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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
fast-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun and easy romance, although I’m honestly a little surprised that some of the more explicit innuendos made their way into the book given that it’s YA. Can definitely tell that she’s friends with Meryl Wilsner though, they have super similar writing styles.
Adorable! She does get a lil monologue-y, but I’m not too mad at it.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
YA lesbian romance, what’s not to like? Alright, it’s yet another high school setting, but it was nice to see misogyny and homophobia getting tackled to a football field, as it always should be.
Furthermore, I liked the heat between the two main characters, although it all felt kinda very rushed at times. It’s like Jack’s best friends, which we never « see » interact IRL with her. I would have wanted more things shown, less told, in various occasions. Like, Jack’s relation with her mother, that stays too… mysterious? Cold and unfinished? Yup, things like that.
Still a nice, fast read LGBT rom-com, with a positive message throughout. This, we stan.
Furthermore, I liked the heat between the two main characters, although it all felt kinda very rushed at times. It’s like Jack’s best friends, which we never « see » interact IRL with her. I would have wanted more things shown, less told, in various occasions. Like, Jack’s relation with her mother, that stays too… mysterious? Cold and unfinished? Yup, things like that.
Still a nice, fast read LGBT rom-com, with a positive message throughout. This, we stan.
4.5 stars for my favorite 2022 YA release
**HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Amber McCloud is gunning for cheer captain at Atherton High. Jack Walsh is Atherton’s newest quarterback, replacing a student who died in a car accident. The problem? Jack is actually a girl, and no one in small-town Florida wants a girl on the football team…except for Amber. The two quickly develop feelings for each other despite knowing they’ll have to stay in the closet. But it soon becomes clear that Amber will have to choose between a shot at leading the cheer team next year – and thus landing a much-needed scholarship – and her burgeoning romance.
Content warnings: homophobia, misogyny, fatal car crash due, drunk driving, miscarriage, religious abuse, family rifts
Representation: queer/polysexual main character, lesbian main character, gay Puerto Rican secondary character, non-binary asexual secondary character, bisexual main character
I cannot WAIT for this book to publish so I can buy a copy for myself! Sapphic romances are my favorite, especially when they flip well-worn tropes on their heads. The main characters are so charming and refreshingly realistic. It was nice to see a popular cheerleader who isn’t a caricature; Amber is multi-dimensional, quick-witted, intelligent, and genuinely caring. Jack, rather than being a stereotypical jock, is similarly funny, talented, and hardworking. Both of them handle arguments and hardships with grace, but still in very teenage ways. Straddling the line between being true to life and being annoying isn’t an easy task, but Adler finds an excellent balance. I also adored the supporting cast – we’d all be lucky to have a mom as understanding as Amber’s and friends as supportive as Jack’s.
Adler perfectly captures the vibes of Friday night football in a small southern town. Since I grew up in Texas and went to college in Arkansas, I found myself unexpectedly nostalgic. Despite the homophobia and misogyny many students express, others prove to be great allies. It left me grateful for my queer/allied friends in the south and hopeful for a future in which all teens can openly celebrate who they love. A quick, great read that I highly recommend!
**HUGE thank you to St. Martin’s Press for granting me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!**
Amber McCloud is gunning for cheer captain at Atherton High. Jack Walsh is Atherton’s newest quarterback, replacing a student who died in a car accident. The problem? Jack is actually a girl, and no one in small-town Florida wants a girl on the football team…except for Amber. The two quickly develop feelings for each other despite knowing they’ll have to stay in the closet. But it soon becomes clear that Amber will have to choose between a shot at leading the cheer team next year – and thus landing a much-needed scholarship – and her burgeoning romance.
Content warnings: homophobia, misogyny, fatal car crash due, drunk driving, miscarriage, religious abuse, family rifts
Representation: queer/polysexual main character, lesbian main character, gay Puerto Rican secondary character, non-binary asexual secondary character, bisexual main character
I cannot WAIT for this book to publish so I can buy a copy for myself! Sapphic romances are my favorite, especially when they flip well-worn tropes on their heads. The main characters are so charming and refreshingly realistic. It was nice to see a popular cheerleader who isn’t a caricature; Amber is multi-dimensional, quick-witted, intelligent, and genuinely caring. Jack, rather than being a stereotypical jock, is similarly funny, talented, and hardworking. Both of them handle arguments and hardships with grace, but still in very teenage ways. Straddling the line between being true to life and being annoying isn’t an easy task, but Adler finds an excellent balance. I also adored the supporting cast – we’d all be lucky to have a mom as understanding as Amber’s and friends as supportive as Jack’s.
Adler perfectly captures the vibes of Friday night football in a small southern town. Since I grew up in Texas and went to college in Arkansas, I found myself unexpectedly nostalgic. Despite the homophobia and misogyny many students express, others prove to be great allies. It left me grateful for my queer/allied friends in the south and hopeful for a future in which all teens can openly celebrate who they love. A quick, great read that I highly recommend!
emotional
medium-paced