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letsgolesbians's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Biphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
_bookish_lauren's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
This was really a phenomenal story. I'd seen it recommend so many times and finally took the chance. I definitely regret waiting so long to read it. There was so much character developments for Enrique, finding himself and exploring his sexuality when all he really wanted was for his best friend Saleem to love him back.
Bisexuality can be a frustrating thing to navigate, especially as a teen. Society tells you you're confused and your fellow LGBTQ members tell you you're just greedy. And bisexual men, so many times, get erased. Told they're really gay. This book deals with external and internal biphobia, but also xenophobia because Saleem is Palestinian.
I loved seeing the progression of Enrique's friendships with both Fabiola and Saleem. They made a great trio of friends once Enrique was able to overcome his fear of what he was hiding from them.
Mental illness is also touch on heavily in this book. Enrique battles suicidal ideations and depressive episodes but takes the necessary steps to work toward bettering himself.
There is diverse representation in this book, and there are multiple queer characters. It's beautiful.
Bisexuality can be a frustrating thing to navigate, especially as a teen. Society tells you you're confused and your fellow LGBTQ members tell you you're just greedy. And bisexual men, so many times, get erased. Told they're really gay. This book deals with external and internal biphobia, but also xenophobia because Saleem is Palestinian.
I loved seeing the progression of Enrique's friendships with both Fabiola and Saleem. They made a great trio of friends once Enrique was able to overcome his fear of what he was hiding from them.
Mental illness is also touch on heavily in this book. Enrique battles suicidal ideations and depressive episodes but takes the necessary steps to work toward bettering himself.
There is diverse representation in this book, and there are multiple queer characters. It's beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Xenophobia
lowkeymarie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Biphobia, Islamophobia, and Sexual content
julian7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, Alcohol, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Gun violence and Mass/school shootings
its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.75
Ugh this book was so good i’m so upset that it’s over!! This book hit me in ways others didn’t. Enrique‘s descriptions of his mental health and his insecurities surrounding himself in comparison to other queer people around him is so relatable it hurts. The discussion around biphobia was especially personal to me as well, and was done perfectly.
All the side characters were so incredibly well written!! I had an emotional attachment to everyone in this book and I honestly did not know how this book would end, which I loved!
Overall this is an amazing and touching novel that dives into issues surrounding queer communities, racism, religious bigotry, and so many more topics that need to be more discussed in our society.
All the side characters were so incredibly well written!! I had an emotional attachment to everyone in this book and I honestly did not know how this book would end, which I loved!
Overall this is an amazing and touching novel that dives into issues surrounding queer communities, racism, religious bigotry, and so many more topics that need to be more discussed in our society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Islamophobia
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, and Drug use
skye_era_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
This was a really great story about 17-year-old Quique who is exploring his bisexuality while also navigating the fact that he’s in love with his best friend. It’s hard for queer people to be together in general, but adding in the fact that they’re both boys of color (Quique is Mexican-American and Saleem is Palestinian). But I will say I feel like this book was a bit too explicit to be considered YA? This had some very graphic sex scenes considering this is a YA book 😅 I personally feel uncomfy reading sex scenes involving anyone under 18.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Hate crime, Violence, and Biphobia
dagaezoomer19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Islamophobia
litoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
blakeandbooks's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This book felt so genuine to me from conversations/arguments between friends, mental health struggles as a teenager, and the MMC exploring his sexuality (he identifies as bisexual). I saw one of the people I follow on Instagram recommend this book to me, and I’m so glad they posted about it! I know some people aren’t interested in young adult fiction, but it is seriously some of the most genuine literature I read! It can be so difficult not to feel comfortable in who you are and have a crush on your best friend.
Fabiola is Afro-Latina, Quique’s best friend, and she is also bisexual! Some of their dialogue had me cackling! I love seeing great banter between friends. AND I also love seeing realistic arguments/disagreements between friends in books and how they made up. Friendships are not black and white! They’re complicated and messy and beautiful, and Aceves did such an incredible job at showing so much nuance in these characters and their relationships with one another.
Figuring out who you are in the world, especially as a teenager can be so overwhelming. Hell, it’s even difficult now for me sometimes at 26. Quique’s experiences felt so real and easy to relate to. Over the summer, he’s trying to get over his best friend, Saleem, who is visiting his family for 3 weeks, so Quique is hoping he can find ways to spend time with some of the boys he has crushes on to find out whether or not they feel a bit of the same. I personally thought the sex scenes were tasteful, and it wasn’t smut, but it was just realistic representations that teenagers do in fact have sex.
Saleem and Quique’s relationship from the get go is full of tension! I love how they can understand each other by just looking at one another, and I love how realistic it is to be so terrified that your best friend won’t feel the same as you do that you just don’t say anything at all… until you do !!
I loved Qique’s relationship with his parents, especially his mom. One of the quotes that made me cry was, “‘I wish I could say something comforting and wise,’ my mom begins, ‘but I can’t think of anything. This is gonna hurt, kid. It’s gonna continue to hurt. For a while.’ I’m about to make a sarcastic response about the dour nature of her words, but she continues. ‘But one day it won’t. And it won’t be because someone else has taken his place, and it won’t be because you’ve forgotten him. It’ll be because heartbreak, like any other injury will heal when you give it time.’”
The mental health representation in this book made me feel so seen 😭 As someone who has chronic depression, it is such a breath of fresh air to see other characters, and be able to read their inner thoughts about how they feel and their exploration into their own thoughts, mental health, and growth. When he asks to return to therapy, I was SO happy to see this. We need these type of books out in the world! Where everyone, no matter your age range, understands that it’s okay not to be okay, and sometimes we have to ask for help and seek guidance through therapy. The discussion around medication was so appreciated. I take antidepressants for my depression and obsessive compulsive thoughts, and it has made all the difference in my life. Luciana prefaces that medication is “not a miracle solution,” and work still needs to be put in!
There are so many great quotes in this book! Highly recommend.
Fabiola is Afro-Latina, Quique’s best friend, and she is also bisexual! Some of their dialogue had me cackling! I love seeing great banter between friends. AND I also love seeing realistic arguments/disagreements between friends in books and how they made up. Friendships are not black and white! They’re complicated and messy and beautiful, and Aceves did such an incredible job at showing so much nuance in these characters and their relationships with one another.
Figuring out who you are in the world, especially as a teenager can be so overwhelming. Hell, it’s even difficult now for me sometimes at 26. Quique’s experiences felt so real and easy to relate to. Over the summer, he’s trying to get over his best friend, Saleem, who is visiting his family for 3 weeks, so Quique is hoping he can find ways to spend time with some of the boys he has crushes on to find out whether or not they feel a bit of the same. I personally thought the sex scenes were tasteful, and it wasn’t smut, but it was just realistic representations that teenagers do in fact have sex.
Saleem and Quique’s relationship from the get go is full of tension! I love how they can understand each other by just looking at one another, and I love how realistic it is to be so terrified that your best friend won’t feel the same as you do that you just don’t say anything at all… until you do !!
I loved Qique’s relationship with his parents, especially his mom. One of the quotes that made me cry was, “‘I wish I could say something comforting and wise,’ my mom begins, ‘but I can’t think of anything. This is gonna hurt, kid. It’s gonna continue to hurt. For a while.’ I’m about to make a sarcastic response about the dour nature of her words, but she continues. ‘But one day it won’t. And it won’t be because someone else has taken his place, and it won’t be because you’ve forgotten him. It’ll be because heartbreak, like any other injury will heal when you give it time.’”
The mental health representation in this book made me feel so seen 😭 As someone who has chronic depression, it is such a breath of fresh air to see other characters, and be able to read their inner thoughts about how they feel and their exploration into their own thoughts, mental health, and growth. When he asks to return to therapy, I was SO happy to see this. We need these type of books out in the world! Where everyone, no matter your age range, understands that it’s okay not to be okay, and sometimes we have to ask for help and seek guidance through therapy. The discussion around medication was so appreciated. I take antidepressants for my depression and obsessive compulsive thoughts, and it has made all the difference in my life. Luciana prefaces that medication is “not a miracle solution,” and work still needs to be put in!
There are so many great quotes in this book! Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Biphobia, Alcohol, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Islamophobia
immaculate's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
sooooooo so cute
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Islamophobia