Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Gideon always has a plan. It includes running for class president, becoming head of the yearbook committee, and having his choice of colleges. It does NOT include falling head over heels for his best friend, Kyle. It’s a distraction, it’s pointless—Kyle is already dating the head cheerleader, Ruby—and Gideon doesn’t know what to do.
Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings, and social acceptance as captain of the basketball team. So when both Ruby and Gideon start acting really weird, just as his spot on the team is threatened, Kyle can’t quite figure out what he did wrong.
Sandy Hall, the author of A Little Something Different, is back with her signature wit in this quirky and heartfelt LGBT YA novel.

Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall is such a fun, adorable read. Hall’s latest book takes on the song You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift and adapts it so that the girl next door becomes the boy next door. I was absolutely a fan of this book, as I am with the other books from the Swoon Reads imprint. Readers who want some light reading to ease them back into work mode with the end of summer should get their hands on Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall.

So, Been Here All Along opens up with a point of view from Ezra who is not one of the couple characters. It is a flashback. Ezra is looking for his brother Gideon. He finds him in the yard with a quiet kid next door. We get a feel for the family dynamic between Ezra and Gideon and then the book brings us to present day. Gideon is super smart and also has never been in a relationship. Kyle, the boy next door and star basketball player, is currently in a relationship with Ruby who is a cheerleader. One day Kyle reveals that he is bi. And so, Gideon finds himself grappling with his sexuality and deciding that perhaps he is just a Kyle-sexual. Thus, the two teens – Kyle and Gideon find themselves attracted to each other but in a sort of holding pattern.

As I mentioned before, Gideon is incredibly smart. He actually comes across as kind of lacking in social skills. His only friend seems to be Kyle. Yet, the book sort of shows him going on to make more friends, it’s excellent. We also see him really deal with his sexuality and accept it for what it is.

Kyle, on the other hand, has known that he is bi for a long time. Also, I think this is the first book I’ve read with a bi male character. I thought it was a cool portrayal, and of course, I cannot testify to the accuracy of Kyle’s character and his representation of a person who is bi. I still thought the inclusion was neat. Been Here All Along does not show Kyle as someone who is confused but as legitimately bisexual, so that was different and actually refreshing.

Ruby, Kyle’s girlfriend, certainly has the short end of the stick. I actually liked her character and her inclusion the best. She is a cheerleader, but she’s not your stereotypical cheerleader. She actually does not come from wealth. And well, she does certain things out of jealousy after her dad loses his job. I could relate to her the most and well, it was nice to have a character who is not exceedingly well off to read about.

Finally, rounding out the cast of characters in Sandy Hall’s Been Here All Along is Gideon’s older brother Ezra. Ezra is out of high school and would be a freshman. Only, he moved to California to surf. Now he is back in town as he has ran out of money. He’s trying to get his act together. His character does not have a huge role, but he adds a buffer nonetheless.

Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall is another fun addition to Hall’s repertoire of swoonworthy reads. Hall’s latest book is a super fast read, so if you’re looking for a book that is not a huge commitment, this book is the one to grab. I think you’re really going to enjoy Been Here All Along.

Other reviews of Been Here All Along:

Hit Or Miss Books – “This is some cute stuff.”

Bridget Reads Books – “I loved the ending for this book”

Ageless Pages Reviews – “It’s syrupy and sweet and ends exactly how you expect.”

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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