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kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.5
What a great book! A powerful book with great representation. The power of community. Diversity and real life situations. Love. Happiness. Heartbreak! It was such a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism
courtnoodles's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Biphobia, Infidelity, and Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
Minor: Abandonment
motz_stick's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Disappointed
I picked this book up after seeing Reyes’ name attached because I had a great time reading Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. I knew this book would be fast paced considering my previous knowledge of their work, but this was too fast even for me. I absolutely loved the empowering plot and the way the characters developed overtime, but there was so much going on it became hard to keep track. I wish this book would’ve been a series that covers Ari’s family issues, exposing of Lewis, and blooming relationship in 3 different books. This would’ve allowed for so much more development in a more reasonable amount of time. The only other complaint I have is that the first half of the book feels forced. Labels are added in so frequently it begins to just feel like buzzwords.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Cursing
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
maemcferrin's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Mental illness
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
I listened to the audiobook on Kobo & absolutely loved that experience. I will say that my reading experience was absolutely biased because I am a survivor. I was raped when I was 16 years old, and I did everything "wrong" in society's eyes. I did everything that people assume when women are raped:
I listened to the audiobook on Kobo & absolutely loved that experience. I will say that my reading experience was absolutely biased because I am a survivor. I was raped when I was 16 years old, and I did everything "wrong" in society's eyes. I did everything that people assume when women are raped:
- I was drunk out of my mind
- I was taking my shirt off, and acting belligerent
- I was asking people to kiss me
- I was heartbroken and didn't know how to cope with rejection, so I was seeking attention/validation elsewhere
- I lied to my parents about what me and my friends were doing that night - we had a party at my friend's house, we did not have a quiet sleepover
- It was late at night
And after this, no one believed me. I lost friends. My senior year was the worst year of high school due to the isolation and way I was dismissed by everyone else. I even gaslighted myself into thinking that I did deserve it because of all of the poor decisions my 16-year-old self made that night. The first time anyone ever said they believed me was when I was well into my 20s, probably about a decade later. To see Ariana be believed by her new found family so quickly and so kindly was staggering in contrast to my experience, and it made me so relieved for Ari.
So I will say that my read and my review of this book is fully biased, because I feel seen, heard, and validated every time I read a book like this, about survivors. There is a profound power in being believed, and an incredibly healing aspect of reading about teens experiencing a similar trauma that you did. For others, maybe this book may not work or may not be their favorite. For me, this hit incredibly close to home, and I was continually nodding my head, saying "That's exactly how that felt!" Not every book is for us or about us, I know that.
However, I haven't read many books about teenage survivors of rape, and this book was what I needed at this particular point in my healing journey, so thank you to Sonora Reyes (who I now consider family because we share the surname Reyes hehehe) for writing such an authentic story about rape culture, finding the words to name what happened to you, and for the hope of moving forward and healing.
Ari's selective mutism and autistic experience is another factor of her journey, as Reyes shows how insidiously predators take advantage of those they see are already isolated, not protected, or seeking validation from others. Luis was such a familiar character, because I think we have all met toxic men like him. The way he speaks and behaves -both in front of others and 1:1 with his victims- illustrate how perfectly he has mastered this art of manipulation, guilt, and emotional abuse. Rape culture allows him to succeed in his violence, and I really appreciated how Reyes showed this is not always about the act of rape. Rape culture and toxic masculinity seep into so many parts of daily life, especially for hormone-wild teens who are navigating new feelings without a guidebook! It seeps into other areas because it is enforced by others, while others remain silent and complicit.
I loved that Ari found community in her new friends, and that they were so focused on revenge, and making Luis pay for his crimes. The power of words and sharing your story was a central theme, and Ari's fear of people thinking she was lying was so important to show, because so many victims second-guess themselves already! They are questioning if people will be mad at *them*, when they did nothing wrong. We are so deeply programmed to appease men, and to perform sexuality for men, that our minds automatically revert to, "ugh, I feel bad that I said no to him," or "I feel bad that I wanted this, and then I changed my mind". I need more stories for teens like this, to show them that you're allowed to change your mind, and that consent is REAL and is a REQUIREMENT!
Overall, I'd say that this book was so moving, healing, and a breath of fresh air. Sonora Reyes wrote Ari's voice so authentically - I do not have selective mutism but I am also autistic so I appreciated her voice, and her inner thoughts. This book also made me giggle because of the unrequited love between two side characters/best friends, and because Ari was finally finding her footing in social settings. The side plot of Ari's parents' marital woes were so realistic too! I just think that Sonora Reyes did a phenomenal job with this, and I will continue to read anything they publish!
So I will say that my read and my review of this book is fully biased, because I feel seen, heard, and validated every time I read a book like this, about survivors. There is a profound power in being believed, and an incredibly healing aspect of reading about teens experiencing a similar trauma that you did. For others, maybe this book may not work or may not be their favorite. For me, this hit incredibly close to home, and I was continually nodding my head, saying "That's exactly how that felt!" Not every book is for us or about us, I know that.
However, I haven't read many books about teenage survivors of rape, and this book was what I needed at this particular point in my healing journey, so thank you to Sonora Reyes (who I now consider family because we share the surname Reyes hehehe) for writing such an authentic story about rape culture, finding the words to name what happened to you, and for the hope of moving forward and healing.
Ari's selective mutism and autistic experience is another factor of her journey, as Reyes shows how insidiously predators take advantage of those they see are already isolated, not protected, or seeking validation from others. Luis was such a familiar character, because I think we have all met toxic men like him. The way he speaks and behaves -both in front of others and 1:1 with his victims- illustrate how perfectly he has mastered this art of manipulation, guilt, and emotional abuse. Rape culture allows him to succeed in his violence, and I really appreciated how Reyes showed this is not always about the act of rape. Rape culture and toxic masculinity seep into so many parts of daily life, especially for hormone-wild teens who are navigating new feelings without a guidebook! It seeps into other areas because it is enforced by others, while others remain silent and complicit.
I loved that Ari found community in her new friends, and that they were so focused on revenge, and making Luis pay for his crimes. The power of words and sharing your story was a central theme, and Ari's fear of people thinking she was lying was so important to show, because so many victims second-guess themselves already! They are questioning if people will be mad at *them*, when they did nothing wrong. We are so deeply programmed to appease men, and to perform sexuality for men, that our minds automatically revert to, "ugh, I feel bad that I said no to him," or "I feel bad that I wanted this, and then I changed my mind". I need more stories for teens like this, to show them that you're allowed to change your mind, and that consent is REAL and is a REQUIREMENT!
Overall, I'd say that this book was so moving, healing, and a breath of fresh air. Sonora Reyes wrote Ari's voice so authentically - I do not have selective mutism but I am also autistic so I appreciated her voice, and her inner thoughts. This book also made me giggle because of the unrequited love between two side characters/best friends, and because Ari was finally finding her footing in social settings. The side plot of Ari's parents' marital woes were so realistic too! I just think that Sonora Reyes did a phenomenal job with this, and I will continue to read anything they publish!
cw: the main character is raped, but it's not on-page. it's referred to multiple times afterwards; sexism, misogyny, ableism (the main character's selective mutism is used against them and made fun of), toxic relationships/friendships, sexual violence is discussed throughout the book, bullying, infidelity, panic attacks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Bullying, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape
ilana_banana's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
ecn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Ableism, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Bullying, and Biphobia
hidinginthebooknook's review against another edition
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Blood, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Rape, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
jukietoss's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
What a powerful sophomore novel to follow up the outstanding Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. Here, Reyes confronts some of the heaviest topics teens--and society--face, and does it with so much heart and tenderness that they allow us to actually look it all in the face. In less deft hands, this story would have been too devastating or triggering to read. But for Reyes, while the trauma is a catalyst, they manage to avoid every possible pitfall in a story such as this (like leaning on the trauma as a plot device for character-building).
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Rape, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
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