A review by nat008
Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju

funny lighthearted 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

3.75

A cute coming-of-age story about a 17yo lesbian girl stepping into the queer and local drag community. Very wholesome story with some cringy moments as we are dealing with a teenager exploring her own limits. I liked the quiet acceptance from all the side characters, letting Nima explore her queerness on her terms. I loved Deirdre, she was just awesome. 
I did find the love story a bit questionable though, because Winnow seemed too grown-up for Nima I guess? Taking a naive, unexperienced, underage girl to parties as an 21yo seemed kind of weird to me. The storyline with her mom also felt unfinished somehow,

why did she even have to show up to leave again after five minutes and still no explanation?

I'm also not a fan of the "the bully is actually just repressed" storyline, but in this book it wasn't too bad I guess.
All in all a cute book with some nice representation.