Title: How to Speak Boy

Author: Tiana Smith

Pub. Date: January 7, 2020

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quinn and Grayson have been fierce speech and debate rivals for years. They can’t stand one another, either in competition or in real life.

Despite their differences, the two come together through their letters and find themselves unknowingly falling for the competition. Before the state tournament, the two of them need to figure out what they want out of life, or risk their own future happiness. After all, what’s the point of speech and debate if you can’t say what’s in your heart?

This will be a spoiler free review.

You know that feeling when you read a book and you loved it so much and you feel giddy and maybe you do happy wiggles because it’s midnight and you can’t audibly scream about how much you loved the book?

No, just me?

Well, then you haven’t read a good enough book.

Just kidding.

I really only get into happy wiggles territory when I read fluffy contemporaries or rom coms.

How to Speak Boy was such a feel good, quick, enjoyable read and I’m kind of sad that I’ve already finished it, because what the hell am I supposed to do now? It’s been so long since I’ve read a ~250-page stand-alone book, that I got whiplash for how quickly the plot was progressing. I loved it. The book starts at a breakneck pace and never lets up and it’s wonderful. You’re left turning page after page to find out what happens next.

I had to keep reminding myself that the pacing wasn’t * off *, but that it had just been so long since I read this kind of book. I kept having to remind myself to not compare it to the pacing of a 350/400/500-page fantasy read because that would be highly unfair and utterly ridiculous. It was the perfect length, but I wouldn’t say no to seeing their college escapades…just saying.

Also, this is my first 5 star read of 2020, WHAT?!

Ugh, I loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved everything about it. I loved that even though I knew who was writing the letters – not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis, I still got almost irrationally mad at a certain character’s choice towards the end of the book. I mean, it’s all rectified and it ends with a happily ever after, but phew.

I loved the notes and how they grew to truly know each other. I enjoyed their chemistry and banter and I loved Quinn’s best friend Naomi, and how much of an enabler she was. As for another person in this book…well, you’ll have to read it to find out why he’s a turd.

Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about how much I loved this book and I’m on the verge of happy wiggles again. I feel like I can’t accurately say why I loved it, only just that I loved it and I urge everyone to read it.

Off hand, if you liked How to Speak Boy you should check out Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer and Tweet Cute by Emma Lord. Both have very similar plot elements, and both are really good books. How to Speak Boy is out, so make sure you grab your copy and fall in love with Quinn and Grayson. You’ll love this book. I swear. Go read it. Go buy it. Go borrow it from a library. You’re missing out…seriously.

Okay, I’m done. Just go read the book.