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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
This was a fun one, Casey never misses. I think a thriller teen mystery romance with gay panic. More please
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found it really hard to rate this book because while I wasn’t that crazy about the main romance I absolutely loved the secondary characters and their arcs throughout the story. If it wasn’t for everything else going on in the background of the main plot I probably would’ve given this book 3 stars.
I really liked Chloe’s growth throughout the book. I can only imagine how hard it would be to move from your home and friends in Southern California to live with your dying grandmother in Alabama, then having to stay in that entirely different environment for the rest of your high school career. I admired how Chloe made the best of it but the author acknowledged some of the frustration and sadness Chloe internalized because of this environment.
The author also expanded on the lgbtq+ representation and advocacy she’s shown in her previous books with the secondary characters in this book. I loved Smith and Rory- they brought humor and different perspectives to the main storyline and I loved their dynamic with Chloe. Chloe’s friends Ash, Benjy, and Georgia were all very distinct characters and played their own roles in the story. The author also introduced even more different perspectives with the popular jock and cheerleader characters. I really loved seeing these characters start in their own little boxes and then start to break out of the roles they were forced into by other people’s expectations.
McQuiston addressed stereotyping in such an impactful way by showing how Chloe was judging her town and classmates without giving them any real chances, showing how students were placed into their roles and made to stay there by their school and the weight of expectations they felt, and writing characters who broke away from these boxes in an effort to highlight the injustices many characters faced within their community. I really loved the last few chapters of this book because it felt like the students were taking control over their lives and not only calling out the toxicity around them but trying to do something about it to help one another.
Now, while I adored all the lgbtq+ representation, discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation, and busting of stereotypes, I didn’t love the main plot. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t really vibe with it. I didn’t really get Chloe’s obsession with Shara and didn’t really understand Shara’s motivations either. I mean, I get why she wanted out of the role of Shara Wheeler, I just didn’t really connect with how she went about doing it. I can objectively see how all the pieces fit together and created a really cool narrative, it just didn’t really grab me emotionally like the main romances in Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop.
Despite not falling head over heels for the main romance there is so much more to love about this book. I would definitely recommend giving it a read; it’ll make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy while also making you laugh with the dialogue and funny scenarios. Another smash from Casey McQuiston!
I found it really hard to rate this book because while I wasn’t that crazy about the main romance I absolutely loved the secondary characters and their arcs throughout the story. If it wasn’t for everything else going on in the background of the main plot I probably would’ve given this book 3 stars.
I really liked Chloe’s growth throughout the book. I can only imagine how hard it would be to move from your home and friends in Southern California to live with your dying grandmother in Alabama, then having to stay in that entirely different environment for the rest of your high school career. I admired how Chloe made the best of it but the author acknowledged some of the frustration and sadness Chloe internalized because of this environment.
The author also expanded on the lgbtq+ representation and advocacy she’s shown in her previous books with the secondary characters in this book. I loved Smith and Rory- they brought humor and different perspectives to the main storyline and I loved their dynamic with Chloe. Chloe’s friends Ash, Benjy, and Georgia were all very distinct characters and played their own roles in the story. The author also introduced even more different perspectives with the popular jock and cheerleader characters. I really loved seeing these characters start in their own little boxes and then start to break out of the roles they were forced into by other people’s expectations.
McQuiston addressed stereotyping in such an impactful way by showing how Chloe was judging her town and classmates without giving them any real chances, showing how students were placed into their roles and made to stay there by their school and the weight of expectations they felt, and writing characters who broke away from these boxes in an effort to highlight the injustices many characters faced within their community. I really loved the last few chapters of this book because it felt like the students were taking control over their lives and not only calling out the toxicity around them but trying to do something about it to help one another.
Now, while I adored all the lgbtq+ representation, discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation, and busting of stereotypes, I didn’t love the main plot. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t really vibe with it. I didn’t really get Chloe’s obsession with Shara and didn’t really understand Shara’s motivations either. I mean, I get why she wanted out of the role of Shara Wheeler, I just didn’t really connect with how she went about doing it. I can objectively see how all the pieces fit together and created a really cool narrative, it just didn’t really grab me emotionally like the main romances in Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop.
Despite not falling head over heels for the main romance there is so much more to love about this book. I would definitely recommend giving it a read; it’ll make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy while also making you laugh with the dialogue and funny scenarios. Another smash from Casey McQuiston!
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
it started a bit slow for me and didn't really captivate me as much, but it hit a point where the relationships and characters themselves started to develope more from the mold the story had shown us at the beginning and I started to enjoy it a lot, had me kicking my feet by the last chapters <3
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Couldn’t put it down. Amazing read for queer kids with catholic/Christian guilt
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
