Cramming at Randy's by Alex Silver is the second in the shared world series Diner Days. It takes gender affirmation, a little angst and a lot of sweetness all rolled into a perfect mixture of adorable. A beautiful story about self discovery, growth, friendship, and love.
From the blurb:
These study buddies are getting randy.
When Ray transfers to university in Boston, he has every intention of using his new start in a new city to step out of the closet. His family knows he’s bi, but he hasn’t quite figured out how to tell them he isn’t the daughter they always thought of him as. His first new friend, Jordie, is the one who gives him the courage to follow through on living as himself. Ray has Jordie pegged as the one he wants to take from study buddy to steady date—he just needs to figure out how to get Jordie to see him as partner material.
With graduation in their sights, Jordie isn’t looking to mentor another baby queer. Let alone get tangled up in a messy crush after he imprints on them. But there’s something intoxicating about helping Ray embrace his gender euphoria. Is it really such a wild idea to turn their study dates at Randy’s into a love connection?
Love beyond the binary: serving up low angst trans romance at Randy’s Diner.
Cramming at Randy's is an X/X friends to lovers standalone romance between a newly out demiboy transfer student and an openly genderqueer older student who helps him find the confidence to be himself.
Molly Otto's review:
Ray moves to Boston to learn to be their true authentic self without the pressure of family to hold them back. At university, they meet Jordie, an openly beautiful gender queer student who guides them and eventually falls for. These two have a sweet innocent to them in ways while being hot when not in public. Yes, Ray is learning their identity still as a demiboy, but not their sexuality as bisexual. I think that is what helps Jordie, who has been burned in the past, be more open with the idea of a relationship. Their is an underlying angst throughout the story, but to be honest, it makes the story feel more real for me. Yes, they are sweet, but you feel the tension of understanding ones true self to be open and free. The meeting of the families on both sides is beautiful and hilarious in different ways, just showing how much of a support system they have.
Alex Silver beautifully wrote about two trans characters who are on different journeys together. One who's further along in the transition and acceptance of themselves, and the other who's new to the journey but is craving to be himself.
I loved this story, I genuinely loved everything about it. The background details, the main characters, the side characters, the dialogue, the awkward conversations, the pining that occurs between the MC's, I just loved everything! This story was just created and written so beautifully and was truly outstanding. I'm so happy to see more characters who don't fit the 'mold'.
I adored the message that Jordie tells Ray.. about how Ray doesn't have to conform to other people's version of masculinity, or what a man 'should' look like, or what they 'should' sound like... As long as Ray is happy with how he looks, and he's happy that his outside matches the version of him that's inside, that's all that matters. I just found that message, along with that moment, to be so beautiful because it's true! I wish that more people felt that way, and thought about things from that perspective more often.
Jordie's character was fabulous! They are so bubbly, open, and accepting. Even though they were weary about opening themselves up to another person on their queer journey, they still did what they could to help Ray. To give Ray the support and encouragement he so desperately wanted, and needed. I thought the relationship between Jordie and Ray was written expertly! They took their time to get to know one another, to let those feelings bubble underneath the surface, and that also gave Ray more time to feel more comfortable with himself. I love that their relationship gave off that friends-to-lovers vibe, I loved it!!
The side characters are just as important as the MC's are, they weren't just there to add unneeded dialogue. They provided wonderful dialogue that not only helped gain more insight into the support system Jordie has, but they also helped Ray come out of his shell. They helped him along his self discovery journey too, and made sure he knew they were his friends too, not just Jordie's. They also provided comedic dialogue, in addition to just being great characters!
I loved both Jordie's family, along with Ray's. The love that poured out of each family was so beautiful, and so heartwarming. I'm so glad that both of these characters have such supportive family members by their sides.
All in all, a truly magnificent story with wonderful representation of characters going through different experiences on their journeys to becoming their true selves.
Heather's Review:
A beautiful friendship becomes a beautiful relationship as two queer college students find friendship and acceptance with each other and explore their connection.
I love watching Ray emerge from his cocoon and Jordie continue to embrace their fabulousness... I also love that they talk about their gender affirming care and not only support each other, but start their medical journeys at the same time!
I truly appreciated the found family friend group, as well as way the families were written.
This story has little relationship angst, but just enough real life angst about introducing the world to their authentic selves. It was a beautiful story and a wonderful addition tot he Diner Days series. It can be read standalone, however all of the Diner Days books I've read have been amazing and wonderful, so read them all!
Cramming at Randy's is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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