A YA discovering one’s sexuality book which is amongst the best
of this genre.
Lena Newman, a seventeen year old high schooler seems to fit
totally in the groove: cheerleader best friend and footballer boyfriend. Except
that she cannot seem to get over the new girl, Juliet. Different but gorgeous
Juliet has just transferred to Lena’s school and totally captivates Lena.
Slowly Juliet insinuates herself into Lena’s lunch group and life. They become
friends. Juliet tries to keep it in the friend-zone but Lena has unexpected
feelings whirling in her.
The book is peopled with diverse characters in terms of
sexuality and colour. It also encompasses a wide range of reactions to
alternative sexuality from homophobic to confused to blasé to accepting. It was
interesting to see that Lena, while attracted to Juliet, realises that she is
bisexual and not a pure lesbian.
The angst didn’t work for us, though. When Juliet chooses to
go to London for further studies and even has a relationship serious enough to
bring her girlfriend home, it felt like she had moved on. However, when Lena
and Juliet do get back together in the end, they don’t even mention all those
different ways in with Juliet left Lena. A little more time spent there would
have made this a better book.
Yet, all in all, this is an excellent read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
