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ecn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
gabbyjc's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. I love the all the representation in this book. From being a self-diagnosed autistic to non-binary representation. When I read this, I could truly see myself in all of the characters and their flaws and their thought processes (not Luis and his gang thought, of course). The way that panic attacks and autistic shut downs are portrayed in this book are so accurate, and the feelings that you go through after being sexually assaulted. All in all, this book just made my little queer autistic heart SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, and Dysphoria
The sexual assaults do not take place on page, but they are mentioned.opalmars's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a very important book. Seeing Ariana slowly coming to the realization that Luis had raped her was truly heart wrenching. There was a lot of slut shaming and victim blaming in this book, and while it was sometimes too heavy-handed (I wish there’d been a bit more nuance), I honestly didn’t mind it that much. It was still a good way to portray these issues, and I do think it might help readers (especially young ones) understand rape culture a little more. Also, on a more personal note: reading a story where a bunch of victims fight back against their abuser, expose his ass and finally get some justice was VERY cathartic!!!!
I really liked Ariana as a main character! She’s so loveable and relatable, + it’s amazing reading about a character who has autism and selective mutism. The side characters were also very nice. I especially liked Angel and Jasmine! I kinda wanted to see more of their relationship haha. <3
I didn’t care much about the romance in this book. The moment Ariana realized she’d been making wrong assumptions about Shawni she immediately started crushing on her. I wish her feelings had grown more slowly. And their “I love you” at the end felt a little unearned. I still thought they were cute, it’s just that I could’ve completely done without the romance in this one.
I also don’t really know how I feel about Ariana’s parents and their divorce. I thought that plotline was interesting, but I kind of wish we’d gotten a bit more of it.
a bit more of it.
I really liked Ariana as a main character! She’s so loveable and relatable, + it’s amazing reading about a character who has autism and selective mutism. The side characters were also very nice. I especially liked Angel and Jasmine! I kinda wanted to see more of their relationship haha. <3
I didn’t care much about the romance in this book. The moment Ariana realized she’d been making wrong assumptions about Shawni she immediately started crushing on her. I wish her feelings had grown more slowly. And their “I love you” at the end felt a little unearned. I still thought they were cute, it’s just that I could’ve completely done without the romance in this one.
I also don’t really know how I feel about Ariana’s parents and their divorce. I thought that plotline was interesting, but I kind of wish we’d gotten a bit more of it.
a bit more of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
sweetiekeke's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
thewoodlandbookshelf's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment
jukietoss's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
What a powerful sophomore novel to follow up the outstanding Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. Here, Reyes confronts some of the heaviest topics teens--and society--face, and does it with so much heart and tenderness that they allow us to actually look it all in the face. In less deft hands, this story would have been too devastating or triggering to read. But for Reyes, while the trauma is a catalyst, they manage to avoid every possible pitfall in a story such as this (like leaning on the trauma as a plot device for character-building).
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
I was struck and moved by the portrayal of friendship creation on the page. So often we see friendships that already exist, or we see romantic interest development, but here we're able to see a group of teens who, when the book begins, are largely alone, and by the end are truly bonded--and not just because of shared trauma, but because of true investment in and care for one another. I really loved watching these relationships blossom.
I also appreciated the access this story gave me to the perspective of an autistic, selectively mute protagonist. Ari was so lovingly drawn and so thoughtfully shared. Hearing the story from her perspective was illuminating and helped to put me inside the complexity of each social situation and discussion. I loved her dearly and could not put the book down as I watched her bloom over the course of the book.
I wish that a story like this--facing rape, exploring consent, exposing bullying, highlighting privilege, asking who is believed, and showing how the carceral punishment system fails society--were not so relevant, but as it is, it's urgently needed. Each of the topics the book explores is also relevant in adult society, but by exploring it through high school kids--where these patterns, roles, and dynamics begin to calcify--we're able to see both the impact society's failings has on younger generations, and how confusing and overwhelming it is for teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Rape