Review: Fan Art

Fan Art

by Sarah Tregay

★★★★☆

Synopsis:

When the picture tells the story…

Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most (from Goodreads).

My Review:

I’ve recently been expanding my horizons as far as my reading is concerned this summer. I’ve read a lot more various genres that I wouldn’t normally pick up. I’m not huge on contemporary YA novels, but after having read a few, I’m open to it. And I have to say, I really enjoyed Fan Art.

It’s one of those books that I picked up with slight hesitation, developed big expectations for, and read with gusto. Grant it, I’ve seen both negative and positive reviews, which I normally don’t look at when in the middle of reading. Or rather, I skimmed. But I’d rather form my own judgement and develop my own opinion here.

I really liked this story. It starts off right away into the blurb’s plot, where we have Jamie man-crushing on his best friend, Mason. Jamie is apart of the school’s magazine, where he agrees to put in a fellow art student’s comic…a comic that turns out to be gay. And Jamie doesn’t want anyone to know that he’s gay, especially not Mason…because of the man-crush. And that’s just the beginning. It’s full of parties and road trips and teenage angst and bonding between many of their friends. And angst. There’s mucho angst. Overall, it’s a cute story, and I especially love the boys’ friendship.

I think I could have given it 5 stars if it weren’t for a few minor hiccups. I don’t really think it’s anything earth shattering, like I saw some make it out to be, but it should be noted.

It felt like there was some stereotyping, and that for me was a bit of a drawback. It felt like the “gay thing” was the only thing any of the characters ever talked about. Like, not everyone at this school is gay. And if Jamie’s not supposed to be “out”, how come everyone seems to know anyway?  There’s other little comments like that that just seem very cliché, like his squeamishness in regards to girls. Cooties perhaps? And apparently he’s supposed to be crushing on his bestie, but yet he has time to check out other guys? And then there’s a friend of Jamie’s whose family are diehard “religious fanatics”. 

I think some of this might be a bit exaggerated or typecast. That is my only complaint, hence one less a star. Really, it feels like a 4.5 to me.

I do like, however, that there isn’t a perfect character or a perfect family in this book. Everyone has their own issues and flaws, which makes them feel more human.

While I was tickled pink with the end, I also feel that it might have been a bit rushed, and a bit unexpected at that. Like, I wanted it to go a certain way, but I feel like there could have been more leading up to it.

I like my romance light, rather sweet and innocent, and that is what this book delivered, so that’s another plus for me.

If you’re looking for a nice, quick summer read…this is it.