Yes No Maybe So Hardcover – 4 Feb. 2020

I've now read all of Becky Albertalli's books and they're awesome. I really appreciate the diversity (e.g. LGBT+ and religious characters) and the plots are always engaging. This book is a typical Becky book, in fact, her writing style is so distinct that I can't see a trace of an outside influence in it (i.e. the other author) so I very much consider it one of hers. At first I wasn't so invested in the whole political theme going on and the canvassing the characters were doing. I'm British so I don't care about American political systems so much. But the themes that were integrated into this were so important and I'm grateful to the authors for bringing up the issues of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in a YA novel. They're real issues even if the story is fiction. I do think the authors tried too hard to make the characters quirky and relatable (although they're clearly very well thought out and you do fall in love with them) so sometimes it's a bit much. But I think I was particularly frustrated by this because I binged all of Becky's books in a very short amount of time so this is the 5th book where I've encountered this. Like I said, she has a distinct writing style - it's very enjoyable but when you're on your 5th one it's quite samey and I feel like not all the characters have to have a billion quirks about them, you know? Overall I really enjoyed it, I'm just nitpicking!

When I chose the book the story was not what I thought it would be. Due to that, it added depth and interest. I found myself rooting for the main characters and the families and friends. All the characters were really well drawn out. Somehow the authors managed to write entertainingly whilst interweaving a variety of serious issues. Despite the two main characters being young the book would appeal to a wide age range. I would love for there to be a sequel. A very enjoyable read.

Present for son, well received

Unusual maybe, but all the more refreshing for it.A Jewish introvert who looks forward to volunteering for his local representative even less than speaking at his sister's Bat Mitzvah."I just stammer and blush and can barely form words. But they, better that than the alternative... which, as I now know, involves phlegm, a touch of vomit, and State Senator Mathews' black Oxford shoes."A Muslim girl with only one friend (who's leaving for college) who's not happy about being 'made' to volunteer at the campaign office. Will anyone place a bet on what might happen?I jest. While you may feel you know what's likely to occur, the unique setting for this YA story brings a fresh feel to the well-worn story of opposites attracting. Jamie brings us the Jewish family angle, his fear of speaking in public. A cute little sister (slightly underused). A powerhouse of a tech-friendly Grandma. Maya is key to the plot, with her Muslim background (working mother who puts on a headscarf to answer the door) and whose best (and only) friend is a year older and moving on in life as she prepares for college.The political story, I really enjoyed. Talk of candidates and their agendas, the work of the volunteers, it was a second plot within the YA 'romance'/friendship one. I found Jamie and Maya a rather adorable and empathetic pairing, both real-feeling articulate young people.It feels very up-to-date, with references to The Good Place (a new favourite of mine) and Donald Trump. There is a racist incident that feels a little too neatly tied-up, but does form part of the overall story of Islamophobia that the story hovers round.Sweet romance story at the centre of a small political drama. And a great way to spark a little teenage interest in the elections they will very soon be allowed to take part in. And should care about - Jamie and Maya's actions here prove that.Nothing unsuitable here for young teens, recommended for ages 12 and over.With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.

This is a gift of a contemporary book that bravely tackles the political climate we live in. On top of this, YES NO MAYBE SO is loaded with cuteness. In this way, it balances the serious themes with some lightness very well.YES NO MAYBE SO had two quirky and endearing characters in Jamie a Jewish teen and Maya a Muslim teen. They were childhood friends but they hadn’t seen one another for a long time. Suddenly, they were coerced into canvasing for a political leader’s election together. Along the way were a bunch of humps in the road, the personal humps were sad but more impactful were the polarising political issues affecting their cultures and faith. The writing was approached in just the right way, it was compelling, it wasn’t preachy and it immersed you in the personal stories of racism, prejudice and ignorance. I can’t speak to the representation of faith or culture in this book but both authors are own voices, that said, please also search out own voices reviews.There was the sweetest of slow-building connections with these two, it was cutely awkward, especially with Jamie’s knack for saying the wrong thing. There was a lot of cringey, fun moments that made me laugh. I liked that these two were not immediately drawn to one another, at least Maya wasn’t but friendship and camaraderie was a persuasive allure. I did like Maya and Jamie but I didn’t always connect to their wider stories and the side characters. The wider stories were relevant and I think I just wanted something more from the storytelling.This was a cute, joyful read that didn’t evade real life and politics. There aren’t that many books embracing this kind of context and so I say bravo to Albertali and Saaed for this.Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK for the review copy.