This book had all the makings to be one of my favorites- rivals to lovers, boarding school, close-proximity, LGBTQIA+ representation. And while I did enjoy it and do recommend it, I found some of the characters to be slightly too over-the-top for me.

I feel like the school was it’s own character, so I’m going to start there. Valentine is a prestigious all-boys academy in New York. It has very old-fashioned rules and kind of Victorian in how they do things. The sister academy for girls is next door and divided by a wall. There is zero contact between the schools except for the fall dance. Not only is there no contact with the girls school, there is basically no contact with the outside world. The students can’t have phones and can only contact family in an emergency. Students are also ranked by class standing, with only the top 5 students in each grade receiving special privileges. I did not like these traits at all, though to be fair, neither do the students really and rebelling against the rules is a key plot point.

Charlie is the main POV character. He seems to be the most sane character, but since the story is told from his viewpoint, that could be why. Charlie is on scholarship and must place in the top 5 by the end of the first semester to remain in the school (which is another crazy rule). He is also Trans and had a flirtation with his roommate a few years ago before transitioning. In Charlie’s mind, everything revolves around hiding his identity, assimilating with the boys in his class, studying constantly to rank and keep his place in the school, and avoiding Jasper at all costs.

Jasper is completely over-the-top; flamboyant and dramatic. He is first in class, nephew to the principal, and a well-known poet. He is very full of himself and eager to be close to Charlie.

The story has a secret club, a 12-year-old genius who is afraid of spiders, and a athlete with an emotional-support-spoon to round things out.

But is also has a beautiful story of acceptance, a lot of character growth, and positive change, leading to a happy ending.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration though NetGalley, on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.