Reviews with content warning for Biphobia - Ophelia After All

wow, just wow. this book was so, so, phenomenally good in so so many different ways. i think part of the reason it meant so much to me was that i seemed to have read it at the perfect time in my life. not only had i just finished a research paper on different portrayals of hamlet's ophelia, but i also was feeling so many of the same feelings and going through similar things as ophelia and her friends. being able to see such beautiful, messy, and realistic characters that are so well-written and developed means so much to me. the part i think that i loved most was how

it didn't work out with ophelia and talia romantically. like i loved how the author showcased that to illustrate that unrequited crushes are part of being a teenager! also, being in a relationship, especially when it is clear that the character may not be quite ready, is not a requirement for a happy ending!! so big props to this book for highlighting this, even when that's not exactly common within this genre!

if that doesn't yet convince you to read this book, i will also mention the great representation this book has alongside its amazing themes and lessons. i especially liked how ophelia chose not to label her sexuality as that isn't something often depicted in media. i also read this book in a week (which is actually a short amount of time for me as a slow reader) which further proves how much i loved this book!! so go pick up this book and see its beauty for yourself <3

Content Warnings

shelvesofivy's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

I already expected to be touched by this one, but by even about 15% in, I knew I'd need to get a physical copy for myself as well (since I borrowed the audiobook).
As someone who discovered their queerness later, I found myself so connected to Ophelia even though I'm past high school myself. This is, at its core, a coming of age story. It's the type of book I needed as a teenager, but it still holds weight reading it as an adult.
The main cast of characters are all so messy and real, and they're allowed to be because they're teenagers. That said, I found myself getting stressed out and frustrated by around the 60% mark due to things that could have been solved in a single conversation, but dragged on until the end. I don't think it retracts from the book itself because, like I mentioned, these are teenagers (and parents) making sometimes stupid decisions. It just retracted from my own enjoyment slightly.
I was also originally kind of upset once I realized that

Ophelia wouldn't end up with Thalia. (Being a hopeless romantic is another way I closely related to Ophelia lol) Ultimately though, I liked that the story went this direction instead because not only does it put the focus back on Ophelia's other relationships with friends, family, and self, but it gives a very intentional message that momentary heartbreak doesn't have to define a lifetime. I think that Ophelia not ending up with her queer awakening makes this even stronger as a coming of age story.
I also have to say, I adored the ending when Ophelia finds herself attracted to another girl and being happy with it. The hopeless romantic in me wants to see how that crush develops as well, but I think it was still a very satisfying ending.

Ophelia and her story will definitely stick with me for a long long time, and even if I never give it a full reread, I can definitely see myself revisiting certain scenes and quotes for comfort ♡

Content Warnings

literarylocd's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

full review: https://medium.com/@isareadssalot/ophelia-after-all-a-review-401b0661e707

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kaynova's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I've heard so many good things about this book and it is ALL true! This book deserves every bit of praise and more. This book, the characters, the plot, everything deserves its flowers (haha an ode to Ophelia's garden). This book didn't feel like it was too educational about sexuality, romantic relationships, or platonic relationships; it flowed quite nicely that a story was unraveling in front of you while taking in new information, if you're unfamiliar, or retouching information you already know. Ophelia's growth in this book is one of my favorites so far; I love that she realizes she can be this romance loving person but it's not hopeless or desperate. I love that she learns the value of platonic relationships and why they are so important to the path that we have in our adult years (as well as high school). She is such a great protagonist that all you want to do is root for her success, love, and peace, but you also feel defeat and misguidance when she's upset too or going through something. The side characters didn't feel like side characters (something I love in books), they felt like main characters as well with their own journeys that weaves into Ophelia's yet they are not her side characters to help along with the plot. Even Talia has her own trials and tribulations, and not to spoil too much, I adore Talia and Ophelia's friendship and how the author reminds us that love is more than romantic; it's multifaceted.

I can't help but rave about this book because it's so good and I just wish there was more of this when I was going up on navigating feelings, friendships, family and this inevitable thing called growing up. This was truly a masterpiece that reminds me, even as an adult, it's okay that I don't have it all figured out as long as I love freely and openly (with a good system by my side), I'll be alright.

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amandalorianxo's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This is definitely a young adult, coming out & coming of age + to terms with your identity being fluid. I’m not sure what the year was supposed to be but I can see this being a novel that took place a few years ago. I was already aware of the terminology that Wesley told Ophelia but for those who aren’t familiar it felt like a small crash / cliff notes of different sexualities. The identity crisis that Ophelia goes through is reliable for a lot of teenagers, especially in this day and age. I wasn’t a fan of Lindsay or Ophelia’s mom :/ In actuality, the friendships in this book really made me think about my own friendships in high school. I did like the addition of Miguel (Dad) talking in Spanish with it being normalized. There was a lot of back and forth & while this is a great debut, I’m hoping for more consistency with the author’s future work aka less whiplash in the drama.

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maple_dove's review

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

SDKJASLDHASDIOSADIOASDOS I DID NOT EXPECT THAT?!

Also, I took me 10 days to finish reading this book when I usually only take a few days to finish one. High school WHYYYYY--

I Liked

That this wasn't about Ophelia getting the girl or discovering her queerness because of a relationship. This book was about discovering and loving yourself, which was such a nice change. I loved it. 💛
The complexity was amazing.
How AWARE this book is (the knowledge of a variety of identities).

I Didn't Like

Sammie. I'M NOT SORRY! Sammie was a jerk, and you know it. Hell, he even admitted it at the end of the book. I'm glad he admitted it, apologized (actually, not making excuses), and started seeing a therapist to self-improve. I didn't dislike him every time he made an appearance in the book, I'll admit. It was more like 50/50 like and dislike.
I don't belong in a big friend group (or any friend group with more than three people, tbh), nor do I like being in them so I can't relate to the friend group dynamics.

Favorite Quotes:

Virginal as I am, my golden sexual-advice rule is that if you can't talk about it, you probably shouldn't be doing it. Seriously, be a little mature.

"Ophelia, it's great to see you. What grade are you in now, tenth?"
Daf stifles a laugh. I forcefully hand him back the wine.
"I'm actually a senior."
"No way!" He gasps in that classic I'm An Adult And Cannot Process You Aging At The Same Rate As Me For Some Reason way and turns to Mom.

"But sometimes, when you've known someone for years and they build up this image of you, it's hard to talk about things that mess with that image. It feels like you'd be breaking some bond of trust between you and that person by being different than you were before. I don't just mean subtle, slow changes. I mean, like, the big things that they never saw coming."

I know kissing and liking Talia shouldn't change who I am to them, or to myself, but it does. And maybe they'd say 'Oh, this doesn't change anything!' or 'You're still the same Ophelia we know and love!' but it does, and I'm not the same. And they can't possibly understand that. It's not just that I'm scared they'll hate me for this; I'm scared they won't even see it."
"People confuse acceptance with erasure," he says with the weight of understanding that only someone else who has battled this same internal conflict possibly could. (pg. 284)

I agree with this so much. "This doesn't change anything" and "You're still the same" just never felt right. Of course being queer and/or trans changes things. That's the point.

"Did I ever tell you why I chose Ophelia though?"
"No," I admit, surprised I never asked. "I always figured you wanted something more unique. Or that Dad vetoed Juliet." Dad never wanted to watch adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, claiming it was too tragic for him. The irony of him still loving Hamlet isn't lost on me.
She laughs. "No, he always knew it was my dream to name a child after one of them. Juliet and Ophelia were always my favorite because they are two of the most quickly dismissed among people who refuse to dig past the surface narrative. Juliet is remembered as a foolish teenage girl who threw away her life for a boy she hardly knew, and Ophelia is remembered more for her virginity and inability to accept Hamlet's rejection than anything else."
"Great legacies you left me."
"But that's not who those girls were," she corrects firmly. "Romeo was just as much a hopeless romantic as Juliet, and they gave their lives to show the world that true love mattered more than senseless hatred. Juliet cared enough about her family to die so they could live brighter, wiser lives. I respected her as a character for being more mature than most give her credit for."
"Then why'd you pick Ophelia?" I ask, dusting my hands against my jeans. She narrows her eyes at the crumbs I'm spreading in the car, but keeps going.
"Ophelia was all those things too. But she also wore her heart on her sleeve. She wasn't 'mad' in her final scene; she was grieving without shame. She was begging for someone to hear her desperation beneath the offered flowers."

I recognize the look in his eyes, not quite hunger for something deeper. Longing, love, profound admiration. I'm sure he'd find the same things in my eyes when I look at Talia too, and instead of swallowing that sting of realization, I embrace it. Running from these feelings did me no good. I don't cling to the idea that I have a romantic future with Talia anymore, a future I'm still mourning the loss of, but I shouldn't have to pretend I never wanted one. (pg. 327)

Agatha was right. Prom was never about the dresses or the dates or the ridiculous theme. It was about celebrating, through all those little details, the feeling that holy shit, we actually survived high school.
Well, almost survived it. (pg. 329)

Conclusion:

In the end, my lack of interest for realistic fiction kind of blew it for me. 😓 I know what you're going to say, "ThEn WhY dId YoU rEaD tHiS bOoK?" Because I still wanted to read it. :) And will I continue to read realistic fiction? Yes.

Content Warnings

michelleub's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It’s a really good really cute coming of age book and you really shouldn’t go into the book thinking it’s a romance book, because sure it might be about it but it’s more about questioning and discovering things about yourself. I love that you can see her growth and they actually do represent a lot of sexualities

Content Warnings

literarypenguin's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ophelia is a senior in high school and has always been known as boy-crazy while lovingly taking care of her garden of beautiful roses. When she starts spending time with a new female friend named Talia, Ophelia starts to release she may not have known herself as well as she thought she did and the boy crazy image people created of her might not be true. I may have found a new comfort read and a personal favorite! This was such a great and beautiful coming-of-age story that I am glad exists! This book will help people who are questioning and captures the feeling of questioning yourself perfectly. I loved how unique this book was and how it talked about all the different types of sexualities and spectrums there are. It really made people feel like they aren’t alone in how they feel or who they want to love.

The writing was very good & it felt like you were right there alongside Ophelia while she struggled with her thoughts and her self-doubts. It did feel a bit repetitive at times usually at the beginning of chapters but it wasn’t enough to dampen my enjoyment overall. The characters were written in a way that made them realistic and more believable. The places and the pacing were well done too.

The plot focuses on Ophelia starting to develop feelings for a girl when she has never had feelings for girls before. It shows how she navigates these new feelings and how she is afraid if she tells those that she loves then they will see her differently. It deals with all the complicated feelings that come along with coming out and discovering your identity like being afraid of people seeing you in a different way, being afraid of feeling these new feelings, and being labeled as something you are not too sure about. It also features graduation and growing up to young adulthood. It shows the stress and nerves that come with growing up and going to college. How your life will be changing, how you will start to experience new life experiences, and maybe lose or gain new friendships.

Ophelia was such a relatable and amazing main character! I loved her passion for gardening and how she was always there for her family and friends. Her closeness with her parents was refreshing to see when most teenagers aren’t too close with their parents. Her group of friends was definitely my favorite part of the book! Sammie and Agatha were supportive and great best friends to Ophelia! They each had their own personalities with Agatha having a love for fashion and making people feel comfortable in their own skin and Sammie being hilarious and loving history. The new friends they make like Talia and Zaq and Wesley are amazing as well! I loved Wesley the most and how they used him to help Ophelia discover her identity and who she is. He was a great character!

This book takes place in a small town with a lovely community and a lot of personalities! I love how they described the different businesses and the different families that lived there. The best location was Ophelia’s rose garden and how she organized and cared for her roses. It was a beautiful place and was full of love and care, a place well loved and taken care of. I really liked the different locations from all kinds of cultures too and the youth center was great and gave off a welcoming kind of feeling.

The themes in the book were acceptance of one’s self and discovering who you are and who you want to be. It handles these fears delicately and in an honest way. It explores the fear of coming out and how it will not only change the person but change the people who know the person. It also explores the fears of growing up and going through big changes that people aren’t ready for. The theme of found family and family ties is great to see. The part I loved the most though is how you don’t have to choose a label or even fit into one right away or not at all. You can do what makes you feel comfortable and makes you happy.

I really loved this book and I highly recommend this book to anyone questioning themselves or knowing their identity but enjoying a great romance with amazing characters! If you want a realistic found family group or amazing themes you can give this book a try!

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