Like most people I loved Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda/Love Simon which was a great coming out story, so I was pretty excited to read Kate In Waiting.

Kate is a typical theatre geek; yes I can relate, along with her squad; Anderson who plays the role to gay best friend, Raina who is trans and Brandi who nobody is really sure about, her school life revolves around the upcoming musical and her low key anxiety about the auditions. To top it all off, Kate and Anderson’s summer camp crush; Matt, just turned up at school after moving to Roswell.

Kate and Anderson have always had the same crushes on boys, to the point that if Kate fancied somebody who Anderson didn’t she assumed it must have been wrong. It’s never been an issue before because they’ve never had the faintest chance with the objects of their affection, but when Matt is cast as Kate’s on stage lover, a relationship begins to blossom and Kate is worried how Anderson will take it.

I literally read this book in two sittings. It was such an easy read but also had me hooked. I loved the diversity of Albertalli’s characters without focusing too much on their protected characteristics; literally didn’t have a clue that Raina was trans until there was an explanation of her picking her name. The acceptance of all of the characters was literally lovely to read and I think it was pretty respresentative of how open and welcoming ‘theatre crews’ generally are. I also loved that the ‘f-boys’; what the squad titles the jocks, yet to be nicer guys than they’re stereotypically made out to be too; although the girls don’t get that chance.

All in all a lovely quietly diverse read, which reminded me that sometimes you just have to go with the flow and trust those you love. I gave it 4.5/5. Make sure you buy it when it is released on the 22nd April!