Blaine for the Win

By: Robbie Couch

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

After being dumped so his boyfriend can pursue more “serious” guys, a teen boy decides to prove he can be serious, too, by running for senior class president in this “clever, fun, original” (BCCB) romp from the author of The Sky Blues.

High school junior Blaine Bowers has it all—the perfect boyfriend, a pretty sweet gig as a muralist for local Windy City businesses, a loving family, and awesome, talented friends. And he is absolutely, 100% positive that aforementioned perfect boyfriend—senior student council president and Mr. Popular of Wicker West High School, Joey—is going to invite Blaine to spend spring break with his family in beautiful, sunny Cabo San Lucas.

Except Joey breaks up with him instead. In public. On their one-year anniversary.

Because, according to Joey, Blaine is too goofy, too flighty, too…unserious. And if Joey wants to go far in life, he needs to start dating more serious guys. Guys like Zach Chesterton.

Determined to prove that Blaine can be what Joey wants, Blaine decides to enter the running to become his successor (and beat out Joey’s new boyfriend, Zach) as senior student council president.

But is he willing to sacrifice everything he loves about himself to do it?

©2022 Robbie Couch (P)2022 Simon & Schuster Audio

Excellent

An outstanding lesson. Such a great story. Very uplifting and fun ending. Highly recommend to anyone listening for a decent heartwarming LGBTQ story.

Great book

A cute book for younger audience but also those who enjoy a good YA book.

wonderful young adult story, super narrator.

Teenagers who are believably irritating and endearing in equal measure. Awkwardness and emotional pain leading to growth and a new maturity. excellent. Crouch ia a great voice for these characters.

Some cringe

The main character makes cringe moves that make you want to skip sections of pure stupidity. But overall, it was an okay story.

Awww

Just a lovely listen. Michael Crouch does his usual phenomenal job—one finds oneself sitting in one’s car for just one more chapter before trudging into work. As usual. This is a well-written, touching and warm-hearted effort. Thank you, Robbie, for yet another success.

Sweet-Awfulness of Growing Up!

A great novel about ‘getting serious’, having integrity, and being genuine and generous to those around you. A++++

i love Michael Crouch..........

um i literally will listen to any gay related book Michael Crouch narrates, but as the other review stated, this kid is pathetic and thats with a CAPITAL P, theres a point where a character says, hey whats the new guy your ex is dating have that you dont.......i just wanted to scream a SPINE, what a pathetic wretch, every single interaction after the HORRRIBLE cringe worthy breakup, that the MC has with the ex who hes trying to get back with is full of verbal abuse and non stop demeaning the mc in every sort of way, im not sure how i got through this book, i honestly wanted to give up, maybe ive got to much self worth for this story, meh read at your own risk, especially if your "pathetic"

Legally Blonde but make it Gay

The plot line essentially is the same as Legally Blonde, even down to the breakup. As other reviewers have noted, the main character’s actions are a little cringy and makes it difficult to root for him.

MC is unlikeable in any world

Same boring tropes used in every liberal gay book. MC is unlikeable and selfish, Makes every wrong decision he can to keep the book nice and long, surrounded by people who know how to guide his life better than he does and yet he still fails constantly. It felt like the ending was rushed but predictable anyway. Michael Crouch does his usual great voice work, unfortunately the story was lacking.