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readingqueerly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
Lesbians in the fifties. What's not to like? You know... Apart from the obvious but shhhhh.
The first half of this book went quite slowly for me, though that might be a me-problem as I've been struggling with a slump. But the second half of this book just flew by. The chemistry was palpable and during several moments I truly felt the complicated mix of emotions the characters were experiencing. The excitement of meeting someone special, the fear of knowing what that means because the special someone is not who you're supposed to want. The relief to find a community in a world that is not ready for you and the desperation to be together despite all odds and intervention from the law.
A really good YA/NA book with immense growth for the main character about very real problems that are still relevant to modern day.
The first half of this book went quite slowly for me, though that might be a me-problem as I've been struggling with a slump. But the second half of this book just flew by. The chemistry was palpable and during several moments I truly felt the complicated mix of emotions the characters were experiencing. The excitement of meeting someone special, the fear of knowing what that means because the special someone is not who you're supposed to want. The relief to find a community in a world that is not ready for you and the desperation to be together despite all odds and intervention from the law.
A really good YA/NA book with immense growth for the main character about very real problems that are still relevant to modern day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
leffel's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this story, I just wanted to give all the characters a hug and say there is nothing wrong with being gay. I think this was written as a YA but the writing wasn’t annoying or too young. So many good quotes about first love and loving who you want regardless of what your family or friends think.
“It wasn’t like chocolate, Lily thought. It was like finding water after a drought. She couldn’t drink enough, and her thirst made her ashamed, and the shame made her angry.”
“It wasn’t like chocolate, Lily thought. It was like finding water after a drought. She couldn’t drink enough, and her thirst made her ashamed, and the shame made her angry.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
illtakethenightshiftx's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Absolutely loved this!!! I wish the ending wasn’t so quick, but besides that it was an fantastic read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
cogowno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
alica2's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
I really liked the historical setting, but I felt kind of underwhelmed by the characters. Lily and Kath's relationship was cute, but after the beginning section I didn't really get a good feel of Kath's character besides her wanting to be a pilot. I felt like there was a lot of stuff included that didn't really go anywhere or was only offhandedly mentioned later, like I thought there would be more tension around Lily's fake ID given how concerned she was about getting it, or that the Red Scare might impact her family/friends more directly, or that her attendance at the youth picnic early on might have more drastic consequences later.
I liked the interlude sections where we got POVs into Lily's parents and aunt, but these also didn't really seem to add much to the story since I never saw those parts of their character peek through in Lily's perspective. The ending also felt way too rushed for me, and I know every queer story doesn't have to have a happy ending but it just felt really unsatisfying and abrupt.
With that said though, I still loved the atmosphere and could feel the love and research that went into it. It was nice to be back in San Francisco, and especially to see a part of its history that I haven't really been exposed to. I think this would have been a perfect book for me when I was younger, and probably would have helped me figure things out sooner LOLOL.
I liked the interlude sections where we got POVs into Lily's parents and aunt, but these also didn't really seem to add much to the story since I never saw those parts of their character peek through in Lily's perspective. The ending also felt way too rushed for me, and I know every queer story doesn't have to have a happy ending but it just felt really unsatisfying and abrupt.
With that said though, I still loved the atmosphere and could feel the love and research that went into it. It was nice to be back in San Francisco, and especially to see a part of its history that I haven't really been exposed to. I think this would have been a perfect book for me when I was younger, and probably would have helped me figure things out sooner LOLOL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
jayjayjers's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Homophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs and Toxic friendship
meagan123's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
sierraclimbs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.5
A really important story about the Asian American queer experience in the 1950s.
Despite this story covering some challenging topics, I found it very easily digestible & engaging. I believe it is important to remember that, as different as it seems to our modern day reality, the 1950s wasn’t that long ago & the long standing racism & bigotry persists even in small ways today.
The story is very relatable while maintaining a historical accuracy that is clearly well researched & written with passion for telling untold stories of the time.
I think this book should be put on required reading lists for high schoolers everywhere.
Despite this story covering some challenging topics, I found it very easily digestible & engaging. I believe it is important to remember that, as different as it seems to our modern day reality, the 1950s wasn’t that long ago & the long standing racism & bigotry persists even in small ways today.
The story is very relatable while maintaining a historical accuracy that is clearly well researched & written with passion for telling untold stories of the time.
I think this book should be put on required reading lists for high schoolers everywhere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, War, Bullying, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Deportation
This is a historical fiction, all words & terms used are due to trying to stay faithful to the time period it takes place in. Nothing felt egregious or unnecessary.purplevibes123's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
This book is so incredible. There’s no words to describe how it makes you feel. It’s been a while since I have read a book where I have felt so connected to the characters, where I have imagined what happens next just to get myself to fall asleep. When anything happens in the book, I feel it like I’m the one in the situation. I can’t recommend this enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Deportation
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Miscarriage
jayrosew's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Violence