this was such a sweet book!!!!!! ugh i don’t know why i didn’t read this earlier but i loved it!!!!!

i think the real reason behind my love for this story as i can very much relate to ophelia. the fear of coming out, the fear of rejection, burning your entire friendship group down over one small thing….. yeah me & ophelia are kindred spirits. she was such a fun and relatable protagonist i couldn’t help but root for her (pun intended).

i really enjoyed how this story was a subversion of books like this —

although whilst reading i wanted her and talia to work out, i kind of prefer them not dating, and enjoyed that the story focused more on self-love rather than finding your identity and dating a girl. the fact the plot did a 180 with talia & ophelia’s relationship and stuck to it? i actually really loved it and it makes this story stand out from the rest of the genre

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i had fun with the plot, and the exploration of not just ophelia’s love life but all of the friendship group’s love life was done incredibly well for a book this length. i did not expect everyone from ophelia to her dad to wes to have such fleshed out storylines. it was refreshing to see.

the ending was very sweet as well, and i like that the ending felt very true to what was being set up the entire story.

i will say however the one thing that knocks this down a peg for me is the constant pep talks ophelia gives the reader. i mean i get it, but i can’t say i love when books constantly repeat their message so obviously in a way where it feels like im almost reading a self help book. ophelia darling im so happy you’ve got your life figured out but you don’t need to convince me babe. 

anyways i really liked this! probably one of my favourite coming of age stories ive had the joy of experiencing.

shout out agatha for being the best side character.