Review of Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall

Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall


To be published by Swoon Books
on August 30, 2016

Source: ARC for review from publisher

Synopsis from Goodreads: Gideon always has a plan. His plans include running for class president, becoming head of the yearbook committee, and having his choice of colleges. 

They do NOT include falling head over heels for his best friend and next door neighbor, Kyle. It’s a distraction. It’s pointless, as Kyle is already dating the gorgeous and popular head cheerleader, Ruby. And Gideon doesn’t know what to do. 

Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings, and social acceptance as captain of the basketball team. Then, both Ruby and Gideon start acting really weird, just as his spot on the team is threatened, and Kyle can’t quite figure out what he did wrong… 

Review of  Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall


This was my first Swoon Reads book, and overall I thought it was cute. It's the story of a bunch of people realizing different things about themselves, but mostly a story about two guy best friends who (slowly) realize that they're in love. 

Gideon and Kyle put the Q in LGBTQ and I think that's a great thing in a YA book with teen characters who are just figuring stuff out. Gideon and Kyle were very sweet together and I was rooting for them.

However, I had some minor issues with the writing style and narrative choices. 

First off, I'm skeptical of the need for too many first person POVs, especially in a story that's primarily romance.  

I think Kyle's girlfriend's POV and Gideon's brother's POV just cluttered up the story and kept us from our happy couple. Plus, Ruby (understandably) came off a little bitter about being ditched. I think these two could have been given their own story in a spin-off book.

In addition, there was something about the story that seemed a little too simple. The blurb talks all about Gideon's goals, but those aren't a big part of the story. Everyone was going through stuff, but everyone was also super-supportive of one another, which seemed a little too good to be true. 

But that could just be me - if you like your stories on the sweeter side, you won't mind. And those critiques aside, this is a quick, cute read for those in the mood for a sweet LGBTQ romance.

Comments

  1. I thought this one was super cute. Agree it was a bit simple but thought it was a good quick summer read. I loved Gideon and Kyle together. Great review!

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  2. I've read two of Hall's books so far and they tend to have lots of POV's.

    She tends to write lighthearted - not too deep romances but they're good for summer reading.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. Ha - if I'm reading a romance I just want one or two POVs. I am not interested in these other random POVs....

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  3. Yeah, it sounds like there were way too many POVs in this. Otherwise, this seems like an easy, light romance read.

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    1. It was - check it out if that's what you're looking for!

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  4. I always tell myself that I like to read "happy" stories that take me away from this messed up reality. Still, when I'm reading stories like this, there needs to be some type of realness to it. I don't want everything to go perfectly. It tears my nerves up! I'd read this one on a day when I could use some cuteness, though. Great review!

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    1. That is a good way to put it. I want happy and real! I want real challenges that end happily :)

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  5. I don't like many first persons POVs, but I have enjoyed some in the past. This sounds like a cute read, so I might give it a try :)

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    1. Yeah, I like my romances with maximum two POVs. Get these other people out!!

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  6. I agree, it is possible to be in the heads of one too many people :) For myself, I've grown just a little tired with the first-person narrative anyway. I hope it's only a phase...

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  7. Great review! I agree this was sweet but all the POVs were not necessary. Still, a cute read!

    my review

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