Standalone Sunday May 28th Win Some Lose Some by Shay Savage YA review

Standalone Sunday is a feature created by Megan@bookslayereads where each Sunday a standalone book (not part of a series) that I loved or would recommend will be featured!

I love that meme as it takes little time to do (I’m always running like the real busy bee I am) AND I get to promote a book I really loved. This is the perfect idea for me! If you want to play, feel free but don’t forget to tag Megan’s blog.

This Sunday I choose to feature a YA contemporary book with a flawed hero. I have a particular fondness for flawed heroes and Matthew fits that category to a T as he suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome.

I feature: Win Some Lose Some by Shay Savage and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

For Matthew Rohan, every day is a struggle. Each task others complete without thinking is a challenge for him. Recently orphaned, he has to finish the last few months of high school and take care of his disabled sister on his own.

When Mayra comes into his life, his comfortable routines implode. Matthew can’t handle change, but Mayra is unrelenting in her quest to understand him, to show him acceptance and maybe even love. When she breaks through his shell, Matthew’s world will never be the same again.

An awkward boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, a persistent girl who pulls him out of his isolated existence, and a lottery ticket that will change their lives forever.

5 touching and giggling stars.

I bought this one the day of its release and I’m happy I did it! Matthew and Mayra’s story was everything I was looking for. It was moving, funny, thoughtful, enlightening, a little bit heartbreaking and wonderful!

Matthew is eighteen and on the mild side of autism spectrum. He suffers from Asperger syndrome. Orphaned for one year, he lives alone his last year of high school. His uncle Travis and aunt Bethany wanted him to come live with them but he is determined to make it on his own.

Shay did a great job writing about all the stress and ordeals people suffering from autism face every day. Each and every time something changes, does not fall in their routine it can push them in panic attack. Matthew is no exception and is seen as a freak at school.
He has no real friends as it’s not easy for him to connect with people, to read emotions and say the appropriate things. He can’t look people in the eyes. He can shut down and silence people around him when he feels threatened, out of control. Not many social skills indeed.
Now he also is very smart, considerate, has an insanely hot body and would confess his undying love for cake, especially the chocolate variety.

On a fateful day, he is “forced” to work with Mayra Trevino on an ecological project about bees (I kid you not!). Mayra Trevino is the co-captain of the soccer team. She is gorgeous, popular and I loved that girl! She is patient, caring, really understanding of Matthew’s condition.

That book made me snicker and giggle so hard people in my doctor’s waiting room must think I am the freak by now!
I can’t resist sharing some gems with you. Just enjoy!

Matthew’s car broke and he is walking in the heavy rain when Mayra offers him a lift. It’s really hard for him to enter this unknown car with a driver that could be careless but she is very determined and it’s pouring and… he sits in her vintage Porsche thinking:

”I became increasingly aware that I was in a vintage vehicle with the beautiful and popular Mayra Trevino, and I was about as ill-prepared to talk to her as I was to give her a gynecological exam.”

Now later in the book, his uncle realizes he could potentially have a girlfriend and wants him to protect himself. Here is how their discussion went, knowing people suffering from autism take everything literally most of the time:

”I know Kyle gave you “the talk” when you were younger”. “The talk?…What talk?” “The sex talk!” “Yes” “I’d guess that talk was probably pretty…mechanical in nature.” “You can use machines?” I asked. “

I nearly peed my pants with this one!!!

And just a last one, funny but also really touching as it shows how Matthew was sometimes lost in life, did not dare hope living a “normal “ life with a girlfriend but wishing for it really hard anyway.
Every new situation he could encounter, every change has to be prepared. He has to be guided through it, repeating and rehearsing what might happen countless times. He is with his aunt Bethany:

”Do you remember when you couldn’t order pizza over the phone? Can you do that now?” “Yes but I have to work up to it a little”. “So we’ll work on getting you ready to ask Mayra out the same way we worked on ordering pizza. I’ll be Mayra and you ask me. We’ll keep doing it until you think you got it.” “But…” I hesitated. “What is it?” “But the pizza place never says no!”

So we established this book was funny but it also was very touching and a little heartbreaking when Matthew doubted about himself. He was alone, knew of his condition and realized he was very high maintenance. How could he hope going out with a girl? He wanted to give Mayra the best and he couldn’t even go up to her front door, couldn’t even stop the car. She deserved the best and he did see all his flaws and none of his assets. My eyes were leaking…

I think I fell in love with Mayra’s character as much as I fell in love with Matthew’s. They were both extraordinary persons, caring and courageous. I admire Mayra because as much as Matthew is kind, considerate, smart and everything else he still IS very high maintenance and she knew it would sometimes be no picnic to love him.

This is an exceptionally “feel good” book, one that will put a big smile to your face and tears in your eyes.

Convinced? Grab your copy HERE

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