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rachaelcandoit's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I really loved this story. I have a lot of gaps in my history knowledge and so a lot of this information was newer for me to read. I loved Lily the main character and the relationships that she explores throughout the book.
Her perspective was so interesting to me and I was fully immersed in her story.
Minor spoils:
The romance was incredibly sweet and I thought the characters were adorable in exploring their sexuality and love for each other.
I also feel like I gained a lot of insight from reading from this perspective - especially during this time period. A lot of what it covers wasn't really taught in school and I feel like that this history is important for everyone to know.
Her perspective was so interesting to me and I was fully immersed in her story.
Minor spoils:
The romance was incredibly sweet and I thought the characters were adorable in exploring their sexuality and love for each other.
I also feel like I gained a lot of insight from reading from this perspective - especially during this time period. A lot of what it covers wasn't really taught in school and I feel like that this history is important for everyone to know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deportation, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Deportation, Racial slurs, Miscarriage, and Toxic friendship
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Homophobia
Minor: Deportation, War, and Miscarriage
bishop_504's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
This book got a hold on me from the very beginning. I started listening to it on Spotify because it was free, but then I realized that you only get so many hours of Spotify per month, and I couldn’t listen to it anymore. So I went the same evening to the bookstore and bought it because I had to know what happened next lmao.
I loved the way that Lily slowly came to understand her sexuality. She knew there was something about herself that she couldn’t name, and through the course of the story she discovers this whole part of herself that she never knew before.
Lily and Kath are so sweet and I adore their hesitant and loving relationship. They are able to be a spark of hope to each other throughout the dark events that they endure together.
I know a lot of queer books have unhappy endings, and I was worried that this book would as well. I was relived that, while it wasn’t a perfect fairy tale ending, it was hopeful. Kath and Lily had each other.
I loved the way that Lily slowly came to understand her sexuality. She knew there was something about herself that she couldn’t name, and through the course of the story she discovers this whole part of herself that she never knew before.
Lily and Kath are so sweet and I adore their hesitant and loving relationship. They are able to be a spark of hope to each other throughout the dark events that they endure together.
I know a lot of queer books have unhappy endings, and I was worried that this book would as well. I was relived that, while it wasn’t a perfect fairy tale ending, it was hopeful. Kath and Lily had each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
tey_lynn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Deportation, Miscarriage, Bullying, Drug use, and Cursing
mmontgomery's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
egnolan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
renny_penny's review
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
pich's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
i definitely feel as though the characters could be a little more detailed, whether through their interactions or with more backstory. the pacing was a little off at times, and maybe with those additional parts, it would balance out. i would’ve liked more on lily and kath’s relationship, as well. it felt sort of rushed in a way, and maybe hearing more about lily’s thoughts during the whole thing would’ve been better. I still really enjoyed this, and the added notes on the various historical aspects were cool to read about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Miscarriage
scarletthequeen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Xenophobia
churroeon's review against another edition
emotional
informative
relaxing
sad
3.75
i would like to mention that i did enjoy this book. i love learning about gay history and i believed the author was successful in illustrating 1950s gay culture and even gave the reader some background knowledge on lesbians, their roles, etc. I loved that! however, i just feel a little dissapointed in the story, especially the ending... i will dive into some spoilers so be aware
im not much of a person who likes sad stories because i really love happy endings! but honestly, i absolutely endored how the author depicted Lily's emotions while her and Kath were separated. i was able to feel what she was feeling and honestly!!!! i felt my heart hurt!!! thats really rare because i feel like authors just dont know how to do that anymore, but Lo really did so i gotta give her props. but when Lily was gone for a year and her and Kath met up i felt like it was rushed? like so we didnt see each other physically, only by letters or phone calls, and here we are together reunited. all that i am given is that they love each other (awesome i love that) and that we will meet again at a restaurant later today. thats it??? nothing else? i felt like more emotional writing could've been applied here. the author knows how to write impactful scenes, why didnt they do that here? kath and lily have not seen each other in a year and were separated. i feel like there should've been some more meat towards the ending because it felt rushed. there is potential and im sad it wasnt achieved.
overall, i have to give this book a 3.75. i was expecting more, but it was a fun read nonetheless :3
overall, i have to give this book a 3.75. i was expecting more, but it was a fun read nonetheless :3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Homophobia