Reviews

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

paperbookslove's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved imagining all of the queer black and brown kids reading this book and feeling seen. It warms my old, crusty, queer (well intentioned but still fucking up and learning) white person heart.

hmaronski's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful on so many levels

kambam_'s review against another edition

4.0

4.5

felix_minka_mcintyre's review against another edition

5.0

One of the best books I've read this year. Please write some more Gabby! It's not often I come across queer fiction that's this awesome.

waxbiplane's review against another edition

5.0

This is an excellent example of fiction as empathy-creation-device. It is a QPOC primer without feeling like a checklist of qualities and experiences to check off. Juliet is a great character, and fun to hang out inside over the course of the book. You get the experience of folks of color dealing with white feminism as well as a good explanation of why people who are not white need to have spaces which are not white. It rarely (I think I counted 2-3 times) slips into didacticism, which for a super complicated subject like intersection feminism, is really impressive. It also manages to problematize all the different points of view regarding feminism, ending up (perhaps too neatly?) at a "we have to work together" vision of intersectionality. But it never feels forced, and characters make bad decisions, which make them compelling and maddening. Every 15 year old should read this book. I enjoyed reading it tremendously.

monkeelino's review against another edition

3.0

I found this a thoroughly enjoyable coming-out-and-of-age story with a humorous and engaging narrator. It ends up tackling some very real issues, is hilarious in parts, but mostly opts for feel-good outcomes. Probably 4 stars for enjoyment and 2 stars for overall writing and plot. Juliet has a wonderfully open and honest approach to life and you easily identify with her. The main character is an authentic and diverse voice, but Rivera possibly writes down a bit to her audience.
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WORDS I LEARNED WHILE READING THIS BOOK
punani | bochinche | alcapurria | boriqua

libbyluvca's review against another edition

5.0

As Roxane Gay is quoted on the cover saying, "F***ing outstanding."

maria_rb's review against another edition

3.0

This should be called “A Dummy’s Guide to Queer Identity” in narrative form and “White feminist lesbians are weird hippies and are not allies.” Its tone is kind of preachy and I found myself getting bored or wondering where Juliet has been the last 10 years if she is as clueless as she sometimes claims to be. She tells her story in a matter-of-fact reporting style: telling, not showing. That lends itself to being a little dry.

ktns12's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.5

tallgirl14's review against another edition

5.0

I'm a sucker for YA, especially YA coming-of-age stories. This had so many layers and did not disappoint!