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alishalaurit's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The marching band aspect of this book was absolutely perfect and brought back many memories of spending evenings and weekends in the band room and on the field with my friends. The color guard rep made me sad though because it was all negative.
The plot of the story was interesting enough and I honestly didn’t know how the catfishing sub plot was going to play out. TBH, I’m extremely disappointed with how that wrapped up. Evelyn could have been the sole person responsible and the story would have wrapped up the same. I’m not sure why the author dragged Bellamy and Nadia into the scheme. It felt like there was all this relationship development throughout the book with those 3 and it was all torn down because nobody could say no to Evelyn? I don’t believe that. Both Nadia and Bellamy have stood up for Harper to Evelyn through out the book but none of them felt like doing anything about the catfishing? And for Nadia to say she did it because she was in love with Harper? Idk. Then Harper turns around and forgives both of them after all that. It just didn’t sit right with me.
I also wish we could have gotten to know more about Harpers life post high school. Her parents and teachers made a pretty big deal about what she was going to do after graduation and we just never find out.
The plot of the story was interesting enough and I honestly didn’t know how the catfishing sub plot was going to play out. TBH, I’m extremely disappointed with how that wrapped up.
I also wish we could have gotten to know more about Harpers life post high school. Her parents and teachers made a pretty big deal about what she was going to do after graduation and we just never find out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
annabananawible's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, and Alcoholism
libscote's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I'm not sure why there are so many marching band books being published this year, but I shouldn't complain too much! As a band geek in high school, I looked forward to this trend. Harper goes to an elite private school, where her mom is the dean. Her father is also the Republican candidate for the presidency. She has a few good friends, but a lot of people treat her differently because of those things. At the beginning of her senior year, she discovers someone has made a fake Tinder profile for her and has been sending messages to one of their classmates, Margot. Harper isn't sure what label she would pick for her sexuality, but she knows that her homophobic parents won't approve. They already have cut off her older brother for partying on campus. Of course, what happens when she starts to fall for Margot.
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I was there, I was all in. I liked the way it covered food allergies and asthma, and the joy of being in band (although unlike Harper, I prefer concert band to marching band). I did figure out who put up the profile early in the book, and I was pretty sure I knew what twist would come. That didn't stop me from enjoying it though!
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I was there, I was all in. I liked the way it covered food allergies and asthma, and the joy of being in band (although unlike Harper, I prefer concert band to marching band). I did figure out who put up the profile early in the book, and I was pretty sure I knew what twist would come. That didn't stop me from enjoying it though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Alcohol
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
For fans of Red, white and royal blue this book is for you!
Harper’s pic has been taken from her private insta account and used for tinder. Where someone has been pretending to be her and talking to Margo Another student who is in marching band with her. Harpers father is extremely conservative and her father is even running for president. She doesn’t identify as queer, but since this fake tinder profile her and Margo have become friends, possibly even more. Harper is trying to figure out what these knew found feelings mean about herself and her sexuality. But all she does know is that having a queer kid is not something that will bode well for her fathers campaign. So she can’t let this get out.
I loved this book. As a former band geek I felt super nostalgic listening to the audiobook and remembering being in band in high school and college. Plus I liked the political aspect of the story as well.
Rep
Bipoc
Enby,
Ace
Les
Pan
Poly
Cw
Mental health
Anxiety
Depression
Ptsd
Alcoholism
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Vomit
Allergic reactions (epi pens)
Asthma
Outing
Homophobia
Toxic friendship
Harper’s pic has been taken from her private insta account and used for tinder. Where someone has been pretending to be her and talking to Margo Another student who is in marching band with her. Harpers father is extremely conservative and her father is even running for president. She doesn’t identify as queer, but since this fake tinder profile her and Margo have become friends, possibly even more. Harper is trying to figure out what these knew found feelings mean about herself and her sexuality. But all she does know is that having a queer kid is not something that will bode well for her fathers campaign. So she can’t let this get out.
I loved this book. As a former band geek I felt super nostalgic listening to the audiobook and remembering being in band in high school and college. Plus I liked the political aspect of the story as well.
Rep
Bipoc
Enby,
Ace
Les
Pan
Poly
Cw
Mental health
Anxiety
Depression
Ptsd
Alcoholism
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Vomit
Allergic reactions (epi pens)
Asthma
Outing
Homophobia
Toxic friendship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
onewoman_bookclub's review against another edition
emotional
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: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
prolinn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
Moderate: Classism and Suicidal thoughts
pey333's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
Minor: Addiction
plumpaperbacks's review
emotional
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? No
5.0
Although I didn’t expect much from it going in, I absolutely loved Forward March. Harper is an asexual lesbian, like me, and that means so much because I’ve never seen that specific representation in any other book. I loved her and Margot both separately and together, and I loved their chaotic queer friends, and I loved Christian and Ben. The banter is brilliant, and perfectly balanced with all of the heart and emotion in this book. There’s even a couple of unexpected twists; at least, *I* didn’t expect them. I don't have the right words for all of my feelings right now, or the spoons to write a longer review, but this book has a special place in my heart. A new favorite YA contemporary for sure, and a 2022 favorite. 💖
Representation
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
Content Warnings
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.