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midwifereading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I read this one as part of my 12 book recommendations from 12 friends in 12 months challenge, and while I can see why the recommender loves it so much, it's not really my thing.
I have never been big on stories where romance is the entire plot, and this one wasn't an exception. Romance as a subplot, as one facet of a larger story, or as one factor in the development of an amazing character is great. But as the whole entire story? 🤷🏻‍♀️
I do agree with some other reviews who note that the characters all feel a bit flat, without a lot of dimension or layers, so if character driven books are your thing, this one may not be one you'll enjoy. Then again, I am far removed from the target audience (older teens), so that probably has a lot to do with it. I can see why young adults would enjoy it.
It's kind of a sweet, light, springy read. But even in my light reading, I need something to bite into, and this one is cotton candy. It doesn't really do it for me.
Also. I listened to it on audio, so all the text messages starting with the sender's initials drove me batty. Probably not an issue with the physical book or on Kindle.
I have never been big on stories where romance is the entire plot, and this one wasn't an exception. Romance as a subplot, as one facet of a larger story, or as one factor in the development of an amazing character is great. But as the whole entire story? 🤷🏻‍♀️
I do agree with some other reviews who note that the characters all feel a bit flat, without a lot of dimension or layers, so if character driven books are your thing, this one may not be one you'll enjoy. Then again, I am far removed from the target audience (older teens), so that probably has a lot to do with it. I can see why young adults would enjoy it.
It's kind of a sweet, light, springy read. But even in my light reading, I need something to bite into, and this one is cotton candy. It doesn't really do it for me.
Also. I listened to it on audio, so all the text messages starting with the sender's initials drove me batty. Probably not an issue with the physical book or on Kindle.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
jadeandherbunny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Made me reflect on my own bisexuality journey.
I love Imogen and Tessa sooo much, Tessa is my babe.
I love Lili too.
But Gretchen can fuck off ❤️
Sooo funny!
Will reread for sho
I love Imogen and Tessa sooo much, Tessa is my babe.
I love Lili too.
But Gretchen can fuck off ❤️
Sooo funny!
Will reread for sho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Cursing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gaslighting and Lesbophobia
Minor: Religious bigotry
jerbarger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
This book is so complicated… yet so simple at the same time. Awesome representation of three-dimensional queer characters of all kinds. Really loved the exploitation of nuance and discourse and community, etc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Biphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Mental illness, Cursing, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
laurensgaylife's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Outing and Sexual content
wildbuiltrobot's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-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
I adore this book! Queer YA has a special place in my heart--books like these didn't exist for me growing up. And so, to read a story that felt relatable to my experience, despite it taking place in a very different environment and for a very different generation, was healing for my inner child.
I enjoyed the characters (except one, you know who you are!), the dialogue was fun, and the banter made me laugh many times throughout the story.
On top of that, Albertalli did a great job touching on topics like internalized biphobia,
compulsory heterosexuality, and gatekeeping
within the queer community
I've enjoyed all of Becky Albertalli's books, and
this one continues that trend! It's definitely going
on my list of favourites.
ETA: I like to read the reviews of others who have different opinions than me about the books I love or hate. It's interesting to see differing perspectives, and many times, I have discovered something I hadn't considered, which I always appreciate.
So, I did read some low reviews of Imogen, Obviously. And I have more thoughts I'd like to share.
Straight-passing privilege is such a weird idea to me. Like, I get that by "passing" as straight someone might avoid direct, immediate harm... but also, what harm is it causing to the person who is only "passing" because they are terrified to be their true selves. The person who doesn’t get to explore outward expressions of their queer identity, or the relationships they want to have, and is only protected by pretending to be someone they aren't. We may be safer from physical violence, which fair, but we are not safer from the harm caused by hateful rhetoric and the slurs hurled in other directions because we *know* that they are directed at us, too. It's just that no one else knows it.
It's not better to pass, just a different way to hurt. I know because I lived it. Thankfully, I am at a place in life where I am SAFE and secure enough in who I am to let my queer flag fly, and because of that, I no longer "pass."
I enjoyed the characters (except one, you know who you are!), the dialogue was fun, and the banter made me laugh many times throughout the story.
On top of that, Albertalli did a great job touching on topics like internalized biphobia,
compulsory heterosexuality, and gatekeeping
within the queer community
I've enjoyed all of Becky Albertalli's books, and
this one continues that trend! It's definitely going
on my list of favourites.
ETA: I like to read the reviews of others who have different opinions than me about the books I love or hate. It's interesting to see differing perspectives, and many times, I have discovered something I hadn't considered, which I always appreciate.
So, I did read some low reviews of Imogen, Obviously. And I have more thoughts I'd like to share.
Straight-passing privilege is such a weird idea to me. Like, I get that by "passing" as straight someone might avoid direct, immediate harm... but also, what harm is it causing to the person who is only "passing" because they are terrified to be their true selves. The person who doesn’t get to explore outward expressions of their queer identity, or the relationships they want to have, and is only protected by pretending to be someone they aren't. We may be safer from physical violence, which fair, but we are not safer from the harm caused by hateful rhetoric and the slurs hurled in other directions because we *know* that they are directed at us, too. It's just that no one else knows it.
It's not better to pass, just a different way to hurt. I know because I lived it. Thankfully, I am at a place in life where I am SAFE and secure enough in who I am to let my queer flag fly, and because of that, I no longer "pass."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
stacy837's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Biphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Outing, Gaslighting, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
midnightbelles's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Literally kicked my feet and giggled for a good chunk of this book.
On a serious note this was sweet. I enjoyed reading about Imogen and seeing how she came to terms with discovering something new about herself. I don’t know if it was the pace I read this or the book pacing but I zoomed through this and I feel like a lot happened in the 9? Days that this story took place. I also really loved the friendship that she had with Lili and her little crew as well. Very cute :)the biphobia from Gretchen was horrendous though
On a serious note this was sweet. I enjoyed reading about Imogen and seeing how she came to terms with discovering something new about herself. I don’t know if it was the pace I read this or the book pacing but I zoomed through this and I feel like a lot happened in the 9? Days that this story took place. I also really loved the friendship that she had with Lili and her little crew as well. Very cute :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
bookishperseus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Outing, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Bullying, and Alcohol
genevieve_eggleston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Honestly, I loved this book! I decided to read it primarily because I’ve enjoyed Becky Albertalli’s previous work and I knew there was some pansexual/panromantic representation. But, I ended up being blown away by how much I liked this book. The cast of characters is realistic, relatable, and fun to read about. The story itself is touching, funny, and great all around. The primary romance was compelling and I loved the dynamics. I loved this book and would highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Biphobia
Minor: Sexism, Lesbophobia, Cursing, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Bullying
mmefish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
I could ask her why she gets to decide what counts as questioning. And who counts as queer. And when she talks about the queer community, who does she mean? Who gets let in? Who gets shoved out? And what do you do with the fact that no two people seem to do queerness in quite the same way?
[...]
But then I might have to ask myself some things too.
Like why I thought I needed her permission in the first place.
Oh, this was so good! Questioning if you're actually queer, overthinking and believing that everyone is secretly tired of you — younger me relates too much.
Amazing characters, believable teenage interactions (though the slang will definitely become outdated at some point), good humour and a satisfying ending. It could hardly be better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Outing
Moderate: Gaslighting and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content