Boyfriends with Girlfriends

I was expecting this book to be a heavy-handed treatment of biphobia, the sort of thing that happens when a YA author decides that there’s an Issue that needs to be Addressed in young adult fiction. To my surprise, it was actually a very enjoyable novel — fast-moving, funny, and sweet. It probably helped that though most of Alex Sanchez’s fiction focuses on gay boys, this novel gave equal time to the lesbian storyline.

The first 30 pages or so were incredibly cringey - choppy writing, stilted dialogue, a serious 'after school special' kind of vibe, and Lance's biphobic attitude really annoyed me. But it got better, I'm glad I stuck with it. The characters became less one dimensional and more endearing, Lance listened to Sergio and decided to believe him when he says he's bi, and Allie toned down the slightly creepy Japan obsession and started to like Kimiko for herself (though, unlike with Lance's biphobia, I'm not sure if Allie's 'ooh you're Japanese!!!' thing was meant to be read as a flaw). The story was sweet, the couples were cute, the ending was happy. The constant 'Sup', 'he he he', 'yee ha' and text speak never gets less embarrassing though.

Let me start out by saying that I was completely excited at the prospect of reading this book. I fully believe that Alex Sanchez's message is something that needs to be out there. He not only addresses the concepts of homosexual and straight, but also tackles the much debated idea of being bi-sexual. As a person who works with children, I know that there are a lot of young people out there sitting on the same fence that Allie and Sergio are in this book. Not quite sure what side they fall on, they are trapped somewhere in between and ridiculed for it. That being said, I really wanted to love this book. Sadly, it missed that mark for me.

The first thing that struck me when I opened Boyfriends with Girlfriends was the writing style. show more Written almost entirely in dialogue, the story skips between the viewpoints of the four characters in an almost manic way sometimes. In fact, certain conversations took place in just one paragraph. It was a little disconcerting to say the least, but the saving grace was definitely in the actual dialogue itself. Sanchez paints the reader some extremely accurate personality types for each of his characters, and that is what I fell in love with.

From the heart pattering gorgeousness of Sergio through Lance's eyes, right on down to the questioning thoughts of Allie, the dialogue really brings these characters to life. I was incredibly impressed with the depth and complexity that each character possessed. Kimiko, for example, isn't just a cultural stereotype of a Japanese girl. Instead she is her own shining personality, from her boyish clothes to her love of sweet adolescent poetry. I won't lie when I say she was my favorite character in the book. Each character however had their own charm, and I kind of transported back to high school as I followed them. These could be kids that I actually knew.

Sadly, my love for these characters couldn't overshadow the simple fact that the message Sanchez was trying to convey was being beat to death. Although I really enjoyed the snippy and witty dialogue, it seemed like all the characters ever did was discuss their sexuality and their relationships. I liked that I got to see a little further into each of them through that, but I would really have liked to know more about where they came from. It was hard for me to believe that four friends would just sit around all day and discuss nothing but relationships.

I'll be completely honest when I say that I nearly didn't make it through Boyfriends with Girlfriends. It wasn't at all the subject matter that pushed me away from the book, but rather the way that it was delivered. What it really reminded me of was an after school special. You know, the ones where the topic is attacked mercilessly until something happens and everything ends up just as it should be? Yes, sadly that is this book. I can't imagine that teenagers are going to appreciate such heavy-handedness in a book. Really I worry that this fact is going to keep such an important message, such great characters, from reaching the audience who truly needs them. Teenagers aren't always as forgiving with "in your face" tactics as adults. I only hope they'll finish the book and see the merit in it like I did. show less

Boyfriends with Girlfriends explores the world of teen sexuality and all the questions and insecurities it entails. Lance is gay and his best friend, Allie, is straight. Sergio is bi and his best friend, Kimiko, is a lesbian. When they all meet for the first time the fireworks fly: Sergio is attracted to both Lance and Allie; Kimiko thinks Allie is hot; Lance really likes Sergio’s pecs but is worried about the bi appellation; Allie is excited that Kimiko is Japanese because she loves everything from Japan. The messages are not subtle but not overbearing either. Lance struggles with his preconceived notions and stereotypes about bisexual guys. Allie wonders if she might be gay or bi because she finds herself increasingly attracted to show more Kimiko and questioning her relationship with her boyfriend of two years. Ethnicity also complicates the already daunting issues of family acceptance and coming out in the Latino and Asian cultures for Sergio and Kimiko. The characters are realistic and wrestle with very real questions in their own minds and with their best friends and families. Booklist starred. show less

I think I would have really liked this when I was a teen. As a staid old self-accepting grownup, though, the constant drama of this book was wearying. Angst cubed is too much. Being in all four angsty teens' heads was too much. I finished it, but it was a genuine slog for me. It was just... too angsty. Too drama-infused. Too, too, too.

Sexuality is always a messy topic, espically during the teen years, and Alex Sanchez is known for honestly dealing with these issues. In his latest book, we have Lance, who's gay, is going with his best friend Ally, straight and with a boyfriend, to meet Sergio for the first time. They met online and are making the leap to a face to face meeting. Sergio, who is bi, brings his best friend, lesbian Kimoko. The book explores the difference between gay and bi in an honest way and also managed to deal with cultural issues without overdoing it.

Lance is an openly gay teen, someone who's always known he was gay. He has yet to be in a true relationship, though, and is hoping to change that with Sergio, a boy he found through a friend of a friend online.

Sergio is recovering from his break=up with his last girlfriend and not ready for a committed relationship. Comfortable dating both girls and guys and identifying himself and bisexual, Sergio hopes that dating Lance will be different enough from his past relationship to help him move on.

Lance, though, thinks 'bisexual' is a cop-out used by gays (and lesbians) who aren't ready to be fully out . . .

On their first date they each bring their best girl friends. Sergio brings Kimiko, his best friend who knows she's a lesbian but has show more never had any sort of a girlfriend. Lance brings Allie, his girly girl bestie since childhood. With the same boyfriend for years, Allie thought she knew who she was, but now she can't get Kimiko in her boy's jeans and baseball hat out her head. What does this mean about her? Anything? Everything?

Are they all willing to stick around long enough to help figure each other (and themselves, in the process) out?

Boyfriends with Girlfriends deserves so much credit for addressing or at least touching on so many issues that really are of importance to young people of all ages right now. From homosexuality to bisexuality, family acceptance, self acceptance, and not being a YA book with not only upper middle class white teens or only fill in the blank teens. Not enough books right now are doing any of that.

The story itself doesn't quite live up to all of that potential, however.

Things--especially between Lance and Sergio--jump around a lot. We rarely get full scenes with the characters. This may be the writer's style (I have yet to read another of his books, so I don't know), but it detracts from the reader developing a relationship with the characters. More often than not readers get quick exchange phone conversations or chats in the car--or recaps. Everything feels too short and stunted for there to really be enough emotion. The book leaves you wishing things had been fleshed out more (even if it had been a fraction of the scenes) so that you could really connect with the characters.

There are more actual scenes between Kimiko and Allie than Lance and Sergio (or that's the way it seems) and as a result their relationship comes off feeling more believable and one you care about. Readers are able to connect with them more and invest in what happens to and between them.

At some points readers are left feeling like nothing's happening, but, upon reflection, I think that's because we don't get as many full scenes (that's the best I can describe it) as in other novels, only the short conversation pieces.

I did enjoy the way the novel portrayed that everyone's relationships are complicated, no matter who's involved in them or what their sexual orientation. Some things seemed a little . .. convenient, however, (spoilery for me to say what), and the style just didn't work for me.

(read thanks to S&S's GalleyGrab) show less