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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What I thought was going to be a very sad novel (which it was at points), but it really ends on quite a hopeful note, taking a turn that I didn't expect. In a good way! It maybe wasn't the most realistic of endings, but it is a romance novel after all.
Stevie, our main character, is probably the best developed, as most of the side characters felt pretty one dimensional to me. We do get to hear some from Nora through the forms of letters, but we really only see her through Stevie's. That was really my only complaint about the story, though, that I wish some of the side characters would have been more developed.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the way Stevei's friendship with Ryan kind of happened because of her accident. He becomes such a great ally for her, and I imagine that their friendship will continue long after this story is over.
There was also a sense of tension due to Stevie's amnesia, because we know something happened between her and her parents but we don't really know what, just like Stevei doesn't know what. It adds to the plot and helps make it a better overall story, in my opinion.
All in all, this is a touching romance that will leave you with a sense of hope by the end.
Stevie, our main character, is probably the best developed, as most of the side characters felt pretty one dimensional to me. We do get to hear some from Nora through the forms of letters, but we really only see her through Stevie's. That was really my only complaint about the story, though, that I wish some of the side characters would have been more developed.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the way Stevei's friendship with Ryan kind of happened because of her accident. He becomes such a great ally for her, and I imagine that their friendship will continue long after this story is over.
There was also a sense of tension due to Stevie's amnesia, because we know something happened between her and her parents but we don't really know what, just like Stevei doesn't know what. It adds to the plot and helps make it a better overall story, in my opinion.
All in all, this is a touching romance that will leave you with a sense of hope by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
astraeal's review
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
kenzieburns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Let me start off by saying I'm not usually the romance type, but this book had me from the start. When Stevie Green can't wait to get out of her small Pennsylvania town and head to LA with her girlfriend, Nora. The catch is that she'll have to leave behind everything and everyone she's ever known, thanks to the unacceptable air of the Catholic church he mother is so involved in and the general anti-gay sentiments of Wyatt residents. But when Stevie has a horrible accident, wiping the last 2 years from her memory, her secret plans are, quite literally, forgotten. Now Stevie is left to puzzle her life back together, and Nora can only sit and hope that Stevie finds her way back to their love.
The first big surprise of this book for me was that it was from Stevie's perspective. Based on the published synopsis, I had assumed Nora's POV would be the focal point of the novel, and at first I was put off by knowing that Stevie would soon forget everything. I expected the memory loss to make the narration confusing, but it actually wasn't a problem, especially since the accident happens so early in the book, it's not like there is a bunch of back story that the reader is missing. I guess this is to say I actually really liked having Stevie's perspective, because as a reader, parts of her story were revealed to me as she relearned them herself, which made me feel really connected to her character.
I think Derrick did an amazing job of broaching some really complex topics throughout the novel, such as xenophobic and racist behavior and internalized homophobia. The nuances in Derrick's discussion of these topics was particularly striking, especially since she was writing through an 18-year-old's perspective. As an ex-Catholic and someone who also realized my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s, I really appreciated being able to relate to the complicated emotions Stevie experienced in her internal coming out, as well as the conflicts her sexuality created in relationships she cared about. While listening to this book, I was continuously reminded of the dedication, "To all the Queer kids in a place like Wyatt; hang in there, it gets better." I know that there are parts of this story that are idealized and that not everyone gets the ending Stevie does, but I do hope that kids in places like Wyatt will read this story and know that they can get out, and that they will find people who love them entirely as they are, even if those people are not their immediate family.
The first big surprise of this book for me was that it was from Stevie's perspective. Based on the published synopsis, I had assumed Nora's POV would be the focal point of the novel, and at first I was put off by knowing that Stevie would soon forget everything. I expected the memory loss to make the narration confusing, but it actually wasn't a problem, especially since the accident happens so early in the book, it's not like there is a bunch of back story that the reader is missing. I guess this is to say I actually really liked having Stevie's perspective, because as a reader, parts of her story were revealed to me as she relearned them herself, which made me feel really connected to her character.
I think Derrick did an amazing job of broaching some really complex topics throughout the novel, such as xenophobic and racist behavior and internalized homophobia. The nuances in Derrick's discussion of these topics was particularly striking, especially since she was writing through an 18-year-old's perspective. As an ex-Catholic and someone who also realized my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s, I really appreciated being able to relate to the complicated emotions Stevie experienced in her internal coming out, as well as the conflicts her sexuality created in relationships she cared about. While listening to this book, I was continuously reminded of the dedication, "To all the Queer kids in a place like Wyatt; hang in there, it gets better." I know that there are parts of this story that are idealized and that not everyone gets the ending Stevie does, but I do hope that kids in places like Wyatt will read this story and know that they can get out, and that they will find people who love them entirely as they are, even if those people are not their immediate family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
sleepyshelves's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse and Racism
midnightbelles's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Im literally in tears. This is the book little teenage me needed but adult me is so grateful to have. I can’t explain how much I connected with this story and just how much knowing something like this exists for young teens like Stevie comforts me. This is a perfectly cheesy, heartbreaking, and sweet novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content
booksdogsandcoffee's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you Simon teen for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Perfect for anyone who loved the movie The Vow, but make it sapphic and with young adults.
Imagine living in a small conservative town, hiding a secret relationship with the girl of your dreams for two year, then with the help of a freak accident forgetting it all. Stevie forgets the past two years of her life and has a clean slate after falling into a ravine during a secret rendezvous with her girlfriend Nora.
With a clean slate what will the people Stevie thinks she is closest to most in her life do? And more importantly what will Nora do now that the love of her life doesn’t even know who she is.
Alyson Derrick masterfully weaves a story of love, figuring out your sexuality, realizing your parents are human and seizing what you want most in this world.
Cw
Racism
Homophobia
Child abuse
Gaslighting
Perfect for anyone who loved the movie The Vow, but make it sapphic and with young adults.
Imagine living in a small conservative town, hiding a secret relationship with the girl of your dreams for two year, then with the help of a freak accident forgetting it all. Stevie forgets the past two years of her life and has a clean slate after falling into a ravine during a secret rendezvous with her girlfriend Nora.
With a clean slate what will the people Stevie thinks she is closest to most in her life do? And more importantly what will Nora do now that the love of her life doesn’t even know who she is.
Alyson Derrick masterfully weaves a story of love, figuring out your sexuality, realizing your parents are human and seizing what you want most in this world.
Cw
Racism
Homophobia
Child abuse
Gaslighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Gaslighting