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berbs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lena_loves_reading's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I loved the neurodivergent and genderfluid representation. Both the main characters were very distinct and had their own development and coping mechanisms.
However, this book could've gone deeper into certain issues. Audrey was constantly infantilized by her parents. This was portrayed as a negative thing, but they never talked it out. On the other hand, siblings of special needs children often experience neglect and are at higher risk of developing mental health disorders. I wish their parents would've paid more attention to Clare's feelings.
However, this book could've gone deeper into certain issues. Audrey was constantly infantilized by her parents. This was portrayed as a negative thing, but they never talked it out. On the other hand, siblings of special needs children often experience neglect and are at higher risk of developing mental health disorders. I wish their parents would've paid more attention to Clare's feelings.
norimee's review against another edition
2.5
Is 14 young adult now? Because this reads very young.
I appreciated the themes of grief, neurodiversity, gender identity and bullying the 14 year old twin main characters deal with, but to me it was written too juvenile.
It's a very good book for younger teens.
I appreciated the themes of grief, neurodiversity, gender identity and bullying the 14 year old twin main characters deal with, but to me it was written too juvenile.
It's a very good book for younger teens.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I was just searching my online library trying to find something to read when I came across this book. My person favorite was Clara I could care somewhat less for Audrey though both went through grief differently. Overall I found it somewhat slow but there were some moments I enjoyed.
I was just searching my online library trying to find something to read when I came across this book. My person favorite was Clara I could care somewhat less for Audrey though both went through grief differently. Overall I found it somewhat slow but there were some moments I enjoyed.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this novel about two sisters who are learning to embrace who they truly are. As a teacher I appreciated Audrey's story. I know students who have felt her frustration and wanted to escape their "bubble" to interact with peers who they perceive as "normal." Her journey felt realistic and only a bit preachy.
However, If I buy a copy of this book for my classroom it is for Clare. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the author's handling of Clare may seem pedantic as readers get to see every single moment in her quest to try to express and define her gender identity. However, this is a character that young readers facing the same dilemmas will appreciate. Will Clare be the beloved nb character that will stand the test of time? Probably not, but that doesn't mean that readers won't appreciate the same we we appreciated [b:I am J|8140535|I am J|Cris Beam|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1305820681l/8140535._SX50_.jpg|12936997] or [b:Luna|316445|Luna|Julie Anne Peters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339269673l/316445._SY75_.jpg|1532237] when they first came out.
However, If I buy a copy of this book for my classroom it is for Clare. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the author's handling of Clare may seem pedantic as readers get to see every single moment in her quest to try to express and define her gender identity. However, this is a character that young readers facing the same dilemmas will appreciate. Will Clare be the beloved nb character that will stand the test of time? Probably not, but that doesn't mean that readers won't appreciate the same we we appreciated [b:I am J|8140535|I am J|Cris Beam|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1305820681l/8140535._SX50_.jpg|12936997] or [b:Luna|316445|Luna|Julie Anne Peters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339269673l/316445._SY75_.jpg|1532237] when they first came out.
loverrbboy's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
first (audio) book back after a long break from reading. i was expecting more gender shit to happen between the twins, which is what initially drew me to this book. the zodiac connection is cute and the characters make sense. i felt heartbroken for them when they found out their basement had flooded and destroyed their dead brother’s room . claire figuring herself out from those videos was really interesting - more explicit than i expected. this captures a very contemporary coming-of-age experience.
i kept thinking about how this family feels rich tbh, all this talk of switching schools to special ed, the house, the mother’s job. overall def worth the read for me, have never read about a genderfluid character before.
i kept thinking about how this family feels rich tbh, all this talk of switching schools to special ed, the house, the mother’s job. overall def worth the read for me, have never read about a genderfluid character before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Death, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
wormiebrains's review
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
babbieabbi's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
I didn’t think I would like this book at first, but I didn’t know what I was getting into. This book was so challenging to read for me, but it would have meant the whole world to me if it existed when I was 15. I can relate to so much with each twin, and the family dynamics were crushingly close to home. This book wrecked me emotionally, but in the best way. I feel so seen
sleepysamreads's review
5.0
I really really loved this. I didn’t have very many expectations going into it, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it to be as touching as it was.
It’s really interesting to see how each of the twins are grieving their brother’s death. They both grieve in very different, but also very similar ways. I found that really interesting.
I’ve never read a book with a genderfluid person! I’ve read a few books with characters who have different gender orientations, but never someone who is fluid on the spectrum. I really enjoyed reading Clare’s perspective and her discovering that about herself.
I really like Taylor! I think the way the author writes them was wonderful! I don’t think I’ve read a book with a non-binary character who we didn’t know their assigned sex at birth. I LOVED this. I think this is a beautiful way to introduce someone to the idea of a non-binary person. This is one of the reasons I think this book would be wonderful for those pre-teens who are ready to bridge the gap between middle grade contemporary to YA contemporary!
I also haven’t read a book with a character who is the specific type of neurodivergent that Audrey is. I think a lot of readers who are autistic might relate with Audrey a lot. (Though they never label Audrey’s neurodiversity as autism, she does have some of the characteristics, as well as a panic disorder and OCD qualities.)
This was a very refreshing book with beautifully unique characters that I definitely recommend!
It’s really interesting to see how each of the twins are grieving their brother’s death. They both grieve in very different, but also very similar ways. I found that really interesting.
I’ve never read a book with a genderfluid person! I’ve read a few books with characters who have different gender orientations, but never someone who is fluid on the spectrum. I really enjoyed reading Clare’s perspective and her discovering that about herself.
I really like Taylor! I think the way the author writes them was wonderful! I don’t think I’ve read a book with a non-binary character who we didn’t know their assigned sex at birth. I LOVED this. I think this is a beautiful way to introduce someone to the idea of a non-binary person. This is one of the reasons I think this book would be wonderful for those pre-teens who are ready to bridge the gap between middle grade contemporary to YA contemporary!
I also haven’t read a book with a character who is the specific type of neurodivergent that Audrey is. I think a lot of readers who are autistic might relate with Audrey a lot. (Though they never label Audrey’s neurodiversity as autism, she does have some of the characteristics, as well as a panic disorder and OCD qualities.)
This was a very refreshing book with beautifully unique characters that I definitely recommend!
_mercury_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.7 stars.
I found it on the New Book shelf in the YA section of my library, finished it a while ago, and have been reading bits over and over. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? Maybe a 6.8/10.
I loved all the Audrey parts, they were sweet and relatable, and I liked how the dialogue didn't have quotation marks. The Clare parts, I read but didn't love cause I didn't relate as much to her as I did Audrey. Audrey was smart and artistic, but wanted to be like her sister Clare. Clare was going through her own personal problems, and was trying to figure out who she was, so really it was a case of both of them imagining the other was living a perfect life when really it wasn't.
I found it on the New Book shelf in the YA section of my library, finished it a while ago, and have been reading bits over and over. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? Maybe a 6.8/10.
I loved all the Audrey parts, they were sweet and relatable, and I liked how the dialogue didn't have quotation marks. The Clare parts, I read but didn't love cause I didn't relate as much to her as I did Audrey. Audrey was smart and artistic, but wanted to be like her sister Clare. Clare was going through her own personal problems, and was trying to figure out who she was, so really it was a case of both of them imagining the other was living a perfect life when really it wasn't.