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stephmcnutt28's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Racism, and Death of parent
martachbc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Outing and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Racism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
rosenau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
amivireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Transphobia
larseneiii's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Chronic illness, Bullying, and Outing
Minor: Vomit
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Death, Grief, Terminal illness, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, and Medical content
laurenfro22's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Of the contemporary YA books I've read, this is certainly my favorite. Johnson does a fantastic job getting the reader into the headspace of a queer, Black, teenage girl navigating high school and the looming transition into college. The characters are vibrant and I could feel the immediacy of their struggles. High school is often a lot of small fish feeling big in an even smaller pond. Johnson captures those weird interpersonal struggles, cliques, hopes, dreams, and heartbreaks in a way that feels real and true to the high school experiences.
The scenes of conflict, particularly about Liz's queerness, were very stressful. Especially being outed so publicly; high schoolers can be awful and as painful as that was to read about, it felt realistic. Johnson's depiction of Liz and Mac's push and pull, young love, breakup, and reunion is classic, and wonderfully specifically queer. The book has a good message and great characters delivering that message.
I think some folks may see the story as cringe-y or struggle to get into it - I think it's not for everyone. As someone who came out later in life, this is a book I wish I had in high school, a story where I could see my emotions and tumult reflected back to know I wasn't alone. Despite the story being centered around prom and its lead up, I appreciated the depth Johnson gave to her plot through her side characters and the clear importance of music, discussions around mental health, and very frank examination of intersectionality.
This is well worth the read. It is a feel good YA novel with heartbreak and love, bravery and growth, and deserves every golden crown.
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Racism, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Cancer, Mental illness, and Outing
chloereadds's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Bullying, Death of parent, and Homophobia
maya_reads_books's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Racism and Outing
moonchildshine's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
3.5
This book is the typical high school rom-com cliche, but make it sapphic. With a not-a-prom-queen material protagonist, her super cool and quirky love interest, a bunch of loyal friends, and an evil cruel mean girl antagonist who you want to punch in the face.
I forced myself reading the first half part of this book because I despise one of the cis-het man character (Jordan, I'm talking about you), but then I ended up loving him and cheering him on, urggg 🙄 in my defense, he really portrayed himself as a audacious jock at first.
And the ending, I actually love the ending!!! Amanda and Liz was soooo cute together. I squealed so much and I couldn't stop smiling. But I feel like this type of story is forgettable and I won't really remember how good it is in the future, you know? Hence the 3 stars.
Graphic: Chronic illness and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent