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dangselena's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a beautiful queer coming of age story. I loved the balance of humor and lightness with the heaviness of healing from trauma. Definitely one that leaves you feeling light and hopeful at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Vomit, Alcoholism, Rape, and Alcohol
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Vomit, Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Blood, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Grief, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Classism, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
thewileyseven's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
preciouslittleingenue's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was damn near perfect. I can’t even really give a reason in particular that I didn’t give it 5/5; it just didn’t *fully* do it for me. I don’t have the same trauma that Sav has, so I think that’s part of it. It’s hard to understand the motives/actions of someone working through that kind of trauma, so since I don’t relate, I found myself doing a lot of head scratching, particularly HOW she stayed friends with Izzy at ALL after any of that. I mean even if Izzy hadn’t done what she did, just the fact that her brother…I couldn’t be around her anymore. Serious serious ick. But again, what Sav did to protect herself and process her trauma is so so so valid, I’m not taking away from that at all, I just don’t personally get it.
That out of the way, let’s talk about the shit I loved. The early flashback sequences at the pool…such a PERFECT capture of the essence of girlhood. Like spot on chef’s kiss. I could smell the sunscreen and the chlorine and feel the sun and hear my friends giggling. God. Such a visceral memory. Beautiful imagery by the author. I LOVED the Chaos Queers that became Sav’s friend group. It made me realize how much I suffered not having that in college. And it also made me realize I don’t have very many straight friends anymore, and that there’s probably a good reason for that. Wes is ADORABLE. I shipped them with Sav almost immediately. Their puppy love vibe is frickin adorable. I don’t read much about non-binary folks and it’s something I struggle to understand in every day life, so I appreciate the author using this precious character to educate me.
The friendship break up stuff….woof. I read this right after being broken up with by my childhood best friend who followed me to college and everything …that shit hurt the most to read. Like. Ouch. I said to Sapphlit like…you always hear that people drift apart and you just meet new people, but when it’s your best best friend ever you think that you HAVE to be the exception. And you’re just not. And fuck that hurt to sit and realize while I read this book. I realized it right as Sav did. I really fucking felt all that. Just exquisitely done.
So, although I didn’t relate in some ways, I related a ton in other ways to this book, and I really, really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what else this author puts out.
That out of the way, let’s talk about the shit I loved. The early flashback sequences at the pool…such a PERFECT capture of the essence of girlhood. Like spot on chef’s kiss. I could smell the sunscreen and the chlorine and feel the sun and hear my friends giggling. God. Such a visceral memory. Beautiful imagery by the author. I LOVED the Chaos Queers that became Sav’s friend group. It made me realize how much I suffered not having that in college. And it also made me realize I don’t have very many straight friends anymore, and that there’s probably a good reason for that. Wes is ADORABLE. I shipped them with Sav almost immediately. Their puppy love vibe is frickin adorable. I don’t read much about non-binary folks and it’s something I struggle to understand in every day life, so I appreciate the author using this precious character to educate me.
The friendship break up stuff….woof. I read this right after being broken up with by my childhood best friend who followed me to college and everything …that shit hurt the most to read. Like. Ouch. I said to Sapphlit like…you always hear that people drift apart and you just meet new people, but when it’s your best best friend ever you think that you HAVE to be the exception. And you’re just not. And fuck that hurt to sit and realize while I read this book. I realized it right as Sav did. I really fucking felt all that. Just exquisitely done.
So, although I didn’t relate in some ways, I related a ton in other ways to this book, and I really, really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what else this author puts out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Alcoholism
Minor: Transphobia
lizmauz's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Rape
Minor: Alcoholism
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