I think this book was overhyped for me. It was sold to me as a must-read lgbtqia+ book, but I don’t agree. It is good, but not life changing as I was expecting. I think going into it with that expectation made me enjoy it a little less. Also, I think the audiobook was not the move for this one, as the narrator was not my favorite. I enjoyed the overall story, but the ending was lackluster for me and the mystery dragged out a tad too much. That being said, I would read something else by Rosen. 

I love the idea of found family in this and the queer safe space they created at Lavender House. It’s hard to imagine living during a time where homophobia was not only the norm, but was also legally punishable. 

There is some graphic on-page homophobic violence, as well as allusions to past violence and homophobia.