I requested and received this up back in June in a NetGalley binge when I went through and looked at all the upcoming Young Adult LGBT fiction.* I loved the cover and the concept so thought why not? I missed the review deadline by a few weeks even though I started it with plenty of time. Thanks, school and life for getting in the way.
This is the story of Micah, Grant, and Elliot. Micah is the protagonist who has a really popular Insta account where he draws fantastical versions of the boys he crushes on around Chicago. One of those boys ends up being Grant and the first half of the story is Micah trying to find Grant again, his Cinderfella who disappeared off the train. He’s joined by his BFF’s other BFF Elliot, who has his issues but brings joy, light, and support to Micah’s journey.
I loved how disconnected Micah was from reality with his fairytales and fantasies. Every little gayby and queer boy and probably all queer people, especially older ones dream about these sorts of things, but not quite to this extent.
Unlike my friends, I never outgrew fairy tales, because I don’t think they’re silly or fake. To lonely little queer boys, they can seem just as real as anything else—more so because I control the story. In reality, I’m a wreck. I can’t speak. I can’t even look my crushes in the eyes. I control nothing. But in fairy tales, love can be as idealized as I want. I can be anyone. (Chapter 1)
Pretty early on, even before the BFF and Micah’s family figured it out, I knew Elliot and Micah were going to be a thing. There was just too much hope and glow in Elliot and Micah was just too dense and committed to living out the fantasy he authored in his head, but I knew it was coming. And it was PERFECT the last few pages, even the epilogue of Insta posts was well done.
After Micah found him again, I almost immediately wasn’t a fan of Grant. The first meet-cute scene and their interaction were heart-achingly adorable, but after that Grant always gave me a slightly uncomfortable feeling. It just felt like he was using Micah’s fame and reach for his own purposes, and even though I believe he loved Micah I think he loved Micah’s network more. This became more and more obvious and Micah finally woke up to it, but still in deference to his fantasy, stuck it out with Grant doing what he asked for longer than he really should have.
That being said one of my favorite lines comes from the two of them together:
This location is convenient for when we have to work late—it’s also convenient for when we want to touch each other’s butts. (Chapter 18)
If you know me, you know I love Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers and her obsession with butts and legit did a giggle and would’ve done a spit take if I’d been drinking when I read that line.
The only other thing I’ll say about the book is how much Micah had to grow up and learn things in the space of a few months which is 100% accurate when you’re that age. You learn and grow in fits and spurts, often times unexpectedly. Micah had to mature as he woke up to what Grant was doing and realized how wonderful, delightful and perfect for him Elliot was. This happened gradually, but when they spent time together to find inspiration for Micah’s mural it really hit it home for me how much he grew and was growing.
I played around with imaginary boyfriends for so long, it didn’t occur to me that a real one would require real responsibility. Real stakes. When you love someone, you open yourself to the possibility that you could hurt them just as powerfully. I learned that too late. (Chapter 24)
Recommendation: This was a delightful book. I wish I would’ve read it a lot faster so there wasn’t a big gap in the middle. And I wish I would’ve read it on something that does the Insta posts more justice. They just weren’t that great to see/interact with on the Kindle. I loved how much the characters loved love and each other. Micah’s growth and evolution through the novel really made me want a second story about the real 100th boyfriend because that ending was chef’s kiss perfect.
*I received a copy of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
Opening Line: “How do I know it’s love? Because I’ve already thrown up twice, and I haven’t even asked him out yet.”
Closing Line: “Not quite the midnight coach turns back into a pumpkin deadline, but this is a gay fairy tale, so running a little late makes sense. This time, we got to make our own fairy tale. Our own magic. I’ve got my prince, and he has me.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
Additional Quotes from The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers
“In real life, boys aren’t fairy-tale princes; they’re terrifying, unknowable creatures who hail from the woods of mystery.” (Chapter 1)
“Queers have to make our own magical stories from scratch, and I’m going to do whatever I can to help queer people dream. A weary world deserves a little dreaming.” (Chapter 2)
“Elliot didn’t have to do this—bringing this chai or helping me out. Is it pity? Can he sense my desperation? I’ve been going on and on about this boy I barely met, and queers have a sixth sense at spotting the telltale signs of gay loneliness: a prickly attitude, roller-coaster spirals, and highly delusional fantasizing.” (Chapter 6)
“‘There’s no timetable for dating,’ she says. ‘Not everybody wants to date. Not everybody can date. Not everybody should date. But if you want it, no one cares how long it took you to start.” (Chapter 8)
“His punch lands harder than I expect, but he used the exact amount of strength for it to be thrilling. In fact, he seems to be putting his hands on me any way he can, just shy of holding my hand. It’s like he has to touch me. I bite my lip as R-rated thoughts swarm my mind. Easy, Micah. Gotta do Steps A through C before getting to Step D.” (Chapter 9)
“Behind the corner of my sunglasses, I catch Hannah’s gaze flitting between Elliot and me. That look she gets when something juicy snags her attention—but what did she see?” (Chapter 14)
“Friend or fan favorite, Elliot is no secondary character: whatever he is to me, he puts me in my happy place. I can tell him anything, and he just gets it.
I can’t lose him.
Please, universe! Let Elliot become the main character in some lucky boy’s story, so this star-in-the-making can be appreciated and worshipped—and I can stop worrying if he’s going to bloop out of my life.” (Chapter 20)