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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
This was my first sapphic romance, and the way it held space for tenderness, questioning, and complexity against the backdrop of high-control families and communities felt almost too real to explain. I had to stop and absorb some parts just to catch my breath. The emotional resonance and compassionate pacing will stay with me for a long time.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Natalie Naudus is one of my favorite audiobook narrators and I am so happy to have read a book she wrote, especially knowing how personal it is. Deconstruction isn't a typical plot point in any fiction novel, much less a soft queer romance, but I liked how it was addressed here. The whole time I kept thinking that this book is going to be a catalyst for someone who really needs this story, whether because it speaks to where they are or where they have been. So was the plot a little too saccharine at times and could the prose be a little repetitive? Sure. And did I also have to suspend my disbelief a few times? Yes. But dang it was nice to read a story centered on queerness and religion and have the ultimate message be one of hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Religious bigotry
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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:
No
I’m giving this four stars because it’s a book that NEEDS to exist for questioning teens to read. And I’m grateful that it does give a HEA/HFN.
BUT. It felt very light on the conflict. I don’t think most similar situations would be resolved this way in the real IBLP cult. The parents let her get away with more than is typical. The mom seemed to feel uncomfortable with the dad, and I can understand her wanting to support her daughter in secret, but it still didn’t feel like there was enough contention leading up to the last few chapters.
That said - I want to buy 20 copies, give them new, boring covers with boring titles, and get them into the hands of kids who need to read this.
BUT. It felt very light on the conflict. I don’t think most similar situations would be resolved this way in the real IBLP cult. The parents let her get away with more than is typical. The mom seemed to feel uncomfortable with the dad, and I can understand her wanting to support her daughter in secret, but it still didn’t feel like there was enough contention leading up to the last few chapters.
That said - I want to buy 20 copies, give them new, boring covers with boring titles, and get them into the hands of kids who need to read this.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This would have been a 4 star if the beginning had been has intriguing as the ending but I felt like it dragged a lot at first. I'm also not a huge fan of YA so some of the language/writing style just wasn't for me but it was still a really good message!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
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