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competencefantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This is so much fun. I never thought anything could make me want to engage with football culture, but the events in this sounded like a hoot. There was also more serious content, especially in the MC's backstory than I anticipated and it really helped balance the book out. All of the characters, even the minor ones really seemed to work. The ending really hit the level of cultural catharsis I didn't know I was hoping for, and there was a scene near the end with a teacher that had me yelling out loud with delight. Overall this is a really great romp, and I'm so glad I gave it a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Medical content, Cancer, and Transphobia
violet_pages's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Homophobia, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism and Vomit
goblingirlreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CRYING TEARS OF JOY AT THE END OF THIS BOOK ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
okay, let me honest. I said I wasn't going to read any more contemporary books about teens in high school falling in love and preparing for college. I was just tired of that story. But then this book was chosen for one of my sapphic book clubs and I had heard such good things about it so I decided to give it a try. I was NOT disappointed. Leah Johnson has given a master class on how to write a contemporary YA book about a kid falling in love and preparing for college. She made the story feel fresh, like I hadn't read anything like it before. Liz Lighty was the perfect protagonist. We got to watch her grow into herself throughout the book and by the end you just want everything to go right for her. Mack/Amanda...um...who wishes they had a crush like that on high school *raises hand* and all the side characters were fully realized perfect and flawed. The family dynamics were on point. At this point I'm just raving at this book's excellence. I loved it and I hope you will too!
okay, let me honest. I said I wasn't going to read any more contemporary books about teens in high school falling in love and preparing for college. I was just tired of that story. But then this book was chosen for one of my sapphic book clubs and I had heard such good things about it so I decided to give it a try. I was NOT disappointed. Leah Johnson has given a master class on how to write a contemporary YA book about a kid falling in love and preparing for college. She made the story feel fresh, like I hadn't read anything like it before. Liz Lighty was the perfect protagonist. We got to watch her grow into herself throughout the book and by the end you just want everything to go right for her. Mack/Amanda...um...who wishes they had a crush like that on high school *raises hand* and all the side characters were fully realized perfect and flawed. The family dynamics were on point. At this point I'm just raving at this book's excellence. I loved it and I hope you will too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Vomit, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
lourek's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Vomit
irlchaosdemon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Racism, Medical trauma, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Vomit
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
readingwithkt's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I simply had a nice time listening to this book on audiobook. It is sweet, lovely and lighthearted. I accidentally consumed the story in just two days - which says a lot about how comforting and enjoyable the book was for me. It’s not pure joy, however, there are moments of hardship - bullying, caring responsibilities, grief of the loss of a parent, chronic illness, friendship breakdowns and dealing with fear of racism and homophobia. I liked some of the small commentaries made about the prejudices Liz’s mum faced versus that which she faces. Very subtle but pointed. I’d recommend this for those interested in a sweet lesbian love story. A little cheesy in places, very American-centric, but alas still a nice read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
loony_lucy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This first book from Leah Johnson is black queer magic and I am so happy to have read this. It was cheesy, breezy with poignant parts that speak volumes without shouting.
We follow Liz as she is trying to navigate her senior year before going off to college. After not getting the scholarship to Pennington she enrols in the Prom Queen competition to win the money she needs so desperately to attend college. But, while in the competition she gets distracted by Mack, the new girl in town and people's bias' start to show in small-town Indiana that may destroy Liz's dream of attending Pennington.
The representation of sick cell disease, sexuality, race and class is great to see in "You Should See Me In A Crown". I loved Liz's character and her development in her confidence. Her relationship with Mack was so sweet and wholesome. Jordan was a grower especially by "Week Three" we eventually stan him. However, Rachel is a complete racist, homophobia a*shole that needs to take a good long look at herself. I also was not on board with G, so was very annoying, bossy and completely invalidated Liz's feelings - she could have grovelled a little more...
We follow Liz as she is trying to navigate her senior year before going off to college. After not getting the scholarship to Pennington she enrols in the Prom Queen competition to win the money she needs so desperately to attend college. But, while in the competition she gets distracted by Mack, the new girl in town and people's bias' start to show in small-town Indiana that may destroy Liz's dream of attending Pennington.
The representation of sick cell disease, sexuality, race and class is great to see in "You Should See Me In A Crown". I loved Liz's character and her development in her confidence. Her relationship with Mack was so sweet and wholesome. Jordan was a grower especially by "Week Three" we eventually stan him. However, Rachel is a complete racist, homophobia a*shole that needs to take a good long look at herself. I also was not on board with G, so was very annoying, bossy and completely invalidated Liz's feelings - she could have grovelled a little more...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Medical content
rodes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Medical content, and Death of parent
nxclx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly, I liked the diversity and overall tone of this book and it's great read for someone who loves YA, but I encountered the same problem that I did with The Gravity Between Us: everything ends up perfect, and it directly points this out at the end. That's something that I do not like in books personally, and it just does not work for me. The bad person get's theirs, the good always triumph, and everything is perfect in the end. Just... not my style. I loved the representation in this book though, and think that part does need to be shown more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
hannahmayhere's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction