Scan barcode
joshs_queer_blog's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Afterglow is the incredible sequel to Golden Boys and continues the story of Gabriel, Sal, Heath, & Reese, 4 gay teens from small town Ohio. Back home after the summer, Reese is beginning to dabble with drag whilst becoming his relationship with Heath who is focusing on getting his baseball scholarship. Meanwhile Gabe is trying to make his long distance relationship with Matt work, and Sal is figuring out his post-graduation career options.
This story stretching out over a full year where the first lasted only the 3 months of summer, which allows for the boys to undergo some great character development.
The writing continues to be very relatable, as the struggles with long-distance relationships were reminiscent of my relationship with my ex, and the question of what will I do with my future is one I have been familiar with.
Phil Stamper is just amazing at writing stories with a mix of humour, romance, and emotion.
This story stretching out over a full year where the first lasted only the 3 months of summer, which allows for the boys to undergo some great character development.
The writing continues to be very relatable, as the struggles with long-distance relationships were reminiscent of my relationship with my ex, and the question of what will I do with my future is one I have been familiar with.
Phil Stamper is just amazing at writing stories with a mix of humour, romance, and emotion.
lil_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alexm_20's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was even better than Golden Boys! It explored so many different topics such as book banning, politics, fashion, and long-distance relationships. It has potential to be a trilogy as well!
oofsharkz73's review against another edition
It immediately felt like I was thrown into something I had no clue about and didn't have the patience to fill in the missing puzzle pieces or try to catch up. Like being thrown in on the 8th chapter just in the chapter one and prelude. Also way too cliché.
botal93's review against another edition
5.0
What a turnaround. I loved this SO much.
If you've seen my review of Golden Boys, you'll know already how intensely I disliked that one. And honestly? I fully went into Afterglow expecting to not enjoy it as well.
Wow, wow, wow, was I surprised. This story felt like such a step forward. It was the same characters and still has four narrators. I hated that element of Golden Boys as it just felt like four completely separate stories mushed together. This absolutely wasn't the case with Afterglow.
It felt so much more cohesive. It felt like all the characters were telling their version of the same story. I followed it way easier than with Golden Boys. I'd even go as far as saying I was hooked.
The characters seemed to have much more unique voices in Afterglow, and I think because their stories were so much more intertwined, and because they had so much more interaction together, it became really easy to get invested. I have to say I loved and was rooting for all of them here.
Whereas I couldn't wait for Golden Boys to end for all the wrong reasons, I didn't want this one to end. Despite this, I couldn't put it down and was so invested in what would happen next. The plot was a great, fairly low angst, fairly easy read that just felt cosy all the way through.
I also adored the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. It was handled perfectly and felt so real and so relatable. If I'd had this book when I was a teen, I'd have probably felt like I could do anything or be anyone I wanted to.
I'm so impressed with this. Hats off to the author for pulling off what I can only describe as a miracle of a turnaround. He's won me over with this, and I'll be sure to check out his other books now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my honest review.
If you've seen my review of Golden Boys, you'll know already how intensely I disliked that one. And honestly? I fully went into Afterglow expecting to not enjoy it as well.
Wow, wow, wow, was I surprised. This story felt like such a step forward. It was the same characters and still has four narrators. I hated that element of Golden Boys as it just felt like four completely separate stories mushed together. This absolutely wasn't the case with Afterglow.
It felt so much more cohesive. It felt like all the characters were telling their version of the same story. I followed it way easier than with Golden Boys. I'd even go as far as saying I was hooked.
The characters seemed to have much more unique voices in Afterglow, and I think because their stories were so much more intertwined, and because they had so much more interaction together, it became really easy to get invested. I have to say I loved and was rooting for all of them here.
Whereas I couldn't wait for Golden Boys to end for all the wrong reasons, I didn't want this one to end. Despite this, I couldn't put it down and was so invested in what would happen next. The plot was a great, fairly low angst, fairly easy read that just felt cosy all the way through.
I also adored the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. It was handled perfectly and felt so real and so relatable. If I'd had this book when I was a teen, I'd have probably felt like I could do anything or be anyone I wanted to.
I'm so impressed with this. Hats off to the author for pulling off what I can only describe as a miracle of a turnaround. He's won me over with this, and I'll be sure to check out his other books now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my honest review.
mxmaxreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Even better than Golden Boys because it tackles even more important social justice issues. I loved Sal’s character development, Reese embracing his love of drag, Gabe’s increased self-confidence and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community at his school (might be my favorite character), and Heath’s sedulousness and dedication to his friends. This was a fun ending to this duology! I’ll be looking out for more books by Phil Stamper in the future.
capra's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ozreadbook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marcia_94's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was a good story, but I don't think I'm the right target audience for it. But do read it if you liked the first one, it's a great story about friendship and growing up queer in a small town.
book_busy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sentimentally, this was the perfect fluff book. However, the writing felt simplistic and I could see the plot from a mile away. Nonetheless, this is probably wone of the most accurate coming of age novels I have read and it was so cool seeing how people at a similar stage of life acted and emoted. Its final message felt very heartfelt and I'm glad to have read this book for the clarity and introspection it provided.