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.

THIS BOOK HAS THAT YEARNING FOR THE CLOSENESS AND SOMEONE TO UNDERSTAND YOU AND HOLD YOU IN THEIR ARMS

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Scraps follows Gus who has moved to rural Montana to live with his estranged father after the death of his mother. After finding a local skate park he decides to learn how to skate and make friends. He soon meets a local boy, Bridger, and the two start to spend time together.

Even though the setting of this book was a few years before I was a teen it made me very nostalgic. The teenage angst and awkwardness was captured so well and I really connected to these characters. Something I really loved was that no character felt under utilized, they all served a purpose and had their own depth. The characters felt completely authentic through all their flaws and vulnerabilities.

This was a beautifully written story that I think will resonate with everyone in some way.

"Never throw away painful memories that led to today's joy. A great life is built by the moments we refuse to forget."

As you stare out of the car window while it winds it way through the Montana countryside, you lose yourself in moments of reflection as the world outside slips by. That is the feeling this book gives you and that is how the first chapter opens as you join Gus on the journey to his new home and a new life.

‘Scraps’ is a wonderful new YA book that expands beyond the short film of the same name you may have heard about. It follows Gus, shortly after his mother dies, as he moves across country to live with his estranged father in Montana. Having agreed to work with his father in his woodshop before he goes to art college, Gus tries to make friends with some boys at the local skateboard park. What unfolds is a wonderful coming of age story as Gus starts to develop feelings for Bridger as their growing friendship brings the two boys closer.

What is interesting about this book compared to other YA books is how well balanced all the themes are. We have moments of grief mixed with feelings of youthful joy. Social anxieties butted up against themes of friendships. They weave through one another without dwelling too long on any overriding issue. But it’s the relationship with Gus and Bridger that gets most of the focus. As we starts to see Gus become aware of his feelings towards Bridger, confusion and denial become wrapped up in emerging feelings of attraction. Expertly written and beautifully captured, you find yourself living the experience along with Gus. Shocked at what you’re feeling but unable to look away, wanting more but afraid it might slip from your grip. These are moments of perfection beautifully captured in print with an artistic grace. Short sentences of confusion perfectly punctuate the text, bringing to life a young man’s emerging sexual attraction for his friend. Many other authors might learn from Matthew Francis of how a friends to lovers romance should be written, as this book is a masterclass in the subtly of shifting feelings between two friends.

At its heart this book has a wonderful modern Americana feeling to it, with lazy days spent skateboarding in the park and fun afternoons messing around by the lake. It has a more-ish quality that makes you want to read one chapter after another, not wanting to leave this world, desperate to know what will happen between Gus and Bridger. There’s also a depth to how the author has written the side characters. None of their issues are new, but they’ve been expertly written and help make this world-on-a-page feel all the more real. It’s a book that leaves you wanting to know more. More about what happens to Bridger and Gus. More about what’s in store for Dan in his future. And more about where Max’s road will lead him. If there is ever a book that needs a sequel, this is it. And isn’t that the measure of success, to leave them wanting more!?!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

୨୧ Scraps ୨୧
╰┈➤ [4 out of 5 ☆’s.]

❝𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐭.❞

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with this title in exchange for an honest review!

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

Song That I Listened to While Reading: “This Song” by Conan Gray.

This book took me back to my roots! :’) I felt like I was in school again — reading about queer characters in small towns navigating life and learning to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Gus + Bridger’s relationship is one that will stick with me for years to come! I adore them. :’)

Tara was also a standout character for me! Whenever she appeared on page my mood brightened! She was such an incredible friend to Gus. Tara deserves all of the good things.

Dan was also a character that I was fond of. His heart-to-heart with Gus at the end of the novel made me tear up. His support healed something inside of me.

I do wish that we would’ve seen a bit more of Bridger’s family and their dynamic.

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

I loved receiving glimpses into what was happening in each of the character’s heads & POVs! Knowing the emotions that everyone was experiencing throughout the story made it even more complex!

The art chapter headers were also an incredible addition that set the tone for what was to come! I looked forward to seeing each one!

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I do have to mention that there was a scene that was on the steamier side that made me a bit uncomfortable. I don’t mind spice or steam — that’s mostly what I read these days — but I wasn’t sure what the canon ages of these characters were (so I was expecting a little less detail & a quicker fade to black moment)?

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝

I wasn’t aware of the fact that this was a short film when I picked it up, but I’ll have to watch it now!

I've seen a lot of good reviews for this book and while skeptical I thought I should give it a go. Unfortunately, the style just wasn't for me.
It's one of those books that you can see clearly in your mind, but the writing bothered me for some reason. Again, I have heard good things so maybe I'm the problem. Give it a go if you think it's something you'd enjoy. It's also available on Netgalley, even though it is out already.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for the copy.

I loved the premise of the book but I just couldn’t get past the writing style. It was way too wordy and overly descriptive. It felt like the author was trying to be super unique and creative with descriptions and it just took me right out of being able to connect with the book and continue on. I hate DNFing books but 15 pages in and I just didn’t like the style.

I really loved this one so much !
My favourite character was Tara but I adored Gus and Bridger . With out giving spoilers , I loved this book so much and the skating scene in this book in 2003 was really nostalgic.
Max had his problems but he was a complicated a bit unlikeable character.
It was interesting this book started as a short film.
I would love to read any books the author writes .

Early 2000s, small town, first love. On paper, Scraps should have been a book that I would love. And I did like the story, I just didn't happed to fall in love with it.

Gus was great. He is a shy, artsy boy who recently lost his mother and has a silent type of a relationship with his dad. Meeting Bridger and seeing him skateboard sparks a new interest in Gus. And not in just skateboarding.

Another great character - Tara. Her support, understanding and honesty was lovely and felt natural. I wish there were more chapters from Bridger's POV. Also, Max's. We got to see only tiny glimpsed of his thoughts, but there was so much potential for his character that left unfullfilled. I do realise the book is not about Max and is mainly centered around Gus, however, the short chapters from other characters POVs gave so much value to the story, it would have been great to see more.

I do feel like the book was too short. The first half of the book was, in my opinion, rather slow-paced and then in the second half so many things happened at once. The ending felt a bit rushed and very open ended, which I kind of like, but was a little confused about the main message that the book sends.

Overall, Scraps portrayed first love in an intimate, sensitive way and showed how different young people deal with their feelings. An important, valuable read for queer young adults.

I'm not much of a romance reader but this one was very enjoyable to read. The romance was so sweet and even though they suffered some ups and downs it was nice to see how the boys weathered those changes and how it ultimately served to bring them closer together.

The first chapter or so of this book were a little rough to me. I think it was a consequence of a writing style that favors character development through dialogue and as the first couple of chapters feature Dan, a character that speaks very little and his estranged son Gus, a character that has very little to say to his father, the first few chapters dragged for me. But my interest was piqued once we got some new characters on the page. Realistic, natural sounding dialogue is where this author really shines. I felt like I was back in high school in the best way, once again overhearing the skater boys in my class talk about the nothingness that makes up the very core of their world. It was such a pleasure to return to those memories and remember a time when the world was small enough to make every little thing important.

There is a lot of gorgeous descriptive language in this book, so it always made me disappointed when scenes would transition flatly without engaging in the senses that could be presented in the scene. Luckily, the characters and the sweetness of this story carry along so well that I think most readers wouldn’t even notice. I am just very picky and since that’s my problem I have no qualms about still rating this book 5 stars because I believe it fully deserves it. That this story was able to explore many different aspects of grief was amazing, showing both the isolation and the community that can happen when you’ve experienced loss.

It’s so hard to come to the end of a book like this wanting more but also knowing that this is a good place for things to end as well. I found so much of this very moving, a tricky thing when young men tend to skew toward abrasiveness in their interactions but I found that the range these characters got to express made them feel so very human.

Thank you for the opportunity to review your work and I look forward to reading more of what you have to offer in the future.

This book hit me in a quiet, emotional way I didn’t expect. The writing is tender and honest, capturing all the messiness of figuring yourself out, grief, identity, first love. Gus and Bridger felt real and vulnerable, and their slow-burn connection was full of aching tension and softness. If you like coming-of-age stories that feel nostalgic and grounded, this one’s worth your time.

Scraps is an evocative read that I highly recommend, offering a refreshing take on the coming-of-age queer experience.

What captivated me most was the alternating male POVs, which in my mind, is reminiscent of "Peter Pan" in Neverland—imagine the Lost Boys navigating a collective gay panic!

It's also worth noting that the story includes an adorable meet-cute and a sports element, adding a layer of charm that easily captivates any book lover.

There's this scene early on where Bridger is invited to stay over at Gus's place, and he asks if he can sleep semi-naked. Before I could even catch my breath, I was internally screaming, "YES, PLEASE!" Of course, Gus wasn't quite as eager as I was.

Beyond the surface, "Scraps" offers a poignant and uplifting exploration of gender, depicting the performance of masculinity and sexual subversion in youths, however subtle and contextual.

A great coming-of-age gay awakening story. Two cute male leads, plenty of teenage angst, and a full complement of background characters that added to the overall narrative. I liked the part where Bridger said, “I love doing nothing with you”; a very telling phrase.

I will try to watch the Scraps short next, and look forward to the feature length movie.

I went into Scraps not entirely sure what to expect—and came out emotionally winded in the best way. This story surprised me with its quiet intensity, deeply layered characters, and the kind of slow-burn connection that simmers just beneath the surface until it absolutely wrecks you.

The dynamic between the leads felt honest and natural never forced. It unfolds in these delicate, almost fragile moments that manage to carry so much weight. Their relationship doesn’t heal them completely (because people aren’t puzzles waiting to be fixed), but it gives them both a reason to hope, to rebuild. Together.

If you love character-driven stories that are emotional but grounded, gentle but powerful, Scraps is one of those reads that lingers with you. I found myself thinking about it long after I finished. Definitely one I’ll revisit.

This is a lovely coming-of-age novel and a heartfelt summer romance with themes of family, friendship, grief, and first love. Following the death of his mother, Gus moves back with his father Dan for the summer before he goes to art college. The distance between father and son at the beginning is obvious, and Dan goes about trying to make a connection by having Gus work with him in his woodshop. This soon works in Gus's favour. He starts off lonely and adrift and when he comes across the town's skatepark, he becomes determined to learn to skate, though he's more likely drawn in by the camaraderie he witnesses between the skaters. He uses his newly learned woodworking skills to make his own board, which catches the attention of one of the skater boys, Bridger, who offers to teach Gus how to skate in return for a board of his own. Thus begins their journey of strangers-to-friends-to-lovers.

The setting and atmosphere of the story is wonderfully visual, completely drawing you in to the heavy summer heat. It explores dark and heavy themes, such as grief and internalised and external homophobia, but it intertwines these elements with humour, a joyous, tentative love, and hope to bring an ultimately feel-good novel. The relationship between Gus and Bridger is sweet and heartwarming even in its rockier moments, which are entirely believable and realistic in the novel's early 2000s time-period (and even for many in our modern day).

There are lots of POV shifts, and while most of them are clear and useful in giving a more rounded view of the story, some feel a little random and occur within each other—there are a few small mind-jumps that make you unsure which POV you're in. This is quite possibly due to the novel being developed from the original short-film, where glimpses of other characters and quick scene shifts make sense. The wide range of POVs is enjoyable in the sense it gives you a more in-depth view of numerous side characters, such as Dan and Max and Tara, and makes them more three-dimensional, understandable, and relatable. However, I found myself a little disappointed because I felt I ended up knowing the likes of Max better than I knew Bridger, whose family life etc. is never explored in the same depth.

Ultimately though, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. It is reminiscent of the likes of Heartstopper if it was set a decade prior and rugby boys were replaced with skater boys, and its dusty summer atmosphere and coming-of-age, coming-out themes reminded me of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (both works close to my heart). I'd recommend to anyone wanting an emotional queer summer read and I'm excited to go watch the short film that started it all.

While I finished this book it was more out of a love of queer sports books than any enjoyment from this novel itself. Bridger's family was alluded to at best, they were an abstract villain-- but for no reason-- Max was a worn out and tired stereotype of repressed queer who is violently homophobic in turn. The shifting perspectives followed no real rhyme or reason, and while the pacing was good the book felt like a drag to get through. Also I waited for an explanation on Bridger's name and it never came, beyond one comment from his family that implied it was a nickname.

I like the book it funny and good family read I love the characters and plot and the setting of story and place and the genre of the story and the theme of they story and everything else in between and overall book. Cool

This book really took me by surprise. It is such a perfect coming of age story, it made me feel all the emotions.

We follow Gus, who moves back to rural Montana to live with his estranged father after his mother passes. He works with his dad in his furniture building workshop during the day and spends most of his free time sketching. When exploring the town one day, he stumbles upon a skatepark. Gus becomes fascinated with the skater group and decides he needs to learn how to skate to make new friends.
This is how he meets Bridger, a skater boy with a rebellious streak. The two of them strike a deal that leads them to spend a lot of time together. We see them develop a beautiful friendship that slowly turns into more.

The setting of this book is everything. It takes place during the summer of 2003 and as someone who grew up in the early 2000s, it made me so nostalgic. The skateboarding aspect was so fun and different from anything I've read before.

This is easily my favorite queer YA romance I've read. It explores so many important topics like self discovery, friendship, grief, first crushes, going away to college and love. The writing is beautiful and the illustrations at the beginning of every chapter were beautiful and a nice touch.

This was a sweet, coming-of-age novel set in the rural America. The twists and turns of the novel were not that unexpected, so don't expect any unreasonable predictable surprises around the next page. The main characters were sufficiently fleshed out as to be believable, as was the (queer) teenage angst that eventually resolved into a wholesome tale of support and allyship. I thought that more could have been done to explore the character of the principal antagonist, but perhaps that's the topic of a future book from this debut novelist. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend to students seeking this kinds of story.

Such a great coming of age story.

Gus is a really timid character, and it's nice to see that his personality doesn't take a 180 over the course of only a few months. Bridger, despite not being my favourite character, showed so much depth and development throughout the story. Max...well...yeah, he was written as an antagonist so no surprises that he was easily dislikable. At first, I thought maybe Max would've been the love interest, but I was very very pleasantly proven wrong.

Plot-wise, the story isn't majorl unique. It's a queer sports coming of age story that's definitely had multiple variations written before, HOWEVER, it was a really good read and I'd definitely recommend it to people who are just starting out with queer texts. There's mention of some gay slurs (more than I think was necessary), but I'm unfortunately since this is the reality of some queer life experiences, I don't really think my discomfort is valid as a point of criticism.

I honestly hope this book is introduced to libraries to make it possible for questioning teens to access. I think it's a really good depiction of a real-life queer experience.