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tjeoconnor's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible. A heartfelt love story, intertwined with learning that everyone makes mistakes, and how to forgive them. Liz Lighty is strong enough to stand up to every kind of pressure you can imagine, and come out sparkling like a diamond.
kmatlydennis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
The queer midwestern prom story I never knew I needed.
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
3.0
Awwwwwww! Sidenote I live in a small town and our prom is NOWHERE near this crazy holy moly!
sylfaun's review against another edition
5.0
The one thing about You Should See Me in a Crown that threw me off was having prom set in 2020.
I loved reading this book. I recognize that it was not written for me and there were cultural things that I did not grasp. But that is absolutely ok. We don't really need another romance from the perspective of a white girl.
Despite not having the connection I did still feel drawn in by the book and these amazingly written characters. This not quite friends to lovers, not quite enemies to lovers follows Liz as she grows into herself, learns what it means to be accepting and true to herself, and not letting others manipulate her life. From the first paragraphs describing her fear of making a mistake that could be seen by the school to the last line where she acts for her own happiness we have one of the best character arcs I have seen in romance. And this romance is also not the fluffy thing we normally see when set in a high school setting. There are true stakes to both the relationship and Liz's personal life. And while a prom scholarship is not something I had even thought could possibly exist, it is built into the world so wonderfully that I found myself thinking it was the most normal thing ever and didn't my high school do that?
I think this will go down as the best YA of the year, potentially best book of the year depending on who you talk to, and were only halfway through 2020. And I only hesitate to say that because of how many absolutely incredible books that this one could go toe to toe with that have come out already.
The only thing I want more of out of You Should See Me in a Crown is that I'm desperately curious about Emme and would love to see a companion novel, novella, or even short story from Leah Johnson that just lets us live this timeline from her perspective.
I loved reading this book. I recognize that it was not written for me and there were cultural things that I did not grasp. But that is absolutely ok. We don't really need another romance from the perspective of a white girl.
Despite not having the connection I did still feel drawn in by the book and these amazingly written characters. This not quite friends to lovers, not quite enemies to lovers follows Liz as she grows into herself, learns what it means to be accepting and true to herself, and not letting others manipulate her life. From the first paragraphs describing her fear of making a mistake that could be seen by the school to the last line where she acts for her own happiness we have one of the best character arcs I have seen in romance. And this romance is also not the fluffy thing we normally see when set in a high school setting. There are true stakes to both the relationship and Liz's personal life. And while a prom scholarship is not something I had even thought could possibly exist, it is built into the world so wonderfully that I found myself thinking it was the most normal thing ever and didn't my high school do that?
I think this will go down as the best YA of the year, potentially best book of the year depending on who you talk to, and were only halfway through 2020. And I only hesitate to say that because of how many absolutely incredible books that this one could go toe to toe with that have come out already.
The only thing I want more of out of You Should See Me in a Crown is that I'm desperately curious about Emme and would love to see a companion novel, novella, or even short story from Leah Johnson that just lets us live this timeline from her perspective.
hollyr1999's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Despite the opportunities to be really cliche, I think these characters and their stories kept the book unique in addition to addressing the discrimination that exists today.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
elizabethfisher's review against another edition
4.0
What a delightful read. I wouldn't usually pick up a YA novel where competing to be prom queen is central to the plot...not my cup of tea...but this one was so highly reviewed that I decided to give it a go, and I am very glad I did. Johnson weaves together a beautiful story that does not shy away from discussing hard things but she does it in a really organic way. I particularly liked how intersectionality is featured in this one. I highly recommend to any and all.
rschwartzbard's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
bhnmt61's review against another edition
I’m too much of a cynic for this book. If you don’t get a scholarship to the school of your dreams, you do what everyone else does and go to the low-tuition state school down the road. Your dreams have not been irrevocably burned to ashes. And then there’s the idea that the path-to-growth for an introvert is to learn how to be an extrovert. There are some cute moments and the representation is spot-on, but it didn’t work for me. And no surprise there because I am not even close to the intended audience, so no harm done. It did keep me moderately entertained on a day of plane flights.
bettielovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
How I loved this book, it was the perfect combination of teenage angst, first love, misunderstandings, Prom competition, friendship, the importance of family, some of the struggles a black, queer teenager might encounter, sorrow, and grief.
I loved Liz and Amanda’s relationship and Liz and Jordan’s friendship. This book left me with a smile on my face.
I loved Liz and Amanda’s relationship and Liz and Jordan’s friendship. This book left me with a smile on my face.