3.5/5

lost half a point for the line "what? senpai noticed you?!"

AHHHJSHFDJHSDF LITERALLY EVERYTHING I LOVE IN A ROMANCE IM SO LONDON WHERE IS MY DAHLIA THIS WAS SO GOOD I CANT EVEN THINKN

- this book holds such a special place in my heart i read it 4+ years ago and i liked it even more this time around
- the writing is not my favorite but tash's voice was certainly present
- CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS <3333
- reading this now being 17 and asexual like tash this def resonated with me
- ALSO reading this after literally just finishing anna karenina was SO FUN

WOW

- SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD
- radio silence and act your age, eve brown themes!! two of my all time favs!!!
- seriously the conversations about not going down the traditional 4 year college path were really meaningful to me and we need way more of that in YA
- super great conversations about some of the societal pressure Black people face to not make a scene, to set a good example, and to do what is expected like going to college because of how hard their parents worked for them to be able to do so even if that's not what they really want

4.5/5: this is a book i definitely needed to read in the past and will need to read in the future because jesus ?!?!?! as an atheist lesbian with similar thoughts/thought patterns when i need it most this will definitely rock my shit when read physically. also the audiobook narrator matched the tone and authors writing style perfectly ALSO very similar vibes as milk fed by melissa something

oh my fucking god