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its_vendetta's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.75
I enjoyed it!! I was inbetween giving it a 3.5-4 just because I liked it, I didn’t have any big issues, but also it wasn’t that intriguing for me and I wasn’t ever on the edge of my seat or anything.
But, I also want to add that i’m not really the targeted demographic, as an asexual. A lot of Jay’s thoughts weren’t really relatable to me, and the only character I felt connected to was Max, as someone who’s genderqueer! I feel like allosexuals would relate to this book more then I did, but it was still nice!
But, I also want to add that i’m not really the targeted demographic, as an asexual. A lot of Jay’s thoughts weren’t really relatable to me, and the only character I felt connected to was Max, as someone who’s genderqueer! I feel like allosexuals would relate to this book more then I did, but it was still nice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry, Car accident, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Misogyny
CW for losing a home and money problemsparasolcrafter's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
this book made me wanna scream at jay like why is he so immature he is 18 years old good lord </3 like im sorry but i dont care if youve never been in a relationship before, most people know just by default that sleeping with someone else while youre going on dates with another person is Maybe not the Best Decision to make. like hello??? baby you grew up in washington, not on mars
also this book managed to be sex focused while feeling like it was written for children. HOW is that possible. im a little bit in awe
also this book managed to be sex focused while feeling like it was written for children. HOW is that possible. im a little bit in awe
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
readwithanne's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
emweir's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
mezzano's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Jay's Gay Agenda is the embodiment of what queer literature created by queer authors looks like. Jason June creates a sex-positive and affirming story of a gay teen who leaves his rural home of 17 years to the more queer-populated city of Seattle. Along the way, Jay meets a football team that participates in costuming clubs, exciting social situations, and attempts to stay in touch with his best friend back home. The story is enhanced by Jay's unique voice in the story, with his quirks clearly demonstrated in the first person. The other characters who are queer are also unapologetically so, and stereotyping within the community is discussed and addressed in the story. Jay is figuring out where and how he fits in with the world around him, just like the other characters in this story. Simply put: this is a story many queer people would have liked to have as a teenager.
My biggest problems with this book comes down to lack of content warnings before the story and lack of communication between characters within it. This is another book that's problems could be mostly (if not entirely resolved) from honest communication from the start, rather than assumptions. In the beginning of the story, Jay comes off as very self-centered. This is brought up by other characters, and Jay does learn from his mistakes. The only issue is that Jay's mistakes include infidelity, lying, and then getting upset when the truth slips out . At times, Jay's decisions can be made out of jealousy rather than good will, such as when Jay decides not to help out his childhood best friend by entering in his old school's homecoming contest because she was originally going to go with her boyfriend . Although these decisions did bother me while reading the story, I strongly feel that characters--especially diverse ones--should be allowed to make mistakes and grow from them as long as those mistakes are appropriately resolved.
Unlike other queer and upcoming books I've read this year, Jay's flaws are fully addressed in the story. By the end of the book, Jay is able to take full responsibility for his actions and also appropriately apologize for them. The characters which are affected hear his apology and respond realistically. My personal feelings towards stories where poor communication drives the drama aside, the story is mostly well done. The only other (minor) criticism I have for the book was certain expressions and dialogue seemed a little too forced, as though the author was making assumptions on how Gen Z students actually talk to each other. This was very apparent when the characters acted out or referenced IPhone emojis .
Overall, Jay's Gay Agenda is a great addition to the 2021 queer YA line-up. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for letting me have an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. If you are interested in picking up this book, make sure to preorder or go to your local bookstore on June 1st, 2021.
My biggest problems with this book comes down to lack of content warnings before the story and lack of communication between characters within it. This is another book that's problems could be mostly (if not entirely resolved) from honest communication from the start, rather than assumptions. In the beginning of the story, Jay comes off as very self-centered. This is brought up by other characters, and Jay does learn from his mistakes. The only issue is that
Unlike other queer and upcoming books I've read this year, Jay's flaws are fully addressed in the story. By the end of the book, Jay is able to take full responsibility for his actions and also appropriately apologize for them. The characters which are affected hear his apology and respond realistically. My personal feelings towards stories where poor communication drives the drama aside, the story is mostly well done. The only other (minor) criticism I have for the book was certain expressions and dialogue seemed a little too forced, as though the author was making assumptions on how Gen Z students actually talk to each other. This was very apparent when
Overall, Jay's Gay Agenda is a great addition to the 2021 queer YA line-up. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for letting me have an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. If you are interested in picking up this book, make sure to preorder or go to your local bookstore on June 1st, 2021.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Vomit
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Racism
Infidelity (by omission) : Jay lies about his current sexual activities to another boy he is dating. Jay lies as he is worried that telling the truth would mean that he wouldn't be able to see the person he is dating romantically anymore. Adult/minor relationship: Jay is in high school and performs sexual activities with a gay person enrolled in college. (Sexual activities were immediately following Jay's 18th birthday, but they were talking and planning activities while Jay was still 17.) Racism: One of the characters expresses that he feels he is discriminated based on being Asian. Vomit: There is a scene where a character pukes on another person.
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