This book was everywhere in 2022. It was a Goodreads Choice award winner for best fiction and won Book of the Month’s “Book of the Year” prize. I was intrigued when I first read the synopsis, but I wasn’t sure I’d be super into it. I love playing video games, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a book about video game development. It kept popping up for me as a suggestion, and I kept seeing everyone rave about it. The more praise I read, the more intrigued I became. Finally, I bought a copy, and it sat on my shelf for a while because I was afraid I’d be let down (which is typically what happens when I read a book when the buzz is still buzzing.) Finally, I figured enough time had passed that I could pick it up and not have the pressure of all the hype hanging over me. While I enjoyed the book and the writing, I wasn’t as obsessed as many other readers were.

In this book, readers meet our main characters – Sam Masur and Sadie Green – who met as kids when Sadie’s sister was in the hospital, and Sadie wandered into a room where she found Sam playing Super Mario Brothers. Sam had survived an accident that took the life of his mother and mangled one of his feet. Days and then months pass, and Sam and Sadie grow close but eventually grow apart over a petty argument. One day, several years later, Sam and Sadie are both on the other side of the country attending college. Sam runs into Sadie while exiting a subway, and soon their friendship blossoms again. It’s not long before the two of them develop a video game of their own, and it releases to great success. However, as they navigate the complexities of fame, success, and struggles, their relationship is tested in ways they never could have imagined.

While I wasn’t as blown away by the novel as others, I very much enjoyed the characters, and Zevin’s writing style is nothing short of captivating. She manages to bring the characters and settings to life in a way that is both relatable and enchanting. I loved the book’s structure and how it framed Sadie and Sam’s relationship against the world of video games. It seamlessly alternates between the past and the present without being jarring. Each page is filled with depth and emotion, leaving readers with a sense of introspection and wonder long after they have finished the book.

I also enjoyed the fact that there were elements of romance here, but it’s not exactly a love story. While there is romance at the heart of the novel, it is not the typical boy-meets-girl narrative. The dynamic between Sam and Sadie is intense and multifaceted, drawing readers in and keeping them invested in their journey from start to finish. It also looks at friendships between straight men and women in a way that feels fresh. Many people feel like straight cis males and females can’t have platonic relationships, but Sadie and Sam are prime examples of how they can work. Sure, feelings arise along the way, but that’s life. Their relationship felt very realistic to me.

Sam and Sadie face numerous challenges and setbacks throughout the story, forcing them to confront their limitations and insecurities. However, it is through these struggles that they grow and evolve, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. There are a lot of heavy topics between the pages: suicide, mental health, racism, anti-semitism, gun violence, and grief, to name a few – but the author handles all with care.

Overall, I found this to be a beautifully crafted novel that celebrates the power of love, friendship, and personal growth. I wonder if I might have been more in love with this one had I not gone in with such high expectations. I blame the buzz – or my waiting so long to finally read it. Regardless, I still enjoyed the engaging storyline and complex characters.