Book

The Temperature of Me and You

by Brian Zepka

📖 Overview

Dylan has lived a quiet life in suburbia, working at his local frozen yogurt shop. When a new customer named Jordan walks in, Dylan is instantly drawn to him—but their connection leads to strange occurrences, as Jordan seems to raise the temperature of everything around him. As Dylan and Jordan grow closer, Dylan starts experiencing inexplicable symptoms and temperature fluctuations of his own. Their relationship becomes complicated by mounting scientific mysteries and the involvement of a shadowy research organization. With elements of romance, science fiction, and coming-of-age narratives, this YA novel explores themes of identity, trust, and the transformative power of human connection. The story raises questions about the intersection of science and emotion while centering LGBTQ+ youth experiences.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this YA romance as a unique twist on the typical high school love story with its sci-fi elements and LGBTQ+ representation. Positive feedback focuses on: - The chemistry between Dylan and Jordan - Light, fun tone despite serious themes - Fast-paced plot - Representation of gay teens in a sci-fi context Common criticisms: - Scientific explanations feel unrealistic - Character development lacks depth - Plot becomes repetitive - Secondary characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) BookBrowse: 3.8/5 Sample reader comments: "Perfect blend of sweet romance and sci-fi elements" - Goodreads reviewer "The science makes no sense if you think about it too hard" - Amazon reviewer "Would have liked more backstory for the side characters" - BookBrowse reviewer Most readers position it as an entertaining read but not groundbreaking within the YA genre.

📚 Similar books

In Deeper Waters by Alex Rowland A fantasy romance between a prince and a mysterious boy with magical powers unfolds amid secrets of identity and supernatural abilities.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer Two boys on a spacecraft discover their mission holds dangerous secrets while navigating their growing attraction and questions about reality.

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell An arranged marriage between two men from different planets becomes complicated by political intrigue and unexplained deaths.

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski A forbidden romance develops between two young women as they uncover the truth about their society's magical restrictions and hierarchies.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia A student at an elite school for future wives becomes entangled in both political rebellion and an illicit romance while questioning her society's rigid structure.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔥 Author Brian Zepka drew from his background as a research scientist at a children's hospital to create scientifically-grounded elements in this YA sci-fi romance. 🧬 The book explores the real scientific concept of thermogenesis (heat production in organisms), though taken to fantastical extremes for the story. 💕 This LGBTQ+ romance was Zepka's debut novel, published in 2022 by Disney-Hyperion. 🌡️ The main character Dylan's body temperature of 108°F would typically be fatal in real humans, as temperatures above 106°F can cause severe organ damage. 🎬 The novel has been optioned for television development by Temple Hill Entertainment, the production company behind "Love, Simon" and "The Fault in Our Stars."