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morganperks's review
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Outing, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Racism, Chronic illness, Bullying, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
stephmcnutt28'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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Racism, and Death of parent
daycia's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism
embla_v's review
3.5
Det handlar om Liz som inte tror att hon har en plats i rampljuset, iallafall inte på hennes skola, hon är för svart, fattig och pinsam för det. Men när hon inte får de pengar till college som hon räknat med tvingas hon in i en tävling, en tävling för att bli promqueen och Liz tvingas in i rampljuset som hon varit så rädd för. Det finns bara en sak som gör tävlingen uthärdlig och det är den nya tjejen Mack.
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Bullying
martachbc'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
4.0
Graphic: Outing and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Racism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
rosenau'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
3.0
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
amivireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Transphobia
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
chloereadds's review
- 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
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Bullying, Death of parent, and Homophobia
brookey8888'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
5.0
I honestly loved all the topics discussed and all the different relationships. I felt like that was really relatable(the friendships). I thought the romance was super cute and it wasn’t the center of the story. This is mostly just a story about a black lesbian coming into herself and being more confident, which I just love and am happy there are stories like this.
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Misogyny