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sxndaze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
“I’m in love with a monster turducken.”
A whirlwind adventure and romance that is so captivating!! Will read anything by cmq now.
A whirlwind adventure and romance that is so captivating!! Will read anything by cmq now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Body shaming
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
I might not have the same deep love and intense attachment to this book as I do Casey’s adult novels, but I did still really enjoy it. This book is a collage of elements from other YA books I’ve enjoyed—the bittersweet feeling of high school ending from The Summer of Everything, the academic rivals to lovers slow-burn that may or may not have been simmering all along from Today Tonight Tomorrow, the self-discovery and acceptance of so many other queer stories—while still being its own unique thing.
It’s a story of ferocious girls and cinnamon roll boys and yet another iconic group of disaster queer friends, the sort of group Casey excels at writing. It’s a story of teens being messy, teens being teens, in the final moments they have before becoming adults; of all the stages of queerness and trauma and healing and love, of love in so many different forms and expressions. And it’s beautiful. It’s fun, it’s important, and it’s so very beautifully done.
It might not be a book I love with enough fervor to call a favorite, but nonetheless, I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Casey’s books tend to have that effect.
Representation:
It’s a story of ferocious girls and cinnamon roll boys and yet another iconic group of disaster queer friends, the sort of group Casey excels at writing. It’s a story of teens being messy, teens being teens, in the final moments they have before becoming adults; of all the stages of queerness and trauma and healing and love, of love in so many different forms and expressions. And it’s beautiful. It’s fun, it’s important, and it’s so very beautifully done.
It might not be a book I love with enough fervor to call a favorite, but nonetheless, I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Casey’s books tend to have that effect.
Representation:
- bisexual protagonist
- sapphic love interest
- Black gay dyslexic side character
- Black queer nonbinary side character
- Black bisexual side character
- other queer side characters (includes lesbian & nonbinary rep)
- sapphic main couple
- lesbian side couple
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Outing and Alcohol
Contains in-depth discussions of religious bigotry in small towns—relating to homophobia, racism and misogyny—and the religious trauma that stems from it. Also mentions the outing of an adult side character, which occurred prior to the story, and contains one unrelated scene with underage drinking.verysillygoose's review
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism
heavenssnat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
emotionally repressed teenagers stuck in an extremely christian school, but make it queer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexism and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
ellianderjoy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Racism, Biphobia, and Classism
markwillnevercry's review
4.5
This was great. I had very low expectations, because, first of all, I had to read this book in a day-ish both times I picked it up (I did not read anything the first time I had to pick it up, got busy with the Priory of the Orange Tree, because I thought that I could finish both of those books on a three day vacation, but instead I was stuck in a middle of family conflict, that was not even my family's conflict). Anyway, that is not important here. Book was great, I really liked it, I might even reread it one day. It is just one of those queer comfort reads, where everyone who matters are queer and homophobs get at least a part of what they deserve and it feels right. I do not know if I will ever reread it, so it is not 5 stars, but I still really liked it and if you are thinking "Hm, do I wanna read this book?". Yeah, you do, just do it, it is a great experience.
Just a reminder, this book suffers from the "Everything there is so good" syndrome. When you look back from this book on your life and remember the shit you are forced to deal with every day, it is not going to be the greatest experience of your life, you are going to be overwhelmed. The books are for dreaming, we just need to remember that it is more important how happy we are about our dreams and that we can push through understanding that dreams are not reality yet.
Reading notes:
Chloe: “I am not going to fall into Shara Wheeler’s game”
Also Chloe: *goes to find her*
Huh, I see Smith is just sport.
Yo, this is a YA novel where the main character says “I don’t drink” and people listen.
So Smith is queer? Glad we established that. (Chloe literally was like “The only people being cool with me being queer is other queer people. Hm.”)
How did Chloe not figure out yet that Smith and Rory were best friends?
Oh no, it is the part of the book, where the main character ignores their best friend in the middle of something really important.
Rory is way too obsessed with Shara, it is kinda weird.
Rory is like, a very privileged dyslexic person? I am dyslexic and I never ask people to read stuff to you, you just force yourself to get better, because people are not always going to be there. Sounds rough, but it is not realistic for him to not be able to read things like labels with two letters and he will not immediately hand stuff to other people.
Shara probably wrote notes for Rory and Smith too, they just did not share them with each other (Chloe included) in the same way that Chloe will not share hers. Also, white font colour is not invisible ink.
Why did we stop counting down the days to graduation?
Maybe, I got overconfident in the book and it is actually written for straight people, seeing the whole dialog between Smith and Ash.
Rory is gonna come to the conclusion that he is either not interested in girls or not interested in anyone and he was only interested in Shara, because it seemed like the right thing, right?
So Shara did make her lose by taking all her attention. And friendships too.
Bro, Smith told you that Shara is also his, like, best friend, of course he cared enough about her to keep calling her. You do not have to date someone to call them, when they disappear.
It is kinda funny that Shara would jump out of a car to not think that she might be gay.
Me when I agree with Shara. I totally expected her and Chloe to get right into doing stuff the second they got into Chloe’s home. The vibes are immaculate.
I wish there wasn’t the whole stereotype of “Yeah, my parents explained me sex, but it was way too awkward”. Like they might as well just read you bible.
I AM LISTENING TO THE AUDIOBOOK AND THE PERSON READ OUT SHFJSDKHFJSDHF AND THAT IS SUCH A VIBE.
Just a reminder, this book suffers from the "Everything there is so good" syndrome. When you look back from this book on your life and remember the shit you are forced to deal with every day, it is not going to be the greatest experience of your life, you are going to be overwhelmed. The books are for dreaming, we just need to remember that it is more important how happy we are about our dreams and that we can push through understanding that dreams are not reality yet.
Reading notes:
Chloe: “I am not going to fall into Shara Wheeler’s game”
Also Chloe: *goes to find her*
Huh, I see Smith is just sport.
Yo, this is a YA novel where the main character says “I don’t drink” and people listen.
So Smith is queer? Glad we established that. (Chloe literally was like “The only people being cool with me being queer is other queer people. Hm.”)
How did Chloe not figure out yet that Smith and Rory were best friends?
Oh no, it is the part of the book, where the main character ignores their best friend in the middle of something really important.
Rory is way too obsessed with Shara, it is kinda weird.
Rory is like, a very privileged dyslexic person? I am dyslexic and I never ask people to read stuff to you, you just force yourself to get better, because people are not always going to be there. Sounds rough, but it is not realistic for him to not be able to read things like labels with two letters and he will not immediately hand stuff to other people.
Shara probably wrote notes for Rory and Smith too, they just did not share them with each other (Chloe included) in the same way that Chloe will not share hers. Also, white font colour is not invisible ink.
Why did we stop counting down the days to graduation?
Maybe, I got overconfident in the book and it is actually written for straight people, seeing the whole dialog between Smith and Ash.
Rory is gonna come to the conclusion that he is either not interested in girls or not interested in anyone and he was only interested in Shara, because it seemed like the right thing, right?
So Shara did make her lose by taking all her attention. And friendships too.
Bro, Smith told you that Shara is also his, like, best friend, of course he cared enough about her to keep calling her. You do not have to date someone to call them, when they disappear.
It is kinda funny that Shara would jump out of a car to not think that she might be gay.
Me when I agree with Shara. I totally expected her and Chloe to get right into doing stuff the second they got into Chloe’s home. The vibes are immaculate.
I wish there wasn’t the whole stereotype of “Yeah, my parents explained me sex, but it was way too awkward”. Like they might as well just read you bible.
I AM LISTENING TO THE AUDIOBOOK AND THE PERSON READ OUT SHFJSDKHFJSDHF AND THAT IS SUCH A VIBE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Body shaming, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape, Racism, Cancer, and Sexual assault
The Sexual assault and Rape tags are for something, that is mentioned in like a sentence. The main character mentions, that there was a girl, who got thrown out of school, because the dude she send her nudes to spread them around the school.wardenred's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Chloe’s favorite stories are the ones where the headstrong young woman on a cinematic journey to master her powers falls for the monster who’s been antagonizing her all along.
Well. Wow. I guess there is a first time for everything: I've encountered a Casey McQuiston book that I didn't really like. And it's such a damn pity, because I've been looking forward to reading it for so long, and by all intents and purposes, this should have been the book for me. I mean, a small town of doom that the MC is looking to escape, except this close to graduation she starts getting tangled up in stuff here more than ever? Religious trauma? A messy queer cast? Academic rivals to lovers? A mystery with a treasure hunt for answers set up by the missing person herself? All of this is my jam. I expected to love all of this. And yet, the book and I, we've never quite clicked.
I think the problem here is that, just like RWRB and One Last Stop, this is a highly character-driven novel (also my jam nearly 100% of the time). Except, unlike with RWRB and One Last Stop, this time I just didn't connect with the main character at all. Chloe was just so unlikable, and not in a fun way. So for a big part of the way, I kept pushing through just because I was curious about the resolution to the central mystery, and also because there were other characters who truly shined for me whenever they showed up on page. Georgia and Rory absolutely captured my heart, and while Smith took a bit of time to grow on me, I became a big fan of his eventually. (I do keep wanting to call him Finn in my head, though. Honestly, if anyone tries to tell me this entire novel isn't rooted in Faberry fanfiction, I'll just laugh—I've sunk too many hours of my life down the Glee tag on AO3 to buy that).
But, well, Chloe... I don't know, I just didn't like it in her head, nor did I find her interesting. There's that one scene about two thirds into the story where she's talking to her Moms and explaining to them what it's like to be her, and that was the one instance where I found her compelling and sympathetic... or rather, the her she was describing. Because I didn't quite feel like the things she was talking about and the things that I witnessed from reading an entire book from her perspective were the same. Similar, yes, but not identical. I think I would have enjoyed her entire story much more if what I was shown matched what I was told in that scene.
That said, there's a lot of cool stuff packed here. A lot of cool characters, too—maybe even too many. I kept wishing for multiple POVs, not just small snippets from other characters' schoolwork drafts, notes, and such. It would have been so cool to see Georgia's, Rory's, Smith's, Benjy's perspectives on some of the events—and Shara's, too, especially closer to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Minor: Biphobia and Racism
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
I really did enjoy this book!! Stayed up late and ignored my duties to finish it.
I just wished it had touched more on themes of religious trauma and the inner thoughts and feelings of other characters (specifically shara), but i get why that wouldn't be possible considering chloe is the main character and also the religious trauma in itself wasn't the main focus of the book (mostly its consequences). Overall great book!!
I just wished it had touched more on themes of religious trauma and the inner thoughts and feelings of other characters (specifically shara), but i get why that wouldn't be possible considering chloe is the main character and also the religious trauma in itself wasn't the main focus of the book (mostly its consequences). Overall great book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, Death, and Racism
itsheyfay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
I found it hard to root for the main couple just because they were both kinda awful people, and I really didn’t like Chloe as the lead character (but that may be due to the audiobook).
But I really liked how McQuiston wrote the friendships and developed the characters.
Not too bad for a YA romance, and not too bad for my first Casey McQuiston novel.
But I really liked how McQuiston wrote the friendships and developed the characters.
Not too bad for a YA romance, and not too bad for my first Casey McQuiston novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Transphobia, Cursing, Ableism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Racism, and Cancer