This book has become a pillar of queer YA, as we see Simon's struggles with his sexuality as he gets outed to his school. I wish the outing could have been different, but I love this friend group. Simon is awkward but loveable and, at a time when only straight people could be protagonists, it was so refreshing to let Simon have his story. I would recommend this to everyone - its funny, sad and heartwarming all at the same time.

Simon's story was beautiful, and I think it would be a comfort and encouraging story for young readers.

When this book first came out, a lot of people read it and loved it, urging me to read it. However at the time I just never got around to picking the book up. Then, once the hype started picking up, I felt too scared to give the book a try. What if it didn’t live up to the expectations that were now being placed upon it. Thus, when I finally got around to giving this book a read, I wanted to kick myself for not reading it sooner. I sped through this book with it’s addictive writing and characters, never really wanting it to end.

Simon vs the Homosexuals was not what I assumed it was going to be – but it was so much more. It was an emotional, heart-wrenching story that I got truly sucked into. I fell in love with Simon and Blue. I found myself gripping my kindle harder when something awful happened and wishing to make things better. I also found myself laughing and grinning so much throughout the book too. It is the perfect combination, and exactly what I love in books. A wonderful piece of escapism wrapped up as a powerful story.

Now I’m writing this review quite a while after I read the book but I can still imagine everything that happened clearly which is also a sign of a good book. I felt that all of the characters were really well written and Becky Albertalli has done a fantastic job of creating characters for you to really like. I thought Simon’s journey was really interesting to read. I feel that Becky has done a wonderful job with the coming out, coming-of-age themes in this book and I know that this is a very important book for people read – a book that will help people to truly understand and empathise.

So I’m going to stop gushing about this book now as I don’t want my hyping this book up to put you off reading it the way it did for me. But I will end by saying that this is a truly lovely contemporary book that will sweep you off your feet. It is a book where you will need tissues nearby and one that you might even be able to finish in an afternoon – and if you don’t, you’re going to be itching to read it at every chance you get. I know that’s how I was anyway. So if you’re looking for a powerful and moving LGBT read, make sure you give this book a try.

One of American YA's most hyped releases of recent years, I think I would've enjoyed this more if it hadn't been surrounded by a cacophony of buzz and empty praise. It made it difficult to focus on the quality of the story alone, and although it has a solid hook, it wasn't one of my favourites of the year. Fans of Rainbow Rowell's Carry On and Leila Sales' Tonight the Streets Are Ours will probably fare better with it (and the book will undoubtedly reach new heights with the existence of a movie adaptation).