It’s nice to hear him so self-aware. To know that the seismic waves of coming out are still rippling through him too. I thought I was alone in that. Everyone makes it seem like coming out is crossing the finish line and now you just get to parade around while wearing your medal. For me, it feels more like I’m still winded midmarathon.
― Timothy Janovsky, Never Been Kissed
Wren Roland wants his first kiss to be special. After a few near-misses, he wonders if he will ever be able to check that box off his list, or have a relationship at all. He is shy, nervous, and he relies on his confident friends to make up for what he believes he lacks. However, he comes alive with the mention of classic cinema or films of any kind. He begins his summer post college graduation as a newly-minted manager at his hometown’s only drive-in movie theater where he has worked every summer since he was a teenager. He soon discovers that Derick, his long-time crush, is back in town and is the theater’s new social media manager tasked with generating buzz (and sales) for the drive-in. Wren is still attracted to Derick, but he is too nervous to do anything about it. And he refuses to let his fantasies of what could have been overpower the painful truth of his kissless existence.
I’m all for watching unlikeable characters tear the world down around them. My only requirement is that they at least make it interesting.
I started reading this book on vacation because it looked like a light and fluffy romance. I wasn’t wrong but, around the twenty percent mark, curiosity quickly morphed into a full-on hate read. Aside from Avery and Brandon (Wren’s roommate and other friend’s boyfriend) everyone else is unbearable. Derick is cocky and careless. And Wren eats it up. He forgives every thoughtless act because he is so infatuated with his long-lost love. Mateo is irresponsible and obnoxious. Alice is the stereotypical crazy cat lady (or dog lady). Derick’s father is the overbearing, cutthroat businessman. Earl is the luddite boss who is trying to keep his family’s business afloat. Together, they add up to a tedious mess.
However, somewhere around the fifty percent mark, the story starts to improve. We get more insight into why Derick’s unflappable demeanor may all be an act. And Wren starts to examine his own feelings, which results in a positive shift in his outlook, versus spinning out of control at the first sign of trouble (when he’s not creating new problems out of nothing).
There were a few final reveals that I did not see coming, which was a pleasant surprise. I’m happy enough with how the book ended, but I would never want to read a follow-up story about any of these characters. Except for Brandon. But only if he gets away from Mateo and Willow Valley.