The burden of unrealistic expectations weighed heavily on my reading experience for this one. Dungeons & Drama was one of my favorite books last year and part of that was the sheer surprise at finding a young adult romance so enjoyable. I read it purely on a whim and was instantly glad I did.

Gone to the Wolves is about three teenagers in Florida in the late 80s who bond over metal music. The scene is their lifeline, enabling these three weirdos to survive through high school. After they graduate, they move to California, where the metal is more glam than death. The core stays connected, but the strands become twisted and knotted as they navigate life in early adulthood.