Vitor Martins

The charm and humor of To All the Boys I've Loved Before meets Dumplin' in this body-positive YA love story between two boys who must spend 15 days living with each other over school break. What would you do if you had to spend the next 15 days with your lifelong crush? Felipe gets it -- he's fat. Not chubby. Not big-boned. Fat. And he doesn't need anyone to remind him, which is, of course, what everyone does. That's why he's been waiting for this moment ever since the school year began: school break. Finally, he'll be able to spend some time far away from school and the classmates who tease him incessantly. His plans include catching up on his favorite TV shows, finishing his to-be-read pile, and watching YouTube tutorials on skills he'll never actually put into practice. But things get a little out of hand when Felipe's mom informs him that Caio, the neighbor kid from apartment 57, will be spending the next 15 days with them while his parents are on vacation. Felipe is distraught because A) he's had a crush on Caio since, well, forever, and B) Felipe has a list of body image insecurities and absolutely NO idea how he's going to entertain his neighbor for two full weeks. Suddenly, the days ahead of him that once promised rest and relaxation (not to mention some epic Netflix bingeing) end up bringing a whirlwind of feelings, forcing Felipe to dive head-first into every unresolved issue he has had with himself -- but maybe, just maybe, he'll manage to win over Caio, too.

Here the Whole Time

'I love this book!' Rainbow Rowell Felipe doesn't believe someone like Caio could ever fall for someone like him. But over the next fifteen days, everything will change ... If you love Rainbow Rowell and Heartstopper, you'll fall for this body-positive love story about the assumptions we make about each other, and the bravery we need to be yourself. Felipe is fat. And he doesn't need anyone to remind him, which is, of course, what everyone does. That's why he's been waiting for summer: a break from school and the classmates who tease him incessantly. His plans include catching up on TV, finishing his TBR pile, and watching YouTube tutorials on skills he'll never actually put into practice. But things get a little out of hand when Felipe's mom informs him that Caio, the neighbour kid from apartment 57, will be spending the next fifteen days with them while his parents are on vacation. Felipe is distraught because A) he's had a crush on Caio since, well, for ever, and B) Felipe has a list of body image insecurities and absolutely NO idea how he's going to entertain his neighbor for two full weeks. Suddenly, the days ahead of him that once promised rest and relaxation (not to mention some epic Netflix bingeing) end up bringing a whirlwind of feelings, forcing Felipe to dive head-first into every unresolved issue he has had with himself - but maybe, just maybe, he'll manage to win over Caio, too. A queer love story for anyone who's ever got into a pool with their shirt on.

JJay Jones

“ I don't understand you gay boys. If you were girls, you'd be married on day three and adopting a cat the following week.” - Becky 😂

Felipe: ‘Do you remember?' I finally ask. 

Caio doesn't seem surprised. He knows exactly whot I'm talking about. “Remember what? That I slept with you in your bed and it was kind of embarrassing? That I spent the day reading because I had no clue what to say? That I came up with this whole Gandalf-is-back thing just so id have an excuse to wake you up because I didn't want to go to go to sleep without talking to you? he says all at once. Yeah, I remember.” 

Izaac Richards

It was so cute and romantic. And I loved the story! I just feel something was missing for me (personal opinion) 

'My whole life I've avoided mirrors because I didn't really like what they had to show me, but today is different. Because I look at my reflection and don't hate myself right away.' Felipe doesn't believe someone like Caio could ever fall for someone like him. But over the next fifteen days, everything will change ...

An absolute delightful book, thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Yasmin H

I loved this book. I found the relationship between Philipe and Caio was very accurate and very interesting. I also loved that this book shows that SIZE DOESN’T MATTER. 

Caio’s parents are going away for fifteen days, leaving him under the care of Rita, Philipe’s mum. Philipe has always found Caio attractive, ever since they used to play together in the pool, but what will happen after fifteen days together?

Isabela H 

Basically, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fiction but needs a taste of something a little different. It's a very very very good different :) 


I don't even know where to start with this book (in a positive way, don't worry ;) ) 

I think this book was a beautiful little example of when a person can come into your life and nudge you in the direction of being the best you that you can be. At first, I was unsure of how abruptly Caio changed Felipe, just because it felt too cheesy and too romcom, but I think that after finishing the whole book, Caio was an instigator, an inspiration that gave Felipe the courage to grow. 

Hello Brazilian rep?? This book joined my to-read list before I even realized that it was an English translation of a Brazilian book (had I known, it would have shot to the top of my pile). As a Brazilian American, it's hard to find books that even mention Brazil (I think I've had one since joining goodreads a couple years ago), much less a book that takes place IN Brazil. It's a wonderful feeling to have little bits and pieces of Brazilian culture bleed into the story without taking over the narrative. 

A large part of this book's appeal to me is Felipe's struggles with being fat (something that even takes precedence over his sexuality). I really appreciated how there was a greater diversity of personal problems for the characters to deal with - yes, Caio struggles a little with his sexuality, but Felipe, despite being gay, has his own host of problems that are just as important. Both characters recognize the insecurities of the other and never try to completely erase them, only help each other face them. Even with more minor characters - not even gay person had a problem being gay, not every fat person had a problem being fat, not every skinny person was happy with their body.

Debbi

A beautiful and important book about two boys falling in love. <3

Lukas Ellerbrook

This book was so beautiful. I love the diversity of the characters, and the fact that it takes place in somewhere other than America. It's a nice change of scenery. This book was light-hearted, funny, and romantic. It's definitely one of my favorites of 2022.

Also, I had no idea this was a book that was translated. All I knew was that it was gay and I had to read it.

wildemononoke

Actual rating: 3.75*
Two words: Cuteness overload.

Florencia Sime

Que bonito carajo.
Literalmente eso dije cuando lo termine.

Olivia Mason

super cute and easy read; read it in three hours :)

The charm and humor of To All the Boys I've Loved Before meets Dumplin' in this body-positive YA love story between two boys who must spend 15 days living with each other over school break. "I read this in one sitting, laughing out loud and cheering for Felipe to follow his heart. I love this book!" --Rainbow Rowell, New York Times bestselling author of Carry On and Wayward Son "Martins perfectly captures the magic of first love and the power of being exactly who you are. Remarkably relatable." --Rachael Lippincott, New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart "Candid, thoughtful, and hilarious. Felipe is the hero teens deserve." --Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running with Lions Felipe can't wait for winter break: Finally, he'll get some time away from the classmates who tease him incessantly about his weight. But Felipe's plan turns upside down when he learns that Caio, his neighbor from apartment 57, will be staying with him for fifteen days. Which is a problem because (a) Felipe has had a crush on Caio since, well, forever; and (b) Felipe has a list of body image insecurities and absolutely NO idea how he's going to handle them while sharing a room with his lifelong crush. Suddenly, the days that once promised rest and relaxation (not to mention some epic Netflix bingeing) are a gauntlet of every unresolved issue in Felipe's life. But if he can overcome his insecurities, then maybe -- just maybe -- this break won't turn out to be such a disaster after all . . .

Luca Unahi

It touches on different things such as body insecurities, homophobia and just world problems

Tiffany Robinson

Once I started this book it was so hard to put down. I really enjoyed this story and I wouldn't mind if there was another story so I could see what happened after.

Asia B.

My ancient self is too much old to find value in this YA, but it’s cute and those two little boys are very precious.
I just don’t like it when authors in ya try to convey life lessons and healthy cope mechanism and show how things should be done right using their young, inexperienced protagonists, because that’s completely unrealistic. Give me characters that cope badly and have angst so then, they (and us) can learn a lesson pls. 
Those kids were too mature about everything to be true

Emir Andrés Ibañez

Publicada originalmente en portugués, esta historia está narrada por Felipe, un adolescente brasileño que está contento por la llegada de las vacaciones, porque así estará varias semanas alejado de la gordofobia de sus compañeros de clase. Pero sus planes de tranquilidad se arruinan cuando su madre le anuncia que Caio, un vecino de su mismo edificio y amigo de la infancia de Felipe, vivirá con ellos por quince días, hasta que sus padres vuelvan de vacaciones.

Una novela sencilla, feel good y de superación. Muy bonito todo 😍
Mi única queja es que esta completamente despojada de setting. Si no me decían al principio que transcurrían en Brasil, y más allá de alguna que otra mención de alguna comida, tranquilamente podría haber transcurrido en cualquier lugar del planeta. Asumo que gran parte se habrá perdido en la traducción del portugués al inglés.

En fin, léanla, que les va a dejar contento el corazón. 🌈 ♥

Natalie Sypeck 

3.5 stars!
It took me a few chapters to get into this book. I feel I have this issues with most YA contemporary, it takes me a while to get used to the simpler writing style ( I don't mean this is a bad way, it makes for a quick easy read where I can focus mostly on the message of the story). I did like the relationships in this book, though sometimes I felt they acted a bit younger than 17, though at the age of 25, I kind of have forgotten what a 17 year old acts like lol. I enjoyed the rep of being fat and for having to stay in the closet and finding people to be by your side while you struggle with these things. I did feel it was a little insta-lovy but the book takes place over 15 days so its to be expected, it helped that the two people had a pre-existing friendship from their youth that they could draw on. Over all I enjoyed the reading experience, it made me laugh out loud a few times and brought a smile to my face.

Sofia Blomqvist Rytters

Anna Agarwal

Laura

I fell in love with the idea of this book the first time it was recommended. When it finally was my turn at the library I was nervous - would it really be that good? Well the book surpassed my very high expectations. 

This is such a sweet book. I think most of us can relate to the feeling of being awkward as a high schooler. I related so much to Filipe whether it is not knowing how to flirt or feeling insecure about his body. Watching him figure out what made himself happy was such a joy.

Everyone should read this fantastic book!

Gabriel Mayner

"I like being touched when I feel like being touched. I've always treated my body like a grenade that's about to explode, as if no one ever wanted to come close to me, and even if they did, it would be best not to touch me. But my body is not a bomb."

I don't know what to say about this book except that, as someone who has always been fat, this line might have changed my life. Felipe and Caio's story might have changed my life.

Whatever you look like, whoever you love, this book is required reading.

Hannah Adamson

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! it is definitely a new favourite.

*thank you SO much to netgalley for sending me a review copy*

Kate

3.5* I have somewhat mixed feelings about this book but I think most of that comes from how it was marketed. 

On the one hand, this is a truly lovely exploration of body image, sexuality, first love and self acceptance. The writing is simple but engaging, relatable, funny and incredibly sweet. The cast of characters are gorgeous, as are the relationships (I especially loved the mother/son relationship, which was just everything!!). The pop culture references were A+, as was the positive therapy rep and the plot itself whilst, painful at times, is also wonderfully heartwarming.

That being said, this is very much marketed and pushed as a body positive book and whilst the discussions surrounding Filipe's relationship with his body were wonderful and so freaking important, I do feel the need to mention that the Filipe deals with a huge amount of internalised fatphobia, which he's very vocal about. There's also a few pretty graphic targeted fatphobic attacks. It also kinda sucks that despite the 'body positive' label, neither the UK or US covers actually picture Filipe as being fat? 

However, all in all, this was an enjoyable read with an important, much needed narrative and one I hope to see more of in future YA.

TW: homophobia, homophobic slurs, fatphobia (both internal and external), fatphobic bullying

Here the Whole Time

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