Part coming-out story.
Part falling-in-love story.
Part falling-apart story.
Harvey’s dads are splitting up. It’s been on the cards for a while, but it’s still sudden. Woken-by-his-father-to-catch-a-red-eye sudden. Now he’s restarting his life in a new city, living above a cafe with the extended Greek family he barely knows.
Sotiris is a rising star. At seventeen, he’s already achieved his dream of publishing a novel. When his career falters, a cute, wise-cracking bookseller named Jem upends his world.
Harvey and Sotiris’s stories converge on the same street in Darlinghurst, in this beautifully heartfelt novel about how our dreams shape us, and what they cost us.
Recommended for ages 14+.
Buy a copy of We Could Be Something here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
We Could Be Something is a heartfelt and humorous story about two main characters, Harvey and Sotiris. The dual storyline switches timelines and provides an in-depth insight into each of the character’s thoughts and feelings. I really enjoyed this book and the themes portrayed in the story. Intergenerational relationships, loss, grief, being a young queer person in Australia and family expectations are explored in this story. I loved how this story contained humour yet also felt so heartbreaking. I absolutely loved the twist and felt so emotional once I had finished the book. I cannot wait to read other works by Will Kostakis. Brittany, VIC, 5 Stars
Reading We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis was an absolute pleasure. I loved the story and I loved the writing; it was both witty and heart-warming. I loved following the main characters’ stories, seeing how each of them react to situations along the pathway to self-discovery. The plot is very interesting and the less you know in advance going into this book the better. You will absolutely fall in love with We Could Be Something. Highly recommended! Amanda, QLD, 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoy this book, it was different to what I was expecting. I felt as though I was there, a fly on the wall. Debbie, VIC, 5 Stars
I didn’t realise this was a YA book so was a bit unsure when I started reading it. We all think YA is only for that target audience; however, I found myself engrossed in the story. It was told in two different timelines (which I love) and not only did it cover a Greek family’s “ups and downs” but gave you an insight into what inter-generational families go through. As a Ten Pound Pom, some of this related to my younger years and I could see not only myself in it, but also my granddaughter (who was struggling with her “identity” of being gay). It broke my heart in parts but it also filled my heart with a kind of pride. I’ve now passed this on to my granddaughter and hope she gets out of it what I did. I highly recommend this book to people of all ages – not just the target audience of YA. Diane, SA, 5 Stars
I went into this with *expectations*, which, happily, weren’t so much upended as pushed down the stairs where they lay dazed, and quietly thrilled. I really enjoyed this story about what you can do, become – or sacrifice – to follow your passions, and how family can make things just that little bit trickier. So good to have young, queer characters being disasters like everybody else but just getting on with figuring things out. I’ll be reorienting my expectations and reading again because, wow. Amanda, VIC, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be something so very different from anything I had read previously, which I really love as I find it’s important not to get stuck in a rut. I was unaware of how young the author is until I had finished the book. Will Kostakis has done a wonderful job and I am sure that I will happily dive into more of his books in the future. I loved how this story introduces us to 17-year-old Harvey and at the same time to Sotiris, also aged 17, but then we find that these two people are strongly connected. I loved Harvey’s connection to his extended family. There were times that I had a little giggle to myself and other times I felt sad for the things in life that people have to deal with. A great school holiday read. Annamaree, QLD, 5 Stars
This book really grew on me… and I really enjoyed it. I got the opportunity to read We Could Be Something thanks to Better Reading and probably wouldn’t have read it but am so glad I did. Great characters that really grew on me, multi-layered, and ultimately a love story with a difference. Highly recommend this book. Sally, NSW, 5 Stars
Just like Harvey and Sotiris, I also used to live in Darlinghurst in Victoria Street (but I was above an Indian restaurant). This book was a bit of a walk down memory lane and reminded me what a great place Darlo was/is (especially when you’re young). Other than that, the intersecting stories are engaging and emotional (you can’t always get a “happily ever after”). I loved it, not just for the memories it brought back of one of my favourite places, but for being such an interesting read. My intention was to read it and pass it on to my youngest/teen (it is YA after all!) but now it’ll be passed along with a big recommendation! Ayesha, NSW, 5 Stars
An interesting read based in Greek Sydney and various people and different relationships. I loved this word, “semiautobiographical”. The book has funny bits, an easy to read book. Anita, NSW, 5 Stars
We Could Be Something is an intriguing foray into the rollercoaster of joys and struggles facing teenagers in modern times. Identity, relationships and dealing with change are all themes that leap from the pages, drawing the reader in for this rollercoaster ride! Enjoy! Andrew, QLD, 4 Stars
An interesting read about intergenerational families living together (and apart), navigating the world around them – their differences and similarities. Worth reading! Amanda, TAS, 4 Stars
A cleverly penned multi-layered story of family love and friendship. Three generations of a Greek family who find their way through love and loyalty. Loved reading each character’s perspective of life and the twist was perfect. Deanne, VIC, 4 Stars
Will Kostakis’s YA book is a beautifully written multi-generational tale about love in all its forms. It is full of warmth, humour and life lessons. I highly recommend this novel and am embarrassed to say this is my first Will Kostakis book. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of his books; if they’re anything like We Could Be Something, I know I won’t be disappointed. Trudy, SA, 4 Stars
We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis is an insightful read. Harvey’s character takes us on an intergenerational journey. He shows a highly developed insight and seems wise beyond his years. A thoroughly great read. I particularly enjoyed it presented as two perspectives: Harvey and Sotiris. Thank you @Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to preview this enlightening book. Were it not for this preview, I would not have the opportunity to enjoy it. Matilda, QLD, 4 Stars
Will Kostakis’s voice is fresh, modern, and necessary in this multi-generational tale spanning three fiery generations of those who love fiercely, who don’t want to give up on love and who want to find it for the first time. Younger generations love the older generations fiercely, they are feisty and passionate. Grandson Harvey mentions love as being the most important thing for his family, and not just of the romantic kind. Greek food and a family-run business seemed real to me, like I was having coffee with this unique hard-working family. External characters add depth as well. Gina is the hard-working owner of her inner-city Sydney café trying to shelter her own mother from revealing serious illness. Harvey returns to the family home from Perth after his fathers separate. Harvey is wanting to find love for the first time and relishing in his freedom of not returning to school. Do not read reviews of this one, it may spoil things. Enjoy it as this family’s story unfolds. Suzanne, NSW, 4 Stars
What an incredibly powerful coming-of-age story. I loved reading this novel. I found it heart-warming as much as heartbreaking. I devoured it in a day; so very hard to put down. Jessica, NSW, 4 Stars
I enjoyed the structure of this book, with the story developing through two main characters via alternate chapters. It took me longer than expected to make sense of the relationship between these two characters and their perspectives. I enjoyed the character of Sotiris, as his perspective was interesting and more detailed than the story of Harvey. This book explores the ways in which teenagers figure out who they are and build the confidence to be comfortable in their own skin. Scarlett (age 14), NSW, 4 Stars
A funny, sweet and touching book following 2 different characters who are trying to find their ways in life. The conversations and love between the Greek family are both heart-warming and heartbreaking. Loved this story! Sarah, QLD, 4 Stars
I was eager to read this as we will be having the author visit our school later this year and I was not disappointed. A heartwarming story with many different layers. I loved all the characters – they were so real to me. The gutsy grandmother, the wonderful great grandmother, the dad,s and of course Harvey himself. Told in two different voices, each with a wonderful entertaining story to tell. A story of families, relationships, finding yourself, and ultimately a story of love. “Love is the way through”. Lee-Anne, VIC, 4 Stars
I’m not the target audience for this book, so I have to admit to not having heard of Will Kostakis. I may have missed something though, as I really enjoyed this book. It’s a moving story of multiple generations of a Greek family, navigating illness and separation, as well as everyday issues of love and relationships. There are emotional and moving moments in this book, as well as some genuinely funny parts. Definitely worth reading. Karen, VIC, 4 Stars
As a middle-aged person who still enjoys the odd YA book, I found this a treat. Nice depiction of queer and ethnic characters; a pleasant diversion. Would recommend to all teenagers. Christina, WA, 4 Stars
This is a novel that is full of warmth, humour and life lessons. The added bonus in this story is the clever inclusion of a twist around three-quarters of the way through (or sooner if you pick up on it as I did). This was both a heartfelt and heartbreaking novel full of love and struggles, with the complexities of family life. You experience highs and lows as you travel through this journey with the characters. While it is the warmth that binds this story, for me it is the witty humour that sparks my reading joy. I highly recommend you pick up this novel. You won’t be disappointed. Jessica, NSW, 4 Stars
Will Kostakis is a wonderful writer and writes remarkably well. This book was easy to read and very interesting, touching on themes such as relationship, queerness and family, love, grief, illness, etc. The main characters were full of heart, very passionate and determined and headstrong. Proyiayia was probably my favourite, her one-liners cracked me up. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I did feel it dragged at times. The book did come together at the end however. Overall a good read and one I would recommend. Danielle, VIC, 3 Stars
I am not familiar with the author and had never heard of him. I found the book not to my genre and struggled a little to keep reading; however, the characters grew on me and I found tidbits humorous. I would recommend this book to a younger teenage audience. Rhondda, TAS, 3 Stars
This is something of an intergenerational family saga. I thought it was going to be a queer romance when we got two male alternating viewpoints for narration, but it’s really not a romance book. I loved the culture in here, the big extended family in each other’s pockets. Harvey’s timeline was my favourite, especially with his newly single father and his app use. Those bits cracked me up while cringing alongside Harvey. Alicia, QLD, 3 Stars
A touching and heartfelt story of journey and discovery of self, which is very much in vogue at the moment. Gai, NSW, 2 Stars
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