Reviews

I generally enjoyed the book a lot. I liked the various voices she wrote in, I liked the plot, I liked the turmoil. However she really didn’t spend a lot of time talking about the implications of being a single mom lesbian. There’s very little exploration of the reaction of her found family, just an epilogue like section. Also spent NO time unpacking the “I would almost rather you’d been roofied” part— I needed her and Nina to have it out over that or at least some acknowledgment later about their issues.

ramonapest'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? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sabrinaliterary's review against another edition

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5.0

“She was not a parent but a mom, a species held in somber, near-spiritual regard while being for all practical purposes steadily crushed by the forces of public policy, like the American bison.”

tayroz's review against another edition

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emotional 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

I randomly pulled this book off the shelf in my local library and I think it chose me more than the other way around.

I love a good found family book, this one is deep, raw, and open. I was pleasantly surprised with how much of the book is dedicated to Andy and Ryan. I was somewhat expecting a Mama Mia type book, but instead felt like I truly understood each person's motives and drives. This book pulled on so many of my heart strings.

Definitely will be recommending to my friends!

Content Warnings

nikii94's review against another edition

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3.0

3.
Picked this book up on a trip to flagstaff a few years ago. It was under the “local author” section and the synopsis had me wanting to give it a try.
I like that this wasn’t really a romance book, but there is love mentioned.
I grew frustrated with Andrea and Ryan halfway thru part 1. They were honestly a mess. Andreas friends also seemed very narrow minded. It broke my heart to see this was how her “found family” acted.
Writing style was confusing. Part 1 was first person, part 2 was a collection of media, and part 3 was 3rd person. Why the change?
It does have aspects of LGBTQIA+ but is set in the 90s, so mostly focuses on the lesbian community in Portland.
All in all, I am neutral on this.
Might read again, but probably in the future.

coffeenbooks74's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Andrea Morales moves to Portland in the 90s to escape the constraints of her hometown in Nebraska. In Portland, she feels free to live her life as a lesbian, and has the support of the family of friends she meets there. Then she meets Ryan Coates, the drummer of local band The Cold Shoulder, and everything changes when they have an affair.

cbradley's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

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