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robinks's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Vomit, Abortion, and Pregnancy
taylorsevalia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Car accident, and Outing
Minor: Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Classism
changomarango's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't really get into this until about 30% of the way through but it did pick up from there. The overall storyline as a coming of age tale for Corey was well-done. The writing is standard YA, with a bit too much telling over showing but it did a good job of creating the small town summer vibes.
The main characters, Corey and Sonya, were frustrating for me. Neither were particularly likeable, especially Sonya as a love interest. I think the book did a great job at capturing the turmoil and confusion of being a teenage girl, though I must admit that reading this as an adult just had me thinking "you're both brats".
I wanted some more side-character development, particularly from Alex, who I wanted to know more about.
I found the ending largely satisfying,
Lastly, I'm no angel but I was actually surprised at the sheer amount of teenage drinking, smoking, and drug use in this book, considering it's a young adult book. So just a warning for anyone going in to this!
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
nightworldlove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've laughed, felt anxious, sad and outraged; definitely an emotional rollercoaster, so be prepared for that!
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence and Vomit
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
As a mixed Japanese & white queer woman, I’m a big fan of Hayley Kiyoko and had really high hopes for the representation in this book. I really wanted it to speak to me deeply and to feel seen by it and I just… didn’t connect with it or with Coley that much. I feel like I wanted a bit more about what her relationship with her mom was like or more about any Japanese culture or that they may have shared. Sometimes it felt too easy to forget that Coley was even supposed to be Japanese.
I really appreciated and enjoyed the 2006 setting, and I loved the LiveJournal entries, which felt so nostalgic and served as excellent character work. All of the music choices were perfect throwbacks and I loved all of the references. The setting felt very realistic and made the threat of homophobia that much more high stakes.
However, having just read The Astonishing Colour of After by Emily X.R. Pan, which also centres around the topic of a mixed Asian girl grieving her mother’s suicide, it felt like this story fell a little short in comparison. The writing felt a little young and a bit uneven; Coley felt more 13 than 17 a lot of the time. There were some lines that stood out to me, and some really poignant moments though! In particular I liked the development of her relationship with her father and the fights & disagreements they have felt visceral and raw.
This would be a good read for fans of Hayley Kiyoko or those looking for more sapphic YA stories!
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Suicide, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Abortion
theatrealpaca's review against another edition
- 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 sped through this book, absolutely enthralled to find out how it all turned out. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me remember how big every emotion felt at 17. Hayley Kiyoko did such a beautiful job of writing two flawed girls finding themselves and their love. I can't wait for her next book!
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide