Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - Quick Overview
- Genre: YA LGBT Romance
- Themes: Friendship, romance, identity, coming out, first love
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommended for fans of: Heartstopper, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson
“The way I feel about him is like a heartbeat -- soft and persistent, underlying everything.”
Summary of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Simon Spier, a sixteen-year-old high school student, is hiding the fact that he’s gay from his family and friends. When one of his private emails to an anonymous student in his school named Blue falls into the wrong hands, Simon is blackmailed into helping another classmate. As he tries to protect his secret, Simon also navigates friendships, family, and the possibility of falling in love with someone he’s never met in person.
💭 My Thoughts of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
On the one hand, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda felt really refreshing because it avoided a lot of the clichéd YA drama. The relationships and conflicts the author addressed throughout the pages felt realistic instead of overly toxic or exaggerated. In fact, the whole book had such a warm, comforting vibe I couldn’t find it in me to put it down.
On the other hand, I loved how the romance developed through emotional connection and vulnerability rather than just angst. This showed especially when Blue or Simon were feeling insecure about revealing too much. There was always understanding and support between them, and that made my heart melt at every line.
And even more...
I especially liked the way friendship was handled in the book. The friendships felt messy and genuine in a realistic teenage way. People misunderstood each other, drifted apart a little, got jealous, and made mistakes. But there was still a lot of care underneath it all, and they always found their way back to each other. All of this made the characters feel human instead of perfect.
Overall, the book felt sweet, funny, sincere, and really easy to get emotionally attached to.
💙 The Coming Out Thing
From the very beginning of the book, we’re introduced to one of the main themes. A.k.a., The Coming Out Thing.
To be honest, for me the coming-out dialogue between Simon and Blue was powerful because it was built on honesty that developed slowly over time rather than a single dramatic confession. Through their emails, they created a space where both of them could be completely open without fear of judgment, which made the eventual reveal feel deeply personal.
Simon and Blue’s relationship grew through these really honest, low-pressure conversations over email. Because they didn’t know who each other was at first, they ended up saying things they probably wouldn’t have said in real life. For instance, they openly talked about being confused, nervous, or not fully ready to come out. That anonymity actually made them feel closer, because they could be completely open without worrying about immediate judgment. As you read, you could feel them slowly getting more and more attached.
"RE: I've Never Done This Before"
And then, when they started talking about coming out, those conversations become the emotional center of their relationship. They didn’t just discuss attraction. Instead, they talked about timing, safety, and what it means to be ready to be seen. Simon’s fear was more pressing because his secret was already fragile in his everyday life, while Blue often represented a quieter patience and caution about when and how to come out. Their exchanges highlighted how different coming out can feel depending on your circumstances, but also how universal the need for understanding is.
However, by the time their identities were revealed, their emotional connection had already been built on trust, so the “reveal” felt less like a twist and more like a confirmation of something they already felt: that being known and accepted matters more than staying hidden.
❤️ What I Loved the Most
• The way Simon falls in love with Blue (OMG, seriously, it couldn’t have been cuter!)
• The way Simon freaking speaks
• Simon’s family making a big deal out of everything
• Leah (there is something about Leah, and I really need to read her story!)
• The lack of cliched drama (no toxic relationships, betrayal, or unnecessary love triangles)
• Simon’s taste in music (I mean, The Smiths and Elliott Smith? Count me in!)
• Blue’s note for Simon (this was one of the cutest scenes in the book!)
💔 What Didn’t Work for Me
I guess, just like Simon, I like no endings. I like books that don’t end, so I don’t like that this story had to end. However, Becky Albertalli did a very cleaver thing turning an ending into a beginning. Didn’t see that one coming! I don’t know. That was freaking amazing!
✨ Favorite Quotes of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn't be this big awkward thing whether you're straight, gay, bi, or whatever. I'm just saying.”
“I like no endings. I like things that don't end.”
“Puberty is merciless.”
“He talked about the ocean between people. And how the whole point of everything is to find a shore worth swimming to.”
“Two words. Two freaking words, and I'm not the same Simon anymore.”
“Sometimes it seems like everyone knows who I am except me.”
“I’m too busy trying not to be in love with someone who isn’t real.”
“He kisses like Elliott Smith sings.”
“I try not to change, but I keep changing, in all these tiny ways...And every freaking time, I have to reintroduce myself to the universe all over again.”
🌍 Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Vibes / Tropes
- Secret identity
- Online romance
- Blackmail
- Highschool drama
- Slow-burn romance
- Support system
- Friends-to-more
- Rom-com feel
📚 Similar Books to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
🎯 Final Verdict on Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
I absolutely adored this book! Instead of relying on exaggerated drama, it focuses on recognizable teenage experiences like friendship shifts, insecurity, first love, and the fear and complexity of coming out. The anonymous email romance works especially well because it builds intimacy through voice and honesty before appearance. This in turn gives the relationship emotional weight without needing big plot twists or melodrama.
However, I think its strongest point is how it treats identity and coming out as something personal, gradual, and not one-size-fits-all. The story respects Simon’s need for agency while still showing the real consequences of that control being taken away from him. Combined with its warm tone, humor, and believable friendships, the book ultimately feels as a comforting, hopeful read about being seen for who you are.
💬 Reader Question
Have you read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or any other books by Becky Albertalli? What did you think? Would you recommend it?
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📍Dumbo - New York
I'm Zøe!
I write heartfelt, character-driven fiction featuring resilient teenage heroines navigating personal challenges and striving to become their best selves. Beyond my novels, I love storytelling in all its forms. On this blog, I share narrative-rich travel pieces, offering glimpses into my favorite places, hidden corners, and unforgettable encounters around the globe.
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