My first read for pride month— and what an important, fantastic choice! I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant about the beginning because of the (sometimes boring) slice-of-life storytelling, and how quickly Annie and Liza’s relationship turned romantic and saccharine: it should be worth noting that while this is a romance, it isn’t one written with the end goal of a relationship— although there was some uncertainty, the relationship happens about a quarter through, and a lot of the longing/conflict is based around maintaining that in a hostile environment. (For a modern equivalent, think of “Just Another Epic Love Poem” by Parisa Akbari?) However, this was genuinely so sweet that I tore through the rest of it.

I was disarmed by how accurately the feeling of a first love— especially one on your friend— was expressed. (And how scary it can be when your feelings get so strong!!) Annie and Liza showing each other their respective worlds in New York was so tender, I think my favorite of those moments was when Liza went to Annie’s rehearsals. (But I did also love the chapter at the botanical gardens.) 

Ugh, this book is equally bittersweet, though😭 for as sweet as the romance can be, a lot of it has to be done in secret, so there’s oftentimes this sadness or underlying fear that comes with these moments of domesticity. Some of the first scenes in Ms Stevenson and Ms Widmer’s house are the most impactful examples I can think of, the storytelling on an emotional level was so powerful. I didn’t cry, but there was a constant ache in my chest.

And the characters!!! I never quite adjusted to the VERY 80’s writing style, so I don’t exactly trust myself on saying how developed they are, but I will say that so many of them were endearing. Can we just appreciate that Liza’s biggest supporters were lesbian English and art teachers who live in a cozy house with cats instead of kids??😭 and oh my goodness! Liza’s brother, Chad, was a little misinformed sometimes tbh but he was both an entertaining (and believable) younger brother, and very sweet in how he looked out for his sister. 

How I wish we got to have more time with Nana!! Her banter with Liza was fantastic, and I also loved how Annie’s home life was fleshed out. 

Aside from the somewhat uneventful beginning, I did take some points off of my rating because the characters acted a little young, and a couple elements were outdated (heads up that the g-slur is dropped at either one or two points), but! For a classic, I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. It will stick with me for a while. I read the 2007 edition that includes an interview with the author (may she rest in peace), and seeing how excited she was at the possibility of different kinds of queer stories being published, I know she’d be very proud of the current landscape :,) like!! Yes, things aren’t perfect now, but 18 years ago, Nancy Garden hoped that there’d be more books on transgender, bisexual, and questioning teens, and now people can publish entire lists of wonderful books of all of those identities and more, how incredible is that?! 🥺