ARC Review: The Boy Meets Hamster by Birdie Milano

Fourteen-year-old Dylan Kershaw’s idea of a dream holiday includes at least three things: beaches to bask on, cosmopolitan culture, and a chance for romance (or at least his first kiss) with another boy. Unluckily for Dylan, this year his mum’s treating the family to the least dreamy holiday ever: a £9.50 break at Starcross Sands, Cornwall’s Crummiest Caravan Park.

But Starcross Sands might not be so bad after all, especially if Dylan can win the heart of Jayden-Lee, the gorgeous boy in the caravan next-door. There’s only one thing standing in true love’s way: the park’s massive hamster mascot, Nibbles, who seems to have it in for both Dylan and his romantic chances. Dylan’s best friend, Kayla, claims that appearances can be deceptive: so is Jayden-Lee just as lovely beneath the surface, and what could be lurking under Nibbles’ furry face?

Disclaimer: I was provided with a physical copy by Pan Macmillan India in exchange for an honest review. However, all the thoughts, feelings and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The only feeling I had when I was reading this endearing contemporary coming of age book was “Aww interspaced with a whole lot of second hand embarrassment and blushing”. 

The Boy Meets Hamster ticks off all all my requirements for my happy place – and it did it absolutely brilliantly:

• Contemporary YA
• Cute Romance
• Characters who are awkwardly relatable
• LGBTQ Representation
• Writing that had me hooked me right from the start!

Boy Meets Hamster follows Dylan, a 14-year-old boy stuck in vacations from hell aka a 9.50 Pounds hell. The only saving graces for him are that he gets his best friend along for the ride; because he doesn’t need ride the hellish ride alone!

The hellish ride takes a turn for the better when he seemingly crashes into a boy who is definitely out of his league; but he is also definitely going to try and make the Adonis fall for him for his perfect summer holiday romance!

What starts next is a mis – adventure of Dylan trying to get his crush’s attention, but almost always gets thwarted by Nibbles, his arch nemesis and the giant hamster who becomes the bane of his existence right from the moment he meets him. This results in some amazingly hilarious embarrassing moments that had me cringing and chuckling in solidarity simultaneously!

Not to mention, while Nibbles makes sure that everything lights up in a blaze of uncomfortable fire; it is this cute Caravan’s employee that almost seems to find him in the most embarrassing situations possible.

Boy Meets Hamster is a cute contemporary young adult coming of age novel with a gay MC that I didn’t even know that I needed (think Simon vs Homo Sapiens vibes!) but this delightful book stands on its on charming stubby little feet long after I was done with this book!  

This is a book that you need in your life; especially considering that this PRIDE MONTH – but also because this book gives you virtual warm hugs without you even realizing it! 

10/10 would recommend to every single reader! ❤

 

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .5

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