The Bookish Mindset

Overview:

Title: I Can’t Even Think Straight
Author: Dean Atta
Published: May 2025
Genre: Romance
Themes: Coming of age

One sentence summary: Coming out for Kai didn’t quite go as he had planned, but the freedom he finds as a result makes it all worthwhile, even if his best friend Matt isn’t ready to come out yet.

One sentence review: Atta has knocked it out of the park again, a beautiful novel with nods to his previous work.

Review:

Kai’s coming out isn’t quite as he planned, but it’s a relief to now live as he wants. Matt isn’t ready to yet but he’s got it planned. 

As best friends, they’d originally planned to stay in the closet together, but with Kai’s coming out, their friendship is becoming strained. 

Atta is back with another YA novel in verse and it’s simply gorgeous. 

The structure adds pace and with short chapters and beautiful page design keeps you turning the pages. 

Kai and Matt aren’t perfect but they’re easy to root for, one more than the other sometimes(!), and they’re just trying to find their way. It’s not always in the same route but they always want the best for each other. They’re two teens figuring out how to live their own lives and it’s lovely to see a glimpse 

Fans of The Black Flamingo will love this one as well, especially the reference (I swooned here). And if you’ve not read either The Black Flamingo or I Can’t Even Think Straight then I need you to change that soon.

Are you planning to pick this one up?

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And don’t forget to check out my other blogs and reviews – you can find books with similar themes in the same folder link below, or click back onto blogs to see the whole offering.

Last updated 02/01/2026