For a long time, when I was a little younger, I thought that was how every girl saw other girls - this mix between beauty and awe and curiosity, a thin layer of lust just underneath.

[white bisexual girl MC / black/white biracial lesbian LI ]

This was a very difficult book.

On the one hand, it's a magical love story between two girls, with beaches, lighthouses, bonfires, penaut butter and music and dancing. I really loved the whole starlit, magical aesthetic of this book, I loved that the word bisexual was used, I loved that the bi main girl had a guy friend that she could have dated but never wanted to.

On the other hand, this is a story about grief, and about one of the most unhealthy mother-daughter relationships I've ever seen. Grace's mother is written as a very complicated woman - in fact, most of the characters in this book are complicated, layered, and well-written. I loved how nobody was really perfect and everyone felt real.

But I didn't enjoy reading this book. I loved the occasional soft scenes between the girls or between friends, but I couldn't handle the constant tension, and honestly, I can't say that I genuinely liked any of the characters. It sucks because when I write down all this, I feel like I should have enjoyed the book, but it was frustrating to read.

I was going to rate it 3 stars but I actually liked the ending, so there's that. I still think this is a very important book, and I hope others will enjoy it more. Idk, maybe I'll reread it someday.