Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met. – Goodreads.com

I remember wanting to read this book when it was released, but just never got around to it.  Because of last month’s book club category, reading a book recommended by another member, I read it.  And soooo wish I’d gotten to it sooner.

Can I say how much I love it?  Simon’s voice is what hooked me.  Humorous, self-deprecating, snarky, and a die-hard Harry Potter fan.  He’s impossible not to adore – I just wanted to hug him.  From his loyal friends to his supportive family, it’s like they rose from the pages as fully living, breathing, secondary characters.

I’m not a huge romance fan, but romance isn’t the only focus of this novel.  Yes, things may have wrapped up a little too neatly at the end, and it wasn’t difficult to figure out the identity of Blue, but none of that detracted from me thoroughly enjoying this book.  Can’t give it a high enough recommendation.  5+ stars.