I kind of hated Wes at the very beginning of this book. The first glimpse we get of him he's literally bullying a kid and gets sent to the counselor's office. He's angry. So very angry. The author did a great job of showing, rather than telling, us why he was angry and that he didn't want to stay that way. Wes has big emotions that he wasn't taught how to handle so he lashes out at those around him and himself.

With the help  of his new friend and crush, Tristan, Wes finds himself doing things he never thought he'd do (like joining the photography club). Over the course of the book we see Wes come out of his shell a bit all the while hiding things from his best friends because 1.) he's closeted, and 2.) he didn't think they'd understand.

This is a book about self-discovery when others have already labeled you, found family, unpacking trauma, and not letting the anger win. 

I was given an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Skater Boy reminds me a lot of A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy and that was one of my favorite reads from 2022. This one is out on February 6, 2024 and I hope you'll pre-order or pick it up from your local bookstore.