ninjapanda's review against another edition
4.0
rep: trans POC mc, lesbian POC mc, queer POC mc, non binary sc, POC scs, sc with depression
This a mostly light and quick read. It doesn’t still touch on depression, transphobia and being queer in a queerphobic religious family. It’s full of representation, from queer identities to POC, which I love to see. It focuses on queer love and friendship.
We follow three friends. They each get a pov, but the main story is mostly surrounding Dawn, as she tries to get a scholarship to get into a film university. Though we see each girl with their own relationship and familial struggles and impending change with graduating and pursuing their higher studies.
None of the characters are perfect. They all make mistakes. Some of those mistakes are very real and human things to say or do. Some of them are in tough situations, so its easy to empathize with them, while also cringing and wishing they went about things another way. What I like is that they usually call each other out on their bullshit. Maybe not always right away, but eventually. Once they know the other is ready to hear it.
Its great to see characters who already know their identities and are confident. Some of them use specific labels and another just uses queer. Not everyone has to pick a specific one, and that’s ok. Everyone is perfectly valid. One character even sets boundaries for themself. They wont hide their identity or make it easier for people who don’t understand or want to try. I respect that. No one should have to.
The documentary Dawn is working on is the same title as this book. If it were real, I would 100% love to watch it. It would be really nice to see people’s take on queerness and queer love. Every views and experiences their queerness differently. With all the bad stuff going on in the world, its great to see some queer joy.
I love the very bright cover with POC on the cover. Th narrator did a great job as well.
I love the very bright cover with POC on the cover. Th narrator did a great job as well.
There are a few scenes that might be triggering to people, so it’s a good idea to check trigger warnings before starting this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book
butterwashere's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Spoiler
First, if the documentary does exist, I would watch it. I feel like of the interviews, the people who spoke accurately describe Queerness which is the feeling of being at home with oneself. (Same thing describing Queer Love)
Of all the characters in the story, I relate to Edie. I understood Edie’s pain of having to lie to her parents. There’s a part of the story where Edie’s mom tells Edie to not be gay. I am like ow, that hurts.
I am in a slightly different situation. I never told my parents, but I think they know after me accidentally putting my previous name on the vax card.
Near the end of the story, Edie and her friends go to a bookstore, and she sees a lot of Queer books. She thinks back home to her having a couple of Queer books to the bookstore being full of them. As someone who is still in the closet, I have one book that has Queer representation and two books by Queer authors. The rest are digital. I remember being in a bookstore with my family and I see this one bookshelf stocked with Queer books. I want to buy one of each.
It is also nice to see representation, especially with a nonbinary character. (Ben) I like how they know themselves best to the point they set a boundary with Edie in which they broke up. They are not ok with Edie changing pronouns, so she would have an easier time with her parents. (Her parents don’t understand the concept of being nonbinary)
Of all the characters in the story, I relate to Edie. I understood Edie’s pain of having to lie to her parents. There’s a part of the story where Edie’s mom tells Edie to not be gay. I am like ow, that hurts.
I am in a slightly different situation. I never told my parents, but I think they know after me accidentally putting my previous name on the vax card.
Near the end of the story, Edie and her friends go to a bookstore, and she sees a lot of Queer books. She thinks back home to her having a couple of Queer books to the bookstore being full of them. As someone who is still in the closet, I have one book that has Queer representation and two books by Queer authors. The rest are digital. I remember being in a bookstore with my family and I see this one bookshelf stocked with Queer books. I want to buy one of each.
It is also nice to see representation, especially with a nonbinary character. (Ben) I like how they know themselves best to the point they set a boundary with Edie in which they broke up. They are not ok with Edie changing pronouns, so she would have an easier time with her parents. (Her parents don’t understand the concept of being nonbinary)
Also, nice to see light romance with the characters figuring out dating. Boundaries are set and respected. However, I do want to point out one thing, dating someone should be getting to know someone closer. I was a bit irked when Knox commented on Dawn’s clothing after undressing her and am glad that Dawn broke up with him. I can also see why Dawn is a little hesitant on dating again after that scene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Violence
_tomeraider's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.75
felissadee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
(Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me an eARC in exchange for my review.)
This book was delightful. It read younger than I expected, but hopefully that means that this message of queer love and friendship will be received by those who need it most. Getting to know Edie, Dawn, and Georgia as individuals and as a trio, readers will really appreciate the strength that girls—especially queer girls (and queer girls of color!) who might live in places that aren't truly accepting—draw from each other and their bonds with other queer girls.
This is a love story in multiple ways: we see love between families, between friends, between a person and the work they find fulfillment and passion in, and between romantic partners. Queer love is so deeply entwined in this story, showing many of the endless facets queer love contains, without being simplified or cheapened.
This book was delightful. It read younger than I expected, but hopefully that means that this message of queer love and friendship will be received by those who need it most. Getting to know Edie, Dawn, and Georgia as individuals and as a trio, readers will really appreciate the strength that girls—especially queer girls (and queer girls of color!) who might live in places that aren't truly accepting—draw from each other and their bonds with other queer girls.
This is a love story in multiple ways: we see love between families, between friends, between a person and the work they find fulfillment and passion in, and between romantic partners. Queer love is so deeply entwined in this story, showing many of the endless facets queer love contains, without being simplified or cheapened.
Spoiler
Also fuck Knox fr.dawnshaee's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.75
It’s not like any other young adult LGBTQIA+ story I’ve read before. The author invites us into the struggle and violations that distinctively affect the queer community, as well as the overlap in daily struggles of being a teen - being a girl - being human.
Dawn, Edie, and Georgia’s intimacy amongst their friend group is admirable. I loved the way love was never too far away for any of them whenever problems arise.
There were a few moments in the story that I think could’ve been explained more.
(3.5 or 3.75 rounded up - it’s pretty fresh.)
Dawn, Edie, and Georgia’s intimacy amongst their friend group is admirable. I loved the way love was never too far away for any of them whenever problems arise.
There were a few moments in the story that I think could’ve been explained more.
Spoiler
Like Dawn’s dad’s health, the conversation about Simone between Georgia and Frankie, and Edie’s plans for her future including how she’ll allow her queerness to be present around her family.(3.5 or 3.75 rounded up - it’s pretty fresh.)
readwithmoniqua's review against another edition
5.0
This book would’ve been so instrumental for me in high school when I came out. To see so much of myself in each of these characters was heartwarming. I love that kids today have books like this.
Knox was a POS for how he played Dawn. The “bra” scene made me want to choke him. Dawn and her father remind me of Imogen and her father from Degrassi, how she had to take care of him because he was forgetting things, ending up in places randomly, etc.
I so wanted Georgia to be able to speak up for herself or at least scream the first time Simone came into her room and put his hand under her shirt. Men are weird and gross, and that’s not to say women aren’t like that either.
I felt bad for Edie when she tried to come out to her mom and her mom said she wasn’t gay. When I came out, my mom lost her shit, and I hid in the closet from her for over 20 years until I said eff it. I hope that Edie doesn’t do that. I hate that because of her parents and their views, she and Ben broke up, but I understand Ben’s reasoning. It took them a long time to finally live in their truth, it wasn’t right for Edie to try to make them go back to hiding and lying.
Edie and Georgia are the best kinds of friends for how they helped Dawn, and even included Collin. I’d love to see Collin and Dawn’s friendship blossom. What I also loved about this book is it was set in Houston, where I live. I am very familiar with many of the places and events mentioned although, everyone knows that Bucees is the number one test stop between Houston and Austin/San Antonio, no argument.
Knox was a POS for how he played Dawn. The “bra” scene made me want to choke him. Dawn and her father remind me of Imogen and her father from Degrassi, how she had to take care of him because he was forgetting things, ending up in places randomly, etc.
I so wanted Georgia to be able to speak up for herself or at least scream the first time Simone came into her room and put his hand under her shirt. Men are weird and gross, and that’s not to say women aren’t like that either.
I felt bad for Edie when she tried to come out to her mom and her mom said she wasn’t gay. When I came out, my mom lost her shit, and I hid in the closet from her for over 20 years until I said eff it. I hope that Edie doesn’t do that. I hate that because of her parents and their views, she and Ben broke up, but I understand Ben’s reasoning. It took them a long time to finally live in their truth, it wasn’t right for Edie to try to make them go back to hiding and lying.
Edie and Georgia are the best kinds of friends for how they helped Dawn, and even included Collin. I’d love to see Collin and Dawn’s friendship blossom. What I also loved about this book is it was set in Houston, where I live. I am very familiar with many of the places and events mentioned although, everyone knows that Bucees is the number one test stop between Houston and Austin/San Antonio, no argument.
libraryofhelixis's review against another edition
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 really wanted to enjoy this book, the blurb was right up my alley and the cover art is so beautiful.
Unfortunately for me it fell short of my expectations.
Most of the characters were one dimensional, I wasn’t overly invested in them or their relationships, though I did have a soft spot for Collin.
I felt there was a lack of exploration into what it means to be trans and in a relationship. The scene between Dawn and Knox felt surface level and with Dawn being a near adult we could have delved deeper into the emotions she may have been feeling at the rejection of her identity by a potential partner.
The main narrative of the story was lacklustre, I think it may lose readers attention in the arc as it didn’t build enough suspense to keep me entertained.
The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay was enjoyable enough of a read but it only scratched the surface of what it could have been.
Unfortunately for me it fell short of my expectations.
Most of the characters were one dimensional, I wasn’t overly invested in them or their relationships, though I did have a soft spot for Collin.
I felt there was a lack of exploration into what it means to be trans and in a relationship. The scene between Dawn and Knox felt surface level and with Dawn being a near adult we could have delved deeper into the emotions she may have been feeling at the rejection of her identity by a potential partner.
The main narrative of the story was lacklustre, I think it may lose readers attention in the arc as it didn’t build enough suspense to keep me entertained.
The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay was enjoyable enough of a read but it only scratched the surface of what it could have been.
wlws's review against another edition
I really wanted to love this book but something about it just didn't click for me. Everything felt much more drawn out than necessary and the characters felt very one dimensional. Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. :(
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This was a lovely teen fictional coming-of-age debut novel from Walls! So cool to find out they’re living in San Francisco 😍 (I am from the SF Bay Area too!) This book, however, takes place in Houston, TX!!! This story takes place over the course of 31 days, as it begins with a countdown to a film competition deadline, which Dee is accepted to compete in!
Dawn (D) is a trans girl who lost her mother, while her father has depression. Her two best friends help her with this project: Edie, who is queer & exploring romance with Ben, who is nonbinary, but Edie’s parents are extremely conservative, so they must hide their relationship from them. Georgia, who is lesbian, lives with her single mom, and struggles with the new man in her mom’s life.
We get third-person limited POV from all three besties, and I did feel invested in them all equally! I really enjoyed the overall messaging of Dawn’s documentary: love! Walls displays so many kinds of queer love in this novel, and it felt so incredibly hopeful. I loved the friendships that these young women had!!! Found family is so magical.
I think Walls has work to do relating to pacing, but overall, I thought this was a sweet, empowering young adult novel. I’d read from them again!
This was a lovely teen fictional coming-of-age debut novel from Walls! So cool to find out they’re living in San Francisco 😍 (I am from the SF Bay Area too!) This book, however, takes place in Houston, TX!!! This story takes place over the course of 31 days, as it begins with a countdown to a film competition deadline, which Dee is accepted to compete in!
Dawn (D) is a trans girl who lost her mother, while her father has depression. Her two best friends help her with this project: Edie, who is queer & exploring romance with Ben, who is nonbinary, but Edie’s parents are extremely conservative, so they must hide their relationship from them. Georgia, who is lesbian, lives with her single mom, and struggles with the new man in her mom’s life.
We get third-person limited POV from all three besties, and I did feel invested in them all equally! I really enjoyed the overall messaging of Dawn’s documentary: love! Walls displays so many kinds of queer love in this novel, and it felt so incredibly hopeful. I loved the friendships that these young women had!!! Found family is so magical.
I think Walls has work to do relating to pacing, but overall, I thought this was a sweet, empowering young adult novel. I’d read from them again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
nerdysread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read this book in exchange for a honest review. This book has flaws, your can’t deny it. But it’s a really beautiful story with a lot of strengths like the characters and how it talks of love and the different kinds of love. So yeah, not the perfect book, but it’s a debut novel, and I really want to see what the author will write next. Because I thing they will write beautiful stories
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Dementia
Minor: Pedophilia, Gaslighting, and Child abuse