Scan barcode
avisreadsandreads's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use and Dementia
nerdy_reader_9571's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is definitely a messy coming of age story. Like others, I didn’t love the cheating storyline, but it was an interesting story overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Grief
redheadorganist's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
milenagallo's review
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
4.0
I really enjoyed most elements of this book but I hate that it included a cheating troupe! These always feel so unnecessary and really just makes me frustrated with the authors which is a bummer because I do love Malinda Lo! Overall this was a great depiction of someone coming to terms with their sexuality and I liked the found family troupes that were included, the connection that Aria formed with her grandmother, and the tie ins to art and astrology! I also loved that it included a tie in to Last Night at the Telegraph club!
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
tofuandtears's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really love Malinda Lo, I wish I had her books to read when I was younger. I like this book, but I loved Last Night at the Telegraph Club more.
My favorite parts of this book included Aria’s relationship with her grandmother, her grandmother in general, and the portrayal and exploration of bisexuality and gender identity. I read this so fast, my heart was clenching, and I definitely cried.
I didn’t love the cheating premise - though it wasn’t malicious, and it’s clear that the relationship between Lisa and Steph was codependent and toxic…I couldn’t wrap my head around how easily Aria dismissed it, or her confusion when Steph would pull back.
I’m screaming for Lily and Kath. 💓😭
My favorite parts of this book included Aria’s relationship with her grandmother, her grandmother in general, and the portrayal and exploration of bisexuality and gender identity. I read this so fast, my heart was clenching, and I definitely cried.
I didn’t love the cheating premise - though it wasn’t malicious, and it’s clear that the relationship between Lisa and Steph was codependent and toxic…I couldn’t wrap my head around how easily Aria dismissed it, or her confusion when Steph would pull back.
I’m screaming for Lily and Kath. 💓😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Grief
novella42's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I know part of my frustration with this book is that I didn't notice it's not a romance novel, like Last Night at the Telegraph Club. I went into it expecting something else, and so I spent a lot of time angry and confused, and didn't see what it was trying to do until the very end.
There were some beautiful lines. I think I most appreciated her relationship with her grandmother, a wonderful character who definitely stole the show for me.
I may try to revise this review after I get some distance from it.
There were some beautiful lines. I think I most appreciated her relationship with her grandmother, a wonderful character who definitely stole the show for me.
I may try to revise this review after I get some distance from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
taylorunger's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Lesbophobia
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved Last Night At The Telegraph Club and have been wanting to read this for a while. Aria is a difficult main character to love because of some of the choices she makes but I was still interested in her story. I liked the California summer setting and really enjoy Lo's writing. I definitely preferred Last Night At The Telegraph Club overall but I'm glad I finally picked this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Grief
sundayfever's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
A good queer YA read. Vividly made me feel like I was in SF. Kudos for being a YA book where the teenage romance doesn't continue into the future - it felt more realistic, with a bittersweet ending. Don't get why the blurb says the main character joins a working-class queer community, when she does no reflecting on her own class privilege at all in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
ronan_lesh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism