I read this book in Italian. It is to be taken into account that any inconsistencies, or differencies in the narration, you might find when reading the same book in a different language are probably due to a translation issue.

SYNOPSIS

Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school’s code of conduct. There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother. The two are drawn to each other and can’t deny their growing feelings. But while Morgan—out and proud, and determined to have a fresh start—doesn’t want to have to keep their budding relationship a secret, Ruby isn’t ready to come out yet. With each girl on a different path toward living her truth, can they go the distance together?

TRIGGER WARNINGS: homophobia, alcohol, narcissistic behaviour, anxiety, economic difficulties, mental health.

REVIEW

Let me tell you… in terms of writing style/execution this one was out of my league, as in some conversations made my eyes roll in annoyance more than once and some words choices and/or character building were kinda cringy to me and if you know me a little, you might now by far that I’m not into trash or cringy stuff just for the sake of entertain myself, if ever.

However… I fairly enjoyed it. I recognised that maybe I’m not in the age target for it anymore and of course it’s all about teenagers hence why I couldn’t click that much with some stuff in it anymore. But to be honest, in this novel there are a lot of things I really liked and never seen before in any queer romance.

Themes like positive sex talk, queerness, coming out and the consequences of it people have to face in our society, pride, homophobia, internalised homophobia, narcissistic adults, peer pressure, the ups and downs of being a teenager and finding out who you are and how to express it. We have sports, beauty contests, cars and mechanic stuff, lovely puppies, a fairly diverse group of friends… literally everything. 

I really loved Ruby’s growth through the whole story. She’s a total mess, a grumpy bi disaster stuck in a toxic household, slowly blooming in this absolutely phenomenal woman she actually is and starting standing up for herself and learning how to be unafraid. 

Morgan is a track star and a very proud lesbian who just want to run fast and make the world a better place for queer people and athletes like her. She’s the one with a great support system: family and a new group of queer friends are on her side all the time. 

What frustrated me like crazy was the miscommunication in some parts as both of them struggle to express their feelings and the games they played with eachother that basically only hurt them. I know they’re teenagers and we all know how hard that time is still. This go especially towards Morgan. That girl needs to be seat down and talked to damn well because girl… stop it.

Another thing that bugs me is the “I’m out and you should come out too and be proud” attitude that Morgan has going on. She’s so full of herself that, I swear to God, some times I wish I could enter the book and slap her. It’s like she isn’t understanding a thing about others struggles. There’s a conversation about how Morgan was lucky to be supported since day one and that she shouldn’t push her story in other people faces and I was like F*CK, YES! TELL HER! She’s the one who get a little less growth compared to Ruby’s but in the end I guess it all worked out fine.

But you guys… what a frustrating ride.

Would I still re-read it? Yes.

Would I recommend it? Yes. 

All for my best girl Ruby.

MY RATING: 🦋🦋🦋🦋