Tropes & Themes

Spice: moderate (3-4 explict, open door scenes)

Representation: both main character's are bi, there's an aromantic lesbian side character, male and female bi side characters, multiple gay/achillean side characters, multiple black and mixed black side characters, and an indian/south asian side character

I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked Charlotte but I couldn't stand Brighton. She's easily my least favourite AHB character now (that position was previously held by Jordan in Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail). She was just so insufferable and immature throughout most of the book. She got better by the end at least but never apologized for acting like a child. Sure they both have their flaws and mistakes, but Brighton was really pulling the weight in that department and it made her really unlikeable for me.

Anyways, after having read this, and all of her Bright Falls series, I'm realizing AHB's writing might just be too millennial for me. Don't get me wrong, I love her settings and cast of characters style...It's just also really hard for me to ignore terms like "cherry queeries" being said over and over.

Will I keep reading her books? Yeah, ofc (at least for now). I'm really excited for Dream On, Ramona Riley coming this May. Will I always keep noticing the millennialisms tho? Yes, unfortunately. 

That being said, I'm also lowkey disappointed that it's a standalone and we won't get a book about Sloane, who was my favourite character alongside Wes.