Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Luis Ortega Survival Club

I absolutely loved TLOSC! This was such a powerful read; author Sonora Reyes very realistically depicts the complex range of thoughts and feelings following SA.
*spoiler alert*

Protagonist & narrator Ari is autistic, has selective mutism, and experiences isolation from her peers until she is contacted by an anonymous individual who is part of a club of students who have been assaulted and wronged by the same person. Ari forms community with other members of the club as they process their traumas and carry out different approaches for getting justice.

Author Reyes crafts healthy models of consensual, neurodiversity-affirming friendships and relationships among characters, making this an important read for teens and adults of all ages. There is a wlw romance, a nonbinary character, and a neuro-inclusive pride celebration.
I wish this book could be a series on television!

Content Warnings

cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This YA contemporary fiction novel features Ari, who is r@ped by a popular, powerful boy called Luis Ortega. She is invited to join a group comprising of some of Luis's many victims, and they try to expose him as the piece of crap he is.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club
By Sonora Reyes
4.75/5⭐️

Our protagonist, Ari, is autistic with selective mutism. This results in her social life being nonexistent, until she meets the other Club members. I found her to be a very relatable protagonist, and thought that the autism rep was very good. It took her most of the book to realise that what her article about Luis required was her own experience, but I feel like she knew internally that she'd have to tell her story eventually to have any chance of succeeding in ensuring that Luis wouldn't harm any more girls. I felt sorry for how her mother treated her like a therapist, and was very glad when everything turned out well for Ari.

Shawni, the creator of the club and the love interest of Ari, was a great character, though maybe she lacked a smidge of development? I liked how she made sure there was always paper and a pen on hand so that Ari could communicate with the group!
Jasmine, Nina, and Angel (the other group members) were also very lovable. We learnt the least about Nina, which is unfortunate as I really enjoyed their friendly nature.
Jasmine seemed to be a very loyal friend, and I liked how she and Angel stuck by each other no matter what.

The pacing was perfect, I actually read this book in a single day and never got tired of it.
The ending was so happy it felt unrealistic, but I still consider it to be perfect as this is a story about hope, about naming and shaming predators, taking back control, and untwisting the narrative.

Queer rep:
Queer protagonist (unlabelled)
Bi side character
Nonbinary side character

TWs: r@pe (off-page), bullying, sexual assault, sexual harassment, infidelity, abelism, gaslighting, biphobia

Content Warnings

kays_reading_journal's review against another edition

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4.25

Official content warnings: Bullying, Rape (aftermath, not on-page), Sexual assault (a slap on the butt), sexual harassment

It says aftermath not on page, but I felt like the memories were pretty graphic. I’d also add PTSD.

I really did enjoy this book. I loved the main character and the found family and all.

It just felt a bit too short despite being a pretty average length. I wish that we had gotten to spend a bit more time with Ari’s parents, and some of the ending felt a bit rushed.

(I still really enjoyed this book! It’s just easier to write about negatives than positives)

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

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sadhbhprice's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful 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

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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

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_moonsongenthusiast_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

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sundayfever's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This is the YA revenge fic I needed. Wish all the real life SA stories ended in such a satisfying way. Queer and neurodivergent POC characters kick ass.

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