I don't usually like romance nor realistic fiction, but for some reason I decided to try this podcast. Binged the entire thing.
With the fake dating and all, it almost feels like fanfic, yet it's also incredibly grounded and realistic, both in the sense of portraying what it was like to be a lgbtq+ teenager in the 2000s, and having the characters and their dynamics feel very real. I think that helps the story feel very compelling. It feels like you could be there, and these could be people that you know.
Also, the emotional range is *very* good. I loved the victories and struggles, humor and angst, larger conflicts and small moments. Really has it all, and yet the story feels very natural.