A review by ranjanireviewsreads
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

4.0

How do I even start with this book. This gorgeous, funny, messy, real story of a teenage girl who stares slack jawed at her female friend in a dress but is most definitely straight because she’s “boy crazy.”

What stood out to me most were the many emotions in this book. I can’t remember a lot about my life but from what I do remember, being a teenager is emotional as Fuck. Forget puberty, there are so many expectations, not to mention exams and college applications; truly, teenage-dom was horrible. OAA makes it seem so true-to-life that I genuinely had to take a step back and think, “Wait, I'm no longer a teenager. Why am I stressing about this,” like why was I stressing about their prom theme?? The fun they had, the stress they felt, Ophelia’s love for gardening, it was all lovely to read about. The rejection (no more details) was surprisingly refreshing. It was essential for Ophelia’s growth and for the growth of the friend group.

The friend group is so lovely - not in the sense that everyone is loveable (they aren’t, looking at you Lindsay) but in that they are fleshed out, authentic expressions of what being a teenager is like. Lindsay is a bitch, but she also has her dreams, however shallow they may seem to others. Wes comes through as a kind-hearted boy who truly cares for those around him, and goes after what he wants. Agatha is your usual devil-may-care-with-a-heart-of-gold but she truly loves her friends! I had quite a problem with Sammie sometimes because it seemed like he would say things to hurt Ophelia, but he also had significant growth in the end and changed a lot. I loved the group, and I loved reading about Ophelia’s interactions with each of them. Like yes, this is what being a teenager is like. You may face rejections, friendships may not last forever, you may be known as the flower girl (or may not be remembered at all) - that’s just life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the messy parts. Ophelia is such a mess and I loved it. I loved the bets she made and her quick wit. I loved her relationship with her parents, so unrealistic but heartwarming at the same time (hush, I have trauma). And I agree that Hamlet would make a great lesbian. Also, Ophelia should get a golden retriever because the vibes are just there.
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