Very steamy. Very sweet. Excellent characters. Fun plot. Just everything. Michael is the man you need in your life and Stella is the super capable, incredibly lovable female lead you also need.

⚡️The concept for this book was interesting, but in the end I felt like it devolved into a “both sides are bad” argument. Basically, women get physically powerful and within a few years, they are using, abusing and belittling men the same way men have been abusing women for thousands of years.

⚡️I suppose the point of the book is that power will corrupt and no matter who has the power, the outcome will be bad for those who don’t have the power, hence the “both sides are bad” idea. I’m not convinced that’s actually what would happen. I feel like there was so much potential for a more detailed look at how different power structures might emerge and how some women might abuse power but others might attempt something different. That would have been a more interesting book for me.

This book is a sad book, but it’s also hopeful. I know there are young readers who need what this book has, which is a realistic look into depression and anxiety through the lens of a coming of age story. One thing I really loved about this book was the relationship between Pluto, the main character, and her mom. Pluto’s mom works so hard to be there for her, to understand and support. Pluto can feel her mom trying and even though she can’t express it all the time, you know she feels loved. I also loved the relationship between Fallon and Pluto and how they learn about each other and themselves during the book.

It’s hard to watch anyone struggle, and that’s exactly what Pluto does in this book.

There is some good LGBTQIA+ rep in this book: lesbian side characters, a character questioning their gender, a character questioning their sexuality. Supportive adults throughout which is really comforting.

CW: depression, panic attacks, friend breakups, breakdowns, suicidal ideation