I wanted to love this but couldn’t get past the choppiness of the writing. He was supposed to work with his dad sun up to sun down 6 days a week but still had time to go to the skate park for hours every day? Was the author going for 3rd person omniscient with the brief interludes that revealed what other characters were thinking?

I don't think there are words to describe how much I loved this book. From the moment I started reading it, I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down. It's definitely a book that shows you the fears of growing up, the love you feel for your first love, and the process of finding yourself while being terrified of what others might think. My only complaint is that the book is very short, and I wanted to read more about Gus and Bridger. I will always carry them in my heart.

This was a wild ride. I saw this on Netgalley and didn't really think much about the story when requesting it, I just saw it's a queer book that features skateboarding, and since I'm a huge fan of sports romances, I always look for new ones. And I'm so glad I found it!

This book was written after a short film about the same story was produced, which leads to the writing also feeling quite cinematic- the narrator is omniscient, but still sometimes limited (what is kinda crucial in a romance about a crush), but it felt SUPER scenic and a bit like someone describing what they see on screen (including the shown feelings of characters through mimics, and it also featured paragraphs that felt like just a quick reverse shot, especially scenes including Max). And I loved that. It was something else from what I'm usually reading, but because of that narration style I was drawn into the story from the start and my otherwise slightly aphantastic mind was super thankful for how the scenery was described. I'm sitting here writing this review, and I still have the locations in front of my eyes, especially Gus' room. It was advertised as being a bit like Heartstopper, and I think that description is suiting - which is also why I would have wished for more focus (or perhaps an additional story) on Max and Tara. Those two gave depth to the story in another way and I really liked that. As to the two main characters: I sympathised with them from the start, even though I would have wished for a bit more depth on who Bridger is, I felt like I got a better feeling for the side character Max and his motifs than for Bridger as the MC. And this ending was suiting for the type of story (especially considering it's based on a movie), but my romantic heart wished for an additional epilogue or something.
And I honestly did not expect this book to make me cry, but it did and I loved it - and that's usually a sign that I won't forget about that book that easily.

3.8⭐️ rounded up - something about the writing style of this one was a bit weird to me, but that didn’t distract too much from an overall cute and enjoyable coming-of-age story (i’m a sucker for a cute and enjoyable coming-of-age story). I really enjoyed the pacing/story arc and also the illustrations were adorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Matthew Francis for the digital copy!

4.5⭐️“Do I like him too much? I don’t want to… be gay… if he’s not. “😮‍💨

“Gus,” Bridger spoke softly, “if you were a girl, I’d kiss you right now.” 🥹

This book had me in a chokehold. What a beautiful story. It was such a visual experience for me, which makes sense knowing now that it was first a short film. I fell like I could close my eyes and be in rural Montana in 2003 with Gus & Bridger.

This is story about loss friendship and first love. A coming of age story. And about the strength and courage it takes to be truly yourself and let yourself be seen. I fell deeply for Gus and Bridger, but also for his dad Dan, Tara and even Max.

This book isn’t perfect, sometimes the change in POV felt clunky but ultimately I loved it and would recommend it to everyone. It’s real and tender and a beautiful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author Matthew Francis for the advanced copies. All my opinions are my own.

A beautiful, diverse, rich story. I will endlessly recommend this - the author really captured the 2000's and I felt as though I was there with them, experiencing these emotions and tribulations. Not only are the words something that should be praised, the artwork was beautiful! Everything felt so real and genuine, I think that this story will reach and speak to so many people. Highly, highly recommend.

Scraps is a face paced, coming of age sports romance story that would be ideal for any teen to sink their teeth into

Set in the breathtaking Montana we are first introduced to our main character Gus who having lost his is sent to live with his rather withdrawn carpenter father. Working alongside his father appears at first tiresome but with the prospects of art school after the summer on his mind Gus choosing to grind his teeth and bear it. Alongside the summer of work Gus forms a life changing bond with the outgoing and adventurous Bridger and begins to form a relationship with his father. I really enjoyed their relationship development being face paced without feeling unrealistic. My favourite aspect of the story has to be the different manifestations of self identity, internalised homophobia, fear of judgement and confusion. Each of the three characters show a different way to deal and ;one with their self identities positively and negatively. Something I would’ve possibly liked a bit more is if the dual perspective storytelling was more consistent eg every chapter it rotated and if we could’ve heard more about Max’s story. Not to spoil the story I must add the ending was perfect to me to see that whilst a character can form real bonds with people it doesn’t mean they need to stop their dreams being achieved. I would highly recommend this story to any teenager (although myself being in your 20s still enjoyed) to give this book a go as you won’t be disappointed.

3.5 stars. A good coming of age story, with Gus, who is living with his father for the summer after losing his mother. He struggles to find some social contacts in the small town and makes a deal with Bridger to make a skateboard for him in return for lessons. There were a variety of teenage characters - some nice and some definitely not. This was a realistic feeling gay awakening and messy first love. I didn't always like the multiple POV switches, particularly to those characters who weren't the MCs. I'm definitely planning to look up the film.

I’ll be honest—I’m kind of burned out on coming out stories. It feels like every queer book I pick up rehashes the same tropes: the fear, the big reveal, the fallout. I’m not saying those stories aren’t important (they absolutely are), but after a while, they start to feel formulaic.
Scraps surprised me.
Yes, it’s a coming out story at its core—but it’s also so much more. It’s intimate, emotionally textured, and filled with the kind of quiet tension that builds not just from who you are, but where you are. The rural Montana setting in 2003 adds a pressure cooker layer of isolation and small-town scrutiny, making every glance between Gus and Bridger feel charged. But it never leans on melodrama. Instead, it’s tender, internal, and achingly human.
Gus’s perspective hit hard. His grief, his discomfort in his own body, the awkwardness of being an artist in a place where no one seems to see him—it all rang painfully true. And Bridger? God. I loved that he wasn’t just the “reckless” love interest. He’s a kid who’s trying to keep all the pieces of his life from falling apart. Their chemistry was undeniable, but it was the silences between them, the way they both tried to pretend what was happening wasn’t happening, that really got me
I wouldn’t say this book reinvented the wheel, but it did what so few coming-of-age queer romances manage to do: it felt like it could’ve been my own memory. That scene at the lake? That awkward first admission? That panicked joy of knowing, maybe, just maybe, someone sees you? It was all there, and I was 17 again
It’s not a perfect book—the pacing dips a little in the middle—but the emotion is real. If you’re tired of the same coming out arc, but still want something that honors the complexity of those years? Read Scraps.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This one will stay with me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Raw, Emotional, and Unforgettable Coming-of-Age Romance

Scraps by Matthew Francis absolutely wrecked me—in the best possible way. From the very first page, I was hooked by the raw honesty, the chaotic energy, and the emotional weight packed into this beautifully written coming-of-age story. This isn’t just a gay romance—it’s a full-on emotional rollercoaster that captures what it means to grow up, find love, and figure out where you belong.

The chemistry between Bridger and Gus is electric—tender, messy, complicated, and deeply real. Their relationship feels like a spark in the dark, something fragile but fiercely bright. Francis doesn’t hold back on the rough edges, either. The story leans into the turbulence of youth, identity, and heartbreak, and it does so with so much heart that I found myself thinking about these characters long after I finished the last page.

What truly sets Scraps apart is how authentic and unfiltered it feels. The skateboarding backdrop adds this gritty, kinetic energy that perfectly mirrors the emotional chaos the characters are going through. It’s one of the best LGBTQ+ romances I’ve read in a long time—equal parts gut-wrenching and hopeful.

I desperately hope this isn’t the last we see of Bridger and Gus. There’s so much more story left to tell, and I would love nothing more than for Matthew Francis to continue their journey in a sequel. These characters have carved out a place in my heart, and I’m not ready to let them go.

If you're looking for a story that will break your heart, heal it, and then make you want to scream into the void because you loved it so much—Scraps is it.

Sweet, atmospheric coming-of-age story, centered around Gus, who moves in to live with his estranged father in rural Montana. Friendship, first love, finding your way in life - common themes in such ya stories, yet I loved the way they were developed and intertwined. Did I wish for a different ending? Of course, yet this ending made more sense in this story. 4.5*

What a beautiful story!!!!!!!🥹

This book has everything you could want in a sweet summer romance. The boys were adorable, the character development was heartfelt, and the ending was just perfect. Reading it felt like being wrapped in a warm summer bubble... where we got to watch Gus and Bridger’s relationship blossom.

The idea of having drawings on every page was a nice touch. It added to the vibe and actually made me feel closer to Gus. I smiled everytime I looked at the drawings.

I’ll admit, I know nothing about skating, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fully appreciate that part of the story, but the way it was written made it super easy to follow. I loved how enthusiastic the boys were about it, it felt like we were discovering their world alongside Gus.

Max's parts were tough to read, but were definitely needed and played an important role. The experiences people have within the community can vary a lot, and the book does a good job at representing many of them through the characters. There were so many great lessons in the story and I truly felt like each character, Gus, Bridger, Tara, Max, Dan, all of them taught us something.

Overall I loved it. Even the ending. Although I wanted to read more and wanted their story to continue, the ending felt absolutely perfect and left me hopeful and excited for what’s to come.

A cute, quick read. Could do without max lol (I get conflict is necessary but he was just plain mean)

Review also posted on goodreads

I wish I was able to read this book when I was in HS- it serves as proof of why queer YA is so important. I always love reading about found family, but something about it hits so much different in YA, and this story is written beautifully. This was my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last!

*thank you NetGalley for the ARC*

I stayed up all night reading this gem of a story. It really caught me by surprise, in so many ways.

I'll be blunt and say, shamefully, I wasn't expecting much just by the description. I was expecting a cute little YA romance. SCRAPS is so much more than that, and I do love when my first instincts are proven wrong when it comes to books.

I've read many books that take place in different decades. It's in my opinion that some authors have trouble setting the scene, the vibe, the ambience and atmosphere of a specific time period. There are either too many details that saturate every other page (regarding what people are wearing, what kind of car they're driving, the brand of refrigerator that's in the kitchen...), or there aren't enough details and you forget that a book isn't in present time. With SCRAPS, there was a perfect amount of little injections of life in the early 2000s that effectively brought me back to my middle and high school years. The details were casual and not so in your face.

The two main characters were just so, so, so sweet. If only I had had a friend like either of them in my younger years, maybe some things would have turned out differently for me, but that's neither here nor there. Their mutual respect and unfiltered acceptance for one another was what really drew me in.

Their internal struggles with experiencing these new, scary, yet electrifying and exciting, foreign feelings were portrayed so realistically that I was immediately reminded of the first time I had similar feelings of the same nature.

Grief is also touched on here. Having recently suffered a great loss, those conversations, inner thoughts and scenes were hard-hitting for me. Sometimes I broke out in unexpected tears and I had to take a short intermission, because I was hit with my own overwhelming, and largely disregarded feelings of loss. I am so grateful though. So, incredibly grateful. I wish I could say more about the experience, but that's all I can muster up for now.

SCRAPS is a beautifully written story that touched my soul and warmed my very chilled heart. It gave me hope. Hope for love, for possibilities, for new beginnings, for facing fears; hope that it'll be alright, in more ways than one. That it's not too late to start living and appreciating this one extraordinary life we are so fortunate to receive. This book was a gift for me and I hope it reaches more people like me who need to receive the message that it conveys.

It should go without saying, but SCRAPS is the easiest 5-Star rating I've ever given.

SCRAPS is based on a short film by the same name. It’s currently being produced as a feature-length film.

You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6PjF6OE4e4

Making a movie and writing a book are different skill sets, and one doesn’t always translate well into the other. I watched the short film and thought it was very well done, but the novel adaptation didn’t quite work for me. The omniscient third-person narrator felt out of place for YA and I didn’t feel as immersed in any one character’s head as I wanted to be. I felt more connected to the characters in the short film than I did in the novel. I stopped reading at about 25% because I wasn’t connecting with the characters.

I felt the same way about Hayley Kiyoko’s music video “Girls Like Girls” which she turned into a novel—I adored the music video but the novel didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s because I like the story so much in one medium that it feels jarring to experience it in another medium.

If you liked the short film, I encourage you to check out the novel and see if you enjoy the writing style because this is likely a “just me” problem. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

As someone who grew up as queer and in a small town, I related heavily to the theme in this book. Francis has crafted a queer story unlike any other. In a time where queer people's rights are being challenged, queer people aren't being positively represented in the media, this book is a breath of fresh air with positive representation and dialogue that absolutely needs to be had.

Scraps by Matthew Francis is a quiet queer romance with skateboards and grief, it is tender and emotionally layered.

Gus is just trying to get through the summer after his mom’s death when he meets Bridger, a very chaotic and fun skateboarder. Their connection builds slowly, full of stolen moments and unspoken fears. Their connection is real, sweet and a bit awkward at times, just like your everyday teen friendship that becomes a bit more as time goes on.

The small-town setting, the weight of what’s unsaid, and the way Gus reconnects with his dad all made this feel incredibly grounded. The ending is open but hopeful, which honestly made it hit even harder.

Scraps by Matthew Francis is a quietly powerful coming-of-age novel that hums with the heat of a Montana summer, the ache of grief, and the thrill of first love. From the moment Gus Shepard steps back into his estranged father’s life after thirteen years—and mere weeks after his mother’s death—there’s a low hum of tension and tenderness that builds throughout the narrative.

What starts as a lonely, uncertain summer slowly blooms into a story of self-discovery and connection. Gus, who is still closeted and hesitant to name his desires, finds himself mesmerized by the local skatepark scene—and particularly by Bridger, the charismatic leader of the group. There’s a vulnerability in Gus’s gaze, the quiet longing, the awkwardness of denial, and the need to belong, and Francis captures all of this with beautiful restraint.

The skatepark becomes more than a place—it’s a space of transformation, friendship, and reckoning. Gus’s decision to build his own skateboard, using the skills his father teaches him in the woodshop, is not just a plot point—it’s symbolic. He’s building himself, piece by piece, into someone more whole.

The characters are so well drawn. Max, who initially seems like your typical rude gatekeeper, is later given so much depth and nuance. Tara—queer, a skater, and respected in a town that usually objectifies women, is a refreshing presence. Even Gus’s father, Dan, who could’ve easily been a flat absentee-parent trope, is rendered with care as a man who’s quietly trying to rebuild a connection he once abandoned.

The romance between Gus and Bridger is slow and uncertain in all the right ways. There’s tension, sweetness, and eventual intimacy, all grounded in the realistic emotional hurdles of two boys figuring themselves out in the early 2000s. Their bond isn’t immediate or easy, but when it clicks, it feels earned. If you’ve ever longed for a connection while keeping part of yourself hidden, their story will hit home.

For readers who like:
-Queer coming-of-age stories
-Skatepark summer vibes
-Tender romances with emotional depth
-Found family, emotional healing, and soft masculinity

Final Verdict
Scraps is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. You think you know where it’s going, and maybe you do—but it still makes you feel every beat along the way. It’s about learning to build something out of grief, scraps, and longing. Emotional, hopeful, and gorgeously atmospheric, Scraps is my favorite read of the year so far. I’d love a sequel just to spend more time with these characters.

Grateful to NetGalley and Matthew Francis for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Gus and Bridget fall in love...oops, I mean Bridger. But throughout the novel I kept seeing Bridget. Gus is a nerd, and Bridger is a skateboarder and not much else. But as they teach each other, they both learn new things about themselves, not just being gay. Author Mathew Francis does a good job with the story, especially with the coming out and the boys reactions to it. Gus' father, Dan, also has some learning experience.
I cannot recommend this as a YA title given the open promotion of underage drinking.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.