But I also really appreciate how Leah's self-worth is not tied into the romance. And when it comes to romance, banter is everything to me. Becky Albertalli's books are largely driven by the dialogue, which makes for some great banter.

The romance here was just perfect for me. Like I said, I so wish this book existed when I was in high school. And sometimes characters identify as neither girl nor boy and that's cool, too. Girls like boys like boys like girls like girls. It's not always easy to come out and, of course, some people are jerks but it's so. But, on top of all that, Albertalli just does a great job of normalizing queer relationships. This book has everything you need from the perfect high school senior rom-com: a tight group of hilarious and charming friends, prom and all that goes with it, a will they/won't they of course they will, silly!, and that perfect but somewhat melancholy high that comes with endings and new beginnings. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, with better dialogue, characters and relationships than The Upside of Unrequited, and it didn't hurt that I just related to Leah so much more. If you've had enough of the depressing gloomy world we live in and want to read something uplifting, unapologetically nerdy, with just the right amount of romance and Harry Potter references, then I highly recommend Leah on the Offbeat. Oh, how I wish I could go back in time and give my awkward, chubby teen self this book. She's hilarious and badass and sarcastic and moody and totally potty-mouthed. I don't actually see how it's possible not to. Is it that hard to believe I might actually like my body? I swear, people can’t wrap their minds around the concept of a fat girl who doesn’t diet.

Becky albertalli leah on the offbeat