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cc_shelflove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
valancysnaith's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
combeferre_01's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
linnea1801's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
nerdy_booklover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
nat_montego's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Child abuse
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Stevie, our main character, is probably the best developed, as most of the side characters felt pretty one dimensional to me. We do get to hear some from Nora through the forms of letters, but we really only see her through Stevie's. That was really my only complaint about the story, though, that I wish some of the side characters would have been more developed.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the way Stevei's friendship with Ryan kind of happened because of her accident. He becomes such a great ally for her, and I imagine that their friendship will continue long after this story is over.
There was also a sense of tension due to Stevie's amnesia, because we know something happened between her and her parents but we don't really know what, just like Stevei doesn't know what. It adds to the plot and helps make it a better overall story, in my opinion.
All in all, this is a touching romance that will leave you with a sense of hope by the end.
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
astraeal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
kenzieburns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The first big surprise of this book for me was that it was from Stevie's perspective. Based on the published synopsis, I had assumed Nora's POV would be the focal point of the novel, and at first I was put off by knowing that Stevie would soon forget everything. I expected the memory loss to make the narration confusing, but it actually wasn't a problem, especially since the accident happens so early in the book, it's not like there is a bunch of back story that the reader is missing. I guess this is to say I actually really liked having Stevie's perspective, because as a reader, parts of her story were revealed to me as she relearned them herself, which made me feel really connected to her character.
I think Derrick did an amazing job of broaching some really complex topics throughout the novel, such as xenophobic and racist behavior and internalized homophobia. The nuances in Derrick's discussion of these topics was particularly striking, especially since she was writing through an 18-year-old's perspective. As an ex-Catholic and someone who also realized my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s, I really appreciated being able to relate to the complicated emotions Stevie experienced in her internal coming out, as well as the conflicts her sexuality created in relationships she cared about. While listening to this book, I was continuously reminded of the dedication, "To all the Queer kids in a place like Wyatt; hang in there, it gets better." I know that there are parts of this story that are idealized and that not everyone gets the ending Stevie does, but I do hope that kids in places like Wyatt will read this story and know that they can get out, and that they will find people who love them entirely as they are, even if those people are not their immediate family.
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia