4/5 ( )

Perfect!! I could not have asked for a better sequel to Winger.

Ryan Dean is back at Pine Mountain for his senior year, but he's still haunted by his junior year. With his mental health on already on shaky ground, the powers that be have decided to put Ryan Dean in a room with a 12 year-old claustrophobic who only watches the culinary channel. The last thing he wants is to mentor anybody, much less spend time with a 12 year-old. As the year goes on, the thing in Ryan Dean's head that haunts him gets louder and louder... a breaking point is coming soon. Until then, the outtakes continue!

My Thoughts:
I cannot tell you how happy this book made me. Okay, maybe I can. IT MADE ME SO HAPPY!!! Ryan Dean is the same Ryan Dean I fell in love with in [b:Winger|11861815|Winger (Winger, #1)|Andrew Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367927656s/11861815.jpg|16818567]. The same underaged for his grade, overly dramatic, superbly funny, and adorably thick-headed Ryan Dean. I was so worried that this book would somehow not give me the same feeling about him, but that was not the case. So often sequels don't live up to the amazingness of the first book, but I have to tell you this one did!! It 100% is just as good as Winger, if not better.

There are old characters that have returned (Annie, JP, Seanie), but there are some new characters introduced that became immediate favorites. I absolutely adored the twelve-year-old roommate, Sam Abernathy. Ryan Dean's inner dialogue about having to coexist with The Abernathy (as he calls him) was so ridiculous and laugh-out-loud, it became my favorite part of this book. Also Sam as a character is freaking rock-star. I have never wanted to hug and pinch a twelve-year-old more than while reading this.

I don't want you to think that the HUGE thing that happened in book 1 isn't dealt with. This book is a lot about healing and learning to deal with that loss. I felt terrible for everything Ryan Dean was going through. He already has to over-componsate because of being a fifteen-year-old senior, but on top of it he's trying to hide feelings he doesn't know what to do with. Of course, I knew that he needed help, but I don't doubt that it would be hard for a kid in his position to admit that he needs it. I was also relieved that this book didn't completely rip my heart out. I think the last book did a good enough number on me.

The best part for me was that while Ryan Dean has the same Ryan Dean feel that I fell in love with in Winger, he's also maturing and growing as a person, and I love reading about people who grow and learn. I'm just really, really happy this book exists. It's definitely worth reading to get the total Ryan Dean Experience.

OVERALL: No 2nd book sinker here!! This book was just as good as the first for me, and that made me so happy. If you loved Ryan Dean in Winger, you won't be disappointed by Stand-Off.

My Blog:

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I'd forgotten how much I love Ryan Dean. Im kicking myself for reading this so quickly. I miss the characters already.
After the way the first book ended, Ryan Dean's difficulties and unpleasantness in this one make total sense. It was rough going to see a beloved character in pain and making frustrating choices, but I don't know what other story would have logically followed Winger. This was a good follow-up, and I loved new character Sam Abernathy. ( )

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

As far as sequels go, this book was fantastic! I was really surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. Winger is still better, however Stand-Off was a great follow up.

As in life, tragedy doesn't slow things down for Ryan Dean. Smith's foray into grief has Ryan Dean dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy of his best friend. Smith's writing is honest, and raw. He captures Ryan Dean's grief, his struggle to process the tragedy, and emotion.

Much like Winger, the humour is present, juxtaposed against Ryan Dean's pain, and it pushes the story forward much like it is pushing the character forward to come out the other side of his grief.

“I’ll tell you what, Ryan Dean. If it makes a difference, and I believe it might, we won’t call you fly half. We’ll call you stand-off. I prefer the name for the number ten, anyway, because it really says what it is you do on the pitch– you stand off from the pack and you design the strategy for the squad to win.”
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ACT. 08/12/2014.

Andrew Smith just share this pic on his Instagram account.



A matching cover? I approve.

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Winger #2?!