friends with Alicia, a queer ally who supports the two boys at school and in their personal lives. Max seemingly has a pretty decent life, his parents are divorced, but they're happier for it and he has good relationships with them. Dean is the big star in the school drama department, and Alicia is their top artist, and Max loves helping them out and spending time with them. They're running a school LGBTQ+ club that's helping other students. Compared to a lot of young queer people Max has it good.

However, there's something that's been gnawing at Max for a long while now. He's single. There are pretty much no options for his dating circle in their small community, and whilst there is another gay boy in their school other than him and Dean, Oliver Cheng, and Max does have a massive crush on him, he's yet to work up the nerve to even talk to him. When Dean and Alicia try to engineer a meet-cute for the two of them it fails to result in a date; so they push Max into sending Oliver a message instead. But when Max is left on read and doesn't get a response his feelings finally bubble over. He snaps at his friends, he doesn't listen to them when they tell him how good his life is, he disregards their point that their lives aren't easy and great due to having to deal with racism (something Max never has to worry about). He refuses to focus on anything but his lack of a love life.

It's then that Max makes a wish, a wish that he could have a 'normal' life, an easy life. He wishes that he could be straight instead, so that he can date and have fun. And worse of all, he wishes he and Dean had never become friends. The next day Max wakes up and finds his whole world has changed. The posters of boys on his bedroom walls have been replaced by bikini babes, the clothing in his wardrobe is different, and his parents are married. Heading to school, Max finds that his friend circle is different, that he's friends with Oliver, and that he's dating Alicia. Even weirder, the guys do nothing for him, and he's noticing every pretty girl around him. It's then that he realises what he's done, that he's changed the world around him. Thinking that making friends with Dean again will be the way to set things right he sets out to do so; but when no one knows who Dean is Max has to face the idea that he might be stuck in this new, twisted version of his life.

I have to be honest, when I first heard of the idea of Straight Expectations I wasn't sure what to think. In a world that's still incredibly hostile to queer people, where conversion therapy still happens, and people are 'cured' of their homophobia, here's a book where the lead character is able to wish away their gayness. I was worried that this book could be sending the wrong message, or that it could be promoting something less than ideal. However, my fears couldn't have been more misplaced. Yes, the book has a magical circumstance that turns a gay boy straight and changes the world around him, but it's not making that out to be a good thing. If anything, Straight Expectations is a celebration of queer identity, and of being yourself.

One of the things that the book does that I appreciated, is that it very quickly establishes that the new reality Max finds himself in isn't better. There are parts of it that initially seem good to him, Oliver is his friend, his parents are still together, but the vast majority of things are a less enjoyable, less hopeful version of his life. Alicia's father isn't a fun loving guy who treats him like a son, but an angry father who dislikes him. His parents might still be together, but their arguing, their relationship is on the rocks, and none of them are happy. He even notices that there are less openly queer kids at school, that without the presence of Dean and the LGBTQ+ club some students haven't found the community and the support to come out. One of the saddest moments in this new reality is when he comes across one of his friends from his normal life, a trans girl who was in a loving relationship with another girl; but in this new world she hasn't come out, she's still living under her dead name, and he can see how much she's suffering because of it.

A central message of the book is that a world without the queer community is one that's lesser. Yes, there's still Oliver, who's now the only openly queer kid in school, but all of the others are gone. People feel like they can't be themselves, they don't have a community, homophobia is a little more open, and people just seem to lack the spark that made them happier in the other world. A lot of this seems to be down to the lack of Dean, a person so happy and confident in their identity that they refuse to back down or hide who they are. Dean pushed people around him to be better, to do better, and without that things are just worse. Yes, this could just be a story about how one person being missing from your life can put you on a completely different path that isn't as good, but it can also be a commentary on how if we continue to allow the erasure of the queer community we're going to make the world a much worse place.

Max's journey through this alternate world is the main focus of the book, but it's not the only thing that Straight Expectations does. Max does end up figuring out a way to go home, though he doesn't realise it. Most stories would end soon after this, they'd show the lead getting back to their own life, repairing their bridges, and moving forward in some nebulous way. But in Straight Expectations there's still a good twenty percent of the book left. We actually get to see Max taking the lessons he learned in that other timeline and applying them to his life. He makes up with his friends, he finds a new path in his own life, and he finally plucks up the courage to talk to Oliver now that he's experienced being friends with him without the nervous tension of having a crush on him. We actually get to see how this experience makes him a better person over a number of days, if not weeks, and it makes the book feel a bit more special.

Straight Expectations is billed as being a queer romance, and whilst it's definitely that it's also something a bit more special. It's a book about identity. Max's story is about learning to accept who he is, to see that the things that are issues for him aren't really that big; especially compared to some of the things that others are going through. The book asks the readers to take a think about what one simple change might actually do in the long run, how one tiny thing can have huge ripple effects, and why perhaps changing those tiny things isn't worth obsessing over.Be happy with the life you have, do what you can to change things going forward, and try to embrace the good you already have.

I had a lot more fun with Straight Expectations than I was expecting, and it ended up being a book that I struggled to put down, finishing it in just two sessions. This isn't a genre that I normally go for, and the initial description made me unsure about it, but it ended up being a hugely enjoyable experience, and one that I'm so glad I took a chance on.

The story is well-plotted and the language used is simple. It will put a smile on your face. The characters are well-thought out and play their parts with gusto. The story has a good and the language used is simple. Reading Straight Expectations will put a smile on your face.

I loved this book! The premise sounded so interesting and it was so easy to lose myself in this story. I think I finished it under 3 hours because I just couldn’t put it down!

Whilst this is a romance, I would say there are a lot more elements of friendship and self-discovery than I initially thought there would be, but they were needed and really brought the story to life. Max goes through a lot of character development in this book and he comes out the end all the better for it. Max is a out and proud, but very frustrated with the lack of romantic options in his small town. After he thinks he’s been rejected by his long time crush, Oliver, and falls out with his best friend, Dean, he wishes he could live a normal life. The next day he wakes up and he’s straight, dating his friend Alicia, best friends with Oliver, and Dean is nowhere to be seen.

In Straight Expectations, Max navigates his life as a straight boy, wondering why everything is so different in this parallel story of his life. He learns about his privilege and about what he truly wants from his life. Of course, there was romance! Max is best friends with Oliver in the straight version of his life, and despite having straight thoughts, he knows he still likes him and Max enjoys spending time with him, without getting tongue tied and admiring from afar.

This book was really about the power of relationships, both romantic and platonic, and I really enjoyed it! I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun, cute read!

Really enjoyed the concept of this book and the way it allowed for the exploration of life experiences and privilege from different angles. A truly great YA book that I know teenage me would also have loved reading.

Overall

I know we’re not meant to judge a book by its cover (though I don’t know who in their right mind would come up with a rule like that). But when you see a cover as fabulous as the one for Straight Expectations, you necessarily throw all caution to the wind and pick it up anyway. Because have you seen the cover?! It’s colorful and wholesome and so freaking cute.

Straight Expectations is an adorable queer romance wrapped in a “be careful what you wish for” package that is filled with self-acceptance, strong friendships, coming of age, and an incredibly positive message.

I went into this book not really knowing much about it, though a little leery because, pffft, romance, am I right? Who wants wholesome goodness? As it turns out, I do . . . sometimes. Because the will they/won’t they sort of romance in this book was so freaking cute and relatable. Not only for me as a 30-something-year-old, but inner teen me who remembers these feelings all too well. Despite some rocky moments (because what’s a book without conflict), the overall story is so wholesome and queer positive that by the time I closed the book, I was left with a warm, bubbly feeling that I rather enjoyed.

My Thoughts

- Meet Max, who is only really sure about two things in his life: he’s gay and his best friend is Dean. Everything else (including what he wants to do with his life) is a rather confusing haze of uncertainty and hormones. And if that doesn’t just sum up the teen experience in general, I don’t know what does. The first thing that struck me about Max is how freaking relatable he is, even though our stories and backgrounds are quite different. Max is struggling to decide what he wants to do after school (a daunting task if ever there was one), trying to get along with his mother’s boyfriend (who isn’t a bad person, per se, but annoying all the same), and pining endlessly over a boy. In fact, I had terrible flashbacks to my own teen years during Max’s pining episodes. I’m fairly certain my friends even said to me some of the things his friends say to him, which . . . yikes. (Don’t worry, my story also has a happy ending. The boy I was pining over and I will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary in July, so hey, pining isn’t always bad, okay?!)

I feel like the heart of Max’s struggle, the attempt to find and understand one’s self, is something that anyone (especially teenagers) is likely to relate to. Sure, Max messes up and makes mistakes along the way (and don’t we all), but he’s genuinely a good kid who’s just a bit lost and trying to find his way.

- Despite being confused about who he is, Max has no confusion at all surrounding his friends, who he sees as ridiculously talented, unlike him, and actually going places. Which terrifies him. It’s hard when you have a friend group and you feel like the only one without any talent or promise. I get it. I think many people can relate to that. Max’s best friend, Dean, is amazingly talented at theater, and Max assumes it’s a given that he’ll get into acting school and go on to be famous. His other friend, Alicia, is an astounding artist, and of course she’ll get into art school. In Max’s mind, these are a given, even though his friends have doubts.

I really appreciated the way Max and his friends are so supportive of each other. It’s obviously a tight-knit friends group, and very wholesome. However, it does raise some really good discussion about the fact that Max takes things for granted and doesn’t always listen to his friends. Especially when they’re voicing legitimate concerns about their futures, whether Max considers them to be or not.

- The basic premise of this story is similar to 13 Going On 30 or Freaky Friday, where a wish is granted to offer a new perspective. Because, you know, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Being queer is hard. I do not speak from experience in that, but I’ve known enough queer people and have seen enough things to know that’s true. Max doesn’t necessarily regret his queerness, but he does think it’d be easier if he were just straight, like everyone else. Like “normal” kids. So in a fight with his friends, he makes a wish he doesn’t really mean, and wakes up the next morning straight. Seems almost like a dream come true, right? Except that being straight doesn’t magically fundamentally change who Max is (surprise!), and being a straight teenager is still freaking hard. This is such a fun premise, though, and one I enjoy thoroughly.

- Despite instances of homophobia, this book is by and large extremely queer-positive, with Max having a large support net of LGBTQ+ friends and allies. I absolutely love seeing any sort of strong support group, especially in young adult books. This is such a formative time for this age group that they need to know there are people out there that will support them, even if they take them for granted. Like parents! Max definitely takes his parents for granted, but they support him no matter what’s going on, and that doesn’t change.

Perhaps the most eye-opening and startling realization is the way things can change if there isn’t the support network, as Straight Max is quick to find out. When there isn’t a supportive atmosphere where people can be themselves, they tend not to be themselves. Which is not only heartbreaking, when you know they just don’t feel comfortable or safe being authentically themselves, but it’s such a toxic atmosphere. It reminds readers why it’s so important to build a space where people can just be who they are, without fear of repercussions!