Reviews

The Truth Is by NoNieqa Ramos

autreads's review against another edition

5.0

This book is harsh at times. But I think it is a really good examination of how contemporary teenagers can discover their queer identities and accept their queer peers in hostile settings.

woodrich's review against another edition

2.0

We need more like this in YA.

hailiekacie's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

carlyandersen's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not going to lie... I had high expectations for The Truth Is. This was also a book that was very outside of my comfort zone - I have rarely read books that include BIPOC and I cannot ever remember reading a book with an LGBTQ+ individual. My goal for 2021 is to diversify my reading. I feel like these things might have something to do with my review of the book, but I also think my goal of diversifying my reading is the reason I finished the book anyway. I was close to putting the book down at about 30% in (on my Kindle).

The Truth Is addresses so many serious topics - especially for 15-year-olds. These are absolute realities for 15-year-olds around our country. I admire the author's desire to cover everything in one book, but it seemed like some of the topics were rushed through.

The topics were especially difficult to read from a teenage perspective. The writing (perhaps purposefully) was very choppy and disorganized. I honestly skipped through most of the book (another reason I think I ended up finishing the book).

Overall, The Truth Is is okay. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but I am glad I reaped the reward of finishing it. It helped me expand my horizons while reading a cute, LGBTQ+, young-adult book.

empearl1's review against another edition

emotional sad 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

4.0

sillygoose925's review

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense slow-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Classism

thegreatworkbegins's review against another edition

4.0

I really loved the style of narration in this. It really worked to show the disonnect between the protagonist and everyone around her.

mamaforjustice's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded up. Deals with some important topics really well. Interesting characters. Wraps up a bit too neatly for my taste.

bklynbredbiblio's review against another edition

4.0

Thought-provoking elements:
- What enables us to claim culture? Can you claim a culture for a place that you were not literally born into but you were raised in?
- How do we reconcile the ills of the church, beliefs of your humanity, with your faith/walk with God?
- How do we support our children in healing from trauma?
- What does it look like to move forward while still remembering/honoring after loss?

Wishing there was more of:
- Development of the secondary characters

afarr_07's review against another edition

4.0

I Really loved this book for its willingness to show freedom of self within the confines of culture and religion.