Reviews

The Key to You and Me by Jaye Robin Brown

Only show reviews with written explanations

aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition

4.0

This was really sweet and I enjoyed it. I knew it was a slow burn, but I wish it had been a *little* faster. I also took umbrage with how Kat dealt with being in the closet, with her homophobic snits. I felt like someone in her circle would have been offended at how she snapped about that even if she was trying to keep cover in a small town.

kelly1505's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

2.5

yoana_s's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I really enjoyed the writing style but it was too boring for me. I felt like nothing happened. Overall it was an enjoyable read but nothing special.

sausome's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was a sweet, queer, YA romance novel with Sapphic horse girls, small town "should I come out" characters, and lots of safe driving! Not a lot of depth, but just re-read that first sentence - any adult romance novel is surface AF, and this definitely had a bit more going on that your typical romance, being about two girls who seem to like each other but one isn't quite sure where she is on the sexuality spectrum. And the queer Massachusetts girl is into show horses, but not just any show horses, DRESSAGE (that's that crazy prancy performance that I think is rough on horse legs, but idk for sure). She is recovering from a breakup before spending time in Texas to dedicate time to her horse-craft, with her very supportive yet firm grandma.

Good things about this book: lots of positivity around queerness, despite hesitancy coming out and worries about how family will react. It was actually really refreshing to read a YA LGBTQ book that wasn't about all the devastation and trauma of being queer, just normal concerns and full acceptance from the people around them. It just doesn't all need to be devastation! Also, full marks for really having responsible drivers, despite partying and having fun, some underage drinking (as kids are wont to do), these kids ALWAYS made sure to call an adult for a ride, or stay sober as the designated driver. I think that always needs reiterating, so top marks for that.

Not great things: a whole lotta white folk, despite being in Texas, where I'm sure there's a prominent Latinx population. Perhaps that's a horse-community thing, but it was noticeable. Also, the book really just ends when I wanted to read more about Piper and Kat and Elliott - how does Piper's training go? How does Kat's sister manage with her dance stuff? How is Kat as she grows more into her sexual identity? Anyway, more stuff I wished I learned.

But, overall, a very enjoyable, nice, fun, romance book about some queer horse-gals and a small town in Texas. It was a fast read, and maybe a bit like a YA "Desert Hearts" without the divorcee, haha. Good for a light queer romance pick-me-up.