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gab_l23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
whatthekatdraggedin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Based on the synopsis I was expecting this book to be a lot heavier than it was. It is definitely sad and deals with a lot of heavy topics. But so much of the book is spent developing Cameron as a character and how she relates to the world, despite being vastly different from myself I found her deeply relatable and loveable. Despite dealing with quite heavy subject matter it is almost compulsively readable and I found myself sad at the end to say goodbye to Cameron.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Outing, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Grief, Alcohol, Vomit, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia
baybod's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Very well written and beautiful lesbian coming of age story placed in a conservative community. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions reading this—excitement, deep sadness, rage, etc.—all of which showed how truly powerful the story is. I love the dedication to portraying authentic queer experiences and also to showing the horrors of conversion therapy for what they are. I was worried I would lose interest during part three, but it actually did a great job of keeping me engaged while showing a completely different experience that many queer youth unfortunately do live through. I loved the ending and the hope it left for the future of the characters. There’s so much more I could say about this but I’ll leave it at that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Death of parent
lesbiankj's review against another edition
Homophobia scenes were too strong to fully enjoy the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Outing
cosmicwillow's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
a vividly intense read with a lot of heart. i really enjoyed this, but the slow pace and odd grammar/narrative choices in certain parts made it fall flat at times which is why i knocked off a star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Car accident
rafacolog's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Homophobia
jdrosario_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
this book is fucking amazing. it’s emotional and it’s raw and it’s real, the trope of chosen family is so strong which i absolutely love. the book starts off slow, but it develops so thoroughly and makes everything so worth it. cameron’s character is so genuine and her emotions and experiences throughout conversion therapy are, although i wouldn’t know through experience, so realistic and..i don’t even have enough words to explain it. i watched the movie before i read the book, and i’ve been wanting to read it for so long hoping it’d meet my expectations and good lord has it exceeded them MASSIVELY. i love love love, might just be my new favourite book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Self harm
ember_is_gay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i have been wanting to read this for ages and it did not disappoint. it was so beautifully written and really raw, which i appreciated for such a serious topic. i so easily got lost in the book and could see the whole story playing out as I read (i have not seen the movie). the first part with cameron growing up was like i was reading a real life account of someones childhood from their perspective. the rawness of the second part where cameron is at God's Promise was again as if someone was talking about their personal experience of conversion camp.
as queer people today, we should read books like this to understand our community's history (and present; conversion camps and therapies are still rife). there are moments where the camp appears fun and lighthearted but the seriousness of what those kids are going through hits out of nowhere and bought me to tears. cameron and her friends have to make the most of their situation to survive and that is made clear. they dont have any other options as they are being torn down and made to hate themselves.
as queer people today, we should read books like this to understand our community's history (and present; conversion camps and therapies are still rife). there are moments where the camp appears fun and lighthearted but the seriousness of what those kids are going through hits out of nowhere and bought me to tears. cameron and her friends have to make the most of their situation to survive and that is made clear. they dont have any other options as they are being torn down and made to hate themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Outing, Self harm, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, and Car accident
wellbealright's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Self harm and Death of parent
ismei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Self harm