I was really excited about this coming-of-age memoir set in pre-Disney Florida and written by a queer-identified author. What I most admired about the writing was the vivid characters. They leapt off the page to the point that even the most flawed among them became endearing. In a way, Through the Groves reminded me of The Glass Castle or Change Me Into Zeus’s Daughter, but set in Florida and with a much less extreme experience of financial insecurity. I did find myself wanting more of a takeaway from the story, perhaps more about the author’s coming out experience in a state largely inhospitable to the LGBTQ+ community, although the author certainly does not owe this to the reader. This was an excellent read and a unique look at a version of Florida I may not have otherwise glimpsed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.