Wow, this just hit all of my buttons perfectly. It evoked such a nostalgic feeling of so many of my favourite late '90s/early '00s teen movies, with a big slice of Sex Education and a dash of The Half of It. I ATE. IT. UP. Darcy is such an imperfect, flawed character, but that allows for such growth. Her intentions are (mostly) good but her execution could use some work. And so much of that growth she experiences is connected to her relationship with Brougham. It is the best thing to see in relationships: that the people in the relationship make each other better. Even some of the side characters who we don't get to see much of stood out and made me love this book even more, like Finn (ChadRyanTruthersdotcom, for life) and Ainsley (can she please make me something fabulous out of a thrift store find?) and Mr. Eliott (how often is the "cool" teacher actually cool?).

Is it overblown and full of drama? Yes. But my favourite teen movies always are! And guess what? I've BEEN a teenager and they're messy and complicated and full of feelings and complete fuckups and also care so deeply. Did I find myself yelling at Darcy in my head at several points in this book? Undoubtedly. But it turns out, teenagers, like all humans, contain multitudes. Hell, I'm still messy and complicated and full of feelings and a complete fuckup and also care deeply...can't really tell if that says more about me or teenagers...but I'll talk it over with my therapist...

Perhaps the most poignant part for me, and one I found myself getting unexpectedly emotional while reading, was the frank conversation and confronting of biphobia in the Q&Q club and beyond. The aspect especially of even others under the umbrella, others who should be able to appreciate and empathize, not finding bisexuals valid. As a 32-year-old queer woman who has often struggled with my own internalized biphobia and not being "queer enough" to really be accepted or part of the club, and who has talked often with bi/pan friends about their similar experiences, it truly hit home and made me feel seen and understood and honestly just so happy that this book will exist for baby bis to hopefully feel the same long before they get to 32.

I know this is going to become a comfort read for me in years to come. And I simply cannot wait.

Many many thanks to Wednesday Books for this arc, which I won through a giveaway.