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b33's review against another edition
fast-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
3.75
Overall, I found the book pretty interesting. I was engaged with the plot from start to finish and thought the main relationship was worth rooting for.
That said, there were definitely some things I wasn’t a massive fan of. Sometimes, the writing came off as kind of amateurish, like I was reading an unfinished draft rather than a completed novel. In addition, there were some plot points, like Shirley and Calvin, the Man T’Sings and Joseph’s citizenship, that were kind of just never touched on again.
It was a good book, but I would’ve loved to see an expansion on some elements
That said, there were definitely some things I wasn’t a massive fan of. Sometimes, the writing came off as kind of amateurish, like I was reading an unfinished draft rather than a completed novel. In addition, there were some plot points, like Shirley and Calvin, the Man T’Sings and Joseph’s citizenship, that were kind of just never touched on again.
It was a good book, but I would’ve loved to see an expansion on some elements
joanabotelhogomes's review against another edition
4.0
Not gonna lie, I wish something had happened to Calvin and Shirley in the way of consequences for their behavior/choices. As much as I enjoyed this story, and I truly did, it felt like some bits were “much ado about nothing” since we were never given any satisfactory ending to the many threads that were shown throughout the plot. Some of the subplots felt like extraneous and unnecessary information added just to fill up pages. Yes, they did add some context but that context wasn’t always entirely needed. And because we never get an ending to those loose threads, in some ways, it very much felt like an unfinished book, to me.
melinski_96's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? No
4.0
asurasantosha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? No
5.0
This is a story that needed to be told and it was told exceptionally well. Highly recommend!
amj025's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
librarylizzie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
talkativetaylor11's review against another edition
emotional
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
elliesjenna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
5.0
This book broke my heart so many times.
I was a very confused teenager in the 1990s, with very little support or opportunity to explore my self. This book helped my inner teenager - while wondering what if. The complexity, fear of being discovered, hiding behind "friendship" - oh my heart.
Lily has always felt differently than other girls, especially her closest friend. But then the other girl in her math class, Kath, hands back the ad for a drag king.
So well done - the time period, the family reaction, the found community.
Loved it!
I was a very confused teenager in the 1990s, with very little support or opportunity to explore my self. This book helped my inner teenager - while wondering what if. The complexity, fear of being discovered, hiding behind "friendship" - oh my heart.
Lily has always felt differently than other girls, especially her closest friend. But then the other girl in her math class, Kath, hands back the ad for a drag king.
So well done - the time period, the family reaction, the found community.
Loved it!