e-Audio, 09:14:13
Narrated by: Nora Hunter & Bailey Carr
Release Date: May 18, 2021
Published by: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Read from: June 2-6, 2021
Stand-alone
Source: Library (Overdrive)
TW: Homophobic parent
For Readers Interested In: Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Stand-alones, YAIn this YA contemporary queer romance from the author of Hot Dog Girl , an openly gay track star falls for a closeted, bisexual teen beauty queen with a penchant for fixing up old cars.
Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school’s code of conduct. There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother. The two are drawn to each other and can’t deny their growing feelings. But while Morgan–out and proud, and determined to have a fresh start–doesn’t want to have to keep their budding relationship a secret, Ruby isn’t ready to come out yet. With each girl on a different path toward living her truth, can they go the distance together?
*MY THOUGHTS*
After reading Hot Dog Girl I’ve been adding anything connected to Jennifer Dugan to my TBR. This one was no different. It was more serious than her first, but less serious than her sophomore book. And even with it being smack dab in the middle like that, I still loved it.
Morgan is forced to transfer high schools after it comes out that she’s queer at a Catholic school and it goes against their Code of Conduct. She meets Ruby, a bisexual pageant contestant who likes working on cars. She uses the car tinkering to make money to give to her over-bearing mother. The two fall for each other, but Morgan is out and Ruby isn’t. Neither wants to give in to what the other wants. Can they find a way to meet in the middle.
I liked the writing style and everything, but the characters in this weren’t my favorite. It took me until the very end to like Morgan because I spent most of the book worried that she was going to out Ruby. I know that’s only my thing, but still, it rubbed me the wrong way. She just felt really selfish and I didn’t like that. Especially since Ruby’s home situation was so bad. I found myself wanting to make sure she was safe.
The romance to me was kind of repetitive. I wanted to see more of them together vs the back and forth of them. I know it was plot driven and I’m probably the only one who thinks this way about this book lol But still. I liked the semi-slow burn, but I’m always for the swoons. And this one was so sad it could have used some more swoons. This might also be my PMS at work, but still lol
I DID like the overall plot tho. I liked that it was so real. I really felt like I was looking at a real life couple. it seemed more realistic than fiction if that makes sense. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but I really enjoyed being in their little slice of life. Dugan’s story-telling gets me every time. I was sucked in to this story and when I finally finished listening to it, I felt like I was just finishing from visiting Morgan and Ruby.
This one had it’s ups and downs, and isn’t my favorite Dugan book (that still belongs to Verona Comics) but it still warrants a conversation on how awesome it is. I hope more people pick this up. Definitely a great way to start the month of Pride.
Overall, I give this
