This book would have gotten a higher rating for me if it hadn't been for two things:

1. The abysmal straight-out-of-Disney ending.
2. Tiny Cooper


Will Graysonx2 is my first venture into both John Green and David Levithan, the latter I hadn't even heard of until now (I know, I know). Both Graysons are written by each author and separated by chapter, with Green getting the odd-numbered chapters and Levithan the even-numbered. It's a cool system and a great way to set the two characters apart, but I have to say that I MUCH prefer Levithan's Grayson.

While Green Grayson is as quirky/nerdy as a Green character can get, Levithan Grayson has a voice that sounds like an authentic teenager. Green Grayson is a teenager that teenagers want to be: funny, smart, and with only a slight pinch of apathy. Levithan Grayson is a polar opposite, a petulant asshole who disrespects his mother and lies to weasel his way out of a situation (no offense to actual teenagers). It's not pretty, but it feels painfully real. Green Grayson comes out as almost romanticized by comparison, though not nearly as much as Tiny Cooper.

For a book titled Will Grayson twice, it amazes me how it seems to be more about Tiny Cooper than anyone else. Cooper is the well-meaning gay stereotype that tries only feebly to not be a stereotype. The book CONSTANTLY tries to get you to like him, but his actions in trying to hook up Green Grayson with Jane (not to mention talking behind his best friend's back) only makes him come across as immensely unlikable.

This turns into a heckova problem when the ending comes along - featuring a musical so hilariously egotistical despite the hammered-in fact that it's totally NOT about Tiny Cooper (it totally is). This coupled with an utterly unbelievable resolution between the characters makes for a conclusion that really just doesn't mesh with the rest of the book's tone.

Will Graysonx2 isn't really a bad book, just slightly disappointing in the end. If Cooper had been a bit more downplayed and the ending changed entirely, it would have come out a lot better. The lessons are great and the humor often spot-on, but the flaws are just too obvious to overlook.