That Time I Fell in Love With Ari & Dante: A Book Review

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Hello Loves!

We’re still in the throws of week 2 of August! I’m sure many of you know this is prime back to school season! While I’m lucky that my grad classes don’t start up again until September, I still absolutely love the rush of the last few weeks of summer. I enjoy walking the aisles of Target piling my basket up with back to school supplies–there is no other feeling like it haha. Hmm maybe I’ll do a Back To School giveaway of some kind closer to September. Let me know down below if that would interest you! Also, speaking of giveaways: I’m planning on hosting an Instagram giveaway once I hit 500 followers. So if you’re not following me then check out my account here & spread the word! 🙂

Today’s review is on a book that I absolutely fell in love with. These characters were so genuine and I just loved seeing them develop over the course of the book. Check out below for all the details!

Also, if you’re sort on time, then check out my Need to Know section for a quick summary of my review!

Ownership: Borrowed from the library 
Genre: YA romance; LGBTQIA+ 
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Published: 2012
Pages: 359
Price: $9.99 (paperback)
Place: Amazon, B & N, Book Depository, GoodReads, IndieBound

My Rating:

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz follows Aristotle and his friendship with Dante. The two boys quickly develop a friendship. But over time their friendship faces multiple hurdles and Ari & Dante will have to bond together to over come them.
• This story was just wonderful! I flew through it so fast and fell in love with Ari and Dante. I enjoyed watching Ari & Dante grow both together and separately.
• Besides, Ari and Dante, I also really loved their respective parents. I felt within this novel that both set of parents were very present throughout the novel. I liked seeing Ari’s relationship develop with his father.
• Also, I thought it was great that both parents were supportive of Ari and Dante. Not every story showcases a positive parent reaction to LGBTQIA+ children. And I thought it was really great that Sáenz included these positive reactions.
• Sáenz does an amazing job of bringing this story to life. His writing draws me in and never lets me go.
• 5 Stars!! Overall, I highly recommend this book if you haven’t read it yet. It’s a great mix of coming of age and first love.

Quotes

It was the most beautiful thing an adult who wasn’t my mom or dad had ever said to me. And I knew that there was something about me that Mrs. Quintana saw and loved. And even though I felt it was a beautiful thing, I also felt it was a weight. Not that she meant it to be a weight. But love was always something heavy for me. Something I had to carry. (p. 244)

Another secret of the universe: Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer morning could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder. (p. 261)

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you’ve read this book! If you have, what are your thoughts on Ari & Dante? Ari & his parents? Dante’s parents? Have a favorite scene or quote? Let me know in the comments below! 

As always, Happy Reading!

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