ashleybakerwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse and Bullying
Minor: Biphobia and Violence
mrmarshall591'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Biphobia, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcohol, Violence, and Vomit
marjokat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Outing
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Hate crime, and Violence
toofondofbooks_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Okay, now we can talk about the book.
This book is a YA historical fiction about two girls in the late 70s who are assigned pen pals by their schools. Tammy is gay in an incredibly fundamentalist Christian family and Sharon is in a similar household and has a gay brother. They get to know one another as the political landscape becomes more and more volatile toward the LGBT+ community even as Harvey Milk becomes the first openly gay elected official in California.
I thought this book was good, but it took a little while to get good - at least 80 pages. I don't know if that was because I couldn't stop thinking about my last read or if it was the book's fault, though. Still, there wasn't really anything special about the writing in general.
I think the story is great and impactful, especially for young readers. I liked the two main characters and thought their individual journeys and their journey together were compelling and tied together in a sweet way. I do think, however, the book as a whole could've been more diverse. There were poc in the book, but they were in the background and not really developed at all. I also think that since transgender women of color were very key players in the early days of the LGBT rights movement, and it would've been nice to see that represented. Overall a decent read.
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Sexual content
xoodlebooks's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Biphobia
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Hate crime, Drug use, Confinement, Bullying, and Blood