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martereadsbooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Child abuse
colleensreadingadventures's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like my love for YA Contemporary is waning and it makes me incredibly sad. I have found some amazing books in the past. It’s either YA Contemporary changing or it’s me that’s changing. But then I look back at some recent books that fall into that category that I’ve really enjoyed, and I wonder if it’s more that the genre is changing. Help me out people, am I alone in feeling this way? Am I the only one who thinks YA Contemporary has gotten a bit boring and repetitive?
Some Girls Do is one of the ones I feel ehh about. It started out promising…I was feeling like I finally got a winner on my hands! I had a big smile on my face. But then..nope…I found myself being let down again after the first couple of chapters.
Morgan a rising High School track star finds herself in a new school when her Catholic Private School made it obvious being queer is just not OK. She is not the type to hide in the closet so she’s moving on to a new team and school.
Ruby, who’s personality is a bit rough around the edges, is being forced to be a Serial Beauty Pageant Contestant by her mother while her true passion is working on cars. She has to keep her bi-sexuality buried because her Mom has made it clear her girl crushes are NOT OK.
When Morgan and Ruby first run into each other, literally pedestrian meets car, there is instant attraction but because Ruby can’t let anyone know her sexuality she is rude and brusque throwing Morgan attitude. And Morgan thinks the girl that gave her immediate sparks is a beast. So Morgan and Ruby are not off to a great start. But they are being consistently thrown together and their feelings start to show. The problem is Ruby can’t be “out and proud” like Morgan, Ruby doesn’t have the support system that she does. And Morgan is not understanding of Ruby’s dilemma and wants to let the world know they are becoming an item. These circumstances tear them apart and even though they really care for each other there may not be a way to fix their relationship with their difference in lifestyle choices.
Honestly the insta love rubbed me the wrong way. Ruby really knew nothing about Morgan and she was already mooning over her pretty much the first day!? Unrealistic! And it wasn’t mushy love because they constantly go at it, which was also annoyed the hell out of me. And honestly I got bored with how Morgan wanted to push her being out in everyone’s faces. I applauded Morgan’s strength and courage but she wanted everyone to live just like her. She had zero sympathy for Ruby, knowing how hard it is coming out, seeing the way Ruby lived without a supportive family like she was lucky enough to have.
Basically I really like the idea of the story behind Some Girls Do, but it needs a bit more development and better chemistry with the love interests.
Thank You Penguin Teen for the opportunity to read and review Some Girls Do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
kostkova_barca's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
lee8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to enjoy this book but ended up only enjoying the last 40-50 pages. The characters (specifically Morgan) frustrated me all throughout the entire book. She was constantly getting mad at Ruby because of reasons including not being out which is out of Ruby's control. Considering Morgan went through the whole private school thing, I would expect her to be more understanding. She continues to expect absolutely zero homophobia and I feel like a better lesson for this book would be to stop trying to make everyone like you. As a queer teen myself, we all quickly learn not everybody will like us, and that doesn't make it okay, but there will always be people who disapprove ANYTHING you do in life. This girl needs someone to slap some sense into her if she thinks the private school incident is the end of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol and Outing
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