This book is just what I needed to get over my reading slump. I'm reviewing it after the second time reading it (with just a few weeks in between reads)

Conrad and Alden are not exactly friends, but not really enemies. They grate on each others nerves, but there isn't a real hatred between them. They are part of a group of gamers, playing a card game, Odyssey. (In the author’s notes, they state that the game is inspired by card games like Magic the Gathering and others) Their group meets up at a local comic book store to play and film for a YouTube channel, Gamer Grandpa (named as such because it's the channel belongs to an older, professor of theirs. Alden and Conrad both seem to think of this person as a mentor)

The game is featured quite prominently in the book. Personally, I could have done without so much detail to the game. However, even with it, the rest of the book is so good that it still managed to pull a five star rating from me.

Our gamer group includes, Alden, Conrad, their Professor (Gamer Grandpa), Jasper and Peyton. All are members of the LGTBQ community. Alden, Conrad, the Professor and Jasper are gay. Peyton's sexuality isn't specifically mentioned, however they do appear to be written as non-binary. The author uses they/them pronouns for Peyton. YES, we have a non-binary character! I AM HERE FOR IT!

Speaking of representation, this book has plenty of it. We have an MC, Alden, who is Jewish. He's also neuro diverse. One of Alden's struggles is that his moms are always trying to "fix" him. He spent years going from one doctor to another. While he was never given a full diagnosis, one thing each doctor agreed on is that he isn't neuro typical. To others Alden comes across as often rude, always stringent, and someone who is hard to be around. He doesn't do well in social situations. And he has anxiety. As someone who has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, and who isn't neuro typical, I related to Alden.

Conrad is our other MC, and I adored him. He's seen as the "party guy", when in reality he's now far from it. Due to his sexuality, his parents have cut him off. He's dropped out of school. He works two or three jobs, just to keep his head above water. He was a college kid, and then at the drop of a hat, he's on his own, having to grow up fast.

Conrad and Alden end up having to drive together to an Odyssey convention. I liked the realness of Alden's anxiety for the trip, and Conrad's money issues.

We are also treated to forced proximity. Always a favorite of mine.

Each of them start off thinking that the other one has the better life. Alden is envious of the easygoing Conrad, and the way Conrad seems to fit in with everyone. Conrad is the one in the group who seems to have an easy commradity with the other members. Alden has also heard the stories of Conrad's hookups and how Conrad is a well known fixture at parties. He may be envious of Conrad, but he also doesn't think that Conrad takes anything seriously. For someone as serious as Alden, this bothers him. As for Conrad, he knows that Alden has a supportive family. He's met Alden's mom, who is a professor at their school. He knows that Alden has two mom's, therefore Alden's sexuality isn't a problem for them. Conrad also has money issues, whereas he sees Alden, with his more privileged life, and thinks that Alden has it all.

Our conflict comes in the form of the tournament. Alden and Conrad both have reasons for needing to win. And how will that fit in to this relationship that they are forming?

I love these two together. They take the time to get to know one another. As they do, they come to realize that while they may not have the same problems, they both are dealing with stuff.

The sex scenes aren't exactly fade-to-black, but they also aren't explicit. While they are a bit on the tame side, I think it's really that they just are more along the lines of what you get in traditionally published romance. Just with more communication, consent and realism. Alden was a virgin, and Conrad way more experienced, and this is not only discussed, but handled in a very good way.

Although I'm not the target demographic for this book (other than checking some of the same boxes as these characters do) I absolutely fell in love with this book. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a cute, quirky romance that also gets you right in the feels.

And, unlike so many other characters I read about, I will not soon forget Alden and Conrad.