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zohannah's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
yasidiaz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blithesquesttoread's review against another edition
5.0
Oh gosh, give me a book which will top this one. I'll wait.
andreea11'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
4.5
andrearuthelyn's review against another edition
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
4.0
rerudis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
arich192's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
luckyonesoph's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
Loved this, so much. The writing, the complex familial relationships, the sapphic love - it was all so beautiful. I just wish the end wasn’t so fast because there were some loose threads that could have been tied up a little better. I did love all the little interludes though - they were such an important part of the story that we wouldn’t have gotten from Avery’s POV.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, Death, and Police brutality
Minor: Gun violence
monarchsandmyths's review against another edition
thank you to recorded books and netgalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I didn’t quite know what to expect, and to say it was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. I was immersed in the story, in part a product of growing up in the suburban South, and also because of the very fitting narration of Tamika Katon-Donegal. The coming-of-age narrative develops in a way that feels so genuine, as well as weaving in the elements of drama, romance, mystery, and identity. It is absolutely worth the read.
Avery’s character is so strong, and yet felt so real. Jas Hammonds has created the story of a queer character where queerness is central to her character and evident, but it isn’t the story. She just is. Even more, she develops in community, and in finding support outside of an idealized narrative. As someone who’s newly in college, this felt like such a heartfelt and realistic take on being a senior in high school, of being high achieving and dealing with the dissolution of that success ideal.
Both writing and plot-wise, this story is crafted so intriguingly. While it follows a clear arc, there is a sense of uncertainty with the end; really just that a real story doesn’t just end when you turn to the acknowledgements. I keep repeating that it felt so genuine and real but it does. There may be little comments or moments that don’t feel realistic, but at heart it truly does. It kept me on my toes and wrapped up in the world, even beyond that of Avery.
As themes, grief and identity are so intertwined. It was hard to read about a grandparent that you’re losing and feeling as if you’ve lost the chance to get to know them anyway. I kept thinking about my own experiences with it. And on the other hand, it did bring a sense of peace to that point, that there is no perfect ending but to cherish what you have, to live and to be when you know there isn’t a perfect, certain ending.
I don’t think I’m fully capable of summing up this book, or even my thoughts on it. It’s well written, heartfelt, and well worth the read.
Going into this book, I didn’t quite know what to expect, and to say it was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. I was immersed in the story, in part a product of growing up in the suburban South, and also because of the very fitting narration of Tamika Katon-Donegal. The coming-of-age narrative develops in a way that feels so genuine, as well as weaving in the elements of drama, romance, mystery, and identity. It is absolutely worth the read.
Avery’s character is so strong, and yet felt so real. Jas Hammonds has created the story of a queer character where queerness is central to her character and evident, but it isn’t the story. She just is. Even more, she develops in community, and in finding support outside of an idealized narrative. As someone who’s newly in college, this felt like such a heartfelt and realistic take on being a senior in high school, of being high achieving and dealing with the dissolution of that success ideal.
Both writing and plot-wise, this story is crafted so intriguingly. While it follows a clear arc, there is a sense of uncertainty with the end; really just that a real story doesn’t just end when you turn to the acknowledgements. I keep repeating that it felt so genuine and real but it does. There may be little comments or moments that don’t feel realistic, but at heart it truly does. It kept me on my toes and wrapped up in the world, even beyond that of Avery.
As themes, grief and identity are so intertwined. It was hard to read about a grandparent that you’re losing and feeling as if you’ve lost the chance to get to know them anyway. I kept thinking about my own experiences with it. And on the other hand, it did bring a sense of peace to that point, that there is no perfect ending but to cherish what you have, to live and to be when you know there isn’t a perfect, certain ending.
I don’t think I’m fully capable of summing up this book, or even my thoughts on it. It’s well written, heartfelt, and well worth the read.