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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
kajoreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
The beginning was a bit too slow for me, otherwise I really loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Police brutality, Sexism, Sexual content, Deportation, Child abuse, War, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
readingqueerly's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
Lesbians in the fifties. What's not to like? You know... Apart from the obvious but shhhhh.
The first half of this book went quite slowly for me, though that might be a me-problem as I've been struggling with a slump. But the second half of this book just flew by. The chemistry was palpable and during several moments I truly felt the complicated mix of emotions the characters were experiencing. The excitement of meeting someone special, the fear of knowing what that means because the special someone is not who you're supposed to want. The relief to find a community in a world that is not ready for you and the desperation to be together despite all odds and intervention from the law.
A really good YA/NA book with immense growth for the main character about very real problems that are still relevant to modern day.
The first half of this book went quite slowly for me, though that might be a me-problem as I've been struggling with a slump. But the second half of this book just flew by. The chemistry was palpable and during several moments I truly felt the complicated mix of emotions the characters were experiencing. The excitement of meeting someone special, the fear of knowing what that means because the special someone is not who you're supposed to want. The relief to find a community in a world that is not ready for you and the desperation to be together despite all odds and intervention from the law.
A really good YA/NA book with immense growth for the main character about very real problems that are still relevant to modern day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
alica2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really liked the historical setting, but I felt kind of underwhelmed by the characters. Lily and Kath's relationship was cute, but after the beginning section I didn't really get a good feel of Kath's character besides her wanting to be a pilot. I felt like there was a lot of stuff included that didn't really go anywhere or was only offhandedly mentioned later, like I thought there would be more tension around Lily's fake ID given how concerned she was about getting it, or that the Red Scare might impact her family/friends more directly, or that her attendance at the youth picnic early on might have more drastic consequences later.
I liked the interlude sections where we got POVs into Lily's parents and aunt, but these also didn't really seem to add much to the story since I never saw those parts of their character peek through in Lily's perspective. The ending also felt way too rushed for me, and I know every queer story doesn't have to have a happy ending but it just felt really unsatisfying and abrupt.
With that said though, I still loved the atmosphere and could feel the love and research that went into it. It was nice to be back in San Francisco, and especially to see a part of its history that I haven't really been exposed to. I think this would have been a perfect book for me when I was younger, and probably would have helped me figure things out sooner LOLOL.
I liked the interlude sections where we got POVs into Lily's parents and aunt, but these also didn't really seem to add much to the story since I never saw those parts of their character peek through in Lily's perspective. The ending also felt way too rushed for me, and I know every queer story doesn't have to have a happy ending but it just felt really unsatisfying and abrupt.
With that said though, I still loved the atmosphere and could feel the love and research that went into it. It was nice to be back in San Francisco, and especially to see a part of its history that I haven't really been exposed to. I think this would have been a perfect book for me when I was younger, and probably would have helped me figure things out sooner LOLOL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
meagan123's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
sierraclimbs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
A really important story about the Asian American queer experience in the 1950s.
Despite this story covering some challenging topics, I found it very easily digestible & engaging. I believe it is important to remember that, as different as it seems to our modern day reality, the 1950s wasn’t that long ago & the long standing racism & bigotry persists even in small ways today.
The story is very relatable while maintaining a historical accuracy that is clearly well researched & written with passion for telling untold stories of the time.
I think this book should be put on required reading lists for high schoolers everywhere.
Despite this story covering some challenging topics, I found it very easily digestible & engaging. I believe it is important to remember that, as different as it seems to our modern day reality, the 1950s wasn’t that long ago & the long standing racism & bigotry persists even in small ways today.
The story is very relatable while maintaining a historical accuracy that is clearly well researched & written with passion for telling untold stories of the time.
I think this book should be put on required reading lists for high schoolers everywhere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, War, Bullying, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Deportation
This is a historical fiction, all words & terms used are due to trying to stay faithful to the time period it takes place in. Nothing felt egregious or unnecessary.purplevibes123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so incredible. There’s no words to describe how it makes you feel. It’s been a while since I have read a book where I have felt so connected to the characters, where I have imagined what happens next just to get myself to fall asleep. When anything happens in the book, I feel it like I’m the one in the situation. I can’t recommend this enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Deportation
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Miscarriage
vael's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship, Deportation, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Sexual content, Outing, Classism, Police brutality, Misogyny, War, Racism, and Racial slurs
andrearahman's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.0
A newanced historical romance about queer girls and Chinese Americans in the 1950s, lovely and tragic and bittersweet and interesting. Loved learning more about queer existence and institutions in history that people have tried to ignore or erase
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia