A review by ember_is_gay
Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i am obsessed with this book, i absolutely adored it. i cannot praise it enough.
the author does an incredible job of writing juliet navigating a new world that she is part of but hasn't experienced before and does not do it in a way that is condescending or makes the reader or juliet feel stupid. there is an incredible amount that she learns and the people she comes into contact with are helpful in a way that does not make it seem like they are above her because they know more. they are also clear in their boundaries that they are not there to teach, they are people and have lives. it is exhausting constantly having to educate people and call people out so i honestly really liked that approach to those characters.
there is such good commentary on the intersection of queerness and being brown. and the side characters really help juliet understand herself fully in her identities which was so lovely to see.
harlow was completely white saviour and it was addressed!! she was called out by people close to her, her racism and micro-aggressions were clearly labelled as such and she was not just allowed to get away with things because of her fame. although over the top, these kinds of white women exist and they have the exact type of fame that she does because of other white women following blindly without considering any intersection in their feminism.
juliet learns who she it, how to live her life as her true self and how to be brave in the face of people who do not respect that. her growth throughout the story is so believable, and as upsetting as it is to see people we admire not live up to expectations we have, it is realistic. juliet goes from admiring harlow so much, to seeing who she really, to being brave enough and sure enough in herself to be able to call her out. especially when harlow so uses her. i was honestly so proud of juliet.
the author tackles subjects that are still taboo; periods, transness, polyamory.
i will be forever recommending this book. this is such a wonderful book for people who are just learning about their own identities and coming to terms with who they are. it is also such an incredible book for so many kinds of representation. it really breaks down the expectation on queer women to know. juliet doesn't know a lot about feminism or the LGBTQ+ community and that's okay. we all start somewhere and we have to ask questions. it should not be seen as embarrassing to learn. but she is open to learning and wants to understand things that she has not seen or heard of before. that's all that matters; the willingness. and that's such an important message to put out there; dont be embarrassed that you dont know, just be willing to learn.
my only tiny criticism is that the poly relationship appeared to be toxic to me, which i know does happen, i am just tired of that portrayal. healthy polyamory exists and i want to see it.
the author does an incredible job of writing juliet navigating a new world that she is part of but hasn't experienced before and does not do it in a way that is condescending or makes the reader or juliet feel stupid. there is an incredible amount that she learns and the people she comes into contact with are helpful in a way that does not make it seem like they are above her because they know more. they are also clear in their boundaries that they are not there to teach, they are people and have lives. it is exhausting constantly having to educate people and call people out so i honestly really liked that approach to those characters.
there is such good commentary on the intersection of queerness and being brown. and the side characters really help juliet understand herself fully in her identities which was so lovely to see.
harlow was completely white saviour and it was addressed!! she was called out by people close to her, her racism and micro-aggressions were clearly labelled as such and she was not just allowed to get away with things because of her fame. although over the top, these kinds of white women exist and they have the exact type of fame that she does because of other white women following blindly without considering any intersection in their feminism.
juliet learns who she it, how to live her life as her true self and how to be brave in the face of people who do not respect that. her growth throughout the story is so believable, and as upsetting as it is to see people we admire not live up to expectations we have, it is realistic. juliet goes from admiring harlow so much, to seeing who she really, to being brave enough and sure enough in herself to be able to call her out. especially when harlow so uses her. i was honestly so proud of juliet.
the author tackles subjects that are still taboo; periods, transness, polyamory.
i will be forever recommending this book. this is such a wonderful book for people who are just learning about their own identities and coming to terms with who they are. it is also such an incredible book for so many kinds of representation. it really breaks down the expectation on queer women to know. juliet doesn't know a lot about feminism or the LGBTQ+ community and that's okay. we all start somewhere and we have to ask questions. it should not be seen as embarrassing to learn. but she is open to learning and wants to understand things that she has not seen or heard of before. that's all that matters; the willingness. and that's such an important message to put out there; dont be embarrassed that you dont know, just be willing to learn.
my only tiny criticism is that the poly relationship appeared to be toxic to me, which i know does happen, i am just tired of that portrayal. healthy polyamory exists and i want to see it.