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zydecovivo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Transphobia, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Self harm, Cursing, Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
stacy837's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Medical content, Lesbophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Classism, Alcohol, and Acephobia/Arophobia
fanboyriot's review
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
5.0
Sapphic
Asexual Rep
Boarding School
Friends to Lovers
Bandmates to Lovers
(First Person POV)
I absolutely loved this book. The characters, the romance, Margot's energy and comments, very much here for it.
Asexual Rep
Boarding School
Friends to Lovers
Bandmates to Lovers
(First Person POV)
I absolutely loved this book. The characters, the romance, Margot's energy and comments, very much here for it.
I went into it knowing nearly nothing about it other than it was a queer contemporary book, so the asexual rep was such a nice surprise.
Following Harper through the stress of always having to be what her parents wanted or never being able to do things because her mom was the dean of the school and her dad running for president.
I can say with confidence that I hated Harper's mom, so much. I also wasn't a fan of her dad but when Harper needed him he was there in the end, even if he did use her to better his family man image.
Love how conservative parents raise the gayest/queerest children ever. It was such a nice plot twist with Ben (or McDreamy, whichever works better).
The friendships were written SO well. There were ups and downs and lots of drama with some, they were complicated. And as much as I hate several of Harper's friends it was nice to see how she approached some of the issues they caused her. Lets just say Harper is a lot nicer than I would have been near the end of the book.
This book was so well written and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the Grey's Anatomy reference when Harper's dad was like: "She's our child, and this is—it's don't be so goddamn thickheaded." (Chapter 27, Page 226) it made me think about that one episode of Grey's Anatomy (S12,E01) which was a favorite of mine.
So basically, 10/10 loved everything and I will most likely read this again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Homophobia, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Bullying, Classism, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism, Self harm, Transphobia, Alcohol, and Vomit
samisversion's review
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? No
5.0
-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Medical content
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Outing, and Addiction
Minor: Self harm
libscote's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I'm not sure why there are so many marching band books being published this year, but I shouldn't complain too much! As a band geek in high school, I looked forward to this trend. Harper goes to an elite private school, where her mom is the dean. Her father is also the Republican candidate for the presidency. She has a few good friends, but a lot of people treat her differently because of those things. At the beginning of her senior year, she discovers someone has made a fake Tinder profile for her and has been sending messages to one of their classmates, Margot. Harper isn't sure what label she would pick for her sexuality, but she knows that her homophobic parents won't approve. They already have cut off her older brother for partying on campus. Of course, what happens when she starts to fall for Margot.
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I was there, I was all in. I liked the way it covered food allergies and asthma, and the joy of being in band (although unlike Harper, I prefer concert band to marching band). I did figure out who put up the profile early in the book, and I was pretty sure I knew what twist would come. That didn't stop me from enjoying it though!
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I was there, I was all in. I liked the way it covered food allergies and asthma, and the joy of being in band (although unlike Harper, I prefer concert band to marching band). I did figure out who put up the profile early in the book, and I was pretty sure I knew what twist would come. That didn't stop me from enjoying it though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcohol
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
For fans of Red, white and royal blue this book is for you!
Harper’s pic has been taken from her private insta account and used for tinder. Where someone has been pretending to be her and talking to Margo Another student who is in marching band with her. Harpers father is extremely conservative and her father is even running for president. She doesn’t identify as queer, but since this fake tinder profile her and Margo have become friends, possibly even more. Harper is trying to figure out what these knew found feelings mean about herself and her sexuality. But all she does know is that having a queer kid is not something that will bode well for her fathers campaign. So she can’t let this get out.
I loved this book. As a former band geek I felt super nostalgic listening to the audiobook and remembering being in band in high school and college. Plus I liked the political aspect of the story as well.
Rep
Bipoc
Enby,
Ace
Les
Pan
Poly
Cw
Mental health
Anxiety
Depression
Ptsd
Alcoholism
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Vomit
Allergic reactions (epi pens)
Asthma
Outing
Homophobia
Toxic friendship
Harper’s pic has been taken from her private insta account and used for tinder. Where someone has been pretending to be her and talking to Margo Another student who is in marching band with her. Harpers father is extremely conservative and her father is even running for president. She doesn’t identify as queer, but since this fake tinder profile her and Margo have become friends, possibly even more. Harper is trying to figure out what these knew found feelings mean about herself and her sexuality. But all she does know is that having a queer kid is not something that will bode well for her fathers campaign. So she can’t let this get out.
I loved this book. As a former band geek I felt super nostalgic listening to the audiobook and remembering being in band in high school and college. Plus I liked the political aspect of the story as well.
Rep
Bipoc
Enby,
Ace
Les
Pan
Poly
Cw
Mental health
Anxiety
Depression
Ptsd
Alcoholism
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Vomit
Allergic reactions (epi pens)
Asthma
Outing
Homophobia
Toxic friendship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
pey333's review
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
imstephtacular's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Lesbophobia, Classism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, War, Alcoholism, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Although I didn’t expect much from it going in, I absolutely loved Forward March. Harper is an asexual lesbian, like me, and that means so much because I’ve never seen that specific representation in any other book. I loved her and Margot both separately and together, and I loved their chaotic queer friends, and I loved Christian and Ben. The banter is brilliant, and perfectly balanced with all of the heart and emotion in this book. There’s even a couple of unexpected twists; at least, *I* didn’t expect them. I don't have the right words for all of my feelings right now, or the spoons to write a longer review, but this book has a special place in my heart. A new favorite YA contemporary for sure, and a 2022 favorite. 💖
Representation
Representation
- asexual lesbian protagonist with asthma
- Black lesbian love interest
- queer Indonesian side character
- bisexual nonbinary side character (they/them)
- pansexual polyamorous side character with asthma
- autistic side character
- sapphic main couple
- achillean side couple
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Outing, and Medical content
Moderate: Self harm, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Mental illness- anxiety and depression. Panic attacks- only one, but it’s severe and leads to the protagonist being hospitalized. Medical content- short hospital stay that lasts a couple of chapters. Everything tagged moderate is about side characters; one talks about how she previously self-harmed and another briefly mentions his issues with alcoholism and how he went to rehab. There’s also one (I believe) instance of underage drinking.heytherekaity's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
5.0
do you like stories about queer nerds? do fun arguments about Doctor Who and Criminal Minds sound like a good way to flirt? do you have a mighty need for more books about marching band or asexual characters?
then do I have the book for you!
my full review will be published on MARCH 7, 2022 at kaitplusbooks.com!
but for now just know that this is one of my most FAVORITE BOOKS EVER AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!
I cried happy tears, sad tears, and more happy tears. I saw characters who reminded me so much of myself, and I also saw characters who were nothing like me.
perfectly queer, delightfully nerdy, and everything I've ever wanted in a book. read this as soon as you can!
thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, Skye Quinlan, Page Street Kids, and NetGalley for letting me read an early copy of this book! (and a special thanks to Alicia at NetGalley for helping me read it with a bigger font!)
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph | Readerly
then do I have the book for you!
my full review will be published on MARCH 7, 2022 at kaitplusbooks.com!
but for now just know that this is one of my most FAVORITE BOOKS EVER AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!
I cried happy tears, sad tears, and more happy tears. I saw characters who reminded me so much of myself, and I also saw characters who were nothing like me.
perfectly queer, delightfully nerdy, and everything I've ever wanted in a book. read this as soon as you can!
thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, Skye Quinlan, Page Street Kids, and NetGalley for letting me read an early copy of this book! (and a special thanks to Alicia at NetGalley for helping me read it with a bigger font!)
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Storygraph | Readerly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Medical content, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol and Transphobia