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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i found olivia to be so incredibly selfish throughout the book that it was honestly tough to read at parts. olivia did have some decent character development and in the last like 10% actually apologized to her best friend, but it took us way too long to get to that point.
i did like the little throwback to YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by including mack in this.
the story overall felt like it was trying to include a lot all at once, and just wasn’t my favorite. additionally, this story took place over a 3-day weekend and toni was already talking about “falling in love” with olivia like 66% of the way through the book. the insta-love was very overwhelming.
overall, i loved the description of the music festival (as a music fan and festival-goer, the atmospheric description was 100% accurate). i’ve missed live music during this nightmare-world we’ve been in, and this was a nice release. i also loved the representation in the book and i am very glad it exists.
i likely would only recommend this to a friend if they’ve already read YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN, as i don’t think this should be anyone’s first dabble into leah johnson’s work, because she is better than this book shows.
(imani was my favorite tho i’m willing to go to war for her. loml. i want her to be happy all the time. we’re getting married in the spring and you’re all invited.)
i did like the little throwback to YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by including mack in this.
the story overall felt like it was trying to include a lot all at once, and just wasn’t my favorite. additionally, this story took place over a 3-day weekend and toni was already talking about “falling in love” with olivia like 66% of the way through the book. the insta-love was very overwhelming.
overall, i loved the description of the music festival (as a music fan and festival-goer, the atmospheric description was 100% accurate). i’ve missed live music during this nightmare-world we’ve been in, and this was a nice release. i also loved the representation in the book and i am very glad it exists.
i likely would only recommend this to a friend if they’ve already read YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN, as i don’t think this should be anyone’s first dabble into leah johnson’s work, because she is better than this book shows.
(imani was my favorite tho i’m willing to go to war for her. loml. i want her to be happy all the time. we’re getting married in the spring and you’re all invited.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Toxic friendship
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent
Well that was just utterly adorable. A quick read perfect for summer and pride! <3
challenging
emotional
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
What I Liked:
- I loved how the entire plot revolved around a music festival and that theme was so prevalent throughout.
- I really loved these characters.
- I think the book benefitted greatly from the dual perspective - it would not have worked had we just gotten one of the girls' side of the story.
- The backstory about Toni's family and how she got into music was so well done.
- I do think that we got to see the girls' emotions play out really well. Each girl was so unique in her thoughts and how she dealt with her own struggles and it translated really well to the page.
What I Didn't Like/Wanted More Of:
- I thought this book went in too many different directions. With multiple "shootings" (one not being an actual shooting), it just felt like it tried to throw too much into one story.
- I wish the plot had been fleshed out just a little more. It almost seemed like the Golden Apple contest was forgotten until the last second and then hastily thrown in, for example.
This was good but it felt like everything was condensed to make it a shorter book. I would have accepted more details/a longer book happily especially since there were some intense topics that could have been flushed out more.
adventurous
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
this was absolute perfection and i'm utterly speechless!!!!!!!! all you need to know (for now) is that i cried and hugged the book when i finished it
This book is going to clear your skin, make your hair shiny, water your plants, clean your room, and wrap your heart in a hug (after putting it through some pain). I don't have enough words to express just how much I loved this book. It touched the deepest parts of my heart books rarely reach. It was such an incredibly powerful and beautiful book about finding love within others and yourself, about friendship, going after your dreams, dealing with loss, figuring yourself and your life out, and so much more.
It is a story about two girls who are a little lost in life in different ways and music and a magical weekend bring them together. As someone who loves music and festivals, I loved the setting so much, and it made me so happy to see Toni find her way back to music after losing touch with it after her father's death. I also loved the way that Olivia learned that no part of her was wrong, that while she is imperfect and makes mistakes, she's right just the way it is and deserves unconditional love no matter what.
It has the most perfect balance between a coming-of-age story and a beautiful, sweet, loving romance. If you're scared of it being insta-love since it is set during three days, I don't think you have to worry about that at all. I don't know how Leah managed it but it felt so real and not a single part of it was rushed. If you want to read a beautiful, tender, vulnerable, and deeply touching story about two queer (bisexual and lesbian) Black girls falling in love, you have to read this. Just please please please pick it up.
This book is going to clear your skin, make your hair shiny, water your plants, clean your room, and wrap your heart in a hug (after putting it through some pain). I don't have enough words to express just how much I loved this book. It touched the deepest parts of my heart books rarely reach. It was such an incredibly powerful and beautiful book about finding love within others and yourself, about friendship, going after your dreams, dealing with loss, figuring yourself and your life out, and so much more.
It is a story about two girls who are a little lost in life in different ways and music and a magical weekend bring them together. As someone who loves music and festivals, I loved the setting so much, and it made me so happy to see Toni find her way back to music after losing touch with it after her father's death. I also loved the way that Olivia learned that no part of her was wrong, that while she is imperfect and makes mistakes, she's right just the way it is and deserves unconditional love no matter what.
It has the most perfect balance between a coming-of-age story and a beautiful, sweet, loving romance. If you're scared of it being insta-love since it is set during three days, I don't think you have to worry about that at all. I don't know how Leah managed it but it felt so real and not a single part of it was rushed. If you want to read a beautiful, tender, vulnerable, and deeply touching story about two queer (bisexual and lesbian) Black girls falling in love, you have to read this. Just please please please pick it up.
I tend to have a hard time with YA at this point in my life. However, queer YA romance has really been blowing me away lately, and none so much as Leah Johnson’s You Should See Me In A Crown and Rise To The Sun.
You Should See Me In A Crown was a knockout debut about a queer Black girl running for prom queen in the hopes of clinching the scholarship prize. It’s funny and bright and devastating and electric.
Leah Johnson’s next book, Rise To The Sun, which just came out last week, is all that and more. In contrast, this romance is dual POV as two young Black women find each other and fall in love over the course of a three-day summer music festival. It’s smart and quirky and authentic and beautiful.
Both of these are narratives of queer teenagers finding joy more than coming out. They show the complexities of queer female friendship and the the realities of sickness in one’s own life and the lives of those they love. They are raw and powerful and swoony and just so goddamn good.
Queer Black girls deserve to read stories of themselves thriving, and thanks to Leah Johnson, the rest of us have the privilege of reading it as well.
You Should See Me In A Crown was a knockout debut about a queer Black girl running for prom queen in the hopes of clinching the scholarship prize. It’s funny and bright and devastating and electric.
Leah Johnson’s next book, Rise To The Sun, which just came out last week, is all that and more. In contrast, this romance is dual POV as two young Black women find each other and fall in love over the course of a three-day summer music festival. It’s smart and quirky and authentic and beautiful.
Both of these are narratives of queer teenagers finding joy more than coming out. They show the complexities of queer female friendship and the the realities of sickness in one’s own life and the lives of those they love. They are raw and powerful and swoony and just so goddamn good.
Queer Black girls deserve to read stories of themselves thriving, and thanks to Leah Johnson, the rest of us have the privilege of reading it as well.
This book was amazing!!! It definitely made me miss going to concerts. I loved the love story between Olivia and Toni who were trying to find themselves and not only found that but each other. Peter was the perfect himbo and I loved him. Imani reminded me a little bit of myself and I realize that like me she's a Capricorn. Overall this was a great story and Leah Johnson has done it again.