You’re the One That I Want

Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2022

Shortlisted for The Diverse Book Awards 2022

Shortlisted for the KSC Book Awards

WINNER - Bristol Teen Book Awards 2021

Featured in The Guardian’s ‘50 Hottest New Books Everyone Should Read’.

‘One to Watch’ - The Bookseller

“A hilariously rude, sweetly addictive YA romance”
— The Guardian

“A pitch-perfect queer romcom…“

- Waterstones

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According to the rule, Freddie has to say "yes".

Freddie is unremarkable - too unremarkable. He doesn't stand out in any way, and in fact teachers and fellow students keep forgetting who he is.

Even his mum thinks he's a disappointment, and spends almost all her time at work, producing a TV show. After a particularly awful night when he embarrasses himself in front of Jasper Perry (the gorgeous teen star of his mum's new show), Freddie decides to follow a new, proactive philosophy designed to transform his social and romantic life: saying 'yes' to every opportunity. It works! Freddie finds himself auditioning for the school musical (Grease), actually going to parties, and flirting with hot new boy Zach!

He's becoming a whole new Freddie - maybe even one that his mum might be proud of. But the path to love is never smooth, and sometimes getting things very wrong is an important part of figuring out what - and who - you really want. A hilarious, heart-pulling read from one of the UK's leading writers of LGBTQ+ teen fiction. 

“In a troubled world, a new book from Simon James Green is always a joy... Heartfelt and hilarious”
— Attitude Magazine
“We love this book!”
— Gay's the Word
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Simon says…

My fifth YA novel is probably best described as the cast of Sex Education put on a production of Grease, meets Bridget Jones… if Bridget Jones was a gay teenage boy who couldn't be arsed to actually keep a diary. If you’ve enjoyed my previous books, it has everything you’ll be expecting: awkward teenage boys, gay disasters, enemies to lovers, and plenty of laughs. But I also got to write about a topic very close to my heart - theatre kids! I was a total theatre kid growing up, and I’ve really enjoyed showcasing the world of school productions (and teen TV shows!) in this book - complete with all the drama and backstabbing that comes with it. I can’t wait for you to meet Freddie, Zach, Jasper and the gang! Simon. x

“Heartwarming. A beautiful gay coming-of-age story”
— The Nerd Daily
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