I’m landing on 4 but it’s probably 3.5. It’s hard for me to be object about a book set in my home town that deals with my childhood extracurricular activity and tackles issues I think are important. I think this book is super necessary and I think it has some really interesting things to say. That being said there were times when the story structure left a lot to be desired, some of the narrative voices were great and others less so. I really fucking hate Freudian theory and there was a lot of that in this book although I am still not sure if the book loves Freud or hates him. I think this book will speak to some but certainly not all.

3.5. I was hoping for a little more horror with this one, which I didn't really get. The horror came and went often times going full chapters without it. And overall I just didn't find the story that compelling. At the end of the day it was an OK whodunit with a little bit of horror thrown in.

This book was not at all what I expected based on the description. It was really slowly paced and I found the characters frustrating and inconstant. This really did have every opportunity to be amazing and the kind of book that I usually love but unfortunately it just never got there. I saw it compared to Man Called Ove but I think it lacks the depth.

W O W! I will start by saying that I love books written in verse. I love the blend of poetry and prose. It's hard to pull off but when it is done write it becomes moving in a way that other narrative devices lack. This book is stunning, insightful, and honest. It feels like reading your best friend's journal of poetry. It feels like stepping into the body of Michael. I think this is going to be high on my list of favorites for the year. I just adore what's been done with this work. Everyone go read this!

I'm being generous with this three, it's probably closer to 2.5. The magic isn't explained well enough, the world isn't interesting, the characters don't have enough depth (particularly the love interests) and a woman is punished for wanting power. It felt like a sloppy first draft of what could ultimately be an alright novel. I didn't absolutely hate it, hence the three stars instead of two, but I didn't love it like I wanted to. There was too much going on, too many plot hooks and not enough depth to any of them. The result is a sort of snap shot of a bunch of different plot lines that all kind of get resolved but not in a way that feels fulfilling.

HOLY HECK THIS IS SO CUTE! This is the queer own voices romcom I have been cRAVING! To All the Boys meets Simon Vs yet doesn't feel like a rip off of either book. I literally was just screaming reading this book, it's so hecking adorable. I would die for these two babies!

I mean I literally don't have anything to say other than a big old yawn?? And Good lord maybe too many pop culture references

I really think it's so important to have books that openly push back against TERFs and also dismisses the idea that your gender identity is not always as black and white as "male" or "female." I loved the voices, I loved the romance, I loved the twists and turns. Some of it was unrealistic but overall those things didn't bother me so much. I think this is a super important and still super hopeful book!

The wlw novel I have been craving! I adore this book! It is so fun and has a lot of incredibly detailed characters. Would totally read a sequel to this!