This book was a delight, and I already know how important it will be to some of the young people I work with.

As per the character's choices this would be a great book to read in a cosy blanket fort when you need a little queer joy and reassurance in the world.

This book is a cosy, heart-sparking YA romance that pairs podcast drama with real life awkwardness and a grumpy x sunshine dynamic,

Jude is quiet, awkward and has one friend. Aiden is outgoing, charming and popular. They are paired up for a high school internship at a local radio station. Forced to work alongside one another, they find out they have one thing in common. This follows their friendship and life at high school.
A meet cute story, with a grumpy vs sunshine dynamic.
I found the story quite slow, the writing at times made me lose interest and the inner monologues were lengthy. It features a coming of age story that young people would enjoy.

This is my second book by this author and I can officially say I have found a new go-to author for queer YA.
Listen Closely falls under a similar vein to Alice Oseman's, Radio Silence. A book where two near-strangers bond over their mutual adoration for audio dramas and form a friendship that I will not forgot for quite some time.

Once again, Leon Egan manages to balance humour and heart with heavier themes to create a truly wonderful story of love, friendship, acceptance and belonging. Lover Birds was a phenomenal debut, but Listen Closely really cements Egan in my mind as one of the top authors writing fantastically entertaining yet heartfelt YA stories.

I can only imagine the extra depths audio narrati0n would be able to add to this story, so please let it be known that if given the chance, I would buy an audio of this book in a heartbeat!

Thank you so much for this eARC!

I received a free ebook of Listen Closely from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Listen Closely is the kind of book I wish my teenage self had been able to read. Despite having left my teens behind quite some time ago, I still found myself staying up all night to keep reading this gorgeous novel, and ended up devouring it in one sitting.

It’s impossible not to root for Jude and Aiden, and watching their romance (and friendship!) blossom in synchronicity with their passion and creativity with regard to audio drama, a medium I adore beyond words, was so special. It was also incredibly beautiful to see two trans characters falling in love despite having to face transphobia in their creative careers: and very gratifying to see how they grew as a result of their relationships with another. Egan struck an incredible balance in tone and managed to create a deeply hopeful story that simultaneously doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the current moment. I just can’t express how lovely it was to finally watch two trans characters fall in love on the page, and their mutual transness to be a contributing factor to their love stories, such as the very tender scene with the trans tape, rather than a detriment, obstacle, or source of tension.

Our two leads’ relationships with the other characters around them were also consistently organic and intriguing, and supported their overall character arcs beautifully. Egan also portrays the characters’ neurodivergence with so much nuance and care. And did I mention this book is also funny? I really couldn’t ask for more on any front.

This is such a special book and I really hope it receives the love and acclaim it deserves. It will have a special place in my heart forever.