Parachutes

3.5 stars. This book covers a lot of important topics, but it was a struggle for me to get through. The characters and pacing were inconsistent, and some actions were downright bizarre.

Also, closeted gay people are still valid, thanks.

And for the love of god, someone teach the audiobook narrator how to pronounce Shanghai.

tw: sexual assault, grooming, racism

Three stars because I found the writing to be blotchy at times, but if you have the chance to read this, please do. It talks about important topics that people are often to scared to discuss.

yeah... no. not good fil-am rep.

I loveee when books have 2 narrators and they're both so compelling that at the end of each chapter you're like “nooo” but then at the start of the next one you're like “oh good I missed you!” and I definitely felt that with Claire and Dani. I loved the way they gradually came to understand each other and to understand that their real enemies are the PATRIARCHY and RACISM. Super engaging contemporary fiction; indeed “Gossip Girl meets Speak” is a good comparison for this, and if you don't wanna read Gossip Girl meets Speak, well, I just don't know about you.

Oh my heart! This is an incredible read with two brave, inspiring, and realistic characters!