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insanitysmuse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-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
This book caught me by surprise. I didn't know the story behind the author when I picked it up, I got it because my uncommon name was on the title and my partner's uncommon name was in the description š
Very minor spoilers ahead, although the book itself alludes to all this in the synopsis.
It ended up resonating with me a lot for the same reasons the author wrote it. I wasn't intentionally closeted, but I didn't REALIZE I wasn't cishet until I was 40. I always considered myself introspective some of the things Imogen goes through are almost word-for-word things that were going through my head not 8 months ago. It's just... Hard to imagine not knowing something that profound, that core to your identity, for so long, and explaining that to people on top of them maybe not understanding the orientation or identity itself is daunting. Even coming to terms with it yourself, and being OK with the past being the past.
Very minor spoilers ahead, although the book itself alludes to all this in the synopsis.
It ended up resonating with me a lot for the same reasons the author wrote it. I wasn't intentionally closeted, but I didn't REALIZE I wasn't cishet until I was 40. I always considered myself introspective some of the things Imogen goes through are almost word-for-word things that were going through my head not 8 months ago. It's just... Hard to imagine not knowing something that profound, that core to your identity, for so long, and explaining that to people on top of them maybe not understanding the orientation or identity itself is daunting. Even coming to terms with it yourself, and being OK with the past being the past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying
sea_sea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so so much š.
The anxiety rep was so good and also the characters were just amazing!!!
The anxiety rep was so good and also the characters were just amazing!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
somersaf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
As a bi-romantic person that's only dated men so far, I've constantly struggled with my identity. I see so much of myself in Imogen, and I feel so seen and understood with her journey. This book was so heartwarming and positive! I wish I could read it again for the first time
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia and Bullying
sleptforayear's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The vibes are noticeably off in this book and I didnāt understand why until I read about the author more. Thereās an entire section of the book where sheās scolding her critics. I picked up this book to have a fun time and I honestly felt so attacked, and I donāt even have an opinion on this authorās sexual identity.
Imogen and Gretchen are so overblown that itās hard to see them as anything other than props for the authorās argument.Gretchen is a truly comically evil gatekeeping bisexual with an edgy thumb ring picking on a doe-eyed āwho me?ā questioning/bisexual girl in a dress. Thereās zero grace to the storyline. Weāre told people āloveā Gretchen multiple times butā¦literally, no. People really openly hate Gretchen and think sheās awful, and she does nothing to redeem herself, so Iām not sure why the author attempted it. Maybe she thought it would be too obvious? Anyway, it was.
Lili and Edith were fantastic characters, and Iād read more about them, 100%. The world around Imogen and Gretchen was so rich and interesting, I kind of resented the focus on Imogen and Gretchen.
Imogen and Gretchen are so overblown that itās hard to see them as anything other than props for the authorās argument.
Lili and Edith were fantastic characters, and Iād read more about them, 100%. The world around Imogen and Gretchen was so rich and interesting, I kind of resented the focus on Imogen and Gretchen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
sage_alexandra's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Sent me back in time to Obergefell v. Hodges, aged 15, finding out the ruling on Twitter and SOBBING thinking that I was such a great ally.
It took me a year and a half later to realize I was pansexual, and two of my friends organized a "gay-nitiation" movie night, where we watched, drum-roll please.... But I'm A Cheerleader (and also Jennifer's Body).
Becky Albertalli always makes me feel so SEEN in her books. "The Upside of Unrequited" was the first piece of media I consumed with pansexual representation.
Imogen's queer journey and self-discovery is just as valid as anyone else's!!!!! šššš
It took me a year and a half later to realize I was pansexual, and two of my friends organized a "gay-nitiation" movie night, where we watched, drum-roll please.... But I'm A Cheerleader (and also Jennifer's Body).
Becky Albertalli always makes me feel so SEEN in her books. "The Upside of Unrequited" was the first piece of media I consumed with pansexual representation.
Imogen's queer journey and self-discovery is just as valid as anyone else's!!!!! šššš
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Bullying and Outing
Fuck Gretchen!btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
Between the questioning, the toxic gatekeeping, the fantastic friendships, and cute romance, this was very much a great read. This is shockingly my first book by Becky Albertalli, though I've heard about the forced outing among other things, and I love that this book exists and ensures that people can see that there's no one right way (or any right way) to be queer, nor right or wrong time to come out. Loved this so much - I'd put it in the same category as Cool for the Summer, Loveless, and Ophelia After All.
Also, the way Imogen's people pleasing and anxiety-esque internal dialogue was so relatable, omg.
Rep: Jewish and questioning MC; lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, non binary secondary/tertiary characters
TW: biphobia, bullying, alcohol consumption, underage drinking; mentions lesbophobia, transphobia
Also, the way Imogen's people pleasing and anxiety-esque internal dialogue was so relatable, omg.
Rep: Jewish and questioning MC; lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, non binary secondary/tertiary characters
TW: biphobia, bullying, alcohol consumption, underage drinking; mentions lesbophobia, transphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia and Lesbophobia
anndreya's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Outing and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
pencilspeaker's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
This is one of the books younger me would have needed in her life.
Imogen, your brain and mine work in similar ways. A very cute and very self-reflecting story.
Imogen, your brain and mine work in similar ways. A very cute and very self-reflecting story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
Minor: Bullying
torismazarine's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racial slurs and Sexual content