#BookReview : Just Me by Deidre Huesmann, Roxas James, Kate Larkindale, Medeia Sharif #JustMe @evernightpub #Anthology #LGBTQ / Books Teacup and Reviews

Just Me by Deidre Huesmann, Roxas James, Kate Larkindale, Medeia Sharif
Publication Date : April 17th 2020
Publisher : Evernight Teen
Genre : Anthology / YA / LGBTQ
Pages : 205
Stars : ★★★★★

Love is in the air…

JUST ME is a hand-picked collection of stories about self-discovery and being true to yourself. This LGBTQ+ young adult anthology is not afraid to take on real issues facing today’s teens.

“Witty, fast-paced, and well written.”
Wilde Girls by Deidre Huesmann
Broken Rules by Roxas James
Bullet Me by Medeia Sharif
We’ll Always Have This by Kate Larkindale

*** Note: I received e-copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. Many thank to publisher. ***

Just Me was collection four lovely and refreshing YA, LGBTQ stories. It was about feelings and life of queer young adults that included problems they face in the world, self-identity as queer for first time, their feelings on coming out to world and family, accepting and expressing true feelings, love, friendship and family.

1. Wilde Girls by Deidre Huesmann

Wilde Girls was first person narrative from Aislynn’s perspective. She was fiery and wild girl who expressed her feelings and thoughts openly. I loved character description. Rosella was amazing old lady and I loved her flower shop. That’s where Aislynn met Phoenix, not first time, of course! They had a history, Aislynn hated Phoenix for her crappy behavior in school but as they started working together things changed. Phoenix was passionate fashion designer and all girly, opposite of Aislynn but equally fiery and wild. I loved her confession and development.

This was enemy-to-lover trope with a bit clinched arc but I still enjoyed the story of Aislynn and Phoenix. End was sweet, cute and lovely. A perfect opening story.

2. Broken Rules by Roxas James

Bastian woke up naked after party. He didn’t remember who he slept with until his friend told her and Colin came to talk to him. Narrated from Bastian’s POV in his refreshing voice, made story enjoyable. I loved him, his family and best friend. I didn’t like the way Colin broke his heart. I felt for Bastian and I was angry for him but at the end when Colin stood up for Bastian, I loved him. It was best part of the story.

Broken Rules was lovely romance with heartbreak, and discovering gender for first time, first time reaction and doubts. Importance of giving self-discovery a time and think through all aspects before you come out to world and decide to date.

Only thing was, I would have like to know what was Abby’s issue.

3. Bullet Me by Medeia Sharif

This was my most favorite story. Lonnie was lovely creative girl who was amazing at journaling her life. She had crush on her friend and classmate Ezzie but she never told her. She didn’t came out in her school and family, only her parents knew about her love for girls. She put her feelings for Ezzie in journal. Her journal craze was infectious and I loved her from very first page of this story. When Richie started to mess with her one day, her happy school day turned depressing. His act exposed Lonnie’s feeling. It turned out good for her, but I felt mad at him. What Richie did was horrible. But, I’m glad there was so much positivity in this story.

Bullet Me was really amazing story with message of supporting fellow students, standing up against manhandling, harassment and perverts mistreating girls; about positivity of journaling, how it’s therapeutic, helps in organizing thoughts and feeling.

4. We’ll Always Have This by Kate Larkindale

This last story was so emotional. It was Leo and Jack’s love story that started at heavy and sad time and place, at hospital. Leo was there as her brother Chris tried to kill himslef and Jack was there as his father was dying and he had no one else after his ex-boyfriend left him. While sharing a coffee and night alone, they got to know each other, told their story and felt connection and spark in just two days which brought huge change in both of them.

I loved the way Leo narrated her family’s issues, introduced each brothers and her father, her feeling for Jack and how she felt first time being attracted to a boy. When I knew her whole story, it brought tears in my eyes. Jack had his own issues with his father which was not as serious as Leo’s but I felt for him too. It made me think how parents’ action affect kids in worst way. Love between Leo and her brothers was amazing. I loved and felt for all characters in this story.

End was great with finding hope and love amidst dark time of life. I wish there was more to this story and I could know if there was happy ending and not just for Leo and Jack but for all Leo’s brothers.

Overall, each story in Just Me was compelling, fast paced, engaging anthology with lovely romance, interesting characters, and amazing message. I highly recommend this book.

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