Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - Juliet Takes a Breath

I.. did not like Juliet or Harlowe. The book is a pile of terf speak and although it's addressed later, I couldn't last long enough to see it through.

Content Warnings

emmaward55's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-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

5.0

Such a powerful, gorgeous book.

Juliet's voice is strong and endearing, her questions and natural curiosity revealing the beauty of her mind. I loved how this book rewarded her for seeking answers and wanting to better understand herself, her communities, and the intersection of all the above.

There's so much love crammed into every page of this book and it felt like a lifelong friend at times, one who isn't afraid to shy away from uncomfortable truths and tell you when you need to re-evaluate your shit to grow as a person. This is a book that should be taught in schools.

On top of that, there are so many heartwarming and lighthearted moments that are entwined in the plot and allow the reader moments to breathe. Part of growth is having time to reflect and process new information, and Rivera does that well. She also includes the cutest romantic side plot that had me grinning from ear-to-ear!

I encourage you to read this book, but I also encourage you to seek out reviews and thoughts from BAME and POC readers, especially queer ones. As a white cis lesbian, there are plenty of elements of this book that I can't give you an informed and detailed review of. All I can tell you is that I loved it, and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

Content Warnings

radiodarkblue's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-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

4.5

Where to start? Should I just go to the point and just tell you to read this gem? Well, this book is one of the greatest books I read lately so let’s talk a bit more about it. I was so intrigued to read this book before it has a lesbian main character and it tackles feminism, especially because it challenges feminism. I recently came out as a lesbian and I love reading about feminism so you know why I was so excited when I discovered this book.

Juliet is obsessed with this book by this white feminist lady, also known as Harlowe Brisbane or the Pussy Lady, her book has changed Juliet’s vision of her body and now she wants to know more about feminism. Lucky she is, Juliet leaves her native Bronx, just after coming out to her family, for an internship in Portland where the Pussy Lady lives and where so much is going to change for her.

‘What was so bad about Raging Flower? Ava said Harlowe didn’t make queer and/or trans women of color a priority in her work; that Harlowe assumed that we could all connect through sisterhood, as if sisterhood looked the same for everyone.’

This story challenges both Juliet and the reader about feminism, particularly white and cis feminism which is Harlowe Brisbane’s jam. I loved how it tackled the fact that we always glorify white and cis feminism, and when the conversation is about trans women and women of colour all of a sudden nobody stays and listens. The fact that it was through a novel and especially from the point of view of a young girl who wants to know more about feminism is what really made me adore the story. I related a lot to Juliet and her questioning about how to be a feminist in real life beyond the books.

Feminism doesn’t look the same to every women and non men, making us think that the experience of white women is the one and only experience or the default experience is basically another impact of white supremacy which really shouldn’t have its place anywhere and particularly not within communities and movements that fight oppressions.

‘‘You are your own person. If liking girls I a phase, so what. If it’s your whole life, who cares? You’re destined to evolve and understand yourself in ways you never imagined before. And you’ve got our blood running through your beautiful veins, so no matter what, you’ve been blessed with the spirit of women who know how to love.’’

I loved following Juliet in her journey to learn how to value herself and listening to her very own voice, and not only being in adoration with the first person who made her question her condition, especially when this person doesn’t understand half of what she’s going through. Her character development was amazing and also made me tear up, the way she becomes more and more empowered by her own experience as a Latina lesbian woman was one of the greatest things to read about.

‘‘Juliet, I love you. I just want you to be the person we raised you to be.’’

‘‘ I’m never going to be that person, Mom.’’

Also, the whole coming out subplot was so good, the way Juliet is sure of her sexuality and stands up in front her mother who doesn’t think it’s true while trying to show her that this is her true self was one of my favourite things. Being the person you want to be, not the one people want you to be. This book is 300 pages long on how to feel empowered and Juliet is your damn coach haha.

‘‘Juliet, I’m asking because I love you, and I want to keep challenging you, babe. What are basing your ideas on womanhood on? You gotta question everything, especially who you give your love and respect to. This is about perspective, you know? Like, where do you stand?’’

This book challenges both Juliet and the reader when it also comes to choices and opinions and how you value yourself. I loved that so much, because when you finish the story you start questioning things you didn’t use to or you want to dig deeper into certain topics. I particularly loved Maxine and Ava’s characters on these points, they both are amazing, strong and inspiring women.

‘‘This was Advanced Bleeding, course level 300.’’

Also special mention to this chapter that entirely talked about menstruation, it was so interesting, funny and empowering to read.

‘‘Mi amor, only you can change your world.’’

The only thing that slightly bothered me was the fact that some scenes or moments either happened too fast or weren’t explored enough in my opinion, but otherwise I really really loved this book.

This review is probably a hot mess, but it’s such an amazing YA novel and I would recommend this book to literally anybody, but especially to people who want to challenge their opinions and want to educate themselves, this book is a gem!

Content Warnings

longlost's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring 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

oh, this. this was good. i wasn't super on board with the book at first because the whole White Woman feminism but being that the author of the book is Not White and the rest of the elements of the story were interesting to read about i kept going, and i'm glad i did. the book really ties itself together towards the end, that scene where

juliet is at a queer dance party and she gets an impulse haircut..... the EMOTIONS

. the analysis of feminism and what it means to each character was incredibly interesting to read about, and the relationship between juliet and harlowe was a real eye-opener for me. all-in-all definitely a book i'd recommend reading, with a fantastic grasp of the subjects it deals with that allows for a chance to really reflect on how race and feminism intersect.

Content Warnings

hanathemah's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-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

nicmgray's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

5.0

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