I really liked the curveballs with the plot, especially the election.

The stress and drama of the election wear Blaine down, so much so that he starts to rethink his desire to win back Joey after all, mostly because this experience has helped Blaine recognize that Joey’s worldview is a bit toxic. Their budding friendship seems to hint at an attraction Blaine didn’t anticipate. Blaine makes a close connection with Danny Nguyen, a student council rep and new campaign helper. His platform of mental health initiatives are ideal, but not his idea-and will require him to give up a lot more of his own time to manage. This endeavor is a difficult balance for Blaine, and it ends up costing him some intimacy with his dear Aunt Starr, who’s like a surrogate parent thanks to his own parents working overtime all the time. His quest to win back Joey forces him to abandon his murals, and his morals a little, causing him to act selfish in ways he has never been. I really enjoyed Blaine, who is a little hapless, a little hopeless, and constantly endearing. This is a really sweet YA read that features election shenanigans, family drama, a dash of romance, and fresh new ideas for shared governance. Except, well, his toughest competition, Zach, has not only has won the last three elections for class president…he’s also Joey’s new boyfriend. But, they aren’t going to let him down either, so Blaine finds himself with a small but thoughtful team ready to help him have a good showing. Mostly, because they think Joey is a grade A-jerk and Blaine should move on. Unfortunately, Blaine has no experience in student government at all, and his friends aren’t too keen on the ‘win the election to win back Joey,’ plan.

So, no more murals, and well, why not run for senior class president, too! Because that would catch Joey’s attention big time. He really did love him, and is sure that Joey will come around, if only Blaine can prove he’s a serious guy. It’s so crushing, but at the same time, Blaine is fixated on winning Joey back. He thought he and Joey were in love, and Blaine is further insulted that Joey doesn’t find him capable of being a “serious” partner, not with his humble family and muralist side gig. And, that’s why Joey cruelly dumps Blaine while they’re out at a posh restaurant “celebrating” their anniversary.īlaine is devastated. He might be the president of the senior class now, but he aspires to one day be POTUS. Blaine is an ordinary artist from a modest family and Joey’s folks are very wealthy with stratospheric expectations for Joey. Blaine’s been dating It-Boy Joey Oliver for a year, even though they are a bit of an odd match. He has great friends and family support, and is an up-and-coming muralist, brightening some of the dingier areas of local businesses in this “gentrifying” neighborhood. Blaine Bowers is an out, gay, high school junior at Wicker West in Chicago.

Blaine for the win by robbie couch