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emallovesreading's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Sexual content
nataliebootlah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Emmy lives in a small town where football and church are everything. Her dad, a devout Baptist and beloved football coach, is her best friend. So when she comes out as lesbian…it doesn’t go well. Emmy starts her senior year of college struggling to find out who she is and if her family and faith can still be a part of her life.
As a straight, cis woman who has unsurprisingly never dealt with discrimination over who I love, this was a small glimpse into what LGBT+ folks quite often face. I initially didn’t enjoy how faith-heavy it was, but soon recognized it as an important layer to Emmy’s relationships with herself, her parents, and her community.
The West Texas setting, intersection of faith and sexuality, complexities of a first love, and Emmy’s coming of age were all very well done. This novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster—anger, heartbreak, happiness—as Emmy grappled with becoming who she truly is despite everything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Outing, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual content
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