Review: I love this book with my whole heart. It was a feel-good, beautiful, humorous story of growth and love, love, love
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 27, 2014
I did not expect how brilliant and gorgeous this book was.  After reading the blurb I put the sample in my library for a while, but didn't see how it was going to be interesting for 411 pages.  But it was.  It was full of discovery, love, growth, laughter, and just made me so happy from start to finish.  It was not predictable or silly or cliched in any way, but rather a fully fleshed out story with wonderful, three-dimensional characters.  They were all so unique and reliable, that I immediately became attached to each one.  I laughed out loud for most of this book--and was repeatedly told to be quiet by my family, because I read this straight through from last night to 5:15 AM.  That's how much this novel pulls you in and keeps your interest and focus.I loved, too, all the culture references: the songs, movies, books, all ranging through many different time periods.  Each added to the personalities of the characters and to the reader's immersion into the story.  It helped describe each characters' individuality in a novel way.  I loved all of their voices and the ways in which they interacted.  Every person and situation added to the story, and I quickly went through it all and didn't even think of stopping until the end.Once Howie and Arthur stopped being mean to one another, I thought they were adorable together, and were so happy as they built their relationship.  It was all done in a very realistic way, without added angst or contrived only-in-literature situations.  And it went way beyond the romantic relationship to Howie's budding friendships and growth into an adult who is going to move on with his life from its stagnant state, as well as Arthur's growth beyond the store, and several other supporting characters' blossoming relationships and maturing.  I didn't even really miss the explicit sex scenes that I am used to reading, because the way those scenes were implied but left to the imagination fit with the almost immature and sweet Bildungsroman tones in the story, and it was actually fun to picture them in my head without being told in graphic detail.It was a beautifully and cleverly written book, with perfect grammar and ingenuity, combining classical style and influences with current pop culture, producing an alluring, sweet, unique book that none should miss out on.  It just made me smile and laugh and feel so darn warm in my heart.  It is a perfect pick me up to get wrapped up in.  It is an ideal book in so many ways, I give it full stars, and my best recommendation to all readers.  Enjoy this beauty.