carrie_hanson's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
page_pixie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
Let me start off by saying the narrator for the audiobook is absolutely fantastic, and I highly recommend listening!
This book was a lot of fun, with unique quirky characters that I adore to no end, and fun new business idea that seems more trouble than it's worth. But definitely entertaining!
But this book also opened up a lot of serious topics. Mainly concerning marriage equality for LGBTQIA+ people and maintaining a professional work-life for queer people. I'm not sure how to describe the emotions it made me feel. I was happy and sad and all over the place every time pretty much anything happened that had Amy profess her queerness, which was nerve-wracking that it came up so many times. But that's not just the book, that's being queer. Coming out is never just a one time thing, and this book deeply gets into that.
All in all, I love it. It was brilliant. I will say that I cared more about the politics addressed and the friendships in the book than the actual relationship of the MC.
This book was a lot of fun, with unique quirky characters that I adore to no end, and fun new business idea that seems more trouble than it's worth. But definitely entertaining!
But this book also opened up a lot of serious topics. Mainly concerning marriage equality for LGBTQIA+ people and maintaining a professional work-life for queer people. I'm not sure how to describe the emotions it made me feel. I was happy and sad and all over the place every time pretty much anything happened that had Amy profess her queerness, which was nerve-wracking that it came up so many times. But that's not just the book, that's being queer. Coming out is never just a one time thing, and this book deeply gets into that.
All in all, I love it. It was brilliant. I will say that I cared more about the politics addressed and the friendships in the book than the actual relationship of the MC.
mrsjones2's review against another edition
4.0
Queerly Beloved was the perfect cute little rom-com, but focused around the LGBTQ+ community. In standard rom-com fashion, there’s a dashing love interest, dedicated best friends, ridiculous decision making, and all the misunderstandings that could possibly happen. In less standard fashion, this book is an exploration of being queer and authentic in the Bible Belt, discovering who you are and if that’s really who you want to be, found family, love, and queer joy.
A wonderful read if you’re looking for something sweet, sappy, and serious that leaves you light hearted and smiling at the end!
A wonderful read if you’re looking for something sweet, sappy, and serious that leaves you light hearted and smiling at the end!
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
"Queerly Beloved" is much more than a romance, but it's all about love in its many forms. Amy is a lesbian who works closeted at a Christian bakery by day and out and proud at a queer bar at night. Her journey leads her to a new, slightly strange career that makes her question how she acts in straight spaces.
The book dives deep into the fight for marriage rights in Oklahoma in 2015. I like that the author explored so many sides and opinions about it. At times, it unfortunately made the main character seem wishy washy because she was easily swayed to whichever argument she was currently hearing. That's not entirely surprising because the book is about her learning to be her authentic self and stop molding herself to others. It just made it hard to connect with the MC sometimes.
In the second half of the book, the romance is firmly in the backseat, and I was okay with the book leaning more contemporary fiction. However, I thought Charley's explanation was thin and Amy's forgiveness too easy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The found family is fantastic. The feelings of growing up queer in a red state are explored in detail with multiple perspectives. The settings were captured perfectly, too, which made the novel feel very grounded. Check this out if you're looking for a complicated story with meaty characters.
The book dives deep into the fight for marriage rights in Oklahoma in 2015. I like that the author explored so many sides and opinions about it. At times, it unfortunately made the main character seem wishy washy because she was easily swayed to whichever argument she was currently hearing. That's not entirely surprising because the book is about her learning to be her authentic self and stop molding herself to others. It just made it hard to connect with the MC sometimes.
In the second half of the book, the romance is firmly in the backseat, and I was okay with the book leaning more contemporary fiction. However, I thought Charley's explanation was thin and Amy's forgiveness too easy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The found family is fantastic. The feelings of growing up queer in a red state are explored in detail with multiple perspectives. The settings were captured perfectly, too, which made the novel feel very grounded. Check this out if you're looking for a complicated story with meaty characters.
notsomundane's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
eam006's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
cheezyreads's review against another edition
4.75
Dumond has written an fantastically diverse character named Amy in a queer-tastic novel. Full of love, growth, determination, and finding oneself. I devoured this novel quickly and it was a perfect read for #pridemonth
swinkelman's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think this was mismarketed as a romcom when really this is more of a contemporary novel with romance as a subplot. I blame the cartoon cover also for steering the rom com agenda. This is supposed to take place in 2013/2014 but in all honesty- I feel like this could have taken place in 2022/2023. What threw me off was the random people saying their pronouns. I vaguely remember people not doing that in 2013/2014- again that’s more of a current 2020’s norm. I also didn’t fully believe in the romance between Amy & Charley. Amy definitely embodies an anxious attachment style while Charley seems more avoidant. A lot of showing, not telling. Maybe if the story didn’t have such long chapters & more clear edits, this might have been better received.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Cancer
theperfecthour's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
A more realistic queer romance novel than some. A lot more struggle than I feel like is usually depicted. If you’re looking for spicy scenes you’re not really gonna find them here, more of a slice of life book. Still a solid read