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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
i kin Alex so BAD
Uriah literally deserves everything & more he’s such a good friend
Xiuying & Alex’s friendship literally made my heart burst
ALEX AND TATE WERE SO CUTE FUCK
the neurodivergent/trans/queer representation was literally so fucking perfect—coming from a queer, trans, & neurodivergent person!
this book made me laugh, tear up, & i even cried at this really specific scene surrounding the celebration of transness because i related so much & it hurt so good
my last book of April & it was amazing FUCKKK
Uriah literally deserves everything & more he’s such a good friend
Xiuying & Alex’s friendship literally made my heart burst
ALEX AND TATE WERE SO CUTE FUCK
the neurodivergent/trans/queer representation was literally so fucking perfect—coming from a queer, trans, & neurodivergent person!
this book made me laugh, tear up, & i even cried at this really specific scene surrounding the celebration of transness because i related so much & it hurt so good
my last book of April & it was amazing FUCKKK
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a very modern love story, with modern and current issues running throughout, focusing on mental health, sexuality and identity.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
I found that I really related to the main character - a lot of her anxieties and worries are the same that I used to struggle with; small things that may seem tiny and inconsequential to others, but world-crushing to me.
I really enjoyed the swimming aspect of it, and the sports university that the characters studied in was an interesting concept. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more focus on that part of the book too, which would have gone hand in hand nicely with the other issues raised in the book, and would have given it a lot more depth, I think.
It was a cozy book, and reminded me that my life is special and important, no matter what I decide to do with it, and has motivated me to work hard to reach my own personal goals.
Overall it was a sweet, short, enjoyable and easy to read book that was just what I needed.
emotional
hopeful
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
This was such a sweet book. Alex’s anxiety is something that resonated so hard with me. Their identity journey of this book is so relatable. I love how Alex’s friendships were handled in that they were all individuals and not just there to hold up Alex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, Transphobia, Grief, Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Full disclosure: Margherita is my co-facilitator for a reading challenge that we are running called #TheDiverseBaseline (you can find more info linked above!), so yes, I am biased in reading their work, but I also am a voracious reader and genuinely adored this book and these characters!
This is a character-driven, slice-of-life story about college athletes on a made-up island in Europe. Alex is our main character, who begins the novel with she/her pronouns, but I won’t say more on Alex’s journey as to not spoil it! Alex is a collegiate swimmer with best friend Xiuying, who is Chinese, lesbian, and always rooting for Alex 😭 Xiuying introduces Alex to her long lost childhood friend, Tate, who is a bit of a mystery to Alex. Alex just can’t get a read on Tate, if he really wants to be friends or not.
Characters explore gender identity, sexual orientation, and a lot of focus is on the queer/questioning representation. I appreciated that so many characters opened dialogues, however little finesse they had, and invited the other to be brave and know they were supported regardless. Some dialogues were very straightforward, while others started and stopped within multiple conversations over time. I felt this to be authentically represented, because it is not always a one-and-done conversation. Characters had so much curiosity and wonder about figuring out which labels and terms felt right for them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt deep in that limbo of questioning and reflecting.
The romance was really sweet and I adored how patient Tate was, and not only that, but how he framed this to Alex. Tate continued to affirm and reassure Alex that he wanted to be in the relationship, and even if it went at a different pace than others, it was still valid and just as worthy and lovely. The side romance between Xiuying and her love interest was cute too!
Margherita’s thoughtfulness to include both a book cover image ID and map image ID shows the lengths that they take to ensure their work is inclusive and intentional. I have never seen that in a book before, and I hope more author and publishers take note. I can’t wait to read the rest of their books <3
Full disclosure: Margherita is my co-facilitator for a reading challenge that we are running called #TheDiverseBaseline (you can find more info linked above!), so yes, I am biased in reading their work, but I also am a voracious reader and genuinely adored this book and these characters!
This is a character-driven, slice-of-life story about college athletes on a made-up island in Europe. Alex is our main character, who begins the novel with she/her pronouns, but I won’t say more on Alex’s journey as to not spoil it! Alex is a collegiate swimmer with best friend Xiuying, who is Chinese, lesbian, and always rooting for Alex 😭 Xiuying introduces Alex to her long lost childhood friend, Tate, who is a bit of a mystery to Alex. Alex just can’t get a read on Tate, if he really wants to be friends or not.
Characters explore gender identity, sexual orientation, and a lot of focus is on the queer/questioning representation. I appreciated that so many characters opened dialogues, however little finesse they had, and invited the other to be brave and know they were supported regardless. Some dialogues were very straightforward, while others started and stopped within multiple conversations over time. I felt this to be authentically represented, because it is not always a one-and-done conversation. Characters had so much curiosity and wonder about figuring out which labels and terms felt right for them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt deep in that limbo of questioning and reflecting.
The romance was really sweet and I adored how patient Tate was, and not only that, but how he framed this to Alex. Tate continued to affirm and reassure Alex that he wanted to be in the relationship, and even if it went at a different pace than others, it was still valid and just as worthy and lovely. The side romance between Xiuying and her love interest was cute too!
Margherita’s thoughtfulness to include both a book cover image ID and map image ID shows the lengths that they take to ensure their work is inclusive and intentional. I have never seen that in a book before, and I hope more author and publishers take note. I can’t wait to read the rest of their books <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Transphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria
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:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
emotional
funny
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
Dans un pays entre la Sardaigne et l'Espagne se trouve White Ravens University, une école spécialisée dans le sport. On suit Alex, dans l'équipe de sport avec sa meilleure-amie Xiuying. Après une première rencontre gênante avec un volleyeurs, elle le recroise à plusieurs reprises sans que jamais son anxiété ne se calme. Puis au fil du temps, son cercle d'amis s'étend en même temps que son coeur se met à battre un peu plus vite aux côtés de ce fameux garçon...
Je crois avoir absolument tout adoré dans ce livre. Les personnages, l'ambiance, le sport, la queerness absolument partout...
Typiquement, c'est le genre de livre que j'aurai aimé pouvoir lire plus jeune pour me sentir représenté.e et savoir que c'est okay d'être queer.
Il y a plein de représentations queers et j'ai tout simplement adoré. Des questionnements sur le genre, sur l'orientation amoureuse et sexuelle (gros gros coeur sur Bibou Uriah 🩵) qui font chaud au coeur.
Il y a aussi toute une notion de santé mentale avec l'anxiété d'Alex et son mutisme partiellorsque cela arrive.
En bref, de la found family, du sport, des amis adorable et du love t4t, franchement, je ne Dans un pays entre la Sardaigne et l'Espagne se trouve White Ravens University, une école spécialisée dans le sport. On suit Alex, dans l'équipe de sport avec sa meilleure-amie Xiuying. Après une première rencontre gênante avec un volleyeurs, elle le recroise à plusieurs reprises sans que jamais son anxiété ne se calme. Puis au fil du temps, son cercle d'amis s'étend en même temps que son coeur se met à battre un peu plus vite aux côtés de ce fameux garçon...
Je crois avoir absolument tout adoré dans ce livre. Les personnages, l'ambiance, le sport, la queerness absolument partout...
Typiquement, c'est le genre de livre que j'aurai aimé pouvoir lire plus jeune pour me sentir représenté.e et savoir que c'est okay d'être queer.
Il y a plein de représentations queers et j'ai tout simplement adoré. Des questionnements sur le genre, sur l'orientation amoureuse et sexuelle (gros gros coeur sur Bibou Uriah 🩵) rien de plus !
Je crois avoir absolument tout adoré dans ce livre. Les personnages, l'ambiance, le sport, la queerness absolument partout...
Typiquement, c'est le genre de livre que j'aurai aimé pouvoir lire plus jeune pour me sentir représenté.e et savoir que c'est okay d'être queer.
Il y a plein de représentations queers et j'ai tout simplement adoré. Des questionnements sur le genre, sur l'orientation amoureuse et sexuelle (gros gros coeur sur Bibou Uriah 🩵) qui font chaud au coeur.
Il y a aussi toute une notion de santé mentale avec l'anxiété d'Alex et son mutisme partiellorsque cela arrive.
En bref, de la found family, du sport, des amis adorable et du love t4t, franchement, je ne Dans un pays entre la Sardaigne et l'Espagne se trouve White Ravens University, une école spécialisée dans le sport. On suit Alex, dans l'équipe de sport avec sa meilleure-amie Xiuying. Après une première rencontre gênante avec un volleyeurs, elle le recroise à plusieurs reprises sans que jamais son anxiété ne se calme. Puis au fil du temps, son cercle d'amis s'étend en même temps que son coeur se met à battre un peu plus vite aux côtés de ce fameux garçon...
Je crois avoir absolument tout adoré dans ce livre. Les personnages, l'ambiance, le sport, la queerness absolument partout...
Typiquement, c'est le genre de livre que j'aurai aimé pouvoir lire plus jeune pour me sentir représenté.e et savoir que c'est okay d'être queer.
Il y a plein de représentations queers et j'ai tout simplement adoré. Des questionnements sur le genre, sur l'orientation amoureuse et sexuelle (gros gros coeur sur Bibou Uriah 🩵) rien de plus !
This book made me feel so many things. It is probably the book I have ever related to the most. The main characters' thoughts sometimes felt like they had been copy-and-pasted directly from my brain. This made it very emotional to read but also so very hopeful.
I loved all of the characters and all the little details that made them feel so real. It felt really good to read this story about a group of characters finding each other and also finding themselves.
Overall, I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author!
I loved all of the characters and all the little details that made them feel so real. It felt really good to read this story about a group of characters finding each other and also finding themselves.
Overall, I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author!