While I may have SOME biases when it comes to Conventionally Yours, I can honestly say that the book is a delight. Conrad and Alden are multifaceted and intensely likable. Their romance has an aching, tender sort of yearning to it--combined with the high-stakes nature of their road trip to the Odyssey card game convention/tournament and the conflict that arises when both of them not only want, but for their own reasons, NEED, to win.
I could echo a great deal of what other people have said about this book: that Conrad and Alden are delightful, that the research and the road trip/locations is pleasingly evident and true to life, that the con and road trip experience is one that is clearly lived and loved, that issues like neurodiversity, homophobia, and class differences are addressed (but not slogged through) with a deft hand. So I will! I will say all those things. But I’d also like to elaborate on a few things I have not seen as many reviewers touch on.
Other reviewers have mentioned technical aspects of card games and gaming that are featured throughout, either to say that those areas of the story rang true to them or seemed to slog a little. It’s not a topic that’s for everyone—I personally tried Magic the Gathering myself once and I found myself overwhelmed and, honestly, kinda bored. But while I myself have never been particularly into card games, the portrayal of the fictional game, Odyssey, and the fan culture surrounding it rings true to me as a participant in other areas of fan culture. Am I into cards and card games? No, not really. But I like other things! I have that enthusiasm for other areas of fandom. I recognize its base cause: that genuine love and investment in something, even if I myself don’t share it in that same outlet. The opposite is one I’ve seen too many times—tryhard, wink-wink nudge-nudge, often self-effacing and near-apologetic portrayals of geek culture in fiction is something that I’m hyper-aware of when it comes to works that market itself as appealing to those spaces/audiences. In my opinion, they often miss the mark. They can feel either awkward ("How do you do, fellow kids? Video games, am I right?"), or transparently pandering ("Now we will reference Cool Modern Thing/Cool Retro Thing that the reader will recognize for cheap fan brownie points"). I’m delighted to say that’s not the case here. And when it comes to the convention itself, it felt like conventions I’ve been to over the years. There are occasional eccentrics and outright jerks, but most of the time, it’s just a gathering of a bunch of people who love the same thing and want to share that love with others.
Another point I want to elaborate on: secondary characters are well-rounded and likable—and if not likable, at least believable and resonant. One of the secondary characters that stands out to me most vividly is Payton. Payton has flaws: Payton is blunt, an unrepentant partygoer, a gossip, often blasé. Payton is also nonbinary. Not only is it a delight seeing an unapologetic or didactic portrayal of a nonbinary person in fiction (There is no hand-holding aside about Payton's identity or pronouns; they simply are presented without comment and the writing trusts you to either accept it or Google what you don't understand), but it is a delight to see a nonbinary character that is their own person and not an idealized token. In cases of representation, sometimes it seems like characters in underrepresented or marginalized identities are "too perfect" or "pure" in an effort to portray them in a positive light—in ways that ultimately end up further othering them or putting them on unnecessary pedestals. Payton is a PERSON, first and foremost. They are not perfect. They are human. And that means a great deal to me as a nonbinary reader.
For anyone looking for a lighthearted-but-not-shallow, occasionally-niche-but-not-alienating, sweet and sometimes-sexy romance in the New Adult/Romcom genre, I would definitely recommend Conventionally Yours.
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Popular Highlights in this book
She was proud of me, but where had she been when I’d needed her most? Their love had been conditional, and that was no love at all.Highlighted by 306 Kindle readers- It had been so easy to feel like damaged goods the past year, but when I’d told Alden that we weren’t imperfect, I’d actually believed it myself.Highlighted by 276 Kindle readers
- My old mantra of one more turn had become an infinite number of turns, both mundane and earth-shattering, all adding up to a life I wouldn’t trade for anything.Highlighted by 260 Kindle readers
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About the author
Slow burn, enemies to lovers, and a road trip!
While I enjoyed reading this one (I needed the audio to continue listening when I couldn't be actively reading) I felt like something was missing. It may have been the chemistry between these two not really working for me, but I also think it is just that new adult romances don't always hit right with me. This is slow burn, but at times just felt slow without the burn - give me the burn!Conrad and Alden were both relatable and likable characters. They are finding their way and as they find their way they just become more likable to me.These two do not get along. They snipe at each other constantly and that vibe was so real it hit a chord with me. Have you ever been around someone who just rubs you the wrong way? Everything they say or do you can read something else into it? And that something else is 99% negative. Yeah, that was these two - I felt it and I understood it!And then they progressed past their dislike by getting to know each other and it was endearing.The story is relatively low in steam, which is a bit of a detour from Albert's usual fare. It is also a bit gaming heavy. And, for someone like me, all of the game play went right over my head. There was enough of it that at times it felt redundant and tiring to read.But, if you like all the tropes, this one had them!🔸Rivals to lovers🔸Frenemies vibe🔸Slow burn🔸Virgin🔸Forced proximity🔸Just. One. Bed.🔸Road trip (!!)If you like gaming, frenemies or any of the other tropes above, you will likely enjoy this book.
Top reviews from other countries
Laura
Book came with creases and a couple of stains. This isn't a new book,
Reviewed in Mexico on May 20, 2022
Kristel Greer
Geeky and Fun
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2022
Kristel Greer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2022
I read Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert.
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Conrad is the charming and popular one in the gaming group. He seems to be confident and know who he is but secretly he is insecure, disowned by his family due to his sexuality and his life is falling apart. Alden is reserved, determined and unruffled but inside he is conflicted about what he wants from his future (especially as he wasn’t accepted to the courses he chose), living up to the high expectations of his mothers and dealing with being neurodiverse.
They spar regularly during their Odyssey games. Conrad is a clever, risk-taking player but lacks a good deck. Alden has cultivated the perfect deck and plays with singlemindedness and precision. They knock heads due to their opposite personalities and playing styles. When they get the opportunity to compete at the Odyssey Game tournament with their fellow gamers for a huge monetary prize and the opportunity to work for Odyssey themselves. They are forced to travel together by car (against their wills) to the convention because (a) Conrad can't afford the airfare and (b) Alden is terrified to fly.
The journey starts with a mutual friend but they return home early on. They must continue together and the daily time spent together in very close quarters leads to a burgeoning friendship which slowly turns to deeper feelings. When they are required to directly compete for the Odyssey prize which both so desperately need will they figure out what's important to them or will they sacrifice their potential relationship for the money and glory?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. As a geeky nerd who both loves conventions and fandom life this book gave me good vibes. I liked that the geeky parts were celebrated instead of belittled. The complicated yet adorable relationship between Conrad and Alden was emotional, compelling and their progression from frenemies to being in love felt real. I liked that they both had personal issues that others didn’t know about but eventually were able to share with each other. The addition of cute photos of the trip throughout the book was a lovely and welcome bonus.
Images in this review
Sandra
3.5 adorable 🌟
Reviewed in Spain on September 26, 2021
Sandra
Reviewed in Spain on September 26, 2021
Alden and Connor are our MCs. Since they first met each other they didn't fit: Connor is a complete extrovert while Alden has 0 social skills. Alden is too direct for all of them, and Connor feels like he belittles him with every comment and correction he makes. At the same time, Alden kind of envies Connor's easygoing attitude and secretly admires his ability to improvise.
One day, Professor Tuttle, the creator of their vlog, tells them he has tickets for a convention all of them want to attend. Tickets are not cheap and that's a opportunity no one wants to let go. But not everything is easy... Alden can't fly and Connor, even though no one them is aware of his situation, is nearly homeless and doesn't have much money to spend. When the Professor suggest road tripping so that they can stop in different game shops to create content in their way to Vegas, our guys are not sure that's a good idea. Is the con worth the pain of being trapped together in a car for days and days?
The answer is yes, and so their journey begins.
I'm not going to say more about the story from here on because this was barely they first chapters and you should discover what happens to them while reading. Obviously, both Alden and Connor will have the chance to further know each other and will discover they are not who the other expected.
Closeness and getting to know their real shelves will change things between them and their trip to Vegas will not be as they imagined. What's really important? Winning? Enjoying life? That's something they will have to decide.
This kind of couples do it for me. Not gonna lie. I love how open Connor is, how supporting and easy to be with. And I love even more the awkward and insecure Alden. It's a powerful mix that works so very nicely.
Seeing them go from sworn enemies to start being affected by the other's proximity, to start noticing how cute they are and wanting to touch, kiss and to be an emotional support... That's what made this story so cute.
Also, this was not only about two guys falling in love. It was about facades and what we think of other's lives vs. reality. It was about not being perfect, about families, about good and bad parenting. It was about deciding our future, about discovering what we like and what we'd love to do in the future.
If you are looking for a sweet read with charming characters, you should check this one. I'm definitely reading the next one. I'm waiting for it to get to my home and I'm reading Jasper's story as soon as it's on my hands.
Images in this review
Kindle-Kunde
Super süße Liebesgeschichte mit tollen Hauptcharakteren
Reviewed in Germany on November 17, 2020