The Sky Blues By Robbie Couch


based on the book's description, i went into this expecting a tween-friendly romcom-y kind of story, but that's not what this book was at all. instead, it's a really sweet coming-of-age story. there really was very little actual romance here, but i think it worked in the book's favor, actually. keeping the focus solely on Sky's growth as a person and his learning to embrace his sexuality was an amazing decision imho.

y'know, i'm not -that- far removed from my own high school days, but there really were basically no books like this even ten-ish years ago when i graduated - at least none that i can think of. it warms my heart knowing queer kids have books like this today, with characters like Sky and Dan and , that they can see themselves in.

this was definitely refreshingly sweet and a real feel-good kind of read (with a realistic smattering of angst and drama, too). it's YA through and through, though, so if that type of writing is not to your taste, i think you'll struggle with this one. i personally enjoyed it, though. 4 stars.

(buddy read with mx. Parris, who made the experience 10x more enjoyable.) ebook This book is such a joy! It really would have meant a lot to me in high school, and I'm so happy for the queer teens who will soon get to enjoy a page-turning, funny, cute, adorable, heartfelt queer book. Bonus points for the small town Midwest vibes.

video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roOf8... ebook After several big disappointments this year, I was beginning to lose interest in YA contemporaries. Luckily The Sky Blues changed my mind for the better, delivering a realistic and touching rendition of the high school experience.

~★~ What is this book about? ~★~

Openly gay Sky Baker has thirty days to prepare an extravagant promposal to his crush, Ali Rashid. When a hacker releases his plans to hundreds of students in a homophobic e-blast, however, he feels defeated and contemplates dropping out. It isn’t long before Sky discovers that his high school is actually really supportive of him, and willing to spend the days leading up to prom fighting to expose the perpetrator of the e-blast.

~★~

The Sky Blues is an undeniably well-rounded novel featuring great friendships, a relatable narrative and a ton of diversity. The standout for me was definitely the protagonist himself; I grew attached to Sky within few pages, and absolutely loved his close bond with Bree and Marshall. It was incredibly refreshing to see a genuine friendship between a queer boy and a straight boy, as its something thats scarcely represented in contemporaries. I also loved how funny and outgoing Bree was! The whole cast was really well fleshed out.

The writing oozes the essence of a teenage mind, which I loved. Despite being very different from him, I could relate to Sky’s train of thought a lot of the time. He warmed my heart, making me either smile or cry through his journey. Its hard to believe this is a debut, because everything about it was executed well. I’d definitely recommend this book to all! ebook I must have accidentally wandered into an alternate universe where Booksmart or To All the Boys I've Loved Before is my new reality.

⭐⭐⭐. 5 stars


The Sky Blues is a story about Sky, an openly gay boy. His town is not accepting and neither is his family.
He is also deeply in love with Ali Rashid and wants to ask him to prom. But when someone reveals his big plans for the Promplosal, everything turns upside down. with a 30 day countdown left, his friends including Ali are determined to find out who leaked his personal information!


The book started off well, but near the end, I wasn't a huge fan. It was super obvious from the beginning who did it and I kept waiting for a big plot twist or something but it never came :|

I liked how close Sky was with his friends and the rep was good! I LOVE TEDDY AND OFC FRANCH FRIES.💖💖

The characters are super cute<3
Sky, Noah, Marshall, Garett and Bree! I love them all soo much
Except ofc one particular person :|


I did like the writing of the book. It was fun and super relatable!!

Apart from the very obvious shock, I wish that we had more time with Sky and Teddy. It was abrupt and I was very sad bcz I was rooting for them 🤧
And all that build up to prom, we never saw what happened. I was really disappointed


AND I MADE A SHIRT




She rocks💖💖

|Blog|Pintrest|



My rating system:
5⭐ - I loved it soo much! New favorite
4⭐ - It was really good! But something was missing
3⭐ - It was nice..but had more potential
2⭐ - I did not like it at all!... It could have been soo much better
1⭐ - Nope. Just No. I hate it
ebook A fantastic debut! So, so good! I adored this book from the very first page!
As soon as I read the first words, I knew this would be a five-star read. It’s so easy readable. It’s funny. It’s heartfelt. It’s full of love. It’s real. It’s serious at times. It’s uplifting. And it’s so, so cute! I can gush for hours about this book! There’s a chosen family, a sweet romance, and wonderful best friends.

I should be allowed to wear the gay shirt. Carry the books like I want to. Walk the way I walk. But people in this town have a low threshold for different, and I don’t want to press my luck.

The writing is incredible! Showing, active, first person, present tense. Everything is just right. As a reader you’re drawn into Sky’s world. This is how YA books should be written. That first page just pulled me in, Sky gushing about his crush, shower-dreaming as he calls it.

You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn’t accept you for who you are.

I loved this story so much: the way Sky’s friends and classmates helped him when someone leaked his plans, the adults in this story who were so supportive, and of course Sky. Such a wonderful, positive and sweet boy, even after all he’s been through.

For your own state of mind, it’s important to take a second and remember the people who love you and support you. The people who make you happy. The people who make you one of the lucky ones.

I’m going to add Robbie Couch to my most favorite YA writers list. And I hate it that I have to wait for so long to read his next book! Did I already say I loved this story? Adored it? Okay, I did. Several times actually. But I really did: I LOVED, LOVED IT!!! And Winter ...! And that promposal ...! Oh, and that title ...! ebook

Sky’s small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What if it’s Us? and I Wish You All the Best.

Sky Baker may be openly gay, but in his small, insular town, making sure he was invisible has always been easier than being himself. Determined not to let anything ruin his senior year, Sky decides to make a splash at his high school’s annual beach bum party by asking his crush, Ali, to prom—and he has thirty days to do it.

What better way to start living loud and proud than by pulling off the gayest promposal Rock Ledge, Michigan, has ever seen?

Then, Sky’s plans are leaked by an anonymous hacker in a deeply homophobic e-blast that quickly goes viral. He’s fully prepared to drop out and skip town altogether—until his classmates give him a reason to fight back by turning his thirty-day promposal countdown into a school-wide hunt to expose the e-blast perpetrator.

But what happens at the end of the thirty days? Will Sky get to keep his hard-won visibility? Or will his small-town blues stop him from being his true self? The Sky Blues

What I liked:
- Sky as the main character, even though some of his decisions weren't the best
- the friendships
- supportive characters
- the diversity
- some revelations throughout the story

What I had mixed feelings about:
- all the side characters felt a bit two-dimensional compared to Sky
- some characters seemed to be added to the story only because of diversity, they didn't serve any purpose in the plot
- certain things that happened seemed either too improbable or too convenient and easy
- there are a lot of subplots that felt rushed or unfinished
- pop culture references

Even though I had some niggles with the story, I really appreciated how positive and inclusive it is. I do feel that books like this one are very important, especially for younger readers.

I switched between the audiobook and e-book for this one. I liked the narrator's voice, except when he was shouting.
ebook update :- there's gonna be a netflix adaptation🎉

Not in mood to put a lengthy preamble here - just gonna keep it straight ( what I liked , what was MEDICORE and what didn't worked)

Things I absolutely loved :-

(✔) the best thing about this book was celebration of FRIENDSHIP and community.
I AM GAY FOR ALL OF THEM. They are supportive and love Sky and stood up for him when he was being harassed. The entire yearbook team and their teacher so heartwarming.

(✔) The whole plot revolving around Sky's dad and discovery was something I loved so much. Like I know it was a subplot but I would seriously love reading about it. Please consider it Robbie.

(✔)


I am 19 years old which is a bit of odd age because reading ya feels like too Cliché sometimes and reading adult feels odd. Here's what was MEDICORE for me :-

(➖) the Narration I felt was something overdone. Like a hell lot of pop culture references , a way too cheesy inner monologues , full of hardcore feelings, which I feel might work for some people but it didn't work for me. (-1/3 stars )

(➖) the ending was vague and less satisfying like I felt like author didn't really put much effort in wrapping up all the loose ends of the narrative.(-1/3 stars)

(➖) The side characters were 2d with not much personal development rather than what they added to the story for our MC. Some were there only because of sake of diversity and added nothing to the story.(-1/3 stars)


Note :- I mentioned that I liked their friendship as a whole and not the individual side characters.

There is only thing that I absolutely disliked bout this book :-

(✖) the characters started a club called GLOW aka gay lesbian or whatever ik this was supposed to be funny but I am sorry it wasn't. Call me sensitive or whatever but this wasn't a bit funny. UNCOMFY.
(-1 stars) ebook rep: gay mc, mlm li, Black sc, Iraqi sc, trans sc, autistic sc, gay scs
tw: homophobia, racism, f-slur, past car accident, past death of a parent, vomiting

ARC provided by the publisher. Review also on Reads Rainbow.

The Sky Blues is, in my humble personal opinion, a little bit of a perfect book. A big part of that is thanks to the great writing, of course. You would not guess this is a debut, if you didn’t know. Not only is the style itself good, but Couch also nails the voice of the teenagers. Which, arguably, is the most important thing about writing YA books.

(I do have to note, for those of you who understand how big of a compliment it is, that the vibes here are reminiscent of a fic. Not even a specific aspect of the writing, though the cool humour & the dynamics between characters definitely help, but the energy of the style & the story itself. I mean this in a very good way, so if you don’t read fics yourself, just ignore this paragraph.)

I think the rating gave it away already, but I truly do not have anything that I would change in this book. So instead let’s talk about all the things that I absolutely loved:

The way the whole school stood together when Sky’s plans got outed. That overwhelming feeling of community, of belonging. Of being loved and being safe. It’s visible in other parts of the novel as well, but might be the most obvious right here, when teens literally unite for the sake of someone else’s mental well being.

That feeling of protection is also there in the form of adult people Sky meets. Because yes, his mother and brother aren’t supportive and that sucks. But! But there are other parental figures to be found, and lots of them: teachers, other parents. No spoilers but one of those figures is gay, and the concept of older gay people taking care of the younger generation is the most beautiful thing in the world.

That’s probably what makes The Sky Blues work so well. This understanding that even though a conflict is crucial for a story, that LGBT teens coming from shitty homes is still a reality for so many of us, there needs to be something to counter it off. There needs to be a balance, because at the end of the day this is a work of fiction designed to give readers hope. And it does. It tells you time and time again that no matter how many awful things happen to you, there will always be people who love you. That family isn’t just measured by blood.

There’s also another message The Sky Blues sends: that you need to put yourself first. Not in a way that you can do whatever you want, even if it hurts other people. Instead it shows you that if someone hurt you, you don’t owe them anything. You don’t have to listen to their explanations, their apology. You don’t have to let them keep hurting you out of some imagined obligation. You only need to do what will help you, what will make you stronger and happier.

Also like, the romance is the cutest ever. And when it comes to actual relationships, Sky is incredibly oblivious.

I’m gonna close with my initial one-sentence review that I wrote right after finishing the book because it still just captures the energy of The Sky Blues: “many thoughts, head full (of love)”. ebook I must have accidentally wandered into an alternate universe where Booksmart or To All the Boys I've Loved Before is my new reality.

Interesting and fun from page one, this was a cliché young adult filled with teen drama throughout. And that level of crushing gets too intense and hilarious at times.

Well, that's what first few chapters would make you feel.
But I can see from where all the insecurity and blabbing came from, trying to mask all the pain and insecurity with humour.

The story turns pretty serious soon and that's where the plot lies. And the story goes way, way back. And then expect tons of school teen drama!

And what happened to the lifecrushing crush? You bet.

I really like the writing. It's plain fun and full of humour. And so young adult.

One star less for the lack of proper representation of the adults and it's like there are only strict teachers, either strict parents or silly, eye-sparkling OTP shipping parents or crazy homophobic parents.

And I still cannot deal with the abandonment part. Like it's nothing.

Seriously, I needed a proper closure to the ending! Hey, give me that last scene dialogues between SB and C. Damn, why is it not there?!

I appreciate the multicultural representation, LGBTQIAP representation, also for handling handlinghomophobia and racism sensibly.

The best parts are the friends, especially Sky Baker's bestie Bree; the chemistry between the characters (forget the adults, bleh!), and the monologues.

For once, cute cover worked. Yes, I got this one for the cover. ebook The Sky Blues is a gorgeous, emotional book about chosen family, friendship, and love.

God, I loved this book. Robbie Couch has created a beautiful, unforgettable story with an incredibly diverse group of characters, and I’m so glad I got to buddy read it with a friend of mine.

It’s almost time for high school graduation. While Sky is worried whether he’ll have enough money to pay for community college since his religious mother kicked him out of the house once he came out to her as gay, his biggest focus is prom. He has decided to ask his crush, Ali, to prom—even though he’s not sure if Ali is into guys. He and his best friend, Bree, are brainstorming the best—and even some of the worst—promposal ideas.

When Sky’s plans are somehow broadcast to the entire school along with homophobic and racist messages, he’d like to just retreat into himself. But he quickly discovers that his friends and classmates are with him every step of the way—and want him to stand up for himself, so they can stand up with him.

As the end of the school year draws closer, Sky makes some unexpected discoveries about his long-deceased father, and realizes that sometimes the things you want and need most are right in front of you.

The Sky Blues gave me all the feels. My mom died when I was a baby so I identified with Sky’s feelings, and I, too, had plans for an event during high school (a party, not prom) ruined by some homophobic bullies. (And that was pre-internet, so they had to work HARD to ruin you then!)

I’m so grateful today’s youth have books like The Sky Blues and authors like Robbie Couch. Can’t wait to see what’s next in Couch’s career!!

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.

Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/. ebook

The

characters ê PDF, eBook or Kindle ePUB ✓ Robbie Couch