I love when I pick up a book at random and it ends up becoming a new favorite. It’s happened to me several times over the last couple of years, and now again with Some Girls Do, which is one of my new favorite YA contemporaries.

This is such an important story, and one that ended up being more emotional than I expected. It delves into homophobia in small towns and in the beauty pageant industry, self discovery and acceptance, and what it means for one person in a queer couple to be out and the other to still be in the closet. That last part was especially a gut punch, not because I’ve had similar experiences—I haven’t—but because I could see and understand where both Morgan and Ruby were coming from. Usually, when two characters fight, I can pick a side, but not here. I felt so bad for both girls, especially Ruby, and my heart truly hurt as I read the second half of the book.

But it’s not a sad story. Emotionally intense, yes, but ultimately it’s hopeful. Morgan’s family supports her no matter what, and her older brother Dylan is one of the best brothers I’ve seen in any book. His hopeless attempts at parenting made me laugh. Ruby’s mother is homophobic and abusive, but Ruby had support in Billy, her mom’s ex-husband, and in Morgan’s family. Billy was so sweet, one of those gruff characters with a heart of gold, and honestly, I wish I had a father figure like him.

If I have one complaint, it’s that I would’ve liked to see more of some of the side characters. Allie, Lydia, Everly and Tyler were all interesting characters, but they seemed to take the back burner in the last third of the story. I feel like there’s a bit of an unresolved situation between Allie and Lydia, and I just wanted to see more of Everly and Tyler. Both were very supportive of Ruby through everything, and I lowkey feel like they got the short end of the stick.

That aside, I just really, really loved Morgan and Ruby. From the beginning, they caught my interest, and then soon after they captured my heart. I would like to adopt them both and give them hugs and ice cream and take them to Pride parades. They were such well-written, complex and flawed characters, and I love and admire them both. I also loved their relationship dynamic* and how they had a lowkey hate to love, very much opposites attract romance. I found it amusing that so much of both girls’ early chapters was an internal monologue of how attractive the other was and “oh my god, why can’t I stop thinking about her???”. Honestly, what a mood. I too am a useless gay, so I can definitely relate. 🤪

*Their first meeting was when Ruby almost hit Morgan with her car, and then not long after, she actually hit Morgan. I’m realizing now that something similar happens in one of my favorite romances, Act Your Age, Eve Brown. Is this a new trope or something?? 😂

I’ve been piecing this review together for a few hours now and my last few brain cells are tired, so I’ll leave it at this. I know I’ll be thinking about this book for some time, and I’ll certainly be buying my own copy ASAP. Highly recommended to those who can handle the content!!!

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Where’s the hype for this book?? It’s a historical murder mystery with a majorly queer cast of lovable characters and a sapphic romance. Though it’s not action-heavy, it’s an ever-intriguing mystery that definitely deserves more hype. I loved Millie, Marion, Olive and Bennie. I loved the vibes of the book, and the way it kept me guessing until the very end. Although there were some slower spots, I was never bored. I would’ve liked a bit more from the ending, but it was still satisfying, and overall, I definitely recommend this book.

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I didn’t know much about this book before starting it, and even contemplated taking it off my TBR so I could focus on other books. I’m so glad I read it, though, because now I know that Ashley Woodfolk is a brilliant author, one definitely worth watching.

This is one of the saddest contemporaries I’ve ever read, but also one of the best portrayals of grief I’ve ever seen. I loved all of the characters (except maybe Rohan), and I would really like to give Autumn, Logan, Shay and Dante enormous hugs.

I loved the way music helped all of them through their grief, and how, in the end, they helped each other. I loved the friendships in this book, and Autumn and Dante’s budding romance was so adorable. I loved the way this book didn’t have a perfect ending, but still a hopeful one, and that throughout it all was a reminder to appreciate the beauty that remains after loss. (Also, in that context, isn’t that just a beautiful, poetic title?? Props to Woodfolk for that. 👏🏻)

This is an undeniably heavy read, but if it’s one you can handle, I highly recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.

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I have nothing against this book; it just isn’t what I want to read right now and I probably won’t give it a second chance in the future. It seems like it’s a fun contemporary perfectly suited to those actually in the YA age range, though.

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This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021, a book I was excited and terrified to read, the conclusion to one of my absolute favorite series, and I’m glad to say that it didn’t disappoint. As soon as I started reading, I was re-immersed into the story, and it felt like I’d never left. I didn’t want to do anything except read, and when I had to put the book down, all I could think about was picking it up again. I love the L’Eden crew with my whole entire heart, and although The Silvered Serpents is my favorite in the trilogy, I loved this book. Roshani Chokshi took the story in some unexpected directions, and filled the pages with puzzles, angst, pain, and some humor too. Everything was perfectly done, even the ending, bittersweet as it was. It’s four in the morning and my brain is too mushy for me to say much more, but I’ll be thinking about this story, these characters, for a long time. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Chokshi writes next, and what new ways she comes up with to warm my heart and crush my soul. :))

Laila dying was the ONE THING I didn’t want to happen, above all else, so of course she died. I’m not sure who’s more devastated, me or Séverin. 😭

I’m so happy he adopted those two boys!! I didn’t expect that, but that was such a cute little addition that I’m so here for!! 🥺

You know what else I’m here for? The polyam relationship!!! It didn’t happen until the very end, but Zofia, Enrique and Hypnos all ended up together and that’s the ONE THING I really, really wanted. I’M SO HAPPY FOR THEM. 😍

But I did not expect Séverin to outlive the trio, or for the final pages to mention them dying??? Rude???? 😢

It was mostly made up for when he came home and found Laila waiting for him!! “‘Hello, Majnun.’” !!!!!! MY HEART. 🥺🥺

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Parts of the story intrigued me, but overall, I was bored. There were a couple of instances where I wanted to read, realized I’d be resuming this book, and suddenly didn’t really want to read anymore. So I’m dropping it like a hot potato and moving on to books that excite me. 🤷🏼

Every time I pick up a book by Elizabeth Lim, I’m immediately drawn into the world she’s created, attached to the characters and enthralled by the magic and whimsy on every page. I had high hopes for this book, that it would give me a similar experience, and I wasn’t let down. This is easily one of my new favorite books, and if Lim wasn’t already one of my favorite authors, one of my auto-buy authors, now she’s both.

I love Shiori and her brothers so so much. I loved seeing the bond they had, and how much they truly cared for one another. I loved seeing Shiori grow as the story progressed, and how determined and clever she was even though she couldn’t speak for most of the book.

You know who else I love? Takkan. Seriously though, how does Elizabeth Lim write the absolute sweetest cinnamon roll boys??? First Edan, now Takkan… THEY’RE ADORABLE AND MUST BE PROTECTED. Not gonna lie, I thought Takkan was Edan the first time I saw him, ‘cause I know we’re supposed to get a couple of Blood of Stars cameos in this duology and they have a lot in common. I’m still hoping he’ll show up in book two, somehow. Anyway, I don’t even know which boy I love more, so don’t ask.

Lim also excels at writing heart-meltingly adorable romances. Shiori and Takkan are one of the cutest couples ever!!! The way he always understands her, despite her silence, and supports her, and loves her unconditionally…. MY FREAKING HEART. 🥺🥺🥺

HOW DO I COPE WITH THAT???? I’M RUNNING OUT OF ROOM IN MY HEART FOR ALL THESE CLEVER GIRLS AND SOFT BOYS AND TENDER SHIPS.

Also, I’d just like to say I don’t like how stressful the ending was, and manifest that Shiori and her brothers and Takkan will all be alive at the end of book two, and Shiori and Takkan will be together. Nothing else is acceptable. Just sayin’.

I know it’s been stated that you don’t have to read TBOS before this, and while that’s true, I do think you should. It’s fun to notice little details from TBOS in this book.

So that’s all I have to say. Please read this!! Book two is definitely at the top of my most anticipated 2022 releases list!!!

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[second read, September 2023]
Rating lowered from 5 stars to 4.5.

I reread this book so I could finally read the sequel, and while I would no longer label it a favorite—I must not feel the same attachment to it that I did before—I did still really enjoy it.

Wyatt is still one of the most hilariously iconic narrators I think I’ve ever encountered. And I do mean ever. Only the smallest handful of books—most all of them written by one of the same five authors—have made me outright cackle while reading, and the fact that this book is now on that list has gotta count for something.

I’m looking very forward to all the shenanigans of the next book, queer and magical and everything in between. And I’m really, really hoping my Briar/[A Newly Single Side Character] ship theory is right.

[first read, September 2021]
That moment when you start a book and you just have a feeling that it’ll end up being a new favorite, and then that feeling ends up being right. So satisfying!!

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book since it was released, and everyone that was hyping it up was absolutely right. It’s completely deserved. Edgmon’s debut is an urban fantasy that takes familiar ideas and puts a unique and extremely queer spin on them, and I’m so here for it. I immediately loved Wyatt and Briar, and Emyr and Jin quickly grew on me. I’d like to give all of these kids hugs and ice cream and protect them from the world. Also, Wyatt’s narration was HILARIOUS. He frequently made me laugh, especially when he was thinking of Emyr. And by the way, I ship those two SO HARD. I loved Wyatt and Briar’s friendship, and I adored Wyatt and Emyr’s childhood friends to strangers to allies to lovers vibe. And then Edgmon gifts us the only one bed trope?? GOLD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

Wyatt is such a disaster gay and I love him for it. I love him for more than just that, but that’s definitely part of it. And honestly, I love how unapologetically queer this whole book is. There’s so much representation, and characters actually on-page asking each other for pronouns. I truly do love to see it.

What else? I love Boom. I hope Derek spends the rest of his life stepping on Legos while barefoot. The way things went down on the last page was mildly amusing to me. I’m very excited for the sequel to come out next year. Everyone should read this book. Yes, everyone.

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I hadn’t heard anything about this book prior to picking it up, but was immediately drawn into the story. I really liked both sisters—though Autumn took a bit more time to grow on me—and Ivy’s friend group. 10/10 would’ve hung out with them when I was in high school.

Although the first half was rather slow and I briefly considered DNFing, I’m glad I pushed through. The stakes get higher as the book progresses, and the last third was more emotional than I expected it would be. Not only is this an intriguing thriller, it’s also full of relevant social commentary regarding sexual assault—how those who are guilty are rarely viewed as such and almost always walk free, and survivors are scrutinized and doubted and blamed, especially if they’re anything less than model citizens.

I appreciated the way both Ivy and Autumn grew throughout the story, and was satisfied by where they were when it ended. Despite how rocky it is, theirs is one of my favorite sister relationships in YA.

It’s too late for me to have any more coherent thoughts, but Tate did such a good job with this book. I’ll certainly be checking out more of her work, and I recommend this to all who can handle the content.

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As soon as I found out this book was sapphic, it went on my TBR. As soon as I started reading it, I was intrigued. Every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again. Rutkoski has improved significantly since writing the Winner’s Curse trilogy, in my opinion.

I loved Nirrim and Sid right away. The latter gave me Nikolai vibes, as both characters have an effortlessly confident and flirtatious façade they only let those they trust and love see past. Though I’m not nearly as in love with the Grishaverse as I was a few years ago, I still love Nikolai, and I love Sid even more.

The girls’ interactions had me smiling as soon as they met, and I loved seeing their relationship develop. I felt their affection deep in my soul, and I was so happy every time they had a moment that brought them closer. The yearning, the tenderness…. be still my gay heart!!! Every single time I read a book featuring a sapphic couple, I get immensely happy, and by the time I finish the book I’ve got a massive crush on at least one of the girls. This time, it’s Sid. Holy wow. Girl thoughts. Head lesbian. 😍

I felt so bad for Nirrim, and how the two people she was closest to were so abusive and manipulative. Seeing her come out of her shell, learn about the world, and become her own person was so satisfying. I want to give her the biggest hug, honestly.

The world Rutkoski created was unique and well-written. Readers are purposefully left in the dark for most of the book, slowly learning more alongside Nirrim, getting answers that also bring more questions. Despite this, I wasn’t confused or frustrated by what I didn’t know; I was intrigued by the possibilities and curious to see how she would tie everything together. In the end, there were multiple things revealed that I in no way saw coming. While not the most mind-blowing twists I’ve come across, they were still surprising, and set the stage nicely for the sequel.

Speaking of the sequel, I’m anticipating pain. Between the current state of Nirrim and Sid’s relationship and the events of the epilogue, I’m concerned. Very concerned. Also, the second book’s title makes sense now, and although I’m looking forward to said book, I just have a bad feeling. Like, I’m excited, but there’s a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach, because I’m desperately hoping for good things but expecting bad things.

I wouldn’t call this a new favorite, but it’s certainly a story I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend. Fingers crossed I can read the next book sooner rather than later!!

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