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amandalorianxo's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.25
I think this book was not marketed correctly. It was centered as a romance but the romance to be was just a minor subplot. It revolves around Grace Porter a 28 almost 29 year old woman who has her phd in astronomy but learns that she doesn’t have a sure footing when school no longer revolves around her schedule. The trip she took to Vegas, courtesy of her father and step mom, lead Grace to get drunk married with Yuki, a waitress and radio host who lives in New York. Grace’s sexual identity isn’t discussed as much as her mental health state but I feel like this is such an important novel when it comes to advocating for yourself and seeking help. I think some of the telling and not showing could have been fixed & the repetition of certain traits could also have been edited but I enjoyed this overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
hanarama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Book at a Glance:
• Biracial, Lesbian lead
• W/W romance
• Coming of Age
• Contemporary
After years of tirelessly pursuing her doctorate in astronomy, twenty-eight-year-old Dr. Grace Porter is set adrift in the "real world." Going to Vegas with her friends following a disastrous job interview, she winds up getting drunk married to a girl she doesn't know.
Her new wife disappears the morning after, leaving behind a card with her radio show listed. Grace tunes in and finds herself drawn to the mysterious woman who calls out to all the lonely creatures in the night. She is set on a path of self discovery that would never have been possible had she stuck to "The Plan."
Honey Girl is a solid debut. It is not a true romance. The surprise marriage is rather a catalyst for Grace's coming of age story. Though Grace does pursue a relationship with Yuki, this story has more in common with early mid 2000s indie dramas. The focus is on Grace finding herself after her carefully laid life plan begins to fall apart. As such, Yuki falls into many of the typical tropes associated with manic pixie dream girls. Her quirkiness helps Grace to think outside of the box she's been living in for so long.
Rogers has an gentle and lyrical style. She paints moments in time, weaving in scenes from Grace's past. These moments bring color to her relationships with her strict military father, her carefree mother, mentor and her friends. Though Grace spends much of the book away from her friends and family, these flashbacks provide depth to the characters, allowing the reader to appreciate the importance of them to Grace.
The lyrical prose does not translate as well into dialog. Many of the characters speak in similar ways, with the Colonel, Grace's father, as the most distinct. Yuki's friends suffer the most from this. With less development given to them, it's very easy to forget who is who.
Honey Girl will be deeply relatable for many millennial readers, myself included. The pressure to do well, to be productive is very great amongst this generation. And though a typical romance, this is a charming and comforting read for others struggling with the pressures of adulthood.
• Biracial, Lesbian lead
• W/W romance
• Coming of Age
• Contemporary
After years of tirelessly pursuing her doctorate in astronomy, twenty-eight-year-old Dr. Grace Porter is set adrift in the "real world." Going to Vegas with her friends following a disastrous job interview, she winds up getting drunk married to a girl she doesn't know.
Her new wife disappears the morning after, leaving behind a card with her radio show listed. Grace tunes in and finds herself drawn to the mysterious woman who calls out to all the lonely creatures in the night. She is set on a path of self discovery that would never have been possible had she stuck to "The Plan."
Honey Girl is a solid debut. It is not a true romance. The surprise marriage is rather a catalyst for Grace's coming of age story. Though Grace does pursue a relationship with Yuki, this story has more in common with early mid 2000s indie dramas. The focus is on Grace finding herself after her carefully laid life plan begins to fall apart. As such, Yuki falls into many of the typical tropes associated with manic pixie dream girls. Her quirkiness helps Grace to think outside of the box she's been living in for so long.
Rogers has an gentle and lyrical style. She paints moments in time, weaving in scenes from Grace's past. These moments bring color to her relationships with her strict military father, her carefree mother, mentor and her friends. Though Grace spends much of the book away from her friends and family, these flashbacks provide depth to the characters, allowing the reader to appreciate the importance of them to Grace.
The lyrical prose does not translate as well into dialog. Many of the characters speak in similar ways, with the Colonel, Grace's father, as the most distinct. Yuki's friends suffer the most from this. With less development given to them, it's very easy to forget who is who.
Honey Girl will be deeply relatable for many millennial readers, myself included. The pressure to do well, to be productive is very great amongst this generation. And though a typical romance, this is a charming and comforting read for others struggling with the pressures of adulthood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, and Sexual content
cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It took me a little while to get this book, but once I did I appreciated it. The characters are strong and fun and unique — definitely the highlight. And it exposes some important questions about expectations, perfectionism, and burnout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Abandonment, Medical content, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content
strangeeigenfunction's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
There's something evocative and luminous about the writing in this book. I'm not sure I would characterize it first and foremost as a romance, because it's as much about friendship and family (both adopted and otherwise) and relating to one's self as it is the romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
ladygetslit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I needed this book four years ago, when I was also 28 and having a millennial crisis.
Grace Porter is a beautifully flawed character who has spent so much of her life building plans around what other people expect from her, what others think she can't accomplish. I initially thought this book would be about her romance with the girl she marries in Vegas at the beginning of the book. What this book was actually about: a messy, chaotic, beautiful young woman trying to figure out who she actually is and what she truly wants for her life.
Elements I truly loved:
Grace Porter is a beautifully flawed character who has spent so much of her life building plans around what other people expect from her, what others think she can't accomplish. I initially thought this book would be about her romance with the girl she marries in Vegas at the beginning of the book. What this book was actually about: a messy, chaotic, beautiful young woman trying to figure out who she actually is and what she truly wants for her life.
Elements I truly loved:
- Grace's found family in Portland: they support her constantly and are super affirming, even when she's falling apart and is generally a really terrible friend
- Yuki's radio show: no spoilers, but just read and appreciate
- the constant references to how we're all part of the universe really spoke to my galaxy-obsessed soul (even though I'm not a science nerd like Grace is)
- representation of what it's like to be Black in an academic field: this is super important and eye-opening
- mental health representation: I loved that Grace not only gets a therapist, but that she has to try out a couple ones first — this is how it actually is and I loved getting this representation
What didn't work for me:
- to be honest, the writing just left something to be desired... I'm not a fan of the 3rd person present tense style narration, especially in a character-driven story
- sometimes, the corny, lovely found family stuff got really cringe-y to me... but this could be my reading because I'm honestly jealous and wish I had friends like Grace does
- I wanted more: more of the quirky queer side characters, more of Grace working through her traumas, more steam between her and Yuki... I just wanted more. I think this author will really blossom in future writing and I look forward to reading them!
Overall, while I don't think this book is for everyone. But for those of us that it speaks to... wow, I am so glad I finally made time to pull this off my never-ending TBR. Thank you, Morgan Rogers, for writing a book that helped me feel less alone in how long it took me to figure out the path I truly wanted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Terminal illness and Biphobia
criticalgayze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
I always love being pleasantly surprised by a book. I went in knowing next to nothing other than I always stan when a queer book breaches the gates of the Target Books section.
When I entered the world of Honey Girl, I expected a romance. Then you have the initial premise established, and I assumed it would instead be a romantic comedy. However, what you really get is a journey of self-exploration in which the romance is just accepted and becomes one of a multitude of facets in the journey. (Side note: I found this idea of accepting the shotgun Vegas wedding to be an interesting plot point, and I actually found myself impressed with and appreciative of the choice that it was not played for a schtick or used on its own as a means for panic.) So, instead of "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood, you end up with something that has the ache and injustice of Brandon Taylor's Real Life with the earnestness and hope of Emily Austin's Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead. As a late 20s millennial, this new genre of aching millennial self-search is really doing it for me right now while also making me very sad every time I pick one up.
I also really appreciate the vast array of characters seen in this novel that feels akin to a Casey McQuiston cast.
While I was appreciative to find such great substance in a book that I did not know to expect it of, I did feel that it overstayed its welcome some in the languishing of emotional torment. In a novel surrounded by love and joy as a romance + a friendship story + a family story, it became cumbersome to have the main character both experience so little joy within herself and to be beset by so much critique from others, and I would have appreciated a little more levity in the narrative. I also found that there were some awkwardly millennial lines. For example: While true, the line "Consent is sexy!", feels very out of place in an otherwise deeply emotional story.
There is a lot to love and appreciate here, just be ready to sit in some intense emotions.
Quotes:
"It’s the second time you’ve said yes, but you don’t remember that yet. So, you say yes to this, to this replica lock in a replica city." (Page 5)
"'You need help,' Ximena says seriously, but doesn’t move when Agnes smiles and leans on her shoulder.
'My therapist would be thrilled to hear you say so,' Agnes says." (Page 13)
When I entered the world of Honey Girl, I expected a romance. Then you have the initial premise established, and I assumed it would instead be a romantic comedy. However, what you really get is a journey of self-exploration in which the romance is just accepted and becomes one of a multitude of facets in the journey. (Side note: I found this idea of accepting the shotgun Vegas wedding to be an interesting plot point, and I actually found myself impressed with and appreciative of the choice that it was not played for a schtick or used on its own as a means for panic.) So, instead of "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood, you end up with something that has the ache and injustice of Brandon Taylor's Real Life with the earnestness and hope of Emily Austin's Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead. As a late 20s millennial, this new genre of aching millennial self-search is really doing it for me right now while also making me very sad every time I pick one up.
I also really appreciate the vast array of characters seen in this novel that feels akin to a Casey McQuiston cast.
While I was appreciative to find such great substance in a book that I did not know to expect it of, I did feel that it overstayed its welcome some in the languishing of emotional torment. In a novel surrounded by love and joy as a romance + a friendship story + a family story, it became cumbersome to have the main character both experience so little joy within herself and to be beset by so much critique from others, and I would have appreciated a little more levity in the narrative. I also found that there were some awkwardly millennial lines. For example: While true, the line "Consent is sexy!", feels very out of place in an otherwise deeply emotional story.
There is a lot to love and appreciate here, just be ready to sit in some intense emotions.
Quotes:
"It’s the second time you’ve said yes, but you don’t remember that yet. So, you say yes to this, to this replica lock in a replica city." (Page 5)
"'You need help,' Ximena says seriously, but doesn’t move when Agnes smiles and leans on her shoulder.
'My therapist would be thrilled to hear you say so,' Agnes says." (Page 13)
"'Which god am I praying to?'
'Pick one,' Meera tells her, straightening her kurti as she steps out of the kitchen. 'Choose wisely.'" (Page 19)
'Pick one,' Meera tells her, straightening her kurti as she steps out of the kitchen. 'Choose wisely.'" (Page 19)
"Three is a good number against the world, it turns out." (Page 39)
"I think lonely creatures ache for each other because who else can understand but someone who feels the same dark, black abyss?" (Page 49)
"No one told her astronomers, the ones that publish research every few months and get tenured at universities and navigate programs at NASA, that those astronomers don’t have sun-gold hair. They don’t have sun-browned skin. Those astronomers don’t have ancestors that looked at the stars as a means of escape and not in awe." (Page 63)
"'I’m sure it was hard. It’s hard when you have a plan. Plans are so goddamn hard.'” (Page 103)
"'I thought I wanted to be out of my tank,' she confesses with a whisper. 'But the ocean is big, you know, and I am very, very small.'" (Page 121)
"It’s always the goddamn brains." (Page 180)
“'I told everyone I’m a lesbian,' she says. 'Maybe he thinks it’s a phase.'” (Page 261)
"I think lonely creatures ache for each other because who else can understand but someone who feels the same dark, black abyss?" (Page 49)
"No one told her astronomers, the ones that publish research every few months and get tenured at universities and navigate programs at NASA, that those astronomers don’t have sun-gold hair. They don’t have sun-browned skin. Those astronomers don’t have ancestors that looked at the stars as a means of escape and not in awe." (Page 63)
"'I’m sure it was hard. It’s hard when you have a plan. Plans are so goddamn hard.'” (Page 103)
"'I thought I wanted to be out of my tank,' she confesses with a whisper. 'But the ocean is big, you know, and I am very, very small.'" (Page 121)
"It’s always the goddamn brains." (Page 180)
“'I told everyone I’m a lesbian,' she says. 'Maybe he thinks it’s a phase.'” (Page 261)
“'I said yes to you once, and I haven’t learned how to say anything else, since.'” (Page 276)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Racism, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
audeira's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Self harm and Sexual content
mollywill's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Self harm, and Mental illness
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
_lilyeliza_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
i adored this book! such a cute premise and amazing storytelling. the writing style is gorgeous and poetic, so much that it shocks me that this is morgan rogers first book. the characters are diverse in race and sexuality, and rogers manages to flesh out every minor character’s story in such compelling ways. this book manages to be both a narrative on the specific experience of queer black women, while also being widely relatable to anyone who’s intimately familiar with the phrase “gifted kid burnout.” overall, i found this book to be incredibly touching and a wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, especially because I felt Grace's struggles. I don't face barriers from racism between me and my chosen career, but I am very familiar with reorienting my life after accademia and with feeling lost after school ended.
📘The Gist 📘: After finishing her Doctorate, Grace's life plans quickly fall apart. At the same time, she deals with reimagining her life outside of accademia. In the midst of this pressure, Grace has an opportunity to build a relationship with a woman she accidentally married in Vegas.
📒Representation📒: BIPOC mc and sc, wlw, women in science, queer sc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: explorations of life transitions between accademia and careers, romance, emotional and mental health
📘The Gist 📘: After finishing her Doctorate, Grace's life plans quickly fall apart. At the same time, she deals with reimagining her life outside of accademia. In the midst of this pressure, Grace has an opportunity to build a relationship with a woman she accidentally married in Vegas.
📒Representation📒: BIPOC mc and sc, wlw, women in science, queer sc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: explorations of life transitions between accademia and careers, romance, emotional and mental health
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, Racism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail