This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender

Posted October 23, 2018 by shooting in Book Review / 22 Comments

This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender

Review by Lauren

Source: ARC borrowed from Karen of For What It’s Worth; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.

Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.

After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after?

Review: This is Kind of an Epic Love Story is one I’d wanted to read for quite awhile and I’m so glad I got the chance to check out an ARC (thanks, Karen!) I love the diversity in this book and how none of it is heavy-handed. It’s just there, like diversity in real life. Different races and ethnicities, different sexualities, and even physical disabilities as Oliver James is deaf (though he became deaf later in life so he can talk somewhat, but he has to read lips or sign to hear).

I really love the premise of this book. Oliver James and Nathan are best friends until Oliver James moves away. Suddenly Nathan is in high school alone, where he meets new best friend-turned girlfriend- turned best friend again, Florence. I liked the relationship between Nathan and Florence. It’s obvious that they still have feelings for each other (especially Nathan) but they know being friends is best. It doesn’t mean it’s easy for them to move on and get back to just best-friend status.

It's Kind of an Epic Love Story is a wonderful LGBT YA book that I would recommend! Full review #ontheblog Click To Tweet

As for Oliver James, him and his mom move back and he slowly makes his way back into Nathan’s life. I felt really bad for Oliver James throughout the book because Nathan tends to take his fear of commitment (his father passed away, and he’s not sure that he won’t lose someone else he loves) out on him. I like that Nathan is aware of his behavior though, even if it’s wrong. Despite this, I still wanted Oliver James and Nathan to work together, because they were best friends and they made a good pair when they were being open and honest (that’s more Oliver James’ thing than Nathan’s).

Finally, I have to say that I really like the title. I read another review that felt like it made it seem as if something BIGGER was going to happen and they didn’t actually think it was “epic” but I disagree, based on a quote in the book. I read an ARC so I won’t quote it here, but basically the title is explained in the book and it talks about how a love story can be epic even without anything major happening, and I like that idea. Every love story is epic when it comes to the people in love, right?

This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story is released next Tuesday, October 30th, so pre-order it now!

22 responses to “This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender

  1. I actually haven’t read any LGBT reads for a looong time and this one sounds like a pretty good book to start this year (eventhough 2018 is ending soon haha). Awesome review Lauren 🙂

  2. I agree with you about the title – it works with the story but I do get how readers would be expecting something else. I’ve had that happen with other books.

    this one was so much angstier than what I usually like but I loved it anyway. It just felt so real even if it was messy.

    Karen @ For What It’s Worth

  3. LOL I’m laughing only because I obviously love the name Oliver and my Oliver was almost an Oliver James, but we made him Oliver Michael instead. Anyway, I think this sounds like a good read! I like that there is diversity in it and the fact that Oliver is deaf, I think that makes it a bit more interesting sounding right off the bat!

  4. I kind of like the idea of an “epic” love story not necessarily being anything extraordinary. That means anyone’s love story can be epic! I also like what you said about the diversity not being heavy-handed–I like it when a book is not trying to hit you over the head with it saying “look at all this diversity I have in my book”. That seems unnatural.

  5. I completely agree with you! I don’t know much about this book and I haven’t read any other reviews, but it makes perfect sense. Love is epic on its own and your perceptions and feelings are what make it so. I am definitely intrigued to give this one a try as well.

  6. I really want to read this book! For some reason I just have a feeling that I’m going to fall in love with it, which is great. I don’t often have that feeling, especially about a book I don’t know a lot about so I’m hopeful! My library doesn’t have a copy but hopefully it won’t take too long for a paperback version to become available.

    I love what you said at the end about all love stories being epic, not just the dramatic ones with big moments. So true!

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