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kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
From what I can make out, Juliet was (self)published by Riverdale Avenue in 2016, and can I just say how thrilled I am that Penguin/Dial realized what a treasure this story is, and is republishing it much more broadly next month?
So many teens are going to connect with Juliet’s self-searching and humor and insecurities and love. Her journey from the Bronx to Portland, Oregon, where she has a summer internship with the author of Raging Flower: Empowering Your Pussy by Empowering Your Mind brings her opportunities for more self-growth than she ever thought possible. And a lot of that self-growth comes from the realization that intersectionality between feminism and racism isn’t so clear-cut.
Not only is this a wonderful story of LGBTQ+ discovery, it’s a great primer on micro-aggressions and the well-intentioned idiocy of white folks (myself most definitely included).
The only reason it’s a 4 instead of 5 is that *occasionally* the conversation is laid on a little thick. Never pedantic, but not always realistic.
Thank you, Edelweiss, for the electronic ARC!
So many teens are going to connect with Juliet’s self-searching and humor and insecurities and love. Her journey from the Bronx to Portland, Oregon, where she has a summer internship with the author of Raging Flower: Empowering Your Pussy by Empowering Your Mind brings her opportunities for more self-growth than she ever thought possible. And a lot of that self-growth comes from the realization that intersectionality between feminism and racism isn’t so clear-cut.
Not only is this a wonderful story of LGBTQ+ discovery, it’s a great primer on micro-aggressions and the well-intentioned idiocy of white folks (myself most definitely included).
The only reason it’s a 4 instead of 5 is that *occasionally* the conversation is laid on a little thick. Never pedantic, but not always realistic.
Thank you, Edelweiss, for the electronic ARC!
steph_redrum's review against another edition
5.0
Once in a while a book comes along that speaks directly to your soul ❤️ this book hit so close to home with where I am in my life right now. I’ve had this book on my TBR since 2016 and I’m so glad I read it now. Trust in your timing, friends. I laughed and I cried, and that’s unusual for me. If you’re wondering about this book, please pick it up.
chrisreadsinmhk's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book I've read this year.
I feel like I took a breath with Juliet. There is no one I wouldn't recommend this book to, but especially all the queers.
I feel like I took a breath with Juliet. There is no one I wouldn't recommend this book to, but especially all the queers.
theorojas's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
paperbookslove's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved imagining all of the queer black and brown kids reading this book and feeling seen. It warms my old, crusty, queer (well intentioned but still fucking up and learning) white person heart.
moose_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
other_worlds_than_these's review against another edition
4.0
On the surface, this is a great book to introduce anti-racist themes and ideas and lgbtq identities and should definitely be included in school libraries!
Minor spoilers ahead
Now for my personal opinion; I found some of the characters to be a bit preachey about their ideas and not leave room for disagreement. I rolled my eyes a lot because I couldn’t stand the characterization of Harlow; she started off fun and cool but then turned into the personification of white feminism and I didn’t like that some of the characters refuse to educate her on her racism. If someone you cared about says something racist, like what Harlow does, I think it’s in both parties interests to educate them and not just walk away.
I felt like the book’s intentions was all over the place so I don’t know what the author is trying say; on one hand, Juliet forgives Harlow and educates her on what she said was harmful, which I think will be good for both characters. But on the other hand, Maxine doesn’t seem to ever want to educate Harlow or help her understand how she’s racist so they break up. And I think that makes it seem that white allies who fail in some way, they shouldn’t be re-educated and/or redeemed by people who initially cared for them. And I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing.
Some of Harlow’s ideas are actually good; we still live in a world that treats womxns’ bodies has property and sexualized as well as deemed ugly so i thought some of her “Raging Flower” stuff was good; to teach other women that their bodies are magical. And I also think that that particular idea could perpetuate transphobia and exclude trans women and that’s a valid worry but I feel like that’s also assuming Harlow or someone with a similar worldview would be transphobic. I feel like both Harlow’s worldview and Juliet’s and all the other women in the book could exist and be believed in at the same time.
Okay that’s it for my rambling thoughts. If you’re into anti-racist fiction that’s coming-of-age, then read this! It’s definitely thought provoking!
Minor spoilers ahead
Now for my personal opinion; I found some of the characters to be a bit preachey about their ideas and not leave room for disagreement. I rolled my eyes a lot because I couldn’t stand the characterization of Harlow; she started off fun and cool but then turned into the personification of white feminism and I didn’t like that some of the characters refuse to educate her on her racism. If someone you cared about says something racist, like what Harlow does, I think it’s in both parties interests to educate them and not just walk away.
I felt like the book’s intentions was all over the place so I don’t know what the author is trying say; on one hand, Juliet forgives Harlow and educates her on what she said was harmful, which I think will be good for both characters. But on the other hand, Maxine doesn’t seem to ever want to educate Harlow or help her understand how she’s racist so they break up. And I think that makes it seem that white allies who fail in some way, they shouldn’t be re-educated and/or redeemed by people who initially cared for them. And I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing.
Some of Harlow’s ideas are actually good; we still live in a world that treats womxns’ bodies has property and sexualized as well as deemed ugly so i thought some of her “Raging Flower” stuff was good; to teach other women that their bodies are magical. And I also think that that particular idea could perpetuate transphobia and exclude trans women and that’s a valid worry but I feel like that’s also assuming Harlow or someone with a similar worldview would be transphobic. I feel like both Harlow’s worldview and Juliet’s and all the other women in the book could exist and be believed in at the same time.
Okay that’s it for my rambling thoughts. If you’re into anti-racist fiction that’s coming-of-age, then read this! It’s definitely thought provoking!
5yr1_'s review against another edition
inspiring
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
justineprince's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
virgilvenus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25