I have to say I liked this book a lot. I basically read it straight through. I seem to be in the minority here though. I really enjoyed the characters and thought they felt realistic, and both Emily and Jesse had perspectives that made sense for them. I didnt see Emily as a villain, but Jesse's description of her as supernormal feels accurate to me and regarding her depressing choices. I didnt feel the book had enough of a resolution, it sort of just ended. I dont want unrealistic amounts of tidying up, but it could have done more.

After reading a bunch of frankly bad queer ya lit by cishet authors obsessed with Drama and queer-based violence, it was very obvious to me this author was gay, and that made it really refreshing. It's an ordinary sort of story queer kids dont get a lot of.

The author is also a really good writer in terms of style. The 3rd person stuff was great.. the 1st person felt kiddish but I assume that was because of the characters. I would read more by her, but I think I would like a more complex or weighty plot next time.

Btw I didnt find the characters to be charicatures. I have known plenty of people like these people lol. And to the one reviewer who criticized "gay best friend" trope, dude all I can say is that that doesnt count when the other friend is also queer. Queer people stick together. Honestly I can only think of one friend in my life who isnt queer. Real queer people are friends primarily with other queer people in my experience. Just in my life, my two best friends close to my age from home are trans, my best friend locally is bi, and one of my other good friends locally is pan. This is normal.

I think this is a book queer people would like more than straight people.