Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Friday I'm in Love

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Friday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett

14 reviews

erickaonpaper's review

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sweet, quick, and fun. this is a great queer, young adult read with some nostalgic 80s touchstones and a john hughes-esque party at the end. garrett balances a world where mahalia, the main character of friday i'm in love, endures feats that are challenging even for adults but also the real desperation of getting someone to notice you, and then like you, and then want to kiss you. so happy this is a story that's out in the world!

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

Thanks to PRH for the free advance copy of this book.

- Hello, I need to do some queer screaming about FRIDAY I'M IN LOVE! I loved absolutely everything about this book. Mahalia is a fantastic protagonist: energetic, optimistic, sure of herself, but also a bit selfish at times.
- This book is so full of love and joy and discovery. It does touch on some difficult topics - tight finances, racism in the school curriculum, and more - but the exuberance never dies.
- This book is everything great about YA. Messy feelings, discovery of yourself and your relationships, learning how to maneuver through the world, and taking pride in who you are.

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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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funny 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? Yes

4.0

After going to her best friend’s Sweet Sixteen party, Mahalia decides that she wants to have a party of her own. Even though it’s too late for her own Sweet Sixteen, inspiration strikes her: what if she had a Coming Out Party? An overall celebration of her identity, allowing her to come out on her own terms.

In order to throw the party of her dreams, Mahalia has to save. It’s just her and her mom, and sometimes they struggle to make ends meet. To top it all off, Mahalia also has a crush on the new girl, secretly hoping that she likes her back. Balancing work, school, and her personal life might just get in the way of her getting to actually throw her Coming Out Party.

Thanks to Knopf Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett to review! After seeing this cover, I knew I immediately had to read this. I am jealous of that rainbow dress! If you’re looking for a feel good, queer romance to start off your 2023 with, I definitely recommend this one.

Mahalia struggles with a variety of things in this book, from helping her mom with the finances to coming out to her potential first relationship to school work. There’s a lot that teens will relate to in this book, especially because it seems like teens are always balancing a million things on a daily basis. Garrett nails Mahalia’s voice, and you’re rooting for her throughout the entire book.

The idea of a Coming Out party is such a fun concept, and while it takes a back seat in the plot at times, the rest of the conflicts make up for it. Especially Mahalia’s burgeoning romance with Siobhan. It’s seriously adorable and I loved it. I think fans of Heartstopper will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.

All in all, from the characters to the plot to the voice, Garrett has a winner on her hands. Keep an eye out for it when it comes out in January!

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thtblklibrarian's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This was beautiful. I really needing something unapologetically Black & queer and this was that. This book delved into some tough topics but overall it was very light hearted. Mahalia felt like a real teen and in the authors note Garrett talks about how she wrote this book when she was 18 and thought it was terrible and then reread it a few years later and loved it, I love this story because its so honest. We are our own worst critics and sometimes time away from something is the best move but dont delete your old writing, even if its "bad" because you can always rework it into something amazing Garrett did here. There were a lot of funny moments and a lot of damn thats real moments. Like when Mahalias mom said she would help her pay for her party but then she lost her job so obviously that was no longer possible, or when her mom asked her for help with bills. this was my experience growing up, my mom has always asked for my help because she knows she can rely on me when she cant rely on others. It's the experience a lot of women and femmes of color have and I really appreciate how it was examined here. I wish there was more to the conversations about privilege when it comes to having money. Naomi was so defensive when Mahalia was talking about her very real issues of having to pay the bills while her mom is out of work and still hoping to have fun ( poor people deserve parties too!) and at one point she says you cant just hate every rich white guy and im thinking to myself but WHY NOT Naomi? Y'all can both understand how uncomfortable you feel in mostly white spaces but Mahalia cant express her discomfort about being around a bunch of rich people? Be For Real.

There is some on page intimacy. I stick to YA often to avoid sex scenes and while it wasn't graphic at all Its worth noting.

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