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withlivjones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did find parts of the book pretty cheesy (not that that’s necessarily a bad thing!) and some of the supporting characters felt kind of flat and one-dimensional - I think if I’d read this book when I was 16 i would have eaten it up, but being 22 I didn’t absolutely love it but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
Graphic: Outing, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Racism, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness
andloveistoolong'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
5.0
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Classism, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Racism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cursing and Vomit
puttingwingsonwords'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
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Bullying, Biphobia, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
bookishdiya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Terminal illness and Mental illness
laurenfro22'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? It's complicated
4.75
Of the contemporary YA books I've read, this is certainly my favorite. Johnson does a fantastic job getting the reader into the headspace of a queer, Black, teenage girl navigating high school and the looming transition into college. The characters are vibrant and I could feel the immediacy of their struggles. High school is often a lot of small fish feeling big in an even smaller pond. Johnson captures those weird interpersonal struggles, cliques, hopes, dreams, and heartbreaks in a way that feels real and true to the high school experiences.
The scenes of conflict, particularly about Liz's queerness, were very stressful. Especially being outed so publicly; high schoolers can be awful and as painful as that was to read about, it felt realistic. Johnson's depiction of Liz and Mac's push and pull, young love, breakup, and reunion is classic, and wonderfully specifically queer. The book has a good message and great characters delivering that message.
I think some folks may see the story as cringe-y or struggle to get into it - I think it's not for everyone. As someone who came out later in life, this is a book I wish I had in high school, a story where I could see my emotions and tumult reflected back to know I wasn't alone. Despite the story being centered around prom and its lead up, I appreciated the depth Johnson gave to her plot through her side characters and the clear importance of music, discussions around mental health, and very frank examination of intersectionality.
This is well worth the read. It is a feel good YA novel with heartbreak and love, bravery and growth, and deserves every golden crown.
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Racism, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Cancer, Mental illness, and Outing
eurydice_books_09's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Biphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Racism
toberomanced's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Vomit, Racism, Medical content, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Minor: Car accident, Cursing, Grief, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
liormaleficent'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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, and Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia
laureliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
snowydaze'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
4.75
Graphic: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Medical content, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship