Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this intimately realized novel by Albertalli (Here's to Us), "token straight, world's best ally" Imogen Scott, a high school senior, contends with growing feelings for a girl. Though she has never kissed a boy, Imogen has had plenty of male crushes, leading her to believe that she's "hopelessly, blindingly, obviously straight." She's always been passionate about LGBTQ advocacy, especially because of her lesbian younger sister, but she's careful not to "center myself in queer spaces." While Imogen is visiting childhood best friend Lili Cardoso at college, Lili admits that she told her charismatic new queer friends both that Imogen is bisexual and that the two used to date. At Lili's insistence, people-pleasing Imogen goes along with the lie, but worries that it won't be credible. When she starts developing romantic feelings for one of Lili's friends, her anxiety spirals into a belief that her newfound attraction could be considered queer appropriation, or an attempt to fit in and seem cool. Insightful prose teems with compassionate interrogations of the harms of compulsory heterosexuality and societally prescribed narratives surrounding "what's encouraged, what's allowed--or even what's not allowed" when exploring one's sexual identity. Via Imogen's wryly funny first-person narration, Albertalli crafts a striking portrait of one teenager's experience navigating sexual fluidity and the sometimes overwhelming fear of reinventing oneself. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 14--up. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Imogen Scott is many things--animal lover, vision board expert, future Blackwell College student, and an amazing ally to the queer community. But Imogen herself is totally, completely straight--obviously. When Imogen spends a weekend at Blackwell with her best friend, Lili, who recently came out as pansexual, and all of Lili's amazing new friends (who also happen to be queer), things start to become a little less obvious. As Imogen participates in an array of typical college student activities, like eating the best dining hall grilled cheese, thrifting outfits for theme parties, and hiding weird objects in someone's dorm room, she quickly hits it off with Lili's friend Tess--but Imogen is straight, so they're obviously just friends. Imogen continues talking to Tessa after going home, though, and it starts to feel like more than friendship. Imogen has always liked boys and always identified as straight. So, is it even possible that Imogen isn't so straight after all? The plot of this novel is well-paced and entertaining, but the characterizations are where the story truly shines. The secondary characters are fleshed out, fully formed individuals with diverse queer and racial identities, and the relationships, even amongst new friends, are full of humor and compassion. Imogen, who is white, is a complex character with a distinct voice, and her story of grappling with her identity during this transitional period of life will resonate with teens. VERDICT An excellent addition to collections for teens; hand to readers who love found-family stories and fans of Racquel Marie's Ophelia After All and Jennifer Dugan's Hot Dog Girl.--Alison Glass
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Review by Horn Book Review
High school senior Imogen has always thought of herself as a straight ally to the queer people close to her. But a visit to her best friend, first-year college student Lili, complicates matters. For one thing, Lili, in the process of trying to feel more secure in her pansexual identity, has told her college friends that Imogen is her ex-girlfriend. For another, the feelings Imogen develops for Tessa, one of those friends, tend toward romantic attraction. These experiences raise uncomfortable questions for the protagonist: why is she just beginning to realize she might be bisexual? Is she "appropriating queerness"? Sexual orientation is constantly front-of-mind for these characters, who are all trying to find where they fit in. Plenty of witty banter -- and an endearing romance -- lighten a novel that's full of introspection and that validates not only a variety of identities but also individuals' paces for figuring them out. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A spring break visit leads to surprising revelations for people-pleasing Imogen Scott, a passionate straight ally. It's spring break of her senior year, and Imogen is about to stay with Lili Cardoso, her childhood best friend, at the college Imogen herself will be attending in the fall. She's afraid that Lili, with a circle of new queer friends, may have moved on from their friendship. On top of that, as a long-standing and respectful member of her high school's Pride Alliance, Imogen tries to do everything in her power to avoid inappropriately invading queer spaces. So, she is not sure if there will be room for her in Lili's life now. Adding to her concerns, Lili, newly out as pansexual, admits that, in a spontaneous attempt to seem more experienced, she told everyone at college that she and Imogen are amicable exes. This fabricated history contains the additional lie that Imogen is bisexual--but when Imogen starts to feel a spark between her and kind and charismatic Tessa, and years of hidden feelings come crashing into view, she is forced to reckon with the possibility that it might not be so far from the truth. The friendships and relationship dynamics are believable and heartfelt. Imogen's journey feels authentic and sincere, and readers will find it difficult not to fall for her. Imogen is coded White; Lili is Brazilian American, and Tessa is Jewish. Fresh, endearing, and heartfelt. (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
