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smleeth93's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Moderate: Physical abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
mitchleso's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A cute quick read about two young teens finding their way back to each other. A bit cliche + stereotypical at times but full of queer love and cheesiness in the best way possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Abortion
kenzieburns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Let me start off by saying I'm not usually the romance type, but this book had me from the start. When Stevie Green can't wait to get out of her small Pennsylvania town and head to LA with her girlfriend, Nora. The catch is that she'll have to leave behind everything and everyone she's ever known, thanks to the unacceptable air of the Catholic church he mother is so involved in and the general anti-gay sentiments of Wyatt residents. But when Stevie has a horrible accident, wiping the last 2 years from her memory, her secret plans are, quite literally, forgotten. Now Stevie is left to puzzle her life back together, and Nora can only sit and hope that Stevie finds her way back to their love.
The first big surprise of this book for me was that it was from Stevie's perspective. Based on the published synopsis, I had assumed Nora's POV would be the focal point of the novel, and at first I was put off by knowing that Stevie would soon forget everything. I expected the memory loss to make the narration confusing, but it actually wasn't a problem, especially since the accident happens so early in the book, it's not like there is a bunch of back story that the reader is missing. I guess this is to say I actually really liked having Stevie's perspective, because as a reader, parts of her story were revealed to me as she relearned them herself, which made me feel really connected to her character.
I think Derrick did an amazing job of broaching some really complex topics throughout the novel, such as xenophobic and racist behavior and internalized homophobia. The nuances in Derrick's discussion of these topics was particularly striking, especially since she was writing through an 18-year-old's perspective. As an ex-Catholic and someone who also realized my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s, I really appreciated being able to relate to the complicated emotions Stevie experienced in her internal coming out, as well as the conflicts her sexuality created in relationships she cared about. While listening to this book, I was continuously reminded of the dedication, "To all the Queer kids in a place like Wyatt; hang in there, it gets better." I know that there are parts of this story that are idealized and that not everyone gets the ending Stevie does, but I do hope that kids in places like Wyatt will read this story and know that they can get out, and that they will find people who love them entirely as they are, even if those people are not their immediate family.
The first big surprise of this book for me was that it was from Stevie's perspective. Based on the published synopsis, I had assumed Nora's POV would be the focal point of the novel, and at first I was put off by knowing that Stevie would soon forget everything. I expected the memory loss to make the narration confusing, but it actually wasn't a problem, especially since the accident happens so early in the book, it's not like there is a bunch of back story that the reader is missing. I guess this is to say I actually really liked having Stevie's perspective, because as a reader, parts of her story were revealed to me as she relearned them herself, which made me feel really connected to her character.
I think Derrick did an amazing job of broaching some really complex topics throughout the novel, such as xenophobic and racist behavior and internalized homophobia. The nuances in Derrick's discussion of these topics was particularly striking, especially since she was writing through an 18-year-old's perspective. As an ex-Catholic and someone who also realized my sexuality in my late teens/early 20s, I really appreciated being able to relate to the complicated emotions Stevie experienced in her internal coming out, as well as the conflicts her sexuality created in relationships she cared about. While listening to this book, I was continuously reminded of the dedication, "To all the Queer kids in a place like Wyatt; hang in there, it gets better." I know that there are parts of this story that are idealized and that not everyone gets the ending Stevie does, but I do hope that kids in places like Wyatt will read this story and know that they can get out, and that they will find people who love them entirely as they are, even if those people are not their immediate family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
midnightbelles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Im literally in tears. This is the book little teenage me needed but adult me is so grateful to have. I can’t explain how much I connected with this story and just how much knowing something like this exists for young teens like Stevie comforts me. This is a perfectly cheesy, heartbreaking, and sweet novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content