Always the Almost

A Novel

By: Edward Underhill

Narrated by: Logan Rozos

A trans pianist makes a New Year's resolution on a frozen Wisconsin night to win regionals and win back his ex, but a new boy complicates things in Edward Underhill's heartfelt debut YA rom-dram, Always the Almost.

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Miles Jacobson has two New Year’s resolutions: one, win back his ex-boyfriend (and star of the football team) Shane McIntyre, and two, finally beat his slimy arch-nemesis at the Midwest’s biggest classical piano competition. But that’s not going to be so easy. For one thing, Shane broke up with Miles two weeks after Miles came out as trans, and now Shane’s stubbornly ignoring him, even when they literally bump into each other. Plus, Miles’ new, slightly terrifying piano teacher keeps telling him that he’s playing like he “doesn’t know who he is”—whatever that means.

Then Miles meets the new boy in town, Eric Mendez, a proudly queer cartoonist from Seattle who asks his pronouns, cares about art as much as he does—and makes his stomach flutter. Not what he needs to be focusing on right now. But after Eric and Miles pretend to date so they can score an invite to a couples-only Valentine’s party, the ruse turns real with a kiss, which is also definitely not in the plan. If only Miles could figure out why Eric likes him so much. After all, it's not like he’s cool or confident or comfortable in his own skin. He’s not even good enough at piano to get his fellow competitors to respect him, especially now, as Miles. Nothing’s ever been as easy for him as for other people—other boys. He’s only ever been almost enough.

So why, when he’s with Eric, does it feel like the only person he’s ever really not been enough for...is himself?

©2023 Edward Underhill (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

So so good!!!

I loved this story and the narration was so well done! I highly recommend!!!

Delivers wholesome YA with some unique appeal.

Reliable to the author's intention, it meets genre expectations, delivering an overall very wholesome, feel-good story.

Aside from being reminiscent of teen years, a few aspects that I found *particularly* endearing were:

The music writing- reminded me how much I enjoyed "classical music appreciation" class, plus added new appreciation & insight to the experience of a true musician.

Also, had refreshing representation of many male characters without perpetuating toxic masculinity. We need more examples like this set in media & culture! How people can have differences, disagree, perhaps not always understand each other, while still showing mutual respect & basic decency & compassionate kindness.

So glad to have learned of this author. I look forward to more from him!

An incredible debut novel!

This is an incredible debut novel and the performance is amazing! I listened in one go and cannot recommend enough! I laughed and I cried and I felt all the emotions. I already miss Miles and his friends and I just finished. Listen to this book asap!!

Logan Rozos is my new favorite

This book was the joyful rom-com I needed right now. This book should be required reading for ninth grade.

Joy

I love that this book was about finding yourself and finding why you do what you do

I am a human wildcard

This book spoke to my Black, non binary self not always feeling enough. Thank you for writing this!

Amazing Story for all who love happy ever afters

The overall story is amazing, and yes it trans and queer people should have happiness in today’s society.

amazing performance!

The book was very sweet, loved the queer joy in it!! The narrator did a great job, highly recommend!