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jachnax's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Sexism, Racism, and Outing
lizard007's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Infidelity, Outing, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s a story of ferocious girls and cinnamon roll boys and yet another iconic group of disaster queer friends, the sort of group Casey excels at writing. It’s a story of teens being messy, teens being teens, in the final moments they have before becoming adults; of all the stages of queerness and trauma and healing and love, of love in so many different forms and expressions. And it’s beautiful. It’s fun, it’s important, and it’s so very beautifully done.
It might not be a book I love with enough fervor to call a favorite, but nonetheless, I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Casey’s books tend to have that effect.
Representation:
- bisexual protagonist
- sapphic love interest
- Black gay dyslexic side character
- Black queer nonbinary side character
- Black bisexual side character
- other queer side characters (includes lesbian & nonbinary rep)
- sapphic main couple
- lesbian side couple
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Outing and Alcohol
Contains in-depth discussions of religious bigotry in small towns—relating to homophobia, racism and misogyny—and the religious trauma that stems from it. Also mentions the outing of an adult side character, which occurred prior to the story, and contains one unrelated scene with underage drinking.rachelelouise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Outing, Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
katndrsn's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
owliglot's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
Minor: Misogyny, Bullying, and Outing
adrienreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The characters are often unlikeable, but in a sort of "I'm in this picture and I don't like it" way - definitely relatable to the ways teenagers can be flawed, at least retrospectively for me. That meant that sometimes it was cathartic, but a lot of the time I was just kind of miserable.
I don't usually enjoy this type of book, so don't take my review too seriously if you do. There is a lot of heart put into this book by the author, so if the premise appeals to you, might be worth giving it a try.
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Outing
tinysierra's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I’m writing this book to show you that you’re not alone. Also that you deserve ridiculous, over the top high school rom coms about teenagers like you, just like the straight kids have!”
That’s exactly what this book was. A ridiculous, over the top Looking for Alaska/Paper Towns type rom com with flawed high schoolers whose brains haven’t fully developed yet.
I liked the cast of characters that we got. I liked the fun little scavenger hunt where we get to see the Rory, Smith, and Chloe come together. I also loved that part of the setting was a family owned bookstore.
When you’re in high school, it really does feel like that’s your whole world.
Chloe is uptight and a bit mean. She’s not the greatest friend at some points. She’s flawed and honestly a little relatable. Rory and Smith were interesting characters as well, and it was nice to see their development. I liked that Chloe just casually picked up on the fact that Rory was dyslexic and no one infantilizes him or treats him differently about it.
Georgia makes a good point, that not everyone can leave their (small minded) hometown. Some people have to stay, or it will never get better.
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Stalking
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
There are a few plot holes, but it was such a fun read overall, and I would highly, highly recommend!
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Bullying, and Classism
amiraqualls's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, and Outing