Scan barcode
r34d3r'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
5.0
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Deportation, Hate crime, Outing, Self harm, Bullying, and Homophobia
empirerecords1995's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Deportation, and Blood
whiteflowerose'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
4.75
Graphic: Deportation, Hate crime, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Bullying, Biphobia, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
mari1532'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? It's complicated
5.0
Brief Summary: After being outed by her ex-best friend, Yamilet follows her little brother to the local Catholic school. As Yamilet attempts to make sure her brother stays out of trouble and that she meets her mother's expectations for her, Yamilet is also trying to present as straight. However, pretending becomes difficult when she meets and develops feelings for her openly queer classmate Bo.
Thoughts: I loved this book. Writing a book that deals with so many distinct emotions, while making them feel real about how emotions are experienced must be incredibly difficult as a writer because I have not seen many do as exceptionally well as Reyes. The author's ability to convey the complicated emotions of both loving and hating someone at the same time, the confusion of falling in love, and the conflict of cultural/religious views with feelings of familial loyalty made every single person in this book feel like a real person. As the book progressed it was clear the growth that everyone went through from their experiences. Yamilet in particular was such a dynamic and lovable character. If you read this book prepare to laugh and cry right along with her.
Graphic: Deportation, Self harm, Classism, Mental illness, Outing, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, and Emotional abuse
bookjonez's review
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Deportation, Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
wormiebrains's review
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, Deportation, and Suicide
teddie_valetine98'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
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Minor: Suicide attempt and Self harm
yourbookishbff'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? No
4.5
Most compelling in this story is Reyes' look at mental health crises for queer teens. We know statistically that queer teens face disproportionately high rates of bullying and harassment, physical and sexual abuse, depression, and suicidal ideation, and we see these themes explicitly played out in Yamilet and Cesar's storylines. Readers who like to see on-page discussions of mental health care and intervention (akin to Heartstopper) will appreciate how these conflicts are managed by Reyes - particularly how they evidence the ways in which racism and classism within healthcare further complicate crisis care and long-term support for marginalized youth.
I found myself more drawn to the family dynamics and interpersonal relationships (outside of the romances) in this story (the sibling dynamic between Yami + Cesar meant the world to me), so I was only disappointed that the final 20% centered romance to the degree that it did for Yamilet - that said, this was just personal preference.
Graphic: Self harm, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Racism, Biphobia, Outing, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Blood and Cursing
agwood32's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Moderate: Deportation, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Racism
Minor: Police brutality and Toxic friendship
boop123'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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Confinement, Bullying, Outing, Suicide, Racism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Blood, Violence, and Deportation