Scan barcode
danileah07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- 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
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
theromanticace'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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
Minor: Addiction
plumpaperbacks's review
- 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
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
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.betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
But there are obstacles in their way, mainly Harper's homophobic mother, the dean of their school. As Harper discovers more about herself and her sexuality, she has to figure out if she has the freedom to be herself.
Listened to the audiobook for this one, and there are so many great things this book has going for it. The main one is at the heart of the novel: Harper and Margot's relationship. I loved the way it evolved throughout the book, and Margot was kind and considerate about Harper's asexuality. They truly cared for one another, and the way their relationship unfolded worked on so many levels.
The marching band aspect of the book worked really well, too. Quinlan captured the feel of it, and through marching band, Harper is kind of able to figure out what she might want after high school. The whole atmosphere did wonders for the story itself.
There were some elements I wish would have been a bit more fleshed out, though. Mainly, Harper's dad's campaign and the political nature of him running for office. That aspect of the story felt a bit rushed, to be honest. Additionally, the plotline with Harper's original friend group, while authentic for teenage friendships I thought it could have been a bit more fleshed out, too.
Basically, I think everything surrounding Harper and Margot (and Harper's brother) was the best part of the book, and I'd definitely recommend reading it just for that!
Graphic: Mental illness and Outing
Minor: Vomit, Alcoholism, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
mxrumphius'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
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Medical content
Moderate: Outing, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Self harm, and Transphobia