carriepond's review against another edition
4.0
This YA novel about a queer Black band nerd from small-town Indiana was sweet, fun, and a perfect summer read. I really loved the characters, especially Liz Lighty, the protagonist, and I feel like many of them had nice arcs/ development. I also liked the f/f romance, but enjoyed that it wasn’t the main focus of the novel— this is about Liz’s journey and her relationship with herself, guys! As the wonderful RuPaul would say, “If [Liz] can’t love herself, how the hell [is she] going to love somebody else?!” Will Liz embrace and love herself fully? Will she become prom queen so she can follow in her mom’s footsteps to attend the university of her dreams? You’ll just have to read to find out!
crushedlittlestars11's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
bibliofangirl's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very cute, very well written. But parts of it just fell flat for me. It's probably a 3-3.75. It's a cute story and I love the representation in it!
morganfaye's review against another edition
5.0
I love absolutely everything about this book. It’s quite possible the cutest thing ever, there’s a part that gave me actual goosebumps, and the romance, friendships and family dynamics are so so great. I
Small town, F/F romance. Great anxiety representation too. Overall a great book!
Small town, F/F romance. Great anxiety representation too. Overall a great book!
joceeg's review against another edition
4.0
this was really cute, younger me would have absolutely loved this
ncostell's review
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
ikuo1000's review against another edition
4.0
Liz is a poor, Black, queer teenager in a wealthy, predominantly white Indiana suburb that is obsessed with prom. She is an unlikely candidate for prom queen, but enters the competition in hopes of winning the college scholarship that goes with the crown. Over the course of the campaign, we see Liz gain confidence as she asserts herself as worthy of the title and learns that, despite usually being on the margins of her high school's social scene, she, too, can feel like she belongs. Along the way, she has to navigate complex friendships, serious and emotional family matters, and a budding romance.
Published and set in a pandemic-free 2020, the book feels modern and relevant, with characters matter-of-factly acknowledging the importance of consent for both casual physical contact and romantic overtures. There are plenty of pop culture references, the pages sprinkled with passing mentions of celebrities like Simone Biles and Timothée Chalamet, and shows like Hamilton and Stranger Things. Entertaining and funny, the book is light and easy-to-read, though it also addresses some heavy issues like the loss of a parent and life-threatening illness.
Liz's first romantic relationship is a typical teenage romance, the object of her affection just happens to be a girl. Her sexuality is not a central focus of the book, though it does realistically come into play as a factor in her electability as prom queen. Similarly, Liz's race is not a primary focus of the book, but her being one of the few Black students in school does come up. In fact, I had a little chuckle when Liz's narrative referenced one of my favorite memes: "I try to channel the confidence of a mediocre white man in a boardroom: untouchable." (p. 255)
I stopped short of giving this book 5 stars because I didn't think it was believable that Liz wasn't disciplined after her very public use of the F-word in school. (For those who might want to know, the F-word is only explicitly written out once; after that, "eff" is used instead.) Also, I get that Rachel was supposed to be an unsympathetic character, but in a book full of well-fleshed-out characters, she just felt too one-dimensional to me.
Published and set in a pandemic-free 2020, the book feels modern and relevant, with characters matter-of-factly acknowledging the importance of consent for both casual physical contact and romantic overtures. There are plenty of pop culture references, the pages sprinkled with passing mentions of celebrities like Simone Biles and Timothée Chalamet, and shows like Hamilton and Stranger Things. Entertaining and funny, the book is light and easy-to-read, though it also addresses some heavy issues like the loss of a parent and life-threatening illness.
Liz's first romantic relationship is a typical teenage romance, the object of her affection just happens to be a girl. Her sexuality is not a central focus of the book, though it does realistically come into play as a factor in her electability as prom queen. Similarly, Liz's race is not a primary focus of the book, but her being one of the few Black students in school does come up. In fact, I had a little chuckle when Liz's narrative referenced one of my favorite memes: "I try to channel the confidence of a mediocre white man in a boardroom: untouchable." (p. 255)
I stopped short of giving this book 5 stars because I didn't think it was believable that Liz wasn't disciplined after her very public use of the F-word in school. (For those who might want to know, the F-word is only explicitly written out once; after that, "eff" is used instead.) Also, I get that Rachel was supposed to be an unsympathetic character, but in a book full of well-fleshed-out characters, she just felt too one-dimensional to me.
onceandfuturebooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cute queer story about love and fighting for what you want and basically just slaaaaying, okay, slaying! Liz is a bi black girl - and a total queen as she comes to realize throughout the book! I really liked the romance (even if it did seem a bit insta lovey - but if I'm being honest this book could easily have a hundred more pages! And then the whole plot wouldn't be as rushed!) and that one special friendship between Liz and her ex-best friend was *emoji*
I loved how this story explained it perfectly how societal expectations push us into boxes that are hard to escape - and I am super hyped to see what Leah Johnson writes next!! Maybe a sequel?
I loved how this story explained it perfectly how societal expectations push us into boxes that are hard to escape - and I am super hyped to see what Leah Johnson writes next!! Maybe a sequel?
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars
Gabie in high school would have loved this, I would have cried and screamed and needed to make a video about it right away. However, me right now, I’m just not about Hugh school stuff anymore. I really enjoyed this book ( I’ve never read a narrative about a black girl who grew up in the Midwest! Totally relatable!) I’m just not the specific audience for this one. I really enjoyed it though :)
Gabie in high school would have loved this, I would have cried and screamed and needed to make a video about it right away. However, me right now, I’m just not about Hugh school stuff anymore. I really enjoyed this book ( I’ve never read a narrative about a black girl who grew up in the Midwest! Totally relatable!) I’m just not the specific audience for this one. I really enjoyed it though :)