Name: Shaq H's review of Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch
Item: Blaine for the Win
Rating: 4
Author: Shaq H

Robbie Couch

After being dumped so his boyfriend can pursue more “serious” guys, a teen boy decides to prove he can be serious, too, by running for senior class president in this joyful romp from the author of The Sky Blues. High school junior Blaine Bowers has it all—the perfect boyfriend, a pretty sweet gig as a muralist for local Windy City businesses, a loving family, and awesome, talented friends. And he is absolutely, 100% positive that aforementioned perfect boyfriend—​senior student council president and Mr. Popular of Wicker West High School, Joey—is going to invite Blaine to spend spring break with his family in beautiful, sunny Cabo San Lucas. Except Joey breaks up with him instead. In public. On their one-year anniversary. Because, according to Joey, Blaine is too goofy, too flighty, too…unserious. And if Joey wants to go far in life, he needs to start dating more serious guys. Guys like Zach Chesterton. Determined to prove that Blaine can be what Joey wants, Blaine decides to enter the running to become his successor (and beat out Joey’s new boyfriend, Zach) as senior student council president. But is he willing to sacrifice everything he loves about himself to do it?

Blaine for the Win

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Shaq H

*mildly spoilery!*

I liked it! Though the whole legally blonde thing caught me off guard (being able to predict what'll happen and what each character will say is absolutely no fun), I'm really glad it started deviating around 20% into the book. I found myself feeling incredibly stressed during the debate and balloting sequence, and the plot twists inspired many feelings in me, well done! I liked the characters, and the villains even more; Joey and Zach really pissed me off a lot, so perfect. The reconciliation bit at the end was beautiful and I'm glad the race ended the way it did.

However, I did feel like the romance between Blaine and Danny was a littleeeeeeeeee forced at the end. Especially when Zach asked about Danny after the IG Live bit, so random i felt. Would've loved to see their relationship fleshed out a little more and maybe see more of Danny in the third quarter of the book because his absence genuinely made me detach myself from him. But! In the end, this is a really good book and I enjoyed it a fair bit 🤍

It was a fun story and I connected so hard with Blaine. Honestly? That doesn't happen often. His friend's were awesome and well written. 

There were a few moments that I got whiplash from the emotions and what was going on. Also, we all need an Aunt Starr. 

Alex Landau

I loved this book! 

It was a fun story and I connected so hard with Blaine. Honestly? That doesn't happen often. His friend's were awesome and well written. 

There were a few moments that I got whiplash from the emotions and what was going on. Also, we all need an Aunt Starr. 

10/10 will be reading again!

Avery Baumel

i was so proud when i realized the allusion (although i really should've caught it sooner). cute, funny, loved

Addy A

This is genuinely cute, and I can appreciate the major influence Legally Blonde clearly had on this novel. The writing was very readable, but perhaps too much so. There were times when it felt like I wasn't getting enough description of the characters, and there were times when I wished the novel had more meat on its bones. Of course, I do want to keep in mind this novel is being marketed toward YA audiences, but I think it could have used a little more sophistication.

I can also appreciate that the novel felt very low-stakes, but I'd like to circle back to the idea of not having enough meat on its bones. There was a plot point introduced about mental health that I don't think was fleshed out enough, or given the attention it deserved. 

There was no chemistry in this book's romance at all. I know this is teen-oriented, but the love interest barely got any real characterization. Though I could tell where their relationship was going, I also didn't feel like we really got a chance to see it develop, but more that by process of elimination and being familiar with the plot of Legally Blonde, it was obvious where things were going. 

I do think this book is appropriate and probably is a better read for those within its age range, but even then, I think there was room to really explore these characters and this plot more. However, I appreciate that it was paced well, and that the low stakes and its lightweight nature made it a brisk and unchallenging read.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch

Reviews

Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch