Meh, tbh. Jax is one good himbo, tho

07/02/2020 - 2# read

This was my first time reading this book physically and I can 100% confirm that it was still a fantastic read! I do think I prefer the audiobook a by a small margin just because the narrator is so good she really brings Abby's character to life.

Seriously this has to be my absolute favourite fxf books and one of my favourite queer books of all time. It's extremely well written, the romance is so sweet and well developed and the characters are all engaging.

I still really dislike Abby's mum and I wish she at least had a better relationship with her dad instead of her dad just lets her mum get away with being so mean and condescending to her - and doesn't really try to offer any extra support to his daughter.

I also once again adored Abby and Jax's friendship, so pure and something I would love to see more of in YA. This book is a must-read! ____________________________________________________________
Holy crap this is my absolute fav fxf I've ever read, it's so so cute and so well executed, I actually almost cried at how sweet it is!

I listened to the audiobook of this and I LOVE the narrator, she NAILS the voices and even though I know she's an adult but she has the perfect voice for a bunch of teenagers and her voice also really suits the way I'd imagine Abby's voice.

I love everything about this book. The relationship between Abby and Jordi is so damn cute, it's very well-paced and I love how they spent the large majority of the book together with just the typical mini break up and makeup at the end. I find it pretty typical in queer ya that the couple gets together in the latter half the book, are together for like a week, break up then get back together. However, this book DID NOT follow that format, THANK GOD! The resolution to the fight also feels very authentic.

I also loved watching her friendship with Jax grow and see her have a second new person in her life that just genuinely thinks she's super cool and wants to hang out with her. Also, I'm so here for the straight guy having a lesbian best friend not because he wants to fetishize her but because who else is better to get girl advice from.

I also loved watching her slowly tackle the things she fears like driving, living without her sister and being on display. It's very satisfying to watch her grow and become more confident in herself.

I would have liked some more resolution with her mother but I do think the way this ended was probably more realistic!

I also liked the way the characters in this book own their mistakes (except Abby's mother), Jordi, Abby's best friend and Abby all show accountability for the mistakes they make and offer genuine apologies.
lbarsk's profile picture

lbarsk's review

4.0

Sweet, fast-paced, and fun! With realistic portrayals of varying kinds of friendships and, alternatively, parent-child relationships. MORE QUEER LADY YA BOOKS FOREVER

Read this one in one sitting on a Sunday morning, but found the main character rather vapid.

I really enjoyed this even though I had issues with the writing; it was often confusing or just a bit weak, both sentence-wise and with big picture stuff. But the characters and story were so enchanting and fun that the writing didn't detract much for me like it would in another book. I also love the representation!
friendofhayley's profile picture

friendofhayley's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 13%

Bleh

This book is everything I want in my fluffy, YA contemporary romance.
Likable protagonist, check.
Existing parents, check.
Cute friendships, check.
Cute romance, check.
Teenage drama, check.

I highly recommend this when you want to read something light and fluffy.
khakipantsofsex's profile picture

khakipantsofsex's review

3.75
hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This book was perfect. Cute, fun, light and silly. I looooove it. It will brighten your mood and make you feel like a teen whose biggest worries are who to sit with at lunch. This book creates a magical world I want to visit and is perfect for young teens. It teaches good lessons without feeling like it’s trying to teach you a lesson. This book showcases cute romances and quality friendship. I love the way it talks about loving your body and I loved seeing the growth if the main character.
Uhhh I loved this book it’s like a classic dcom or like frosted animal crackers in book form. Basically I mean even if your not a child it’s still wonderful and it gives you all the fun warm and fuzzies.

okay okay okay. so.

this book was sweet and fluffy, but it also had quite a few issues.

i.i loved the rep of a fat lesbian, but i hated the focus on beauty existing in apparent opposition to fatness. like, the whole "you're beautiful even though you're fat" thing that her friends were feeding her. or at least, that's how i read it.
iii hated the parts where abby would be thinking about jax and then she'd think, "oh, if i were straight, he'd be my type." like, girl, is she a dyke, or not??
iii>i didn't like the focus on beauty culture in general, honestly.