Alex in Wonderland

What a treat! I adored this novel, and absolutely breezed through it in 2 days, I couldn't put it down. I don't want to re-summarize the book, since the summary on here is just fine, but I'll point out what this book does so well (and where other books in this genre typically tend to fall flat):- Likeable, relatable characters that have their own individualized quirks and personalities. Even the unlikable ones were well fleshed out.- Good pacing. This was a super easy read, and I mean that in the best way possible. I didn't feel like any parts of the story dragged on, nor did any of it feel rushed.- I laughed, I cried, my stomach both swooped up and fell back down.- A solid plot that had some suspense, romance, comedy, fluff, angst, and more, all in the right doses.- Continued somewhat from above -- the RIGHT amount of angst befitting the genre, setting, and pacing of the story (as in, none of the drama feels 'forced' or is obnoxiously transparent)I really can't fault this story, I enjoyed it so much. I will say, I am not the target age demographic -- I'm in my 30s -- and I can be very picky when it comes to YA, but this just hit all the marks for me. One of my top 2019 reads for sure.

Can I please get a young adult LGBT novel with no romanticized alcohol abuse by minors? Seriously, this kid went from "the most awkward kid in the world" to "illegally getting drunk on vodka with near strangers" in matter of pages, and somehow the reader is supposed to view this as PROGRESS for the character.To all authors who write these casual alcohol abuse scenes into your books, I'd like you to rewrite the scenes replacing the alcohol with cocaine or ecstacy and see if it makes you uncomfortable. If it does, you're a hypocrite, because alcohol consumption kills and harms more kids than any other drug combined. By far.And guess what? LGBT teens are even more susceptible to alcohol abuse and addiction than most teens.The UK has teen alcohol abuse rates similar to former soviet block countries, and authors like this continue to romanticize it despite the concerted efforts of advocacy groups to reduce the damage alcohol abuse causes to young people. Authors like this should be ashamed, and I don't know why publishers continue to let them continue to normalize and romanticize one of the biggest causes of injury and death among teenagers.

If Simon James Green is the voice of the YA author who can get past mainstream prejudice in regard to LGBT content, then we could do a helluva lot worse.I loved Green’s two “Noah” books, and liked his new anti-hero, Alex Button, just as much. I think the overall story in this one – an awkward, shy, unhappy gay teen looks for romance in a run-down amusement arcade in his one-horse English seaside town – is less powerful than Noah’s tale, but the quick wit and carefully calibrated teenage idiocy is both convincing and touching.What makes this book particularly interesting is the whodunnit mystery wrapped up inside Alex’s lonely quest for love. There is some slightly heavy-handed villainy here, in the person of Kendra, Alex’s evil stepmother. Then again, the heavy-handedness might come entirely from Alex’s rather comical persecution complex. I did feel it was a little too easy to dislike Kendra, who could have been a more subtle personification of a type. On that same note, Alex’s father should have had a little more to do, because his presence is weaker than I think Green intended.Alex’s new-found group of friends at Wonderland, however, is as charming and interesting as one could want. They are really the focus of this story, as they encourage and support Alex to help him see his own potential and let go of his “woe is me” approach to life.It’s important for writers like Green to keep producing books like this. These books will reach bigger audiences and keep making things better.

Just an absolute charming young adult story. Slow burn, sweet, romantic, fun and funny.Very easy reading, this author shows SO much skill and talent. I have loved everything I have read so far, and am super excited for his next romantic pairing.Such a great voice.I hope Simon James Green has a stab at a New Adult romance sometime. I'd love to read about characters in their twenties. This author's voice would be fantastic for it. ;-)

This was a lovely book I picked up to read on vacation and it was perfect--I couldn't put it down. I was immediately invested in Alex's life and found him such a relatable, dear character.All the characters were engaging and interesting, true individuals and not simply stereotypes or archetypes. It was really lovely to see the diversity and uniqueness of the cast.The story grabbed me and kept me interested. It was well paced and truly flowed well.I cannot tell you how many times I laughed out loud. Probably multiple times in the first four chapters--enough so that my daughter demanded to know what was so funny and I couldn't even read the passage that had me going because I was laughing too hard. That in itself is worth a five star review!The plot had all the best things--comedy, fluff, misunderstanding, mystery, angst, suspense, and romance. All brilliantly executed and seamlessly flowing from one to the other.I'm likely older than most readers of this book but I can assure you its wonderful for teens up through adults. It's so relatable and accessible and fun. My daughter demanded to read it as soon as I was finished with it, based solely on how much I laughed while reading it.It's so funny. Laugh out loud funny.I'm excited to read other books by this author. Can't recommend this highly enough--it's such an enjoyable read.

I don’t often feel compelled to write reviews but Simon James Green’s writing is so refreshingly uplifting, always hilarious with masses of heart and sending a much needed positive message to young people to hold their heads high and believe in who they are. I simply adored Alex Button and after a very hectic and stressful week, this was a sheer pleasure to read in just two sittings! Loving the mystery element too! This book is a delight!

At first I wasn’t sure whether I’d enjoy this book as it’s more catered for the teenage demographic (I’m 25) but do you know what, I thoroughly enjoyed it by the end. I’d recommend this book to anyone who didn’t have the option of books like this when they were growing up. A lovely tube read.

Simon James Green hits the attitude of the out of city British youth on the head with Alex In Wonderland. The book is funny and keeps surprising you along the way. I particularly liked how well he portrayed the agonising part of LGBT+ coming of age where you feel like you are constantly falling for someone who you think isn’t the same as you and how you can be pleasantly surprised, but it’s ok to make a fool of yourself on the way. Would recommend.

This is the 4th Simon James Green book I have read. It tells a good story, full of the unexpected! Alex is a really likable character and I was sorry to get to the end of the book; I found that I missed Alex after I had finished it. It is funny in places and always thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to reading my 5th Simon James Green soon.

As a somewhat older gay man (64) I am probably not the demographic being aimed at, but it made no difference to me. The book is funny, warm and life affirming. Leaves you with a good feeling and in these difficult times that is a good thing!