Dean Atta has done it again - I am in love with his writing style and prose
I cannot wait for what he writes next

Kai is a teen trying to comes to terms with himself in a complicated and often heartless world. He has a best friend who is not ready to come out, a best friend recovering from an assault, a single mother who can't be there when he needs her (understandable, but it aches) and his first boyfriend. It's a lot and Dean Atta punches a lot into the verse format. The emotions of Kai as he's processing it all and how he had to deal with it with the world judging him for the colour of his skin and how he walks. It's almost enough to make someone insane. Luckily, he does have a solid support form and people to look out for him.

The start was a little slow, but as I relaxed into the format, I got more and more invested in Kai's story. There is a lot here to talk about. The bit about consent, in particular, touched with me. I had a lot of emotions throughout the book, and I hope others feel the same.

I Can’t Even Think Straight is a YA novel from the Stonewall Award-winning writer, Dean Atta, that tells the coming-of-age, coming out story of Kai. Kai is back at school after the summer holidays and he feels like it’s time to come out to his peers, but his best school friend, Matt, isn’t ready yet. Encouraged by family friend, Vass, Kai wants to start telling his own story and show his true self, but the world around him is messy and as he tries to navigate a new relationship with Obi, he also has his friendships and family bonds to balance. Matt is scared to come out of the closet due to his family, while Vass reveals a secret that will shake those around them.

With short, snappy chapters, Atta packs a lot into this quick and easy-to-read novel spanning queer joy and friendship, and delving into more complex issues including colourism and racism, transphobia, and homophobia; in particular how they manifest in more covert ways. The book also includes a plotline surrounding sexual assault so readers who find this difficult may wish to avoid this novel, however, Atta tackles it with care and compassion.

A great read for fans of happy-ending queer stories, such as Heartstopper, I Can’t Even Think Straight is a novel about family, love, friendship, crushes, coming out, and the complexities of queerness. Atta even finds a way to perfectly weave his story ‘The Black Flamingo’ into this novel which gives fans of his writing an intertextual, nostalgic moment.

Heartfelt and sensitive, with many layers. Loved the references to Skellig and Black Flamingo. I also enjoyed how the popular group of boys, turned out... not as the narrator expected.
Another wonderful verse novel from Dean Atta. Loved it.

This was a very short book. Despite how short it was, it did pack quite a lot in. I really enjoyed the format.
The main character was pretty grating at times, but I still had a pretty good time overall. I just didn't understand how he thought and his decision making process.
Still, I really enjoyed this overall and will be reading whatever Dean Atta writes next.

Another fantastic YA novel in verse from a talented author. This short novel is full of emotion told in free verse.. Following main character Kai we learn how he and best friend Matt agree to come out only when each other is ready, but Kai feels ready before Matt and begins dating. With no spoilers, the ending is happy - not unexpected - but completely wholesome and satisfying.

This books is great from start to finish. Covering more than Kai's sexuality, there are themes of belonging, diversity, friendship and difficulties young people face. Characterisation is perfect and the city setting allows for scenes in credible places. Some nice Greek dialogue features, but the context doesn't exclude non speakers, and the words used are often repeated.

I LOVE the reference to The Black Flamingo!! This nod to the author's first book is slipped in effortlessly as a perfect surprise.

Many thanks Netgalley, Hodder Books and Dean Atta for the opportunity to read other wonderful book. I'll certainly be recommending this to the young adults I know.

Loved it! Dean Atta does it again with another great coming of age story. The verse form story, follows Kai as he deals with friendship, school, and love. I read it pretty much in one sitting as I was so invested in Kai's story that I needed to know if he would get his happy ever after.

The troubles of when and how two come out as gay when you also want to fit in and your family are less than accommodating. Typical teen life of school and outside past times and falling for people you think are out of bounds.
A title to help those in a similar situation.

Full review to follow, but this latest from the incomparable @deanatta is WONDERFUL.

Tender and heartfelt, with fantastic characters that leap off the page. It’s full of friendship, first loves and the family we make. The prose is dreamily good, so relatable yet well structured.

A wonderful nuanced look at the Black teen experience in England.

Out in May, I can’t wait to shout about this one!