‘Leah on the Offbeat’ is the sequel to bestseller Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, following Simon’s best friend, Leah Burke, as she discovers her own sexuality whilst trying to survive high school.

I’m honestly torn on how to review this novel, as much as I was when reviewing the previous instalment of the Creekwood series. However, with this one, I felt as if I’d have more of a chance, Leah being a character I resonated with in Simon vs. However, I kind of felt a little disappointed.

Albertalli’s strongest points is her ability to create wonderful, fun-loving characters that you can’t help but love. However, in this instalment, I felt as if something had changed, their characters becoming dramatic plot devices to create any kind of negative scenario possible. Leah’s character makes multiple bad decisions throughout the book, making her the seemingly antagonist of her own novel, whilst Nick’s character became an accomplice. Abby, Simon and Bram managed to save some kind of adorable fluffiness to the tale, the evolution of the couple was adorable to read, yet I found myself wanting to read more of them rather than Leah; I couldn’t route for her at all. This meant the plot line suffered, in that there was hardly much there to use. In Simon vs, Simon is blackmailed in order to keep his sexuality a secret; In ‘Leah on the Offbeat’… there was nothing, nothing except the character’s journey towards graduation, and she happens to suddenly fall in love along the way. For a book with an easy to read writing style, it took me over a week to read; I had no interest in it.

I feel as if the writing style also didn’t assist this, Leah’s outspoken tone was reflected in the writing too much, making it incredibly irritating to read. Although, this was replicated in Simon vs. it was something that prevented me from enjoying it back then and continues now. The constant need to remain ‘relatable’ to the audience was clear in the narrative, referencing countless modern media and using slang terminology to show the age of the protagonist felt unnecessary at times and something more suitable for film rather than literature. I can understand the need to remain relatable to the audience, yet it became annoying and hindered my enjoyment deeply.

Overall, as much as I love the characters of Creekwood, it wasn’t enough to keep me entertained, which is a shame considering the diversity and light-hearted romance the story provides.

I completely loved this book, so much I couldn't put it down and it is now one of my favourite books ever. I have already read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli and this book is just as good if not better, Leah is my favourite character she is hilarious and badass and if you have loved any of Becky's other books I would highly recommend reading this one immediately!

I love Leah, maybe more than Simon (Shhh, don't tell)! This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. I loved Leah's honesty and blunt humour. Seeing a plus-sized girl kicking ass was long overdue and I hope this makes people think more openly about the books we're shoving into each other's hands. The female friendship was beautiful and complex and I LOVED how the book focused on that over romance. Beckly Albertalli is a smart, funny and trailblazing writer and after this I will pick up anything she chooses to write. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Holly Bourne!

I was a big fan of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda so I was thrilled to receive a copy of this! This was the perfect end-of-semester read, it was geeky, fun, upbeat, romantic- everything I love in a book. It felt familiar from the outset, both the presence of characters from the first book and the fact that Leah reminds me so much of myself. I love when a main character feels like someone I would be friends with in real life, it really enhances my connection to them. Everything about this was amazing. Leah's burn-it-to-the-ground attitude was equal parts endearing and frustrating, and I love that she was constantly getting in her own way, rather than having a main antagonist.

Set a year after the events in Love, Simon, we meet Leah who is bisexual but isn't out to her friends, just her mum.



Abby still dating Nick, is a girl Leah used to like and possibly still does even though Garrett is also showing an interest in her too as the pair hang out more.



As prom and graduation are about to arrive, we see loved up Simon get promposed to while the girls stress over their college choices after failing to get in for some of them. However after Abby goes through some relationship drama with Nick, she heads off to Athens with Leah as the pair take a campus tour and get close while there where feelings take a toll on them both and it becomes an emotionally charged trip.



Leah is a talented artist and draws for a hobby and uploads them onto her art blog. Leah is also the drummer of the girls and Garretts band which is an issue as the band faces separation as they part ways for college.



This sequel was everything romantic, cute and LGBTQ friendly to the maximum! If you want a cute read about prom, love and friends this book is for you and it was super to see the characters lives beyond Love, Simon.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. The bisexual representation in both Leah and Abby was brilliantly portrayed, and I particularly loved seeing a healthy mother/daughter relationship between Leah and her Mum. The differences between Leah's internal acceptance of her sexuality and her outward reluctance to 'come out' was excellently done, and felt very accurate. This, in contrast with Abby's personal acceptance which comes paired with a coming out story, was an excellent way to show how there isn't one way to be bisexual. Overall a fantastic read, with exceptionally written characters.

I should start off by saying I absolutely ADORED this book. I love everything Becky Albertalli writes.

I read Simon vs last year for the first time and i adored it, i’ve since reread it and watched the amazing movie. When I heard that there was a kind of sequel coming out based on leah, I was so excited. I absolutely adore these characters and everything about this town/school etc. I want more!

This book was so fun, exciting and just absolutely adorable. I kinda guessed Leah’s feelings in Simon and had an idea in who she had feelings for. This book features a f/f relationship which first of all deserves all the stars. It’s something we hardly see, sadly.

I really hope this gets just as much hype as Simon did because this truly deserves unlimited stars.

Bonus: It also has a lot of Simon & Blue in!!