Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Imogen, Obviously

I can't even begin to describe how much I love this book. I wasn't expecting to feel so strongly about it; I just thought it sounded like a cute, fluffy story. And yet, here I am crying. Once again. Some people never learn. It's me, I'm "some people."

Imogen's internal monologue was so relatable. The way she described her uncertainty and confusion and agony about trying to determine whether she's queer....sounds a lot like my own inner voice. At one moment feeling certain of who and what I am, but then seeing/hearing others' experiences making me second-guess myself. Am I actually queer? And if I am, am I queer ENOUGH to claim space in the queer community? If I haven't experienced the discrimination and turmoil that other "out" queer people have experienced, then does my queer identity even count? It's way too easy to gaslight myself into thinking that I'm an impostor, even though I'm smart and logical enough to know that I'm not. Imogen and her best friend, Lily, end up discussing this internal dilemma in such a way that I just felt so seen and, more importantly, valid.

"It's like there's this idea that you have to earn your label through suffering. And then you have to prove it with who you date, how you dress, how other people perceive you." --chapter 58

"Sometimes I am [confident]. And then ten minutes later, I'm convinced I'm somehow faking it in my own head...And it's such bullshit....Sometimes I feel like, 'oh my god, why am I giving this so much mental energy? I'm literally at home watching Netflix, no one cares.' But I care. It matters. Of course it matters, it's a whole big piece of who you are." --chapter 57

I could wax on forever about how reading this book has monumentally shifted my perspective on queer identity, but I doubt there's enough room here for that many characters. I'll just say, I think this book is such a fantastic addition to the YA Queer Lit genre, and I'd highly recommend it to all the baby queers out there, as well as anyone that's questioning their identity. And maybe also anyone that thinks they're, as one of the characters from the book put it, "The One True Queer" who feels entitled to know what every single person's labels and pronouns are.

There's no right or wrong way to be queer, no one gets to decide what labels apply to you, and there's no time limit on realizing and claiming your identity.

Content Warnings

jadeandherbunny's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.5

Made me reflect on my own bisexuality journey.
I love Imogen and Tessa sooo much, Tessa is my babe.
I love Lili too.
But Gretchen can fuck off ❤️
Sooo funny!
Will reread for sho

Content Warnings

jerbarger's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-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

4.75

This book is so complicated… yet so simple at the same time. Awesome representation of three-dimensional queer characters of all kinds. Really loved the exploitation of nuance and discourse and community, etc

Content Warnings

laurensgaylife's review

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

Content Warnings

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