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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love how the idea of this book came to the author. I love that the book our MC finds in the library is a book that the author actually narrated in audiobook herself and which is also in my TBR, but I'm waiting for December because something I know about the book tells me I need to read it in December and my brain is weird like that.
Now, there are many things in this story that can sound funny at times, but it's so heartbreaking at the same time because you know that a lot of what Valerie is going through actually happens to so many teens and young people out there in the 'real world.'
It saddens me to think of how many people are living in households where it's considered a sin to love the way they love, but what I enjoyed the most about this book is the way that it shows that it is possible to get out–it's not easy, but it is possible.
It was heartwarming to know that people like Mira's grandparents are also out there, choosing their loved ones over the teachings they've lived with for most of their lives, people who will become safe havens as much as they can for others, not just their own.
This book left me with the hope that more people are making themselves part of a community to protect diversity even if they don't identified as diversed on their own.
Now, there are many things in this story that can sound funny at times, but it's so heartbreaking at the same time because you know that a lot of what Valerie is going through actually happens to so many teens and young people out there in the 'real world.'
It saddens me to think of how many people are living in households where it's considered a sin to love the way they love, but what I enjoyed the most about this book is the way that it shows that it is possible to get out–it's not easy, but it is possible.
It was heartwarming to know that people like Mira's grandparents are also out there, choosing their loved ones over the teachings they've lived with for most of their lives, people who will become safe havens as much as they can for others, not just their own.
This book left me with the hope that more people are making themselves part of a community to protect diversity even if they don't identified as diversed on their own.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thanks to NetGalley & Quirk Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 20% of the way through.
Yeah, the writing was not very strong. It's got a lot of talking and not showing, it feels like my hand is being held through this book and I was getting sick of it.
It's a shame too because I think it's got a really solid idea--protagonist unlearning cult behavior through their discovery of love--but the execution was NOT there.
Yeah, the writing was not very strong. It's got a lot of talking and not showing, it feels like my hand is being held through this book and I was getting sick of it.
It's a shame too because I think it's got a really solid idea--protagonist unlearning cult behavior through their discovery of love--but the execution was NOT there.
challenging
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
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:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Approach with caution. Please make sure you’re in the right head space for this one. That said, it’s a beautiful story of coming to terms with your sexuality despite a super conservative Christian upbringing.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A friend recommended this one after she won it in a book giveaway and I couldn't have been more excited to see a book like this one coming out just before Pride month and from an audiobook narrator my wife and I already love! I was sold. I read the book as a tandem read (both a print copy & on audio), but leaned heavily on the audio version because I love this narrator so much. I am glad this book exists in the world. It's well put together, the characters are lovable and worth following, and this serves as a solid debut overall. While I do think this book skews a bit young for me in my reading preferences these days, I would have LOVED to have this book in my hands as a teenager and I am so glad other LGBTQ+ teens have it available to them now. Congrats on a solid debut, Natalie Naudus!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry
challenging