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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Cute fat queer ya book. I enjoyed the hyperactive Abby who falls in love for the first time.
lighthearted
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Alcohol
This was a light, easy read (listen), a teenage lesbian rom-com. Abby was a bit too annoying for me to really like her, but overall I enjoyed the characters. There was a boy! With feelings! I feel like there possibly was a bit too much going on at once; the book was 6,5hrs, I think a YA usually clocks around 8hrs? Longer for fantasy/sci-fi. But there were still multiple storylines worth following/developing on their own. But it gave some depth to the story, so that was nice.
I also enjoyed how the book handled the subject of being fat and liking your body. It felt very positive without being after school special-ish. Thumbs up.
I also enjoyed how the book handled the subject of being fat and liking your body. It felt very positive without being after school special-ish. Thumbs up.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
This is honestly all I’ve ever wanted in a f/f romance, I feel so fulfilled and happy and overwhelmed right now.
*************************************
Update 5/21/18
I feel like every year I spend as a reader and a reviewer for queer books, I am constantly hearing the desperate call for f/f rom coms. Personally, as a lady who happens to love ladies, I am also one of those people seeking out stories like this. I want simple stories about girls falling in love, with all the shenanigans and cuteness that I have seen in books with m/f and m/m couples. These f/f rom coms are few and far between, but god did The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles give me everything I have been looking for.
A few tropes this book delivers on in spades:
i. Workplace romance
ii. A sunbeam and a character of a *questionable past* falling for each other
iii. Romantic misunderstandings
iv. Creative types deeply inspired by their partners to create ART
I mean, there is so much more going on in this book overall, but this is a personal list of things that deeply appeal to me and that made this book a ridiculous amount of fun. Rom coms are fun! They're tropey and possibly a tiiiiny bit predictable, but I fall for them every time. Tropes are exactly what I love about the genre, and it's why this little book about a summer romance between two girls competing for the same job made my lesbian heart melt a bit more every day.
Abby is a fantastic character. She loves fashion, she's fat, and she's super gay. She has a famous nutritionist for a mother, a gaggle of friends who tell each other everything, and a plus-size fashion blog on tumblr that has a pretty decent following. But beyond all of this, she's a girl who has always seen herself as the best friend, the one who is destined to live a life on the sidelines. There's a real focus on body positivity from Abby's perspective, how she sees herself and how she thinks others see her, and I really appreciated every aspect of her character and the journey she goes on throughout the book.
I also loved Jordi. She has a vibrant family and a passion for photography, and a more subtle personality really complimented Abby and the whole style of the story. She's a girl who wears all black all the time, but maybe has a hidden passion for Hello Kitty. She'll do anything for the perfect picture, even if it means she's been in a bit of trouble in the past.
I mean, ok, this is a rom com. It's all about the two falling in love. And I loved these two being flirty and awkward and fantastic. Helloooo book about a lady with pink hair and a lot of fruit-printed clothing falling for a moderately emo photographer girl???
From a writing perspective, this book is simple and sweet without getting too cheesy. There are definitely stakes, and a few signs that this is perhaps a first romance for both people involved. But it means there is a kind of earnestness that carries through from beginning to end, an honesty that helps take the story to another level. It's a rom com, but it's also a story about new friendships and old ones, and about how we judge both ourselves and the people around us. It's about two people, but the world around them is fleshed out and full of the people that define Abby and Jordi's lives outside of their relationship.
To round this whole review off, I would be remiss if I didn't add that this is an absolutely perfect summer read. Of course, it's set during the summer before Abby and Jordi's senior year. But it's also about a summer romance, a summer job, and a ridiculous summer plan that involves eating at every burger joint in Los Angeles while talking about girls. There's a balance of the summer job, and the parties at a friend's pool. I wanted to read this pool side, sipping a lemonade, and I can only recommend that you take the shot and do the same.
What can I say, I'm a simple lesbian with simple desires, and The Summer of Jordi Perez checked off just about every single thing on the list.
*************************************
Update 5/21/18
I feel like every year I spend as a reader and a reviewer for queer books, I am constantly hearing the desperate call for f/f rom coms. Personally, as a lady who happens to love ladies, I am also one of those people seeking out stories like this. I want simple stories about girls falling in love, with all the shenanigans and cuteness that I have seen in books with m/f and m/m couples. These f/f rom coms are few and far between, but god did The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles give me everything I have been looking for.
A few tropes this book delivers on in spades:
i. Workplace romance
ii. A sunbeam and a character of a *questionable past* falling for each other
iii. Romantic misunderstandings
iv. Creative types deeply inspired by their partners to create ART
I mean, there is so much more going on in this book overall, but this is a personal list of things that deeply appeal to me and that made this book a ridiculous amount of fun. Rom coms are fun! They're tropey and possibly a tiiiiny bit predictable, but I fall for them every time. Tropes are exactly what I love about the genre, and it's why this little book about a summer romance between two girls competing for the same job made my lesbian heart melt a bit more every day.
Abby is a fantastic character. She loves fashion, she's fat, and she's super gay. She has a famous nutritionist for a mother, a gaggle of friends who tell each other everything, and a plus-size fashion blog on tumblr that has a pretty decent following. But beyond all of this, she's a girl who has always seen herself as the best friend, the one who is destined to live a life on the sidelines. There's a real focus on body positivity from Abby's perspective, how she sees herself and how she thinks others see her, and I really appreciated every aspect of her character and the journey she goes on throughout the book.
I also loved Jordi. She has a vibrant family and a passion for photography, and a more subtle personality really complimented Abby and the whole style of the story. She's a girl who wears all black all the time, but maybe has a hidden passion for Hello Kitty. She'll do anything for the perfect picture, even if it means she's been in a bit of trouble in the past.
I mean, ok, this is a rom com. It's all about the two falling in love. And I loved these two being flirty and awkward and fantastic. Helloooo book about a lady with pink hair and a lot of fruit-printed clothing falling for a moderately emo photographer girl???
From a writing perspective, this book is simple and sweet without getting too cheesy. There are definitely stakes, and a few signs that this is perhaps a first romance for both people involved. But it means there is a kind of earnestness that carries through from beginning to end, an honesty that helps take the story to another level. It's a rom com, but it's also a story about new friendships and old ones, and about how we judge both ourselves and the people around us. It's about two people, but the world around them is fleshed out and full of the people that define Abby and Jordi's lives outside of their relationship.
To round this whole review off, I would be remiss if I didn't add that this is an absolutely perfect summer read. Of course, it's set during the summer before Abby and Jordi's senior year. But it's also about a summer romance, a summer job, and a ridiculous summer plan that involves eating at every burger joint in Los Angeles while talking about girls. There's a balance of the summer job, and the parties at a friend's pool. I wanted to read this pool side, sipping a lemonade, and I can only recommend that you take the shot and do the same.
What can I say, I'm a simple lesbian with simple desires, and The Summer of Jordi Perez checked off just about every single thing on the list.
I love LGBTQ+ YA! I really do. Abby is a stylish, fat, gay girl whose summer is full of first experiences and unexpected twists. The book felt... really summery as well, and is reminiscent of my own experiences of high school summers - drinking beer on summer nights and exploring new places in my own city. The romance between Abby and Jordi is also super sweet, and it's nice to read a book where a gay girl is already out and doesn't have to hide their relationship, either. For the most part, I thought the characters made sense and I enjoyed learning about Abby's interests and struggles with accepting herself. It was a lighthearted read with little sprinklings of angst, which is exactly what I wanted right now. My only issue with this book (and unfortunately it is one that detracts greatly from my overall rating) is that I thought the major issue/climax of this book was weak and the resolution was even weaker. I felt like there were so many aspects of Abby's life that could have amalgamated into a much more realistic and emotionally charged conflict than the one that was written, and it feels like such a missed opportunity. I also wish we got to experience more of Abby's internship at Lemonberry, since it seemed like such an important role for her. If you're looking for a lighthearted, summery WLW YA book, this is for you!
there are two types of 3-star reads in my mind: first, books that aren’t necessarily “bad” but never do anything particularly amazing; and second, books that have some amazing elements and some very shitty ones. this book was the first type. nothing was really truly abysmal — it just wasn’t anything life-changing, but still very enjoyable.
the writing style didn't do much for me -- i crave a lot of visual detail, as well as more "showing" rather than "telling." (god i sound like a creative writing professor) and for a main character who looooves fashion, i expected lots of descriptions of dazzling, unique outfits! whereas all abby wears is like. bright-colored dresses with sandals. lmao. also, i had almost zero connection to the main romance at all, because i personally prefer more slow-burn pining-for-each-other-foreverrrrr type romances.
regardless, i will always support the HELL out of lesbian romances that aren’t two skinny white girls falling in love, and that dare to be diverse and unique. v cute, v fluffy, v feel-good, perfect for summer beachside reading!
the writing style didn't do much for me -- i crave a lot of visual detail, as well as more "showing" rather than "telling." (god i sound like a creative writing professor) and for a main character who looooves fashion, i expected lots of descriptions of dazzling, unique outfits! whereas all abby wears is like. bright-colored dresses with sandals. lmao. also, i had almost zero connection to the main romance at all, because i personally prefer more slow-burn pining-for-each-other-foreverrrrr type romances.
regardless, i will always support the HELL out of lesbian romances that aren’t two skinny white girls falling in love, and that dare to be diverse and unique. v cute, v fluffy, v feel-good, perfect for summer beachside reading!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the cute summer romance I was hoping for. Abby feels like she's always the sidekick, and that's okay. She's got this awesome internship this summer and runs a plus-size fashion blog called Plus Style. There's one small road bump--she has to share the internship with Jordi Perez, a photographer in her class. A very CUTE photographer, who might be gay like Abby. Friendship and family drama also happen in the book, but sometimes they are very supportive.