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citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Sexual content
ntripp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.5
I enjoyed this book more than I expected too. I highly recommend people check it out. I'd say high school ages and up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Racism, and Sexual assault
midnight_rain0302's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Racial slurs, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Racism
siobhanward'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
4.0
I can't remember where I found this recommendation, but I wish I did so I could go back and look for more. This was a great read - I loved Lou and King and really all the characters. I wish we'd seen more of Cami and Tyler because I wanted to know more about them and their lives, but I get that the book wasn't about them. I appreciated Ferguson's openness at the start of the book of what to expect in terms of content, I would love to see that from more authors.
My only real critique of the book is that it just kind of wrapped up - after so much build up and mystery, and the great atmosphere of fear and uncertainty Ferguson built, it just kind of ends. I think it deserved a bit more of a resolution than what it had. However, that is far from a reason to dismiss this book and I can't wait to read more from Ferguson.
My only real critique of the book is that it just kind of wrapped up - after so much build up and mystery, and the great atmosphere of fear and uncertainty Ferguson built, it just kind of ends. I think it deserved a bit more of a resolution than what it had. However, that is far from a reason to dismiss this book and I can't wait to read more from Ferguson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
klutzykara's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
The coming of age story of an Indigenous teenage girl in Canada (Métis like the author herself) and the trauma, racism, discrimination, & abuse they face is an important one. I am always wanting to read more from Indigenous authors and would be interested to read more from Jen Ferguson in the future if I thought the below wouldn't be an issue.
My overall enjoyment of the story was sadly dampened by the way other topics (of identity&mental health, not the above topics) were handled. I didn't want to give this story a bad rating because Indigenous stories are so important, but because of the harm I felt and fear others could fear I feel I need to.
I was upset by the way Lou's best friend, Florence, was treated. Her manic behavior is described and glossed over, sometimes pointing out how it makes her flaky, drink too much, & cheat on her girlfriend, as well as references to not being on her meds. Yet, Lou never wants to be the one to reach out and check on her. She was cast aside, it felt like, and treated badly by the character and portrayed negatively in the writing for too long. As someone affected by this, I think that if you can't address it with care and compassion, it should not be included. I had heard it would be in the story, and knew it probably wouldn't make me feel good, but it still hurt & the story's effects stick with me.
I also think Lou's feelings that her identity (asexuality/demisexual) was a result of the trauma (her own & generational) were understandable and valid, and important to work through, but I think it may have become more harmful than helpful for some readers as it takes a while to get to Lou work through it. It would have helped a lot to have Lou to have this conversation earlier (& perhaps not with King but a family member even? It felt kind of like he was mansplaining although that could just be me and could have been better from a family member) and also for other characters' bisexuality to be discussed with more respect.. King was very flippant about it and Florence was once again not treated with much empathy.
My overall enjoyment of the story was sadly dampened by the way other topics (of identity&mental health, not the above topics) were handled. I didn't want to give this story a bad rating because Indigenous stories are so important, but because of the harm I felt and fear others could fear I feel I need to.
I was upset by the way Lou's best friend, Florence, was treated. Her manic behavior is described and glossed over, sometimes pointing out how it makes her flaky, drink too much, & cheat on her girlfriend, as well as references to not being on her meds. Yet, Lou never wants to be the one to reach out and check on her. She was cast aside, it felt like, and treated badly by the character and portrayed negatively in the writing for too long. As someone affected by this, I think that if you can't address it with care and compassion, it should not be included. I had heard it would be in the story, and knew it probably wouldn't make me feel good, but it still hurt & the story's effects stick with me.
I also think Lou's feelings that her identity (asexuality/demisexual) was a result of the trauma (her own & generational) were understandable and valid, and important to work through, but I think it may have become more harmful than helpful for some readers as it takes a while to get to Lou work through it. It would have helped a lot to have Lou to have this conversation earlier (& perhaps not with King but a family member even? It felt kind of like he was mansplaining although that could just be me and could have been better from a family member) and also for other characters' bisexuality to be discussed with more respect.. King was very flippant about it and Florence was once again not treated with much empathy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
mullisla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Non Spoilers: This book was very nesessary and it had a really good message to promote. With that being said, I didn't really like the book. Not that the book is bad, but that it wasn't for me. Which makes me really sad because the book had such a good theme\message to it. Lou's journey of self-discovery, forgiveness and growthbwas really compelling, I just didn't like the execution.
I do recommend the book to everyone though. I can see lots of people really liking the book and connecting with it. Give it a read if you can.
***SPOILERS***
I was really confused in this book. I felt that some of the things that happened felt off with previous chapters, established character traits and the book in general.
Maybe it was mentioned in the book, but I was really confused to why Florence was working in Lou's Uncle's icecream shop in the summer, when she lives in Ireland. How does she know Lou? Also as an Irish person, I can confirm that we don't end every sentence with 'love' or 'pet'. That is only Granny's. We do use the terms sometimes, but not as often as Florence.
Peter England is so random. Why does he care so much if Lou says he is her biological Father anyways? I am really sad that there are actual arseholes liks him actually living in the world currently.
Lou really couldn't admit anything to herself. 'Nobody feels the way I do', girl, there is an entire community of people who feel the same as you. Thank you King for telling her that she is ace.
The 3 dates thing with King. I know she did actually like him, but it felt like a tease. Very Netflix teen tv show\movie of her.
There wasn't enough about Tyler. She just floated in and out of the story and I felt that I didn't know that much about her.
I do like this book, but I just don't know if this is the best version of it. The message was so good and the social problems that it tackled and highlighted were so well done. I just wish that the narrtive to accompany it was as good.
I do recommend the book to everyone though. I can see lots of people really liking the book and connecting with it. Give it a read if you can.
***SPOILERS***
Maybe it was mentioned in the book, but I was really confused to why Florence was working in Lou's Uncle's icecream shop in the summer, when she lives in Ireland. How does she know Lou? Also as an Irish person, I can confirm that we don't end every sentence with 'love' or 'pet'. That is only Granny's. We do use the terms sometimes, but not as often as Florence.
Peter England is so random. Why does he care so much if Lou says he is her biological Father anyways? I am really sad that there are actual arseholes liks him actually living in the world currently.
Lou really couldn't admit anything to herself. 'Nobody feels the way I do', girl, there is an entire community of people who feel the same as you. Thank you King for telling her that she is ace.
The 3 dates thing with King. I know she did actually like him, but it felt like a tease. Very Netflix teen tv show\movie of her.
There wasn't enough about Tyler. She just floated in and out of the story and I felt that I didn't know that much about her.
I do like this book, but I just don't know if this is the best version of it. The message was so good and the social problems that it tackled and highlighted were so well done. I just wish that the narrtive to accompany it was as good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Sexism, Misogyny, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Pregnancy
Minor: Mental illness
daniella_s's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Stalking, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Abortion and Addiction
maddiewagner's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book. One of my favorites I've read this year. The audio narrator is great. The story is a smooth flow but incorporates a lot of serious issues for indigenous (first nations) people, LGBTQIA people, black people who are living in a colonialist society. But it also incorporates the joy of teens who are about to make their way in the world and have dreams for their lives. And the ICE CREAM. I hope an ice cream shop like this actually exists and I get to visit it one day =)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Racism
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
This own voices story features a biracial, Indigenous Métis and asexual/demisexual main character. Lou spends the summer sorting through complicated feelings around sexuality, race, her history of trauma, her family, and her predatory rapist father reappearing in her life. It was well-told with vibrant imagery and characters you couldn't help but feel attached to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexism, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Minor: Abortion
paperbackparker's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Rape, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Abortion, Alcohol, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual harassment