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seventhswan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't, though, enjoy this book as much as One Last Stop or Red, White and Royal Blue. Part of this is definitely that I'm not the target demographic for this story and found the high-school friendship dramas grating rather than relatable at this point in my life. Part of it was my frustration with Chloe, the main character - I liked just about every other character better, and found that she didn't get less annoying over the course of the book. And, sadly, part of it was that I feel parts of the plot were so unrealistic as to be dangerously hopeful. I wish it was possible to be nonbinary, date men, wear glitter eyeliner, and still get a full D1 scholarship for college football. I wish it was true that a group of LGBT students could effectively protest a homophobic Christian high school and have the support of the local press, and for the worst result of this to be some mean words and funny looks. Red, White and Royal Blue was just as unrealistic in this regard, but there are far fewer potential First Children in the world than ordinary queer teens in violently homophobic environments, and while the relentless optimism of this book was sweet, I don't feel able to fully endorse it.
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
gabthebookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism
joensign's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism and Outing
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Racism and Bullying
literarypenguin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The characters in this book were all so well developed and each one was so likeable. Chloe was proud of who she was and bold in her words and actions. Shara was seen as the perfect girl in school but later on she was found to be hiding many more secrets then she let on. Smith was an athlete and Shara's ex boyfriend who was much more then he first appears and Rory was the school's bad boy who secretly has a big heart with a love for music. All of these characters followed a theme, that not everybody is as they seem. That you can't judge a person by who they are on the outside without finding out what they are like on the inside first.
The romance like the romances in her other books was very well done and sweet. I loved how Chloe and Shara realized that instead of hating each other they might have been developing feeling for each other for as long as they have known the other. That on one hand Chloe wasn't ashamed of being bisexual while Shara had to hide her feelings because of who her parents were in the community. My favorite romance in the book was Smith and Rory, who were friends as children but grew apart only to rekindle their friendship. Later they realized they had feelings for each other and have had them for most of their friendship.
The central themes of acceptance and how religion can affect people is portrayed well. I love how Chloe organizes an event where people can just be who they are without prejudice. Also how she has to learn that not everyone had an easy time coming out like she did and she has to put her own judgements on other people aside too. The effect of religion in some small towns is strong and sadly most young people have to hide themselves or find some way to be who they are without people knowing. It is something I hope one day that can be gotten rid of.
I enjoyed this book and I hope that the next book Casey comes out with is just as good as this or better then some she has already written.
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism
teabrewer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Transphobia, and Racism
lunep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Transphobia
Minor: Death, Racism, Infidelity, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, and Alcohol
rockyroadbutch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Outing, Racism, Drug use, and Alcohol
joensign's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Minor: Outing and Racism
jachnax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Sexism, Racism, and Outing