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blanchedoesthings's review
This is genuinely just badly written.. not to be that person but even I(non-writer but huge reader) could think of better ways to phrase pretty much everything
koreykit's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
I was hoping that this book would go more into gender stuff, but it was a good story about a teen being bullied for not meeting gendered expectations. Nic read as obviously autistic to me, but this was never addressed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Pedophilia
i_readsandbujos's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
allielovestoread's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
fanboyriot's review
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
4.5
Read For:
Hurt/Comfort
Coming of Age
Depression Rep
Gender Nonconforming MC
Wholesome Sibling Friendship
This was something I would have loved to read in high school or even middle school, to be honest. The self-discovery, mental health rep, the helpless loneliness, and the healing and finding your voice were all written nicely.
I’m not going to lie, I thought Nic was annoying for a small part of the beginning of the book but by the end, she was such a lovely character. Seeing her stand up for herself after so many years of bullying and having very few people who even cared, her development was so nice to see. I could go on about how happy I was when she switched therapists and found one who was a decent human being who listened to her and helped her.
Growing up with little to no friends it was relatable to see the familiarity, the loneliness, depression, and not really having people around you that get you or dare to step out of societal normalities. Nic’s trip to Scotland to see Sam was proof that the people around you have a big effect on your mental health.
Last but not least, I loved Izzy so much and how she really comforted Nic; it was nice to see that Nic had supportive parents even if they assumed wrong it was still heartwarming to read.
Thanks to the author and @pridebooktours on Instagram for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
(First Person POV)
Spice: None
Rep: Gender Nonconforming MC, Depression, Mental Health, LGBTQIA+ characters mentioned throughout
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, and Mental illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault
booksandsalt's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
lexee9's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This story was interesting and different. I thought it had a pretty good take on Nic and what it felt honest for what someone in that position would be going through. The story read genuine and it flowed pretty well and let you get to know the characters. There were things that kept the story moving forward as Nic tried to figure out who she was and wanted to be and how she identified since she didn't just fit in the norm and trying to do it in high school. This story does deal with a lot of emotions due to that. This book did seem to have a little bit of a abrupt ending for me. It does have an ending and Nic is better than where she was but there were still a lot of plot trails that were really not tied up. They also don't pretend to be tied up or solved.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
lgbtrepinbooks's review
3.0
Trigger Warnings: Bullying, homophobia, cursing, negative self-talk, alcohol, underage drinking, past sexual assault, fat shaming, misgendering, house fire, therapy, depression
Representation: Questioning, Mental Health
Ugly is the story of sophomore Nic who is often called the ugly lesbian at school. While just trying to survive and do her art, Nic’s world comes to a halt when her only friend will be moving to a different country. Trying to make new friends and find her correct label, Nic finally learns that she must follow her own path in life.
This eARC was provided by the Hidden Gems Books in exchange for an honest review.
This book was pretty slow. I felt like there was so much potential but also a lot of confusion. I felt like we missed out on the beginning of the story or more interactions with Nic and her classmates. A lot of the story was telling us how singled out she felt, but not actually experiencing it happening. I was also confused why Nic being tall kept getting her misgendered, especially in Oklahoma. I thought Nic had so much potential and was relatable with her lack of self confidence but she also seemed so unrealistic. I did love her internet searches though! And I loved her interactions with therapy and having to find the right one but I’m not sure her “questionable” art piece was reason enough to force her into it.
Representation: Questioning, Mental Health
Ugly is the story of sophomore Nic who is often called the ugly lesbian at school. While just trying to survive and do her art, Nic’s world comes to a halt when her only friend will be moving to a different country. Trying to make new friends and find her correct label, Nic finally learns that she must follow her own path in life.
This eARC was provided by the Hidden Gems Books in exchange for an honest review.
This book was pretty slow. I felt like there was so much potential but also a lot of confusion. I felt like we missed out on the beginning of the story or more interactions with Nic and her classmates. A lot of the story was telling us how singled out she felt, but not actually experiencing it happening. I was also confused why Nic being tall kept getting her misgendered, especially in Oklahoma. I thought Nic had so much potential and was relatable with her lack of self confidence but she also seemed so unrealistic. I did love her internet searches though! And I loved her interactions with therapy and having to find the right one but I’m not sure her “questionable” art piece was reason enough to force her into it.
queer_bookwyrm's review
This was a gifted book from the author, but I should have declined since it's a YA contemporary. I just don't find the story compelling. This would be a great read for any teen who is struggling with their gender and/or sexuality.
squidias's review
3.0
I picked Ugly because the novel featured a genderfluid flag on the cover and the description sounded fascinating. Unfortunately, I felt disappointment through much of the novel.
I think that if I'd read Ugly five, six years ago, I might have liked it a lot more. As it stands, I found the way that this novel treated woman insufferable; I understand that it's about a gender non-conforming woman coming to terms with young adulthood and the world -- and as someone who is gender non-conforming and gender fluid, I get it! -- but it was more than a little frustrating to read Nic talking about how society forces women to be, and yet have absolutely no sympathy for the women/girls around her just trying to fit into the mold. She, and her best friend, talk about most other girls in the novel derogatorily, not to mention that I just found it unrealistic for Nic to be The One Girl who wasn't a prep. The only (teenage) girl besides Sam who's treated with kindness by the narrative/Nic was Mia, who's introductory description made me uncomfortable for entirely unrelated reasons (the whole "Mia is cute, Mia looks like a little girl, Mia is so innocent" thing felt weird and borderline fetishizing to do to the only notable character of color, especially since she's Asian)
Another thing that hit me poorly was the protagonist refusal to use her sister's full name, despite her sister repeatedly asking her (and everyone around her!) to; nearly every time, it was accompanied by a thought of "We've always called her Izzy" or "No matter what she says, she'll be Izzy forever" which is not the attitude that I like to read from protagonists who are exploring transness and gender nonconformity. It all just felt more than a little inconsiderate.
Overall, I think this novel could be good for people who aren't me; if you're an afab teen struggling with gender, maybe you'll really love this! I just didn't. The short chapters, ironically, just made the book feel longer and if it hadn't been a booksprout review, I probably would've DNF'd this.
Also, because it wasn't mentioned anywhere in the description and completely jarred me (another reason I would've DNF'd!) here are some trigger warning spoilers:
Childhood sexual harassment/assault mentions in chapter 16, 46, 47, 52, 66, 69, 72, obliquely mentioned at the end of 80 and start of 81
Intimate partner violence mentions from chapter 25, 63, 75
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I think that if I'd read Ugly five, six years ago, I might have liked it a lot more. As it stands, I found the way that this novel treated woman insufferable; I understand that it's about a gender non-conforming woman coming to terms with young adulthood and the world -- and as someone who is gender non-conforming and gender fluid, I get it! -- but it was more than a little frustrating to read Nic talking about how society forces women to be, and yet have absolutely no sympathy for the women/girls around her just trying to fit into the mold. She, and her best friend, talk about most other girls in the novel derogatorily, not to mention that I just found it unrealistic for Nic to be The One Girl who wasn't a prep. The only (teenage) girl besides Sam who's treated with kindness by the narrative/Nic was Mia, who's introductory description made me uncomfortable for entirely unrelated reasons (the whole "Mia is cute, Mia looks like a little girl, Mia is so innocent" thing felt weird and borderline fetishizing to do to the only notable character of color, especially since she's Asian)
Another thing that hit me poorly was the protagonist refusal to use her sister's full name, despite her sister repeatedly asking her (and everyone around her!) to; nearly every time, it was accompanied by a thought of "We've always called her Izzy" or "No matter what she says, she'll be Izzy forever" which is not the attitude that I like to read from protagonists who are exploring transness and gender nonconformity. It all just felt more than a little inconsiderate.
Overall, I think this novel could be good for people who aren't me; if you're an afab teen struggling with gender, maybe you'll really love this! I just didn't. The short chapters, ironically, just made the book feel longer and if it hadn't been a booksprout review, I probably would've DNF'd this.
Also, because it wasn't mentioned anywhere in the description and completely jarred me (another reason I would've DNF'd!) here are some trigger warning spoilers:
Childhood sexual harassment/assault mentions in chapter 16, 46, 47, 52, 66, 69, 72, obliquely mentioned at the end of 80 and start of 81
Intimate partner violence mentions from chapter 25, 63, 75
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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