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thebrofriends's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amyka's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It did make me think a little about my privilege since I was wondering why the author never mentioned that the main character could be part of the fight as an ally. I understand that she shouldn't be the "hero" or given elevated status when fighting for equal rights of a marginalized group she is not part of, but isn't she allowed to stand alongside in support? I appreciate that it made me think about my role as an ally since I work with queer students as a straight identifying teacher. I'm also from the south, so I appreciated the various positions characters took on the issue since that felt real to me. I'm not sure I would have seen the amount of support from the student body when I was in high school in Georgia, but that was back in the late 80s so I'm hoping things have changed (I've since moved away).
It did make me think a little about my privilege since I was wondering why the author never mentioned that the main character could be part of the fight as an ally. I understand that she shouldn't be the "hero" or given elevated status when fighting for equal rights of a marginalized group she is not part of, but isn't she allowed to stand alongside in support? I appreciate that it made me think about my role as an ally since I work with queer students as a straight identifying teacher. I'm also from the south, so I appreciated the various positions characters took on the issue since that felt real to me. I'm not sure I would have seen the amount of support from the student body when I was in high school in Georgia, but that was back in the late 80s so I'm hoping things have changed (I've since moved away).
mesy_mark's review against another edition
2.0
A straight girl, Daisy, joining an LGBT club after finding out that her friend, Hannah, is gay. Hannah never joins the club-a a club that doesn't even want Daisy round till she decid3es to confront the school board and have them lift the band on having no same-sex couples at the dances the school holds.
The plot centers around Dasiy a 16-year-old who tends to bit off more than she can chew and spouts out promises she just doesn't keep, like the mural she said she will do for example. She wasn't the most likable character who cared more about her own gain rather than her friend. Like, how she treated her friend Hannah. Hannah comes out and Dasiy just sumps and joins an LGBT club without the person who kick-started the reason why she got interested in LGBT, to begin with. And then came the whole asexual bit. It seemed that when she claimed asexual she had no idea what it meant. But then near the end, we get to know that she does get what asexual is. But she goes back and forth from ace to straight that irritated me and I'm not even ace. Also, it was an LGBT club but it complety lacked the T in the QUILTBAG it said to have.
So overall the lack of liking the character, her domination over the actual LGBT group and her wayward way of taking on task just didn't leave me with really digging this book
The plot centers around Dasiy a 16-year-old who tends to bit off more than she can chew and spouts out promises she just doesn't keep, like the mural she said she will do for example. She wasn't the most likable character who cared more about her own gain rather than her friend. Like, how she treated her friend Hannah. Hannah comes out and Dasiy just sumps and joins an LGBT club without the person who kick-started the reason why she got interested in LGBT, to begin with. And then came the whole asexual bit. It seemed that when she claimed asexual she had no idea what it meant. But then near the end, we get to know that she does get what asexual is. But she goes back and forth from ace to straight that irritated me and I'm not even ace. Also, it was an LGBT club but it complety lacked the T in the QUILTBAG it said to have.
So overall the lack of liking the character, her domination over the actual LGBT group and her wayward way of taking on task just didn't leave me with really digging this book
sidneyellwood's review against another edition
2.0
The one thing I really gotta hand it to this is that it's very feel-good for LGBTQ+ individuals, even though the main character is straight. And - yes, this is an example of why straight allies should probably stay in their lane, but for a novel so focused on the issues that LGBTQ+ teens face there were some real glaring issues. What stood out most to me (as a queer ace) is the portrayal of asexuality. I felt like it was used as a joke throughout the entire novel, about how Daisy kept pretending to be ace and/or gay. And maybe I'm just touchy because there's been a lot of hostility surrounding asexuality (on the shithole that is Tumblr.com) lately, but it didn't ring well with me. Us aces don't have much representation in the first place, and to turn an entire sexuality into a joke - that really brought the book down for me. And yeah, Daisy does apologize to the ace community, but that doesn't excuse the author's choice to portray asexuality in such a manner. If Daisy had been a straight ace, that would have been fine with me, because then she would be, you know, LGBTQIA, but no, she's straight. Full stop.
I did like the variety of LGB characters (where's the T?) and their experiences, though. They were different; no one was really stereotyped. Bisexuality isn't talked about nearly enough and when it is it's hardly talked about well. I think this book did a decent job of portraying bi experiences. I have to say, this is the year that the portrayal of bisexuality is really turning around, especially in YA lit, and that makes me happy. There was just one point where a bi character was referred to as gay, which. Um. No. Also speaking as a queer Christian, I also liked that Christianity wasn't demonized and that there's a queer Christian character who can be involved both in his faith and sexuality. The talk about privilege was good too. This book was very politically focused, so sorry for having two entire paragraphs.
Onto character: Daisy had a good voice, but it frustrated me; she reads young and immature. Daisy herself acts very immature and selfish and it's pointed out several times throughout the novel. It can get annoying at points and she's on her way to being better, but just reading about how she fucked so much stuff up made me want to scream and tear myself apart. I was cringing for a lot of the book. I know Daisy is supposed to be unlikable to a point, but it was so, so, frustrating. All the other characters were fine, though.
I did find the plot a bit unrealistic because I'm not sure if things can really blow up that quickly, but suspension of disbelief and all.
I did like the variety of LGB characters (where's the T?) and their experiences, though. They were different; no one was really stereotyped. Bisexuality isn't talked about nearly enough and when it is it's hardly talked about well. I think this book did a decent job of portraying bi experiences. I have to say, this is the year that the portrayal of bisexuality is really turning around, especially in YA lit, and that makes me happy. There was just one point where a bi character was referred to as gay, which. Um. No. Also speaking as a queer Christian, I also liked that Christianity wasn't demonized and that there's a queer Christian character who can be involved both in his faith and sexuality. The talk about privilege was good too. This book was very politically focused, so sorry for having two entire paragraphs.
Onto character: Daisy had a good voice, but it frustrated me; she reads young and immature. Daisy herself acts very immature and selfish and it's pointed out several times throughout the novel. It can get annoying at points and she's on her way to being better, but just reading about how she fucked so much stuff up made me want to scream and tear myself apart. I was cringing for a lot of the book. I know Daisy is supposed to be unlikable to a point, but it was so, so, frustrating. All the other characters were fine, though.
I did find the plot a bit unrealistic because I'm not sure if things can really blow up that quickly, but suspension of disbelief and all.
livkarsch's review against another edition
4.0
I am surprised to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The protagonist a very relatable- for a certain demographic at least- and is generally a great character. Her ignorance leads her through a fantastic arc where she ends up learning her lesson and teaching every reader about privilege. While I still believe that many of the accusations and ill-feelings towards Daisy weren't warranted, she does pose a great lesson to all of us. I would absolutely recommend this book, especially during Pride month.
rennegade's review against another edition
4.0
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to read and review!*
3.5 stars rounded up.
I like the conversations that this book starts. I appreciate that it brings up straight privilege and the issues with certain types of allies in the LGBTQIA world.
Daisy was, at times, a very annoying main character. I think her heart was in the right place, but some of her actions were beyond cringe-worthy. She tried to co-opt her friend's sexuality as her own struggle in a misguided attempt to help. Things get even crazier when she realizes that her best friend's new girlfriend is her old friend/current enemy.
There were a lot of interesting characters, and the plot was fun. It got a little ridiculous at times and I was a bit uncomfortable with the relationship between Daisy and Adam, but it was an enjoyable read. I would definitely check out other books by this author.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I like the conversations that this book starts. I appreciate that it brings up straight privilege and the issues with certain types of allies in the LGBTQIA world.
Daisy was, at times, a very annoying main character. I think her heart was in the right place, but some of her actions were beyond cringe-worthy. She tried to co-opt her friend's sexuality as her own struggle in a misguided attempt to help. Things get even crazier when she realizes that her best friend's new girlfriend is her old friend/current enemy.
There were a lot of interesting characters, and the plot was fun. It got a little ridiculous at times and I was a bit uncomfortable with the relationship between Daisy and Adam, but it was an enjoyable read. I would definitely check out other books by this author.
pddkny's review against another edition
4.0
What surprised me about this novel is how intriguing all the characters are. Like people in real life, no one is who they seem to be. I think that the author doing this well only serves to endear us to the characters - well, most of them anyway.
One of the parts of the story that I found quite lacking is the relationship between Daisy and Adam. I don't think their connection was forged sufficiently, and I think their eventual romance came out of nowhere... I also think it was a little bit of a tired trope to have Adam fall for Daisy when both of them even acknowledged that Adam had problems making friends with people his age - he had realisations about his career, but why didn't he have more realisations about himself as well?
Otherwise, what a delightful LGBT YA novel coming from a different perspective, but not at the expense of the colourful LGBT characters that inhabit the story.
One of the parts of the story that I found quite lacking is the relationship between Daisy and Adam. I don't think their connection was forged sufficiently, and I think their eventual romance came out of nowhere... I also think it was a little bit of a tired trope to have Adam fall for Daisy when both of them even acknowledged that Adam had problems making friends with people his age - he had realisations about his career, but why didn't he have more realisations about himself as well?
Otherwise, what a delightful LGBT YA novel coming from a different perspective, but not at the expense of the colourful LGBT characters that inhabit the story.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
This book is going to spark some important conversations about privilege & allyship. Daisy's story is a mess. A beautiful, flawed, good intentions gone to crap, sitting your ass down, finding your voice mess. I LOVED IT. I think this book is going to speak to a lot of teen's experience--how do we ally w/ our queer friends? Knowing when to speak, when to sit down, when to admit wrong, when to admit a complete incapability to fully understand another's life. THE INSIDE OF OUT is a needful addition to the YA queer canon.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
Daisy's best friend Hannah comes out to her the summer before junior and Daisy has decided to make LGBT rights her new cause. Hannah is not as enthusiastic about it; she is more than just her sexuality. Daisy leads the charge by attending an LGBT group, not an ally group, only those on the spectrum are invited. Daisy wiggles her way in and finds out that same sex couples are not welcome at the school's dance. Daisy has found her cause, she will fight the establishment and get the same rights for her friends. Daisy's passionate fight for these rights turns the head of local journalism student, Adam. The two have a romantic spark, but he thinks she is a lesbian and her fight for these rights turns into a social media storm. Everyone joins the debate with people drawing hard lines about the issues.
I really high hopes for this novel, perhaps that is my bad. I felt that the main character was too whiny and disconnected for me to like or root for her. I thought this was an interesting concept, but I wish for a better framework around the perspective.
I really high hopes for this novel, perhaps that is my bad. I felt that the main character was too whiny and disconnected for me to like or root for her. I thought this was an interesting concept, but I wish for a better framework around the perspective.