CALUM MCSWIGGAN – STRAIGHT EXPECTATIONS ****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Max, the teenage narrator, is gay. Not just gay, but camp, prone to asking his best girlfriend Alicia to paint his nails in flamboyant colours. Dean is his best gay friend, though not lover (he has plenty of crushes on other boys) someone he shares his ups and downs with, prone to performing in high school musicals for the lesbian teacher.

Then, one day, Max finds himself straight and Alicia is actually his girlfriend. But though knowing he is straight; in this strange world he can see the difference between GayWorld and StraightWorld. His divorced parents are suddenly back together – with their problems is that wise?

Worst of SW is that his best friend Dean is nowhere to be found. No one who knew him in GW has ever heard of him in SW. Why? What’s happened?

If you suspend disbelief, this is a clever twist. It enables Max to see both sides of his potential lives, and the consequences of the choices he makes, and come down firmly on one side. No prizes for guessing which. It’s an engaging story, well told, though other than the twist, nothing original or earth-shaking happens. I’ve read it before in other gay books for teenagers. But still well worth a read. Witty title, too.

When I was a teenager there were no books like this, gay characters always had to die, or suffer in some way. Positivity wasn’t allowed. Now, with books like this, and Netflix shows, gay teenagers have a reflection of who they are, or who they can be.

I’ve been reading some *really* heavy stuff lately, and so when Dave from TheWriteReads offered me a spot on the tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan (Penguin, 2023), I took one look at that adorable, rainbow-splashed cover and I was IN. YA fiction full of queer characters, and the main character wakes up in an alternate reality? Yes, please! I love alternate reality stories. This was bound to be fun, I thought…and I was right.

Max is queer, proud, and fully at ease with himself, his strong fashion sense, and his fabulously manicured nails. He’s got supportive parents, the best friend group anyone could ever ask for (Dean is also queer, Alicia is not), and a super supportive queer group at school. He’s a little iffy on what the future holds, but his best friends both seem to have everything mapped out. That’s a little tough to deal with, as is the fact that Max is single with a capital SINGLE. He can barely figure out how to talk to Oliver, his crush, and all the strain from these things finally lead Max into a major blow-up scene with Dean and Alicia. Mixed in with a whole bunch of other hurtful things he doesn’t truly mean, Max wishes he were normal, that he could just wake up and not be gay and that he could have an easy life like one of the normal kids.

POOF.

When Max wakes up the next day, everything is…different. His life is similar, but everything is just a little bit off. Gone are all his attractions to boys. Alicia is now…his girlfriend?!?!? His parents are no longer divorced, but they’re not happy, either, and worst of all, Dean seems to have disappeared entirely. Devastated by the complete absence of his best friend, Max sets off on a journey to figure out what the hell happened, and discovers that Straight Max hasn’t always been the coolest guy. Can Max even begin to put things right???

This was a really fun and thought-provoking read. Straight Expectations’ cast of characters is instantly likable; I feel like Calum McSwiggan did an excellent job balancing the creation of an excellent friend group (including both the Max/Dean/Alicia trio and the queer group at school) with taking the time to point out the many ways in which Max has privilege. OG Max throws a tantrum before making his wish, which some reviews have clocked as being spoiled, but I think he’s also in a place in life where it can feel *really* frustrating when everyone around you seems to have things figured out, and you just…don’t. He does say some really hurtful things to his friends, but I’m also willing to cut him some slack here because boy, do I get what that feels like, Growing up is tough, and as Max shows, it’s an exercise in making mistakes and learning to come back from them.

Straight Max is so bewildered by his lack of gay feelings and all the changes his not being gay has wrought in his life. Whole people have disappeared, which is super jarring until you realize exactly where they went, and why. His divorced parents are back together, and his dad is working a job he hates…which is, in a surprising way, directly related to Max’s sexuality and acceptance of himself. It all weaves together in a beautifully complex way that will have you wondering at how very connected everything in life truly is.

This is a fun book. Not everyone is affirming in the book; there’s a teacher who’s a straight-up jerk to the queer kids, along with a student who’s kind of half-heartedly trying to be an ally but misses the mark most of the time, but in general, Calum McSwiggan has created a world where it’s okay to be out, queer, and proud about it, and where you never lack for friends and parents who love you for who you are. Even for someone like me, an anxious middle-aged woman, the characters here had a lot to teach me about self-acceptance and pride, and I appreciate that. I really loved how comfortable Dean and Max are with themselves, how they take who they are and what they’re into and what speaks to them and celebrate everything about themselves. I think that’s a good message for everyone - especially for the LGBTQ+ crowd, but it’s a good reminder for everyone else as well.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Callum McSwiggan, Penguin, and Dave from TheWriteReads for allowing me to take part in this tour!

I really wanted to love this but it just missed the mark for me, but then I am far from the target audience. This was a fun Freaky Friday romantic comedy that basically deals with the concept of personality and self, being the same regardless of sexual orientation.
There were some great characters, and some great depictions of friendship.

Loved this! So enjoyable, loved all of the characters and laughed out loud a number of times. Will be buying this when it comes out for sure

I normally love LGBT YA rom coms, but I couldn’t get into this one at all. Not for me & I DNFd. Sorry!

'Straight Expectations' by Calum McSwiggan is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that delves into the complex issues surrounding sexual orientation, identity and privilege. Through the eyes of protagonist Max, McSwiggan masterfully captures the confusion and uncertainty that can come with navigating one's sexuality, and the consequences that can arise from taking things for granted.

The story is both relatable and captivating, drawing the reader in with its engaging plot and well-developed characters. Max is a flawed but endearing protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery is both touching and inspiring. McSwiggan's writing is witty, insightful and emotionally resonant, tackling important themes with sensitivity and nuance.

What sets 'Straight Expectations' apart is its ability to tackle serious issues with a light touch, never losing sight of the humanity of its characters. McSwiggan's storytelling is infused with empathy and humor, making it a pleasure to read from start to finish.

Overall, 'Straight Expectations' is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and the importance of self-acceptance. It is a powerful and uplifting story that will leave readers feeling inspired and hopeful for the future.

This novel was funnier than I expected it to be and I loved nearly every second of it, max is one of the most loveable characters you'll ever come across
It's one of those story's that keeps you coming back to read it again and again

I don’t very often DNF books but no matter how much I tried I just couldn’t bring myself to care enough to follow. I found the pop culture references to be very stereotypical and it just grated on me. The cover is great and is what drew me in but in this case it’s more style than substance which is sad because the premise is good.

A queer 'what if' story that didn't do it for me. I found the characters unlikeable & the modern pop culture references to be exhausting & instantly dating the book. The cover however is a beaut.

I loved this “what if” novel so much! The story of Max, a gay teenager who wishes he could be “normal” and gets exactly what her wanted - he likes girls now, but there’s so much more to his identity. I read it in a couple of hours, such a feel good read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.