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plumpaperbacks'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? Yes
4.5
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
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.rachelelouise's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Outing, Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
katndrsn'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
owliglot's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
Minor: Misogyny, Bullying, and Outing
adrienreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The characters are often unlikeable, but in a sort of "I'm in this picture and I don't like it" way - definitely relatable to the ways teenagers can be flawed, at least retrospectively for me. That meant that sometimes it was cathartic, but a lot of the time I was just kind of miserable.
I don't usually enjoy this type of book, so don't take my review too seriously if you do. There is a lot of heart put into this book by the author, so if the premise appeals to you, might be worth giving it a try.
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Outing
tinysierra's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I’m writing this book to show you that you’re not alone. Also that you deserve ridiculous, over the top high school rom coms about teenagers like you, just like the straight kids have!”
That’s exactly what this book was. A ridiculous, over the top Looking for Alaska/Paper Towns type rom com with flawed high schoolers whose brains haven’t fully developed yet.
I liked the cast of characters that we got. I liked the fun little scavenger hunt where we get to see the Rory, Smith, and Chloe come together. I also loved that part of the setting was a family owned bookstore.
When you’re in high school, it really does feel like that’s your whole world.
Chloe is uptight and a bit mean. She’s not the greatest friend at some points. She’s flawed and honestly a little relatable. Rory and Smith were interesting characters as well, and it was nice to see their development. I liked that Chloe just casually picked up on the fact that Rory was dyslexic and no one infantilizes him or treats him differently about it.
Georgia makes a good point, that not everyone can leave their (small minded) hometown. Some people have to stay, or it will never get better.
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Stalking
lindseyhall44'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? Yes
3.5
There are a few plot holes, but it was such a fun read overall, and I would highly, highly recommend!
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Bullying, and Classism
amiraqualls'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, and Outing
apileofcranes'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? Yes
5.0
A common problem I’ve found for YA books set in high school is the lack of depth in a lot of side characters, and any depth added is usually told to the reader and not shown. I would say this is where Casey McQuiston’s writing shines the brightest. The supporting cast is so fleshed out and charming that I would read spin-offs about them if they existed. The sides ships rival the main pairing in the book, and Smith is just the best character ever.
The plot itself is fast-paced and creatively mysterious without any dreading suspense that someone will be dead by the end of the book, which is a refreshing twist on how this trope usually goes.
It’s an excellent read for anyone who is queer and living in a place/community where they have to hide their true selves, or is struggling with reconciling their queer identity and their religion. It gives a very grounded look into Christian schools in Deep South, a rare setting to see in YA from my experience.
Overall, it’s an amazing read with fleshed-out characters and a playful mystery to boot. An enemies-to-lovers plot so strong you’re left wondering at certain points if they can make it past enemies at all, but the resolution is all the much sweeter for it.
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Outing, and Racism
heather667's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Outing