A review by vynexareads
Body Grammar by Jules Ohman

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

Every time Lou opened her eyes or pulled back far enough to see where she was, she was surprised, again and again, like holding the roving beam of a flashlight, or more like the dark around the hand that grips it. Something you can't capture when it's still. Ivy the light, Lou the dark around, on top of, beside, in her. How if you stare long enough at a face in the dark it disappears, but in this case, becomes more itself. Showing, 'Here you are, here you are, here I am, here'
-pg 268-269

I purchased this book on a whim after it was suggested to me on Amazon. Since I was wanting more books following sapphic stories, I added it to my cart and waiting two days for her to get to me.
Which means I had absolutely no expectations for this novel whatsoever, yet I'm glad to report that I really enjoyed my time with this story.

Lou life makes a 180 after a close friend of her drowns in front of her and her group of friends. She never cared to be in front of a camera, just behind it, capturing shots of unexpected moments and beautiful scenes. But once Morgan passed, she felt like she could make up failing her by being the person she asked her to be for her and throw herself into modeling. As modeling takes over her life, she loses the one person she couldn't see her life without, the one person she has had a crush on for so long.

This novel is a character study, which is one of my favorite things to read. You follow Lou for a year as she makes new friends, finds who she is and asks herself if Ivy really is the one she loves. Lou is a flawed person who sometimes doesn't make the best choices, who pulls herself away and keeps herself closed, yet it a person who is so caring toward the people in her life. There were times where I felt like Lou and I related on so many levels.

Something I appreciate about this novel is the diversity included. From Race to Ethnicity to Gender and Sexuality, there was so much to appreciate about it. It never felt forced to me, it truly felt like it came from someone who has lived their life knowing so many different people from different experiences.

One thing I want, though, is a short story/novella following Harrison. I love him and want all of the best things for him and I want to be there every step of the way. The fact that I can't hug him is really a crime.

The photo she loved the most of Harrison at the Boboli Gardens she took when they were outside the gates again, heading back to the train station. He wasn't looking at the camera, or at her. He was looking over his shoulder at the entrance to the gardens, like he didn't want to leave the dream of someone he loved behind.
-pg 173

I am so filled with love for this book and I will definitely pick up everything Ohmam writes and has published in the future.

Even though I started this end of July, I will be counting it towards the Studio Ghibli Readathon.

⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️