Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Annie on My Mind

I have had this book on my to read list for 10 years. This was filled with so much more hope, love and acceptance and happiness than I thought it would have been which is why I think I held off a decade on reading it. The extreme challenges of being gay in the early 1980’s and prior decades are very clear but what also is clear are how the times were changing and what that looked like for these girls who were exploring and recognizing their true selves.

I listened to the 2008 audiobook which includes a wonderful interview of the author and is so eye opening to listen to as 25 years had passed since the book was published at that point and now an additional 16 years have gone by and I wonder how Nancy’s answers would have been today especially since she mentioned in that interview hoping for more transgender representation which we indeed do have today, although an increase in attacks on the trans and LGBTQIA+ community including queer youth- another group she focused on in the interview.

Content Warnings

jesshudzik's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

An absolutely beautiful love story between two young women finding themselves despite the homophobia they face. The message of hope and resilienance really resonated with me in my own life. The homophobia the MCs face is a main part of the plot, but they do not face violence and do have some support throughout the book which made it easier for me to read without too many negative emotions.

A quick read that should not be passed up.

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opalchainsaw's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.25

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bookhails's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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bisexualwentworth's review against another edition

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

4.0

This is a cute lesbian coming-of-age novel that is absolutely the blueprint for so many of the queer high school books that have come after. The Henna Wars especially is a recent sapphic book that has a very similar plot. And it's a super effective formula!

This book is really historically significant, and I appreciate it so much for being one of the first YA books to portray queer characters, especially lesbians, in a positive light and with a happy ending.

The story didn't make a particular impact on me, but the historical context did. I would definitely recommend it.

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elysh_kaye's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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kenalex15's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

I first read this book when I was 15 and it was the first Sapphic book I had ever read. This book was ahead of its time. It might not be the best book ever but it gave me hope for myself.

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