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vael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship, Deportation, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Sexual content, Outing, Classism, Police brutality, Misogyny, War, Racism, and Racial slurs
rainbeauregard's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Minor: Violence and Miscarriage
literarypenguin'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
I loved the character of Lily and how we saw this story from her perspective mainly. She is Chinese, has many expectations placed upon her by her parents yet she has dreams of getting a career in space and mathematics. She also helps take care of her two little brothers who she is very close with. She also has a friend that she grew up with in the same city she live in named Shirley, the daughter of restaurant owners. This friendship with Shirley is tested throughout this book with Lily questioning their friendship and how Shirley has treated her in the years they have been friends. Not only does she rethink her friendships but she thinks about her sexuality. How she has always felt different then others and never had an attraction to the boys in her school. When she starts up a friendship with Kath, those questions come at full force as she starts to realize what these feelings might be. One thing I loved about Lily was her interest in space, sci fi, and mathematics. Her bond with her aunt and uncle is also very sweet that she had someone she could relate to.
The history weaved through this story about actual LGBTQ events, places, and history. I loved how the author brought up LGBTQ reading material that was available in those times. How the Telegraph Club was based on actual clubs that were around at those times. The facts put in to the story made this story so much better to me!
The romance between Kath & Lily was super sweet, very well developed, and a beautiful relationship. It was bittersweet especially at the end but thankfully it gave me hope that they would be alright. Their bond was and buildup of the romance was wonderful and showing a positive female female love.
I enjoyed this book and I may pick up the follow up of this story. Maybe even pick up more books from this author as well!
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage
adalinemccormick's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Outing, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Deportation
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual content, Miscarriage, and Forced institutionalization
reike's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Homophobia
Moderate: Xenophobia, War, Racism, and Miscarriage
Minor: Misogyny
crazybookworm31's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
dangselena's review
- 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
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Minor: Deportation, Miscarriage, Racism, and Sexual content
hex_agon'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: Toxic friendship, Outing, Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Miscarriage and Deportation
brekaboujie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was an interesting mix of a laid back, medium paced romance and a pretty tense exploration of lesbophobia, racism, and the intersectionality around that. I really liked Lily as a character and enjoyed viewing the world through her eyes - I knew literally nothing about the history of Chinese people immigrating to America and the view additional pages of historical context at the end of the book were very useful for expanding out the reality mixed with the fiction of Lily's story.
The romance side of things was very sweet, and I liked the characterisation overall - there ended up being loads of characters to keep track of but it was very easy to do so, everyone felt pretty individual to me. It was really interesting to see how the groups of people were separated, across race, sexuality, and age. And the little flashbacks gave nice context and helped to keep me empathetic to everyone (bar Shirley, who didnt have a flash back but I just need to emphasise how we hate Shirley in this house).
An interesting point on Shirley though, and late plot spoilers here -
Overall, really sweet, very interesting, and taught me something new!!
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
llamallama527's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Xenophobia
Minor: Deportation and Miscarriage