Page Powars has crafted a delightfully complex young adult romance that tackles identity, belonging, and second chances with remarkable authenticity in And They Were Roommates. This boarding school romance succeeds in delivering both swoon-worthy moments and meaningful representation, though it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitious plotting.
A Story of Hidden Hearts and Second Chances
Charlie von Hevringprinz arrives at the prestigious Valentine Academy for Boys with a carefully constructed plan: keep his head down, maintain his Excellence Scholarship, and above all, protect his identity as the school’s only transgender student. What he doesn’t anticipate is being assigned the worst possible roommate—Jasper Grimes, the charismatic poet who unknowingly broke Charlie’s heart two years prior at summer camp, before Charlie’s transition.
The delicious irony that Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie becomes the driving force of this enemies-to-lovers tale. Powars expertly weaves Charlie’s internal struggle between wanting to remain invisible and his growing involvement with STRIP (Student Tutoring Remediation Interdisciplinary Program), a century-old secret society that delivers love letters between the brother and sister academies.
Character Development That Resonates
Charlie: A Complex and Authentic Protagonist
Charlie emerges as one of the most compelling YA protagonists in recent memory. Powars avoids the trap of making his transgender identity his only defining characteristic, instead crafting a fully realized teenager grappling with:
- Academic pressure as an Excellence Scholar who must maintain top-five rankings
- Social anxiety stemming from his need to remain undetected
- Complex family dynamics with a well-meaning but sometimes overwhelming mother
- The universal struggle of fitting in at a new school
The author’s portrayal of Charlie’s dysphoria, his relationship with his body, and his navigation of an all-boys environment feels authentic without being exploitative. Charlie’s growth from a terrified, isolated student to someone who finds his voice and community is genuinely moving.
Jasper: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Initially appearing as the archetypal vain, privileged poet, Jasper reveals surprising depth as the story progresses. His “principal’s nephew privileges” could have made him insufferable, but Powars subverts expectations by showing Jasper’s loneliness and genuine care for others. The revelation that he’s been searching for Charlie (unknowingly) for two years adds layers to what could have been a shallow love interest.
However, Jasper’s character development feels slightly rushed in places, particularly his realization about his sexuality, which could have benefited from more gradual exploration.
The Magic and Mayhem of STRIP
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of STRIP, the secret love letter society. This subplot provides both comic relief and emotional weight, showcasing the lengths students will go to maintain connections across the rigid divide between academies. The “Unspoken Guidelines” that Charlie discovers throughout his time at Valentine Academy serve as brilliant world-building elements that highlight the school’s suffocating traditions while providing moments of levity.
The supporting cast of STRIP members—Xavier the gentle giant, Robby the horse-obsessed academic, and twelve-year-old genius Blaze with his dramatic flair—adds richness to Charlie’s journey. Each character feels distinct and contributes meaningfully to both the plot and Charlie’s personal growth.
Writing Style: Wit Meets Heart
Powars demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance humor with genuine emotion. The narrative voice captures Charlie’s anxiety and self-doubt while maintaining enough wit to keep readers engaged. Lines like “Unspoken Guideline 6: Valentine can do whatever the hell they want” showcase the author’s talent for injecting personality into exposition.
The pacing generally works well, though the middle section occasionally feels bogged down by the mechanics of the love letter scheme. The author’s decision to structure chapters with literary titles adds a clever touch that reinforces the academic setting.
Representation Done Right
This novel excels in its representation without falling into the trap of trauma porn. Charlie’s transgender identity is integral to his character and the plot, but the story doesn’t revolve solely around transphobia or discrimination. Instead, Powars focuses on the universal experiences of adolescence—finding your place, dealing with academic pressure, and navigating first love—while authentically incorporating the specific challenges Charlie faces.
The book also features positive queer representation in supporting characters like Luis, whose casual confidence about his sexuality provides a nice contrast to Charlie’s more complicated journey.
Where the Story Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, And They Were Roommates isn’t without flaws:
Pacing Issues
- The buildup to the winter mixer feels slightly rushed after the careful development of earlier chapters
- Some plot threads, particularly around P.M. Laframboise’s return, feel underdeveloped
- The resolution of Charlie’s scholarship concerns happens almost too easily
Supporting Character Development
While the STRIP members are charming, some relationships feel surface-level. Xavier’s backstory with his ambassador father and Delilah’s struggles with the ranking system could have been explored more deeply to strengthen the ensemble cast.
Themes That Matter
Powars tackles several important themes with sensitivity and insight:
- The pressure of perfectionism – Charlie’s struggle with the ranking system reflects real academic anxiety
- Found family – The STRIP members become Charlie’s chosen family
- The courage to be vulnerable – Both Charlie and Jasper must learn to open their hearts despite past hurt
- Challenging tradition – And They Were Roommates questions institutional rigidity while respecting meaningful traditions
Comparisons and Context
Readers who enjoyed Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall or Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas will likely connect with Charlie’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The boarding school setting evokes classics like Dead Poets Society, while the secret society elements recall works like The Secret History by Donna Tartt, though with a much lighter, more romantic tone.
And They Were Roommates is Powars’ second novel, following The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, and shows marked improvement in character development and plot complexity.
Final Verdict: A Romance Worth Reading
And They Were Roommates succeeds as both a compelling romance and meaningful representation. While it may not achieve the literary heights of authors like Casey McQuiston, Powars has created a story that will resonate with readers seeking authentic queer YA romance. The novel’s greatest achievement is making Charlie’s specific experiences feel universal, creating a story about belonging that will speak to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
For readers seeking LGBTQ+ romance with heart, humor, and genuine emotional stakes, this book delivers on its promises. Despite minor pacing issues and some underdeveloped subplots, the central romance between Charlie and Jasper provides enough warmth and authenticity to make this a worthwhile addition to any YA collection.
- Perfect for: Fans of boarding school settings, second-chance romances, and readers seeking positive transgender representation in YA fiction.
- Content warnings: Brief mentions of deadnaming, family pressure, and academic stress—all handled sensitively within the narrative context.