Review: More Happy Than Not

I received this book for free from Edelweiss, FTC: Exchange for honest opinion in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Published by Soho Teen on March 31, 2015
Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss, FTC: Exchange for honest opinion
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Part Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, part Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Adam Silvera's extraordinary debut confronts race, class, and sexuality during one charged near-future summer in the Bronx. The Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-relief procedure seems too good to be true to Aaron Soto—miracle cure-alls don’t tend to pop up in the Bronx projects. Aaron could never forget how he’s grown up poor, how his friends aren’t there for him, or how his father committed suicide in their one bedroom apartment. Aaron has the support of his patient girlfriend, if not necessarily his distant brother and overworked mother, but it’s not enough.Then Thomas shows up. He has a sweet movie-watching setup on his roof, and he doesn’t mind Aaron’s obsession with a popular fantasy series. There are nicknames, inside jokes. Most importantly, Thomas doesn’t mind talking about Aaron’s past. But Aaron's newfound happiness isn't welcome on his block. Since he can't stay away from Thomas or suddenly stop being gay, Aaron must turn to Leteo to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he is.From the Hardcover edition.

This is the book that I have been waiting years for. This is the book that I have been wanting to read for a long time. This book, this one particular character, and this topic was able to find a connection with me on such a personal level that it brought up my emotions in a different way than most books.

I do not even know where to start with this book. Although it was a book I read at a slow pace it was a pace in which I was able to digest everything that the book contained. I feel that this book touched a subject that is starting to break through in the literary world and it was depicted with such grace that I didn’t feel like I was reading a book but someone’s personal story.

Aaron is a person I would consider to find myself walking similar paths. I felt that I lived his life minus the whole Leteo procedure. He is going through a part in life where he is trying to find himself but because of where he lives, his friends, and his past, finding his true self is harder than usual. Thomas can go down as one of the best guy friends to have in your life “no homo.” I found him to be a balance for Aaron but once feelings become known, things turn out for the worst. The other characters in the story bring something unique to each chapter and in a way impact the main character as well as show a much bigger perspective of our world’s judgement.

The relationship in the story is one that I feel that almost everyone goes through, no matter your sexuality. No one can say that you have the perfect relationships and there will always be ups and down. For Aaron, the relationships start to bring out who he is and it is in a way to cope with his dark past.

Overall More Happy Than Not is a novel that be a top-seller. Adam Silvera write a book that will break you down emotionally and depict a boys struggle in finding who he is. More Happy Than Not is a coming-of-age novel that will leave you breathless.

Happy Reading!