“I really must have caught a bad case of heterosexualitis. A pandemic that has plagued humanity since the very dawn of time and yet for which, shockingly, there’s still no known cure.”
Rating: 3 stars
Release date: 04/05/2023
Publisher: Penguin
CW: Bullying, homophobia
About the Author:
CALUM MCSWIGGAN is an author, presenter, and LGBTQ+ advocate. He’s worked for Attitude magazine, written for the Metro, Gay Times and PinkNews, and was recently placed in the Guardian’s list of the 50 most influential LGBTQ+ figures. Putting LGBTQ+ stories at the heart of everything he does, he’s produced award- winning films that have been showcased at film festivals around the world and racked up over 10 million views on his online videos.
The brilliant debut novel from author, presenter and LGBTQ+ advocate Calum McSwiggan!
Seventeen-year-old Max has always been out, proud and just a little spoiled. Frustrated by the lack of romantic options in his small-town high school, during an argument with his lifelong best friend Dean, Max lashes out and says he wishes he had never been born gay.
Max gets more than he bargained for when he wakes up to find his wish has come true – not only have his feelings for boys vanished, but so has Dean.
With his school life turned upside down and his relationship with his family in tatters, Max sets out on a journey of rediscovery to find a way back to the life he took for granted, and the romance he thought he’d never have.
A deliciously romantic YA debut that’s What If It’s Us and One Last Stop!
Straight Expectations was an easy to read YA romance where, for most of the book, our main character just can’t fancy his love interest.
I thought it was a really interesting way to examine Max’s white gay privilege. He is surrounded by people who constantly call him out on it, but he doesn’t notice it until it’s not there. It makes him realise what he takes for granted, and also what he can do to support everyone else.
There was a host of really interesting characters in this – I particularly loved the side characters.
Straight Expectations was a fun YA romance, that makes you realise how big an impact just the little actions can have on a community.
The Indecisive Readers 