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izzykai's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was wholesome, funny, teen angsty and very gay. Although I really enjoyed it, the plot was a bit ridiculous at times and main characters were often unlikeable (Shara and Chloe) so I docked a star for that. Loved all the other characters thought and loved the mystery/adventure.
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
seventhswan's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
This was a fun, lighthearted read that I know I would have eaten up as a teen! It had the Casey McQuiston hallmarks of being very chaotic, full of side characters that were as well-developed as the MCs, and of course extremely gay. As McQuiston points out in the acknowledgements, it's important that LGBTQ teens have access to these kinds of stories, so I'm not bothered in the slightest that the plot was pretty predictable - and the writing was solid, anyway.
I didn't, though, enjoy this book as much as One Last Stop or Red, White and Royal Blue. Part of this is definitely that I'm not the target demographic for this story and found the high-school friendship dramas grating rather than relatable at this point in my life. Part of it was my frustration with Chloe, the main character - I liked just about every other character better, and found that she didn't get less annoying over the course of the book. And, sadly, part of it was that I feel parts of the plot were so unrealistic as to be dangerously hopeful. I wish it was possible to be nonbinary, date men, wear glitter eyeliner, and still get a full D1 scholarship for college football. I wish it was true that a group of LGBT students could effectively protest a homophobic Christian high school and have the support of the local press, and for the worst result of this to be some mean words and funny looks. Red, White and Royal Blue was just as unrealistic in this regard, but there are far fewer potential First Children in the world than ordinary queer teens in violently homophobic environments, and while the relentless optimism of this book was sweet, I don't feel able to fully endorse it.
I didn't, though, enjoy this book as much as One Last Stop or Red, White and Royal Blue. Part of this is definitely that I'm not the target demographic for this story and found the high-school friendship dramas grating rather than relatable at this point in my life. Part of it was my frustration with Chloe, the main character - I liked just about every other character better, and found that she didn't get less annoying over the course of the book. And, sadly, part of it was that I feel parts of the plot were so unrealistic as to be dangerously hopeful. I wish it was possible to be nonbinary, date men, wear glitter eyeliner, and still get a full D1 scholarship for college football. I wish it was true that a group of LGBT students could effectively protest a homophobic Christian high school and have the support of the local press, and for the worst result of this to be some mean words and funny looks. Red, White and Royal Blue was just as unrealistic in this regard, but there are far fewer potential First Children in the world than ordinary queer teens in violently homophobic environments, and while the relentless optimism of this book was sweet, I don't feel able to fully endorse it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
luxxltyd's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Biphobia
jojothefool's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
If Kasey McQuiston has a million fans, I’m one of them. If she has one fan, it’s me. If she has zero fans, I’M DEAD.
Found all the characters super lovable despite their flaws. Thought Chloe was just SUCH a teenager but in a very relatable and admirable way. There book has a good balance of like accepting yourself and being open to growth and recognizing everyone’s coming out and coming of age stories are very different. Just a really fun silly time with like a genuinely interesting mini mystery throughout.
Found all the characters super lovable despite their flaws. Thought Chloe was just SUCH a teenager but in a very relatable and admirable way. There book has a good balance of like accepting yourself and being open to growth and recognizing everyone’s coming out and coming of age stories are very different. Just a really fun silly time with like a genuinely interesting mini mystery throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Lots of religion based internalized homophobia but not from our main characterlaerkelikesreading's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
carolinars's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Dysphoria, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
keayra_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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
I am completely shocked how by the end I became a Smith Stan!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
margaretwaltemath09's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I really loved the book. Im glad about the ending and there was a lot of turn of events. It was a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Cursing
Minor: Classism, Bullying, Outing, and Gaslighting
reallife_kazbrekker's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Liked this book a little bit less than I was expecting, but it also didn't necessary disappoint me at the same time... It just wasn't the type of book I was expecting when I picked it up.
The "mystery" aspect of this book was a bit uninteresting to me, and I kinda already guessed where the clues where gonna lead from the beginning. There was like zero tension for me, but maybe that was the author's intention? I mean it wasn't a mystery book, so maybe the mystery wasn't supposed to be as nerve wracking as I was expecting.
So yeah, didn't exactly get the book I wanted when I read the synopsis, but it wasn't bad! Liked the representation and the resolution to everything! Wished the relationships were a bit more fleshed out tho.
The main couple of the book doesn't really give me a "we are gonna last forever vibe", I feel like they are just gonna break up in like 2 years and this whole "mystery" was all for nothing...
But maybe I'm he only one who got that vibe.
The "mystery" aspect of this book was a bit uninteresting to me, and I kinda already guessed where the clues where gonna lead from the beginning. There was like zero tension for me, but maybe that was the author's intention? I mean it wasn't a mystery book, so maybe the mystery wasn't supposed to be as nerve wracking as I was expecting.
So yeah, didn't exactly get the book I wanted when I read the synopsis, but it wasn't bad! Liked the representation and the resolution to everything! Wished the relationships were a bit more fleshed out tho.
The main couple of the book doesn't really give me a "we are gonna last forever vibe", I feel like they are just gonna break up in like 2 years and this whole "mystery" was all for nothing...
But maybe I'm he only one who got that vibe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
gabthebookworm's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism