“Just remember that, although we were flawed, we were marvelous, too.”
I've thought about this book nonstop for the past 6 weeks. It pushed me and challenged my thoughts in ways I didn't know a small book I stumbled upon in a little free library could. A love letter from a father, raised with little in the south, to his estranged son, left because of his fathers inability to understand him and love him for who he is. But the father grows and learns and explains and justifies and extends an olive tree branch infused with love and regret. I can't say enough good things about this book.

George M. Johnson is so special. I'm so glad he took the time to write his story. From exploring his gender presentation at a young age to embracing his sexuality amongst his fraternity brothers, his story is unique in many ways, but also one so many can relate to. An important, accessible memoir to all, especially young kids looking for a voice like theirs.

this book was so cute! and warm! Every single character was so interesting and well written! Liz is such a strong, complex character and this being written in 1st person made the book so much more special! i love the activist and intersectionality aspects, coupled with the classic high school prom queen race story. Liz and Mack forever<3 (audiobook)

This book was adorable! A young transgirl auditions for the role of Charlotte in Charlotte's Web and when her peers, teachers, and family become shocked at Melissa's coming out, George has to learn how to advocate for herself, take risks, and trust her friend and the adults worthy of trust in her life. A perfect book for families and elementary kids about acceptance, love, and embracing who you are. -1 star just because its middle grade so I was kinda bored

There are so few books with queer main characters that aren't "queer books." This wasn't a queer story, the main characters just happened to be gay- two women, married and deeply in love with each other. The writing was provocative. I love Armfield's voice and something about the tone was alluring. Miri was kind of annoying but I loved her nonetheless and Leah, oh, poor Leah. She deserved the world and her love for Miri was so big, but not big enough. Unlike anything I've ever read before, I'm fascinated by all the characters and the story and the fucking Centre. It's frustrating we don't actually know what the fuck was going on, but it also worked. It's a one sitting reading and a mystery/thriller and gay and full of crazy facts about the ocean and sea animals. What more could you want?

God this book was infuriating! Firstly, it was wayyyy to goddamn long. Why, when the first 2 books of this series were a huge success, would he double the length for the 3rd book? It was so unnecessary. I love a long book I can get lost in, but half of this book was not needed. Backman added like 10 new characters and spent too many pages introducing them. Backman is a character builder, it's what he does best. His characters are all complicated and unique and you fall in love with them all always. But part of that strength in this series, has been his ability to prolong the love we have for these characters through 3 books. I was distracted by the new characters and less invested and while they were good characters, they couldn't even begin to live up to the other characters. They just felt like side characters, when Backman intended for them to be new main ones. Also, every hundred pages he added what felt like a new plot point, when the core of the book/series is already so amazing and strong. He didn't need to do that.

The ending, it was worst than the Killing Eve finale. Benji is the best character of the series. He's also the only gay one. And he killed him off. And I know it was meant to be heroic and be the biggest end to the biggest series, but it really just came off homophobic in the same way Villanelle's death did. To be honest, it felt lazy. Backman spent 3 amazing books culminating to the death of his best character. Similarly, there were stories I was so excited for Backman to explore from Us Against You that he didn't- namely the girls team. Alicia was barely mentioned until the last 25% of the book, but she was who I was most looking forward to reading about. This also felt lazy.

I know I just spent 2 paragraphs complaining, but my god Backman's writing is my favorite. Which totally redeems the book. That and the fact that he didn't have to try very hard given the fact that I am utterly obsessed with Beartown and Us Against You. Every sentence I feel like my heart is getting ripped out of my chest. I learn something new about people and life and friendship and parenthood in every paragraph and he does it in a way that is just, simply beautiful. I'm so sad this series is over. I read Beartown for the first time a few months ago, spent the law few months anticipating this book, and I'm sad to see an end of Maya and Ana and Amat and Benji and Bobo's special lives. I love these characters so so much and everything I learned about and from them in this book, I will carry with me. They're flawed, but some of the best characters anyone has ever created. 4 stars because despite my complaints, I can't bare to give these people anything less. If you love Beartown, whether it be the team, the town, or the book, you should read it. You might be frustrated, but you will love it just the same.

I loved the writing style/tone of this book, but this book was also WEIRD! I loved the ghost concept, I love lesbians, I love a period piece. The unreliable 1st person narrator who could simultaneously share the thoughts of the other characters was very cool and definitely kept me on my toes. I couldn't get passed the 14 year old ghost falling in love with this milf though, nor could I get over the glorification of non-consensual touching, even if it was done by a ghost, and even if she did acknowledge that she was a "creep." But alas, I was super engaged in the book and found it really interesting and unique. And like I said, Stevens' writing style is superb.

In all honesty, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. The characters and their lives are complex and beautiful. Deb kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Coming out is hard enough, especially when there's the added immigrant/Asian American pressure. As an Asian American myself, I felt Keya's fears and heartbreak. I saw myself in this story. Her family's regrets are complicated and I found myself conflicted on how to feel about them at the end. They killed who Keya was and there were consequences to that, but their new love and support for her, while too late, is hard to dismiss. What a unique way to rekindle Keya and Pamela's love. I love this book and highly recommend it.