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fizzy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
ecster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an OK book to listen to, a very obvious Romeo & Juliet story. Ridley's anxiety was very annoying to listen to even if it can be like this.
I did like the hopeful ending and how the protagonists are actively working on themselves
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Car accident, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse
viireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Biphobia, Sexual harassment, and Alcoholism
itsy719's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
As soon as I finished Dugan’s book Some Girls Do last week, I knew I wanted to read more from her. Lucky me, my library had an ebook of Verona Comics readily available, so I checked it out. I don’t even remember if I read the synopsis; I just guessed from the title it was a Romeo and Juliet retelling and went from there. I’m a bit impulsive when it comes to books, haha.
Anyway, here I am, having read two of Dugan’s books out of three. While Verona Comics didn’t have quite the same effect on me that Some Girls Do did, I still really enjoyed it. I immediately loved both Jubilee and Ridley, and related to the latter much more than I thought I would. The self-deprecation, the bad relationship with his father…. just call me out, Ms. Dugan, why don’t you. Startling similarities aside, Ridley must be protected at all costs.
I also really liked Jubilee’s friends, and her moms. All of the relationships were so well-written, and seeing her parents lowkey adopt Ridley made my heart happy. I’d like to be first in line behind Jubilee to punch Ridley’s father in the face. With a chair. I’m glad that the poor boy had his sister, at least. I liked Gray, and their bond.
I really like modern retellings of classics, and Dugan did a great job with this redone R&J. Although I occasionally thought some aspects of the feud were a bit too dramatic, it mostly worked out. The indie store vs corporation theme also felt very prevalent to today’s society.
There were some other prevalent discussions and themes too, like Jubilee wondering if she can be bi/pansexual even though she’s never dated a girl, and co-dependency in a relationship. Just like with SGD, I felt the balance between this heavier content and lighter moments was perfectly done, making for an emotional but not overly devastating read.
Not gonna lie though, the last third of the book really hurt my heart, and had me worrying. I know suicidal thoughts are mentioned in the content warnings, but I want to mention again that they’re there. I don’t know that I’ve read any other books with a character presently having such blatant thoughts like that, so while I do want more people to read this book, bear that in mind if you do.
I was so relieved that this book had a better ending than the story that inspired it. I won’t say much, but it was good, and it was hopeful, and I liked it.
It’s safe to say that Dugan is creeping her way up my favorite contemporary authors list. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she does in the future.
Representation
Anyway, here I am, having read two of Dugan’s books out of three. While Verona Comics didn’t have quite the same effect on me that Some Girls Do did, I still really enjoyed it. I immediately loved both Jubilee and Ridley, and related to the latter much more than I thought I would. The self-deprecation, the bad relationship with his father…. just call me out, Ms. Dugan, why don’t you. Startling similarities aside, Ridley must be protected at all costs.
I also really liked Jubilee’s friends, and her moms. All of the relationships were so well-written, and seeing her parents lowkey adopt Ridley made my heart happy. I’d like to be first in line behind Jubilee to punch Ridley’s father in the face. With a chair. I’m glad that the poor boy had his sister, at least. I liked Gray, and their bond.
I really like modern retellings of classics, and Dugan did a great job with this redone R&J. Although I occasionally thought some aspects of the feud were a bit too dramatic, it mostly worked out. The indie store vs corporation theme also felt very prevalent to today’s society.
There were some other prevalent discussions and themes too, like Jubilee wondering if she can be bi/pansexual even though she’s never dated a girl, and co-dependency in a relationship. Just like with SGD, I felt the balance between this heavier content and lighter moments was perfectly done, making for an emotional but not overly devastating read.
Not gonna lie though, the last third of the book really hurt my heart, and had me worrying. I know suicidal thoughts are mentioned in the content warnings, but I want to mention again that they’re there. I don’t know that I’ve read any other books with a character presently having such blatant thoughts like that, so while I do want more people to read this book, bear that in mind if you do.
I was so relieved that this book had a better ending than the story that inspired it. I won’t say much, but it was good, and it was hopeful, and I liked it.
It’s safe to say that Dugan is creeping her way up my favorite contemporary authors list. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she does in the future.
Representation
- queer questioning protagonist
- bisexual protagonist
- Black lesbian side character
- Korean side character
- Latine sapphic side character
- bisexual side character
- two sapphic side couples (f/f)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Suicide attempt
“Mental illness” refers to Ridley’s anxiety and depression. “Drug use” and “alcoholism” refer to Ridley’s father; these things are only mentioned. The suicide attempt occurred several years prior to the story but is mentioned semi-frequently throughout.
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