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traceyanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Grief, Outing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Biphobia, Blood, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
cammiem8's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
2.0
What a frustrating book. I see the value in its existence and hope someone saw themselves in it, but I don’t think I’ve related less to a queer story since Jenny’s Wedding. The portrayal of queerness seems stuck in a 2014 tumblr era of representation, and I often found myself agreeing with the character that I wasn’t supposed to agree with, that these characters are all walking stereotypes. The way sapphics are written in this book also didn’t connect with me or ring true at all. I’m not a gay man, so I don’t know if this is an accurate depiction of gay teen boy culture, but from the outside looking in this book was almost offensively out of touch. It’s crazy to me that there’s a whole arc written just to explain what demisexuals are, yet bisexuals get only one mention. Also, what an idiotic plan. I struggled to suspend my disbelief for much of the plot, and I don’t get what the message was supposed to be?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Biphobia
There is a long sex scene near the end of the book involving two underage boys that made me feel icky to read (it felt voyeuristic to me)bookishandlegal's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book! Set at a queer summer camp in CT, this was the perfect coming of age/learning to be true to yourself story that was just fantastic. The main character, Randy, reinvents himself for his fourth summer of camp as, Del, to catch the eye of his camp crush Hudson. You can tell right from the beginning that Randy changing himself and his entire look to get a boy is going to blow up in his face…but it's so sweet to watch him figure this all out for himself while he's in that young puppy love of teenage years.
This book is bursting with amazing themes and good messages of loving yourself for who you are, not changing yourself for love (or anyone), doing what makes you happy regardless of what others think, sticking up for your friends, and just all around doing what makes you happiest. The side characters were all amazing and hilarious. The representation and diversity throughout is second to none. And the campy/theatre vibes going on throughout the book were wonderful and made my heart so happy.
The plot stays consistent and interesting throughout. I was engaged throughout the whole story and it never felt boring or too long. The character development was good and it was interesting to see Randy and the other characters grow and change throughout the book. There are some steamy romance scenes at the end...but as it's a YA the steam isn't too extreme. I expected to enjoy this book but I never imagined I would love this book as much as I did. This book was seriously amazing and a must read!
This book is bursting with amazing themes and good messages of loving yourself for who you are, not changing yourself for love (or anyone), doing what makes you happy regardless of what others think, sticking up for your friends, and just all around doing what makes you happiest. The side characters were all amazing and hilarious. The representation and diversity throughout is second to none. And the campy/theatre vibes going on throughout the book were wonderful and made my heart so happy.
The plot stays consistent and interesting throughout. I was engaged throughout the whole story and it never felt boring or too long. The character development was good and it was interesting to see Randy and the other characters grow and change throughout the book. There are some steamy romance scenes at the end...but as it's a YA the steam isn't too extreme. I expected to enjoy this book but I never imagined I would love this book as much as I did. This book was seriously amazing and a must read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
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