Shannon Hitchcock

Ok, so I firmly believe that we need more LGBTQIA2+ books for kids. And they need to be simple reads so that younger kids can access them. And I particularly appreciate that this one validates a 12 year old's feelings as real, and that both good and bad counseling is represented -- honestly the message here is great, the characters have a certain charm, it's a really accessible book. If you must write a book coming from a strongly Christian background, I love that there is more than one type of Christianity represented (Methodist, with a female minister as well as a more Evangelical/Southern Baptist pov). I love that there are recognizably gay characters in the community and they are also part of the conversation.

However, for a 200 page book, this one was a slog -- I found it desperately boring. I did not like that Allie never resolves things with Webb. I also found it extremely formulaic -- chapter will consist of: journalist main character learns something to like about someone she did not previously know. 1970's song/tv show/pop culture reference. Angst. Ribbit Ribbit. Repeat. I don't even think this is linked to the author not being gay herself -- I think she does a great job portraying a young person coming to terms with self-awareness, and weaves that in well with the overlying themes of grief and divorce -- it's just missing a spark for me. I hope it offers something more to the intended audience.… (meer)