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angieinbooks's review
3.0
The summer before Cameron's senior year isn't going particularly well. Her parents have recently gotten divorced and her mom has picked up a second job to help fill in the financial void left by Cameron's dad moving out, which means Cameron has had to find a job (at least it's at a library) and she's basically co-parenting her younger brothers. She has a boyfriend, but she can't understand why she's not that into him anymore, and there's this girl she doesn't know who she keeps seeing at the library and she's drawn to her.
Library girl is Riley. She's spent the summer before her senior alone and in a new place, since her mom's job brought the family from Illinois to Indiana. And just as she strikes up the courage to talk to the cute girl who works at the library, she finds out she has a boyfriend. Bummer.
But it turns out that Riley and Cameron are both trying out for the varsity soccer team and they quickly become friends. But Cameron is struggling with the fact that she's more attracted to Riley than she is her own boyfriend, and Riley isn't out to anyone in Indiana other than her parents. And she's afraid of telling Cameron she's a lesbian because what if it ruins their friendship?
I really enjoyed this story for what it is-- a coming of age story about coming out and falling for your best friend. It definitely wasn't the best novel I've with those themes but it's not the worst. But I did like that Kate Gavin made Cameron bi and there was a lot of discussion about what that meant (and some of it got a bit didactic--as if it's geared towards people completely unfamiliar with the concept of bisexuality). Overall, I thought it was a very cute story that's really quick to read and I can't wait to read more from Gavin.
Library girl is Riley. She's spent the summer before her senior alone and in a new place, since her mom's job brought the family from Illinois to Indiana. And just as she strikes up the courage to talk to the cute girl who works at the library, she finds out she has a boyfriend. Bummer.
But it turns out that Riley and Cameron are both trying out for the varsity soccer team and they quickly become friends. But Cameron is struggling with the fact that she's more attracted to Riley than she is her own boyfriend, and Riley isn't out to anyone in Indiana other than her parents. And she's afraid of telling Cameron she's a lesbian because what if it ruins their friendship?
I really enjoyed this story for what it is-- a coming of age story about coming out and falling for your best friend. It definitely wasn't the best novel I've with those themes but it's not the worst. But I did like that Kate Gavin made Cameron bi and there was a lot of discussion about what that meant (and some of it got a bit didactic--as if it's geared towards people completely unfamiliar with the concept of bisexuality). Overall, I thought it was a very cute story that's really quick to read and I can't wait to read more from Gavin.
thewoollygeek's review
3.0
A quick easy read, run of the mill coming out story and felt a bit too light for me to be honest. It was a nice light read suitable for YA romance readers , but nothing substantial here really.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
judeinthestars's review
4.0
I’ve often wondered what it would have been like if I’d been brave enough to come out when I was a teenager (I waited until I was 23 and studying in another country). Cameron is in her last year of high school when she realizes she’s not in love with her boyfriend anymore and is such more interested in Riley, who happens to be a girl. The good news is, Riley is interested in her too.
While Riley’s already out to her parents and friends, she’s still trying to fit in as the new girl at school. Both young women are navigating new territory, a new city / school / set of friends / soccer team for Riley, her sexual orientation for Cameron. Being a teenager is mostly about discovering new things about oneself and about the world, and this novel is a good illustration of that.
On top of the romance part, there are a lot of interesting relationships in this book: the relationships between the two MCs and their parents, Cam’s relationship with her brothers, her relationship with best friend Claire, Riley’s relationship with her ex, Abby. And though I had a bit of trouble with the writing at first, I forgot all about it afterwards, and, in the end, only remember how the author manages to give distinct voices to her characters. The teenagers sound like teenagers, the younger kids like younger kids and the parents like normal adults. That’s not always a given (especially with younger characters), and Kate Gavin did a really good job on that front.
I’ve read plenty of YA lesfic but there’s something refreshing about this novel that I can’t really explain. There’s nothing groundbreaking about it but it’s heartwarming and totally worth reading.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
While Riley’s already out to her parents and friends, she’s still trying to fit in as the new girl at school. Both young women are navigating new territory, a new city / school / set of friends / soccer team for Riley, her sexual orientation for Cameron. Being a teenager is mostly about discovering new things about oneself and about the world, and this novel is a good illustration of that.
On top of the romance part, there are a lot of interesting relationships in this book: the relationships between the two MCs and their parents, Cam’s relationship with her brothers, her relationship with best friend Claire, Riley’s relationship with her ex, Abby. And though I had a bit of trouble with the writing at first, I forgot all about it afterwards, and, in the end, only remember how the author manages to give distinct voices to her characters. The teenagers sound like teenagers, the younger kids like younger kids and the parents like normal adults. That’s not always a given (especially with younger characters), and Kate Gavin did a really good job on that front.
I’ve read plenty of YA lesfic but there’s something refreshing about this novel that I can’t really explain. There’s nothing groundbreaking about it but it’s heartwarming and totally worth reading.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
rougeang13's review
4.0
Very sweet YA romance. A true coming out story. My first by Kate Gavin and also her debut book. The writing is good and I look forward to reading more by her.
barbrokatrin's review
3.0
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A sweet teenage romance. A coming out/coming of age story.
If you’re looking for a YA lesbian romance this is a good pick, it’s sweet and a fast read
A sweet teenage romance. A coming out/coming of age story.
If you’re looking for a YA lesbian romance this is a good pick, it’s sweet and a fast read
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