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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, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying and Child abuse
Minor: Biphobia and Violence
the_true_monroe'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: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Biphobia, Child abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
marjokat's review against another edition
- 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: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual assault
Minor: Hate crime, Violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- 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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
xoodlebooks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Hate crime, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood