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abbeyroad98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
butterfly_bombshell's review against another edition
4.0
The storyline was okay. I loved the love story though.
senagbl's review against another edition
4.0
i appreciate the optimism but there’s simply not that many queer kids that can go “ok fuck it let’s overthrow the government (the principal)” on a moment’s notice in a town THAT republican. still was an amazing read tho
jedixdume's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
emmah36's review against another edition
2.0
Mild spoilers I guess?:
What did I just read?
I don’t know how this is the same author as that of OLS and RWRB. The side characters were so much more interesting and likable than Shara and Chloe. I would like to read a book from Smith’s perspective. Or Georgia’s. Just their love stories. No pink envelope scavenger hunt. Just Queer coming of age. This book would be so much more meaningful if it was from the perspective of an insider, not an outsider. Chloe being judgmental about Christian queer people and looking down at Southerners does not make for meaningful narration. I want a queer exploration of growing up in a small conservative town. I want an exploration of what Christianity means to Georgia and Shara. The crucifix necklace has so much unexplored symbolism. I would read a whole book about Shara’s family life, academic pressure, queer awakening, and faith. I want a book about Smith’s queer awakening and what that means to him as a Black athlete and how his gender impacts his relationship with Rory. I want to know what went down at Mario Kart! I want a book about Georgia’s college plans and her first time seeing a married Lesbian couple in real life and realizing she can have that. But instead we get Chloe! Who sucks! I’m just really disappointed with this book. I would rather read about her moms’ love story than hers. This was such a let down I might not pick up Casey McQuiston’s next book.
What did I just read?
I don’t know how this is the same author as that of OLS and RWRB. The side characters were so much more interesting and likable than Shara and Chloe. I would like to read a book from Smith’s perspective. Or Georgia’s. Just their love stories. No pink envelope scavenger hunt. Just Queer coming of age. This book would be so much more meaningful if it was from the perspective of an insider, not an outsider. Chloe being judgmental about Christian queer people and looking down at Southerners does not make for meaningful narration. I want a queer exploration of growing up in a small conservative town. I want an exploration of what Christianity means to Georgia and Shara. The crucifix necklace has so much unexplored symbolism. I would read a whole book about Shara’s family life, academic pressure, queer awakening, and faith. I want a book about Smith’s queer awakening and what that means to him as a Black athlete and how his gender impacts his relationship with Rory. I want to know what went down at Mario Kart! I want a book about Georgia’s college plans and her first time seeing a married Lesbian couple in real life and realizing she can have that. But instead we get Chloe! Who sucks! I’m just really disappointed with this book. I would rather read about her moms’ love story than hers. This was such a let down I might not pick up Casey McQuiston’s next book.
moonsunsof's review against another edition
5.0
i swear this book was like Casey McQuiston went into my life and stole all the details. it hit so close to home. prepare for this review to basically be a diary entry because there's no way i can do this impartially. (spoiler free)
it takes place in the limbo between prom and graduation (exactly where i am rn) and follows an academic overachieving queer girl who's unapologetically herself in a conservative southern school, who is kind but is also a lil mean (that's literally me guys). like her best friend LOVES jane austen and emma (ava i'm looking at you). she's out and she's proud but she still has the bear the fact that people around her think she's wrong and relating to that made me sob. there's also a character who struggles with gender identity and that was hitting WAYYY to close to home.
i can't begin to describe how much i resonated with the themes of itching to get out of the south but also not wanting to lose your friends and also loving parts of what the south is because its what you've known for 18 years. it was so refreshing to have a book that embraced all parts of what the south can be. its bigotry and repression but its also home and "just move out" isn't always an option for everyone. and the feelings of doing all your lasts. last high school parties, last school concerts, final exams, last time you'll see some of these people in your entire life (i'm electing to ignore all of it and cry about it later).
in the author's note casey mcquiston talked about the book being a "feeling." it is, and it's EVERY feeling i feel at this very moment between graduation and impending college and leaving everything behind and being a queer person in the south. they talked about wanting it to be a book for queer southern kids to feel less alone. my college essay was literally about reading queer literature to feel less alone in the south. it feels like this book was made for me in the exact moment of life i am in and i couldn't be more thankful for it.
it's also just a joy to have a campy, YA, mystery, romcom with teenage feelings that mean everything in the moment but will feel like nothing in 2 years, be targeted at a queer audience. i just love casey's work and she never misses. the end.
it takes place in the limbo between prom and graduation (exactly where i am rn) and follows an academic overachieving queer girl who's unapologetically herself in a conservative southern school, who is kind but is also a lil mean (that's literally me guys). like her best friend LOVES jane austen and emma (ava i'm looking at you). she's out and she's proud but she still has the bear the fact that people around her think she's wrong and relating to that made me sob. there's also a character who struggles with gender identity and that was hitting WAYYY to close to home.
i can't begin to describe how much i resonated with the themes of itching to get out of the south but also not wanting to lose your friends and also loving parts of what the south is because its what you've known for 18 years. it was so refreshing to have a book that embraced all parts of what the south can be. its bigotry and repression but its also home and "just move out" isn't always an option for everyone. and the feelings of doing all your lasts. last high school parties, last school concerts, final exams, last time you'll see some of these people in your entire life (i'm electing to ignore all of it and cry about it later).
in the author's note casey mcquiston talked about the book being a "feeling." it is, and it's EVERY feeling i feel at this very moment between graduation and impending college and leaving everything behind and being a queer person in the south. they talked about wanting it to be a book for queer southern kids to feel less alone. my college essay was literally about reading queer literature to feel less alone in the south. it feels like this book was made for me in the exact moment of life i am in and i couldn't be more thankful for it.
it's also just a joy to have a campy, YA, mystery, romcom with teenage feelings that mean everything in the moment but will feel like nothing in 2 years, be targeted at a queer audience. i just love casey's work and she never misses. the end.
annemoon's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
lwhite52's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eweaver1028's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really cute! It made me feel very old and nostalgic for the end to high school that I never got LOL. One of my favorite things about Casey Mcquiston’s books is the ensemble of characters. They were all interesting and I was rooting for everyone! Even though this book utilized a lot of tropes, they were fresh and fun. I know some people can’t stand how their books are written in 3rd person but I don’t think it detracts from the story. Overall a sweet queer romance.
marteg's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5