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tegzy95's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Outing
qrschulte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
Wow, I inhaled this book. I needed to know the answer just as much as Chloe (and I’m so pumped I figured stuff out before it was revealed). I started off not liking most of the characters, but they really grew on me as their complex stories unfolded. Because McQuiston really did write a ton of complex, incredibly human characters. I really loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism, Dysphoria, and Sexual harassment
emmaward55'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
4.5
Omg, this book was just a constant stream of "oops, all gays" and I LOVE THAT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Biphobia
Minor: Cancer and Alcohol
haley_marie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
I absolutely loved this book! There were times I had no idea what was gonna happen next. If you’re a fan of Looking for Alaska, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing, Outing, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
The book, which is about a bi girl, occurs at a Christian Academy in Alabama. So keep that in mind when reading. Coming from a femme queer person that grew up in Alabama, the stuff in the book is accurate but also not as bad as I have seen in real life. I didn’t see anything too triggering, but it was definitely in there.anne_shouseofdreams's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia, Death, and Racism
celine_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Classism, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Transphobia
vagabundenwind's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Biphobia
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Mental illness, Outing, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Loved the book in general but Shara just seemed toxic and her character changed a bit too quickly on the last few pagesridesthesun's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
OK. So. I have weird and complicated feelings about this one??
Casey has damn well done it again and created a beautiful cast of characters that I feel so deeply in love with. Their skill writing a Gang of Friends™ remains unparalleled. The background/supporting characters have such beautiful journeys built into the larger story, and I loved the growth and self-exploration happening with them. Also they're just absolutely ridiculous and lovely dumb high schoolers i LOVE them MWAH.
The larger themes of this book were stunning and so important to explore, especially in a YA setting. The intersection of home, queerness, gender, identity, and faith was explored with so much care and beauty. No place no faith no person is all one thing; our identities are not all one thing, and this story unpacked that so wonderfully. This more nuanced perspective, especially on faith, home, and queerness, is so vital to have in a YA story, and I'm really grateful that Casey chose to dive into this.
My one qualm with this book, and what makes my feelings on it complicated, is that... I just couldn't really bring myself to care much about the main two characters (one in particular). While I could not relate much to Chloe (ambitious and driven and confident are..... not who i am lmao), I did have fun with her POV, and seeing this from her eyes made for a really unique perspective. I appreciated her character growth so much, and love how much her eyes were opened. Also I need her to take a nap and also a break, this baby needs some REST.
Shara though....... I honestly just can't stand her. I think she's a fascinating character and she makes for a great catalyst for the story to turn around but.... I think I'm supposed to be more connected to her at the end of the book and i'm just.. really really not?I didn't feel any character growth from her outside of being like "woooo i realized i'm queer also i have a crush on you let's rebel!" it just did not do it for me. I never felt like she recognized the wrong stuff she did, and everyone just made excuses for her instead of her admitting and apologizing. It just really rubbed me the wrong way.
Complicated feelings aside, definitely recommend, a+++++++ supporting characters, let me give Smith so many flowers for his hair 🥰🥰🥰
Casey has damn well done it again and created a beautiful cast of characters that I feel so deeply in love with. Their skill writing a Gang of Friends™ remains unparalleled. The background/supporting characters have such beautiful journeys built into the larger story, and I loved the growth and self-exploration happening with them. Also they're just absolutely ridiculous and lovely dumb high schoolers i LOVE them MWAH.
The larger themes of this book were stunning and so important to explore, especially in a YA setting. The intersection of home, queerness, gender, identity, and faith was explored with so much care and beauty. No place no faith no person is all one thing; our identities are not all one thing, and this story unpacked that so wonderfully. This more nuanced perspective, especially on faith, home, and queerness, is so vital to have in a YA story, and I'm really grateful that Casey chose to dive into this.
My one qualm with this book, and what makes my feelings on it complicated, is that... I just couldn't really bring myself to care much about the main two characters (one in particular). While I could not relate much to Chloe (ambitious and driven and confident are..... not who i am lmao), I did have fun with her POV, and seeing this from her eyes made for a really unique perspective. I appreciated her character growth so much, and love how much her eyes were opened. Also I need her to take a nap and also a break, this baby needs some REST.
Shara though....... I honestly just can't stand her. I think she's a fascinating character and she makes for a great catalyst for the story to turn around but.... I think I'm supposed to be more connected to her at the end of the book and i'm just.. really really not?
Complicated feelings aside, definitely recommend, a+++++++ supporting characters, let me give Smith so many flowers for his hair 🥰🥰🥰
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Cursing
Minor: Outing
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
I have enjoyed every book by Casey McQuiston so far. This one feels the youngest since the main characters are still in high school, and it's probably my least favorite of the three books I've read, but it's still one of my favorites for this type of story and genre. The characters are flawed, but in realistic ways, and it's fun to watch them grow and learn from their mistakes. Weirdly, I feel like the titular romance isn't really the focus of the book and maybe could have used more development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Cursing and Outing
vaguely_pink's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism, Outing, and Dysphoria
Minor: Bullying, Transphobia, Ableism, and Alcohol