Reviews

Starting from Here by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

bookph1le's review

3.0

A pretty good story, but I found myself getting impatient with the lead character.

shirleytupperfreeman's review

Well I can say, "I knew her when." Lisa's parents and we joined the same church in the 1980's so we've known Lisa since teenagehood...not that she was a teenage hood. But she does a good job of writing from the perspective of teenagers. This YA novel's main characters are teens who are active in the LGBT Alliance at their local high school. Besides the 'normal' teenage angst, main character Colby is suffering from the death of her mother, absenteeism from her long-distance truck driving father, and fear of admitting her sexuality to the adults in her life. It's part coming-of-age, part teenage romance, part girl-and-her-dog. It's a good, well-written story that might be uncomfortable for some. I don't think I know too many parents who would leave a 17 year old on their own as much as Colby is left on her own, but the teenage voices ring true -to this old lady. Congratulations to Lisa.

ylshelflove's review

4.0

I think my favorite aspect of this book is the normalcy. It's the story of a teenage girl struggling through hard lessons, abstract ideas, and things she'd rather not face. The bare bones of every realistic, slice-of-life, teenage novel. Yes, Colby is a lesbian. But is that really someone to focus on? I don't think so. Love is love is love. You could have easily replaced Rachel and Amelia with guys, and the story still makes sense (except the secrecy about your love).

And I like that. LBTQ characters are great. But they're still people like everyone else who go through the same insecurities and problems. So thank you, Lisa Jean Bigelow, for a sweet, real perspective on life. Also, DOGS!

readerpants's review

5.0

I'd be happy to see this debut included on the Rainbow List this year!

heatherinjapan's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Talk about a relateable character! Finishing Pride Month off with a good queer book feels good. It was nice but also sad reading about a character living life with the same kind of insecurities and traumas as me. Really well-written and realistic.

sappix's review

3.0

3.5 stars.

sixphanel's review

4.0

I really want a dog :( He was my favorite part of the book, his story with the main character.

heathab's review

challenging emotional 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

5.0

thunderbolt_kid's review

5.0

This is a book for queer girls who love dogs, or who love animals, or who struggle with relationships. It's for queer girls who feel left out, feel alone, and are scared to tell their families even while wanting their girlfriends to be out and proud.
There's one difficult (mildly graphic) scene at the beginning that was hard for me to read, but continuing to read this book while flinching through it resulted in enjoyment of the work as a whole.

2016/06/22: e.t.a. This is, somehow, a great companion book to 'A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend'

heresthepencil's review

3.0

rep: lesbian mc & li, gay side character

3.5 ☆

listen i wanted a cute gay contemporary romance & that's exactly what i got!! with a proper amount of angts, two girls being adorable and flirting, some family drama and teen drama, and a DOG mixed in.