Scan barcode
gilexia's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I had many problems with this book. I can't list and explain them all, but I'll list my main problems with the book:
First, it's poorly written. After the first few sentences, you know she's not a writer - she may be a writer in progress. I think when you're learning to write, you shouldn't publish your first book. It feels like she did. There are so many problems and rookie mistakes that it wasn't really fun to read. Writing style is a foundation of any book and if it's not good, other things aren't good either. For example: the characters were all rather 2D and stereotypical, the author didn't manage to create a suitable atmosphere in the book and so on.
Now for something more personal. I thought it was going to be an emotional, cozy read...that was wrong. It was a dramatic read. I don't read a lot of romance novels, but every once in a while I like a good cozy romance novel (those are rare, unfortunately). Coley was a miserable daughter, but could be a good lover for Sonya. Only Sonya was a problem. The things Sonya did, I would never forgive her for. I mean...the romance between the two of them was weird and riddled with problems even at the beginning. And there were so many clichés: Coley was instantly in love with Sonya with only one look, Coley felt Sonya all over her skin, she couldn't breathe, couldn't stop thinking about her, blah blah blah. I don't like that and it was already too over the top for me.
The last point is the ending. It was so rushed and so sudden. It didn't feel like an ending. The book just didn't have a good conclusion. It was just weird.
At least I can say that I love this cover and the song. I really like Hayley Kiyoko as a singer, but as a writer ... I would never read anything by her again, but if she practiced a lot more, she could be a good writer. She wasn't that bad. I just think it was too early for her to publish a book with all the mistakes.
First, it's poorly written. After the first few sentences, you know she's not a writer - she may be a writer in progress. I think when you're learning to write, you shouldn't publish your first book. It feels like she did. There are so many problems and rookie mistakes that it wasn't really fun to read. Writing style is a foundation of any book and if it's not good, other things aren't good either. For example: the characters were all rather 2D and stereotypical, the author didn't manage to create a suitable atmosphere in the book and so on.
Now for something more personal. I thought it was going to be an emotional, cozy read...that was wrong. It was a dramatic read. I don't read a lot of romance novels, but every once in a while I like a good cozy romance novel (those are rare, unfortunately). Coley was a miserable daughter, but could be a good lover for Sonya. Only Sonya was a problem. The things Sonya did, I would never forgive her for. I mean...the romance between the two of them was weird and riddled with problems even at the beginning. And there were so many clichés: Coley was instantly in love with Sonya with only one look, Coley felt Sonya all over her skin, she couldn't breathe, couldn't stop thinking about her, blah blah blah. I don't like that and it was already too over the top for me.
The last point is the ending. It was so rushed and so sudden. It didn't feel like an ending. The book just didn't have a good conclusion. It was just weird.
At least I can say that I love this cover and the song. I really like Hayley Kiyoko as a singer, but as a writer ... I would never read anything by her again, but if she practiced a lot more, she could be a good writer. She wasn't that bad. I just think it was too early for her to publish a book with all the mistakes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
bored_chloe's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5
This was an easy read even though some subjects in the book were heavy (like suicide and drugs). I didn't really find most of the characters likeable and I wasn't really rooting for Coley and Sonya to get together. I mostly felt bad for Coley and her dad, and was happy they figured out how to start being a family. I liked Coley's development but no one else seemed to have much.
This was an easy read even though some subjects in the book were heavy (like suicide and drugs). I didn't really find most of the characters likeable and I wasn't really rooting for Coley and Sonya to get together. I mostly felt bad for Coley and her dad, and was happy they figured out how to start being a family. I liked Coley's development but no one else seemed to have much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
butchingdyke's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
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
2.0
after years of watching girls like girls on youtube, ive finally found this book and i was radiant. as i read it, it disappointed me: the whole miscommunication trope was bad, the characters couldve had more development and the ending was rushed.
started as a book i thought i would keep with me forever, similar to the music video, but it really fell short.
started as a book i thought i would keep with me forever, similar to the music video, but it really fell short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
kittara's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
m4knae0ntop's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
such a sweet story of two girls finding eachother when they needed eachother the most.
Love the way girls love was being portrayed here.
Love that the ending mached the scenes from the „girls like girls“ MV
Overall very sweet romance packed into those 300 pages
(I wouldn’t have mind more of them in a longer book but this was very refreshing and calming)
Thanks Hayley for giving us wlw girlies a book to relate to <3
But I kinda miss the actual argument about the whole coming out thing also with Sonyas family and generally Sonya figuring her life out because I think that came to short. Her struggling with the constant pressure of her mom and how she has to keep up that „perfect daughter“ image
Just wished that her issues were more thematised as well and over all the issues of them both being talked about more as a wedge of their relationship functioning. Also the end over all was a bit too fast over - I wished there was a longer talk about their feelings and sorting them out - bit the book ends with them being okey again after a short talk and Trenton and Coley beating eachother and after that just Coley driving off on her bike home to her dad. it was the scene of the MV but it was a too random ending in my opinion
Else it was very cute. I liked the writing style: it was simple but sweet
Love the way girls love was being portrayed here.
Overall very sweet romance packed into those 300 pages
(I wouldn’t have mind more of them in a longer book but this was very refreshing and calming)
Thanks Hayley for giving us wlw girlies a book to relate to <3
Just wished that her issues were more thematised as well and over all the issues of them both being talked about more as a wedge of their relationship functioning. Also the end over all was a bit too fast over - I wished there was a longer talk about their feelings and sorting them out - bit the book ends with them being okey again after a short talk and Trenton and Coley beating eachother and after that just Coley driving off on her bike home to her dad. it was the scene of the MV but it was a too random ending in my opinion
Else it was very cute. I liked the writing style: it was simple but sweet
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug use
Minor: Suicide
tegzy95's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Death of parent
abby_can_read's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
📱
Review pending St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books boycott.
Review pending St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books boycott.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Gore, Suicide, and Abortion
jdrosario_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
this is a great book!! it really draws you in and you get really into the characters and the plot. you will be incredibly mad. you will be incredibly frustrated. and you will be incredibly sad, and happy, and other emotions. however it’s worth it. lovely book thankyou for recommending jenna i love you 🫶🫶
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion and Abandonment
alex1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
ahopper7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book reads like an independent queer film, and I’m here for it. It also was basically a combination of Kiyoko’s songs like Girls like Girls, Curious, Sleepover, and What I Need. Again, here for it.
Overall, it was a coming of age story for queer teens, one learning to love herself and accept love after trauma, and one learning love and accept herself because of internalized homophobia. Both of these girls exists in our queer community, I was one of these girls. I do think this needed a little more editing help, but I enjoyed the book, even as an adult outside of the market age, and I think it’s an important story to have out there. Kudos to Kiyoko for expanding her music into a debut novel!
Also, I highly recommend the audiobook. It has a full cast, is well produced, and the main character is voiced by Kiyoko. Definitely made the reading experience more enjoyable for me!
Overall, it was a coming of age story for queer teens, one learning to love herself and accept love after trauma, and one learning love and accept herself because of internalized homophobia. Both of these girls exists in our queer community, I was one of these girls. I do think this needed a little more editing help, but I enjoyed the book, even as an adult outside of the market age, and I think it’s an important story to have out there. Kudos to Kiyoko for expanding her music into a debut novel!
Also, I highly recommend the audiobook. It has a full cast, is well produced, and the main character is voiced by Kiyoko. Definitely made the reading experience more enjoyable for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent