CW: bipolar II disorder, discussion of suicide, homomisia, racism

While it wasn’t my favorite, I did enjoy this book. I haven’t really enjoyed a book in a few weeks, so this was refreshing.

I liked Suzette and Lionel’s relationship. They’re step-siblings, something we don’t see often in YA, but they still loved each other fiercely.

There was a lot of casual diversity, something else there should be more of.
- Suzette is black and bisexual
- Lionel has bipolar II disorder
- DeeDee (Suzette’s best friend) is a lesbian
- Rafaela (love interest) is pansexual
- Suzette and Lionel’s parents are an interracial, happily together but unmarried couple
- Suzette’s family is Jewish
- Emil (love interest) is black and Korean, and has hearing aids for his Ménière’s

I really liked Suzette and Lionel’s family dynamic as well. Both her mom and his dad are single parents that divorced and got in another relationship. The four of them adapted and now they’re as natural and loving as any natural family, through thick and thin.

This book also dealt with the unfortunate reality of day-to-day racism and the stigma against mental health. It’s all called out and there’s quite relevant commentary interspersed.

Sometimes, books with more characters lose character depth and development to further the protagonist’s story. This wasn’t the case here. I didn’t necessarily have a connection with all of them, but I felt that each character had a distinct, interesting backstory and present personality.

One thing I didn’t like was the ending. Everything was technically resolved, but I still think it was kind of left open. I had a few questions that weren’t answered, and in general I was just curious.

I think the bi rep did employ some stereotypes, but as I’m not bi, I’m going to leave that discussion up to ownvoices bi reviewers.

This review has taken about two hours, maybe more, so I think I’ll leave it at this. I did have a couple of issues, but overall this was a rather enjoyable, albeit simple and character-driven, diverse contemporary. I would absolutely recommend it.