56 Followers
"You know what, ironically, makes readers care about who has written the book? A pseudonym." Wow this book was beautifully executed, sentimental, and moving! A heart-wrenching queer love story, combined with an intriguing coming-of-age journey, courage, and navigating life’s darkest moments. This story really resonated with me. I don’t agree with the marketing comparison to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo—the only similarity is the presence of a queer leading actress. This book doesn't need the comparison to other works it shines bright on it's own and made me feel all the feelings. I guess the emotional impact of the story on me is comparable to a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel and that's saying a lot, because I adore her. There are multiple POVs that allow for a deeper understanding of the characters, while still being told in a “memoir” by Cate Kay herself. An interesting twist to the storytelling while not being too meta. The narrative primarily focuses on Annie and Amanda’s deep friendship. Their bond is so strong it feels as though they share the same heart and mind. With no family support—her mother being an alcoholic house cleaner—Amanda becomes Annie’s entire world. The characters are compelling. Ryan and Amanda are wonderfully complex, while supporting characters like Kerri and Patricia are well-rounded. And let’s not forget the story’s villainess (whose identity I won’t spoil)! Though I despised her, she played an essential role in pushing Annie to uncover her true self. I highly recommended if you like character driven stories. A thought-provoking exploration of second chances and self-discovery that wrecked me emotionally.
Dec 29, 2025
"You know what, ironically, makes readers care about who has written the book? A pseudonym." Wow this book was beautifully executed, sentimental, and moving! A heart-wrenching queer love story, combined with an intriguing coming-of-age journey, courage, and navigating life’s darkest moments. This story really resonated with me. I don’t agree with the marketing comparison to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo—the only similarity is the presence of a queer leading actress. This book doesn't need the comparison to other works it shines bright on it's own and made me feel all the feelings. I guess the emotional impact of the story on me is comparable to a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel and that's saying a lot, because I adore her. There are multiple POVs that allow for a deeper understanding of the characters, while still being told in a “memoir” by Cate Kay herself. An interesting twist to the storytelling while not being too meta. The narrative primarily focuses on Annie and Amanda’s deep friendship. Their bond is so strong it feels as though they share the same heart and mind. With no family support—her mother being an alcoholic house cleaner—Amanda becomes Annie’s entire world. The characters are compelling. Ryan and Amanda are wonderfully complex, while supporting characters like Kerri and Patricia are well-rounded. And let’s not forget the story’s villainess (whose identity I won’t spoil)! Though I despised her, she played an essential role in pushing Annie to uncover her true self. I highly recommended if you like character driven stories. A thought-provoking exploration of second chances and self-discovery that wrecked me emotionally.
Dec 29, 2025
