How to be Remy Cameron Book Review

Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He’s the out-and-proud, super-likable guy who friends, faculty, and fellow students alike admire for his cheerful confidence. The only person who isn’t entirely sure about Remy Cameron is Remy himself. Under pressure to write an A+ essay defining who he is and who he wants to be, Remy embarks on an emotional journey toward reconciling the outward labels people attach to him with the real Remy Cameron within.

From the author of the bestselling novel Running With Lions, a story about overcoming the labels that try to define our lives

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How to be Remy Cameron, written by Julian Winters, was my second read of February 2021 and let me tell you, it was so damn cute and heartwarming with just the right amount of angst to propel the plot forward. Winters’ second novel focuses on Remy, a young, black, gay, adopted teen living in the suburbs outside of Atlanta, Georgia who struggles with an AP Lit Essay of Doom about who he is and who he wants to become. He’s desperate to ace the assignment in hopes to get into his
dream college once he graduates, despite only being a junior, and as most high schoolers do, makes a mountain out of a mole hill. This inevitably sends Remy on a journey of self-discovery about the labels people give him and who he really is.

Something I must commend Winters for is the development of
his characters in this book. I haven’t read his first novel, Running With Lions, although I definitely plan to, but the characters in How to be Remy Cameron are just *chefs kiss*. I love them so much. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. Except for Ford and Liam. It’s just that, every character in this book is so distinct and unique in their own way, whether it’s their quirks or their talents or their sarcastic humor. As a writer, I can tell how dear these
characters are to Winters, and he wrote them fabulously.

And of course, Remy’s love interest throughout the book, Ian
*immediate heart eyes*. Honestly, the cutest slow burn romance ever, but once it takes off, there’s no turning back. Ian and Remy’s relationship throughout the book just makes my heart smile. It’s just so gay and so wholesome.

Speaking of wholesome, the amount of lovely interactions and progressive representation makes this book stand out from the
crowd to me. Not to mention that beautiful book cover! Winters does a fantastic job incorporating lessons in a digestible way for young adults who will pick up and read this book. Awesome novel. I’m so glad I had the privilege to read it, and I can’t wait to read more from him.

You can purchase his novel here.