btaylorb's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

5.0

I am a slow reader and a book that's 400 pages would typically take me 4 days or more depending on the pacing, but I tore through this book in a day and a half. 
I also cried several times throughout this sweet story, over some of the experiences that I related to. I never went through anything quite as bad as Moon does, but I nonetheless felt seen and was rooting for her. I LOVE the message that you can, and should, ask for all the help you need, but only you can save yourself. In the moments where this could have been a story where the guy sweeps in to save the day, this book upends that trope with such tenderness. There are also some wildly beautiful descriptions of synesthesia and physical sensation that absolutely floored me.

Also, as a side note, some of the marketing descriptions I saw for this book used the word "steamy" and I think that does a disservice to the way sex scenes are handled in this book. The sex scenes that do occur early on are not super explicit or titillating. They are awkward as hell on purpose, in a way that illustrates a lack of experience for the character, and provides necessary contrast to another happier but still relatively tame sex scene that occurs later on.

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meganzahn's review against another edition

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  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


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caitlinemccann's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0


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ash19_3's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is the best book I have ever read! It discusses important topics such as purity culture and body insecurity. 
It's a beautiful enemies to lovers as well as a book about finding ways to love yourself. This is amazing representation for disabled and gay people, as well as for people of color. It's a beautiful book about finding beauty within one's self. This is criminally underrated and if you think you want to read it, you should. The chemistry between all of the characters was beautiful and the romance was powerful. The relationship between the main character and the love interest took my breath away. I found comfort in this book that I have never felt anywhere else. To Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, this was a masterpiece.

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bialves's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.5

One cute book that talks about serious matters. I was waiting for a very light book, but it had some dense stuff. Their relationship with her body had a huge impact on me...

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shector1's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective relaxing 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


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lindsbrarian03's review against another edition

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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

5.0


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kikiareyoureading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0


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toffishay's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

3.75

A really powerful, emotional read. The style of writing is so beautiful; you can really tell that the author is also a poet. I love Moon and Santiago, the exploration of them as characters and them together. Moon is an awesome character too, so quippy and fun. The book also explores really important themes of depression, emotional abuse, physical abuse, insecurity, and identity. How religion can harm us and opening ourselves up can save us. What brings the book down for me is that there are just so many themes being explored. It makes for a really intense read when so much is happening. Definitely check content warnings.

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mayenk's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

I love this book, I love the characters. The main characters feel like real people. This book is a romance through and through, with lovable main and side characters and a dash of spice; it also showcases the clashing of indigenous spiritual practices and that specific type of evangelical/catholic practices of Christianity, and the toll conforming to the hostile (racist, ableist and fatphobic) environment can take on people and how it may affect their mental health.

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