Books › Holding Up the Universe
Holding Up the Universe
646 pages
A tender, dual-perspective romance about the profound relief of finally being seen for who you truly are.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into the messy, vulnerable hearts of two teenagers who are desperately trying to hide in plain sight. The narrative unfolds at a steady, character-driven pace, alternating between two distinct voices that are both fiercely guarded and aching for connection. It carries a mood that is at once bittersweet and deeply hopeful, balancing the heavy realities of grief, bullying, and physical insecurities with moments of profound tenderness and wit. The prose is accessible and emotionally direct, making it easy to slip into the protagonists' shoes as they navigate the cruelties of high school. It is a perfect fit for readers who love issue-driven contemporary YA, offering a deeply empathetic journey about dropping your armor and the quiet, world-shifting magic of finally being truly seen.
- Mood
- tender
- intimate
- bittersweet
- uplifting
- Tone
- earnest
- empathetic
- vulnerable
- hopeful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- the desire to be seen · overcoming internalized shame · navigating grief · the masks we wear · body acceptance
- The writing
- Accessible and emotionally direct, utilizing distinct dual perspectives that feel conversational and deeply personal.
- The arc
- Moves from profound isolation and hidden pain toward a tender, hard-won connection and self-acceptance.
- Who it's for
- Fans of issue-driven YA romance who crave stories about misunderstood teens finding solace and visibility in one another.
Content notes
- fatphobia and bullying
- grief and loss of a parent
- anxiety
About the book
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Description from Open Library.
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