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mamareadstuff's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As a 30 something, I was obviously not the target audience, but it was a great YA, coming of age story. Add in being Black and Jewish, trying to come out, a blended family, mental illness, sibling bonds, first relationships, and more. It's a LOT for one book, but the author did a great job at not making it an afterschool special, not shying away from nuance, and telling a compelling story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Biphobia, Violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Stalking
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, and Abortion
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the multi faceted layers and diversity that is in this novel. Our Reformed Jewish bisexual black female main character, Suzette, is trying to navigate her summer before her senior year and decides to go home after spending a year in boarding school in Massachusetts. When she was gone, her stepbrother Lionel was going through adjustments to his life, having recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and taking meds. There was so much that was done right and some things that I wasn’t 100% sure about. I might have to re-read later to figure out what exactly wasn’t hitting the mark but it might revolve around Rafaela and Lionel (as a couple not individually although Lionel won’t be winning Favorite Male Character from me.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Blood, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
laurenw's review
challenging
emotional
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Outing
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Antisemitism, Biphobia, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion
kaylamoran's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
I absolutely loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone! The bi rep and mental health rep was great as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
alyssahafso's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Mental illness, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Abortion
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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
4.75
That’s a damn good book. I didn’t know what to expect, but the rep is diverse and flawlessly woven in and really good.
It was both informative on bipolar disorder and emotional on many levels. I love the fact that Suzette never gives up on her brother despite everything. It’s not always healthy, but her support and love changes throughout the story without ever questioning whether she has his best interests at heart.
I’m also quite happy with the fact that there’s no cheating. So many bi characters fall into the cheater stereotype, and I’m glad this one doesn’t. There’s no “it just happened” sex either, which was refreshing.
Brandy Colbert writes great stories and I’m looking forward to reading more of her stuff.
It was both informative on bipolar disorder and emotional on many levels. I love the fact that Suzette never gives up on her brother despite everything. It’s not always healthy, but her support and love changes throughout the story without ever questioning whether she has his best interests at heart.
I’m also quite happy with the fact that there’s no cheating. So many bi characters fall into the cheater stereotype, and I’m glad this one doesn’t. There’s no “it just happened” sex either, which was refreshing.
Brandy Colbert writes great stories and I’m looking forward to reading more of her stuff.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
leigh_ann_15_deaf's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Deaf reader reviewing books with deaf characters.
The diversity in this novel is excellent. I like narrator's voice and interesting story. Heartfelt. Enjoyable.
As for the deaf character, Emil. I'm a little iffy.
So, he has Ménière's disease, which makes him "late-deafened," and he identifies as hard of hearing. He unabashedly wears hearing aids, as has been wearing them since a few months before the start of the novel. All of this is fantastic! Except the author seems to be confused about hearing aids.
It's just a little strange how he doesn't take care of these super expensive devices at all. He never seems to take them off. In fact, he seems to sleep in them, which is particularly odd. Especially considering not once has he ever needed to change the batteries. (Where can I get these, please?)
Emil also has "waterproof" hearing aids, which don't exist. There are several "water resistant" brands on the market, but these can only be submerged for very short periods of time, and that's with extra equipment like "go-pro" cases and waterproofing kits. The largest time limit I'm aware of for getting hearing aids wet is 30 minutes. So you would prep them to get in the water, then swim for 25 minutes max, and get out to dry your devices as quickly and carefully as possible. Otherwise you'll be spending hundreds to thousands to either fix or replace them! But Emil just jumps right into the pool, twice, and we never see him drying these babies off. I was screaming internally!
Another thing that bothered me is that Suzette keeps touching his hearing aids. Cringe! I know I'm not alone in that, because touching the devices can often trigger painful feedback or make "itchy" noises.
As far as Emil and communication difficulties, there is none. No one ever needs to repeat anything. That's not necessarily a bad representation, but it does stand out to me.
Something I find funny (in a ha-ha way): Suzette calls Emil's name as he walks away after an argument, but he doesn't turn around. And it's impossible to know whether this is because he didn't hear her or for the drama. Kiss-fist.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, though I do wish the author had been a little more accurate with the hearing aids.
Link to ranked list of deaf characters in fiction: https://modcast.blog/2022/12/17/ranked-deaf-characters-in-fiction/
The diversity in this novel is excellent. I like narrator's voice and interesting story. Heartfelt. Enjoyable.
As for the deaf character, Emil. I'm a little iffy.
So, he has Ménière's disease, which makes him "late-deafened," and he identifies as hard of hearing. He unabashedly wears hearing aids, as has been wearing them since a few months before the start of the novel. All of this is fantastic! Except the author seems to be confused about hearing aids.
It's just a little strange how he doesn't take care of these super expensive devices at all. He never seems to take them off. In fact, he seems to sleep in them, which is particularly odd. Especially considering not once has he ever needed to change the batteries. (Where can I get these, please?)
Emil also has "waterproof" hearing aids, which don't exist. There are several "water resistant" brands on the market, but these can only be submerged for very short periods of time, and that's with extra equipment like "go-pro" cases and waterproofing kits. The largest time limit I'm aware of for getting hearing aids wet is 30 minutes. So you would prep them to get in the water, then swim for 25 minutes max, and get out to dry your devices as quickly and carefully as possible. Otherwise you'll be spending hundreds to thousands to either fix or replace them! But Emil just jumps right into the pool, twice, and we never see him drying these babies off. I was screaming internally!
Another thing that bothered me is that Suzette keeps touching his hearing aids. Cringe! I know I'm not alone in that, because touching the devices can often trigger painful feedback or make "itchy" noises.
As far as Emil and communication difficulties, there is none. No one ever needs to repeat anything. That's not necessarily a bad representation, but it does stand out to me.
Something I find funny (in a ha-ha way): Suzette calls Emil's name as he walks away after an argument, but he doesn't turn around. And it's impossible to know whether this is because he didn't hear her or for the drama. Kiss-fist.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, though I do wish the author had been a little more accurate with the hearing aids.
Link to ranked list of deaf characters in fiction: https://modcast.blog/2022/12/17/ranked-deaf-characters-in-fiction/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Mental illness, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Abortion
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