In this companion to the award-winning Darius the Great Is Not Okay, Darius suddenly has it all: a boyfriend, an internship, a spot on the soccer team. It’s everything he’s ever wanted–but what if he deserves better?
Darius Kellner is having a bit of a year. Since his trip to Iran this past spring, a lot has changed. He’s getting along with his dad, and his best friend Sohrab is only a Skype call away. Between his first boyfriend, Landon, his varsity soccer practices, and his internship at his favorite tea shop, Darius is feeling pretty okay. Like he finally knows what it means to be Darius Kellner.
Then, of course, everything changes. Darius’s grandmothers are in town for a long visit while his dad is gone on business, and Darius isn’t sure whether they even like him. The internship isn’t what Darius thought it would be, and now he doesn’t know about turning tea into his career. He was sure he liked Landon, but when he starts hanging out with Chip–soccer teammate and best friend of Trent Bolger, epic bully–well, he’s just not so sure about Landon anymore, either.
Darius thought he knew exactly who he was and what he wanted, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe he deserves better. (taken from goodreads.com)
*Before I jump in to my review I want to thank Penguin Teen and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.*
Darius is back from Iran and is now on the soccer team, he has a boyfriend and has finally landed an internship at his favorite tea shop. He has everything he has wanted for a long time, but yet things aren’t what he expected what it would be.
Darius is one of the best characters I have met in a very long time. He has grown SO much throughout the two novels we have for him.
This story was real and heartbreaking and healing. When Darius’s parents start working overtime to make up for the trip they went on to see Shirin’s (Darius’s mom) family in Iran. So in order to help with what’s going on around the house, Steven’s (Darius’s dad) moms come to stay with them. Darius’s paternal grandparents are the exact opposite of his maternal grandparents, they aren’t as warm and fuzzy.
I love how this book is about all different relationships. We have Darius and different members of his family, the other players on his soccer team, his boyfriend and his co-workers.
Like the last novel, this one too deals with heavier topics. Darius is learning about what he is comfortable with in his relationship when It comes to being physical. We have some very real moments that I think people can relate to.
We also get to see more of Darius’s friendship with Sohrab, and how things change a lot when you’re not with the same people all the time. And we see his relationship with Chip changing, I liked that we got to learn more about Chip and why he is friends with the people he talks to.
I loved this book so much and if you haven’t picked up this series yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do!
Content warnings for: death of a parent/loved one, depression, racism, homophobia, being pressured into sexual acts when you’re not ready, coming out, religious persecution.