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emmehooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Additional Content Warning: Tornados and Natural Disastersyvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: December 21st 2023
"It's sad that sometimes we let ourselves believe that if it's not bad, it must be good."
I confess I was a bit hesitant to pick up Ramona Blue, because my first experience with this author years ago wasn't exactly a positive one. Add the fact that I hardly read YA anymore in the first place, and it's pretty obvious I mainly picked it up because I needed a book set in Mississippi. I have to say that Ramona Blue pleasantly surprised me though! It ended up being a more than solid read, and I get why so many people enjoyed it. The message behind this story is so important, as it shows that sexuality is fluid and that it is okay to explore and discover new sides of yourself. While the main character Ramona could get a bit frustrating in points, and I wasn't a fan of how she treated Freddie, I could really appreciate her journey. The writing style made it really easy to keep turning those pages, and I could likewise appreciate how this story isn't just about the romance, but also about family and self growth. I could have done without the love triangle vibe, but as a whole Ramona Blue turned out to be a very successful second chance indeed. It's made me wonder if I should try more of her work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
ginadapooh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
leaflit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
The writing was good, just too much romance and not enough adventure for my tastes. If you’re looking for a book that is 70% romantic feels and 30% angsty family feels then this book might be for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, Blood, Abortion, and Death of parent
houndoflove1985's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Biphobia and Pregnancy
Minor: Racism and Medical content
alliemikennareads's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
“Sometimes it’s easy to forget that it takes some amount of bravery to live your life one way and then suddenly diverge from that path.”
So many parts of this book really resonated with me at this specific moment that I was reading it and my personal journey of self discovery, including the above quote.
I really loved Ramona and her character journey, the exploration of sexual fluidity, the validation that you don’t have to have a label unless you want one, and the supportive family we get here.
This book has so many positives. He’s sex-positive, includes affirmative consent in page, a diverse cast of realistic and well defined characters, no shame or stigma surrounding sexuality or teen pregnancy, and more.
Ramona has a strong character arc as she discovers new romance, new pieces of herself, and stops putting the weight of her family on her shoulders and opens up to the possibility that the small town life she’s always known doesn’t have to be her only future, and I was along for every minute of it.
I wasn’t a huge fan of her friend Ruth because she made some comments that were biphobic, but at the same time, I felt like the representation in this is realistic for teens still understanding sexuality in general, and Ruth is still a good and supportive friend in the end who comes around past some of those stereotypical moments. They were done with intention versus ignorance in my opinion.
Overall I really enjoyed this and the bi rep in it and I would recommend it!
So many parts of this book really resonated with me at this specific moment that I was reading it and my personal journey of self discovery, including the above quote.
I really loved Ramona and her character journey, the exploration of sexual fluidity, the validation that you don’t have to have a label unless you want one, and the supportive family we get here.
This book has so many positives. He’s sex-positive, includes affirmative consent in page, a diverse cast of realistic and well defined characters, no shame or stigma surrounding sexuality or teen pregnancy, and more.
Ramona has a strong character arc as she discovers new romance, new pieces of herself, and stops putting the weight of her family on her shoulders and opens up to the possibility that the small town life she’s always known doesn’t have to be her only future, and I was along for every minute of it.
I wasn’t a huge fan of her friend Ruth because she made some comments that were biphobic, but at the same time, I felt like the representation in this is realistic for teens still understanding sexuality in general, and Ruth is still a good and supportive friend in the end who comes around past some of those stereotypical moments. They were done with intention versus ignorance in my opinion.
Overall I really enjoyed this and the bi rep in it and I would recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Pregnancy complication with fairly specific detail that could be triggering. Also a tense tornado scene.
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