Suitabook

This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story

Kacen Callender

Reading: If relationship stories are a good fit, read alongside the teenager rather than focusing only on the eventual pairing. Pause to discuss communication choices, consent around advances, and how grief affects family decisions.
Themes: Communication and deafness: Ollie is deaf and uses sign language; other characters adapt, while phones and surrounding context help convey exchanges. Communication difference is treated as an ordinary part of relationships, with frustration acknowledged without pity.
Conflict avoidance and changing friendships: Nate's pessimism and tendency to give up shape his interactions with Florence and Ollie, while the wider friend group adjusts to changing relationships. The book presents competing or mixed signals about this.
Identity and social environment: The characters are described as diverse and comfortable with their sexuality; homophobia is notably not presented as a problem in the story. The social world is portrayed as broadly accepting and supportive, rather than organised around prejudice or exclusion.
Worth knowing: The book includes romantic feelings, break-ups, rejection, friendship strain, a parent grieving a father's death, and frustration around communication. Nate's pessimism and avoidance may also require patience.