‘I want what the straight kids have. Even just for a couple of days…’
Seventeen-year-old Max might be out and proud but he’s usually too busy checking his nail polish to check his privilege.
So when he says he wishes he could have the ‘easy’ life straight kids enjoy, Max gets more than he bargained for. He wakes up to find his wish has come true – not only have his feelings for boys vanished, so has his lifelong best friend Dean.
With his world turned upside down and relationships in tatters, can Max find his way back to the life he took for granted, and maybe even win the heart of the guy he thought could never be his…?
What If It’s Us meets One Last Stop in this deliciously swoony queer romance.
About the author:
Calum McSwiggan is an author, presenter and LGBTQ+ advocate. He’s worked for Attitude Magazine, written for the Metro, Gay Times and PinkNews, and was recently placed in The Guardian’s list of the 50 most influential LGBT+ figures. Putting LGBTQ+ stories at the heart of everything he does, he’s produced award-winning films that have been showcased at film festivals around the world, and racked up over 10 million views on his online videos.
"Freaky Friday meets Big in this thought-provoking teen romcom" Attitude
"A delightfully queer page-turner with a powerful message, Straight Expectations should be on every rom-com reader's bookshelf. There's no shortage of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy moments in Calum McSwiggan's debut." Robbie Couch
"Straight Expectations is a refreshingly unique, beautifully queer take on a familiar trope, packed with endless adorable moments, sugar sweetness and laugh-out-loud hilarity. Don't miss out on this utterly charming, heart-melting rom-com from a new voice to watch in the queer YA world!" Sophie Gonzales
"Straight Expectations blends classic rom-com with a heartfelt examination of what it is to be queer, and how it's so much more than just a matter of attraction. McSwiggan's love of his community and culture are on dazzling display here, in a well-crafted and swoony novel of learning to fall in love with yourself, as well as the cute boy." L C Rosen
By turns outrageous, heartfelt, funny and tender, _Straight Expectations_ is a thought provoking exploration of identity and what makes us who we are. Calum McSwiggan is a fabulous new voice on the YA scene. Simon James Green