Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit

by Jaye Robin Brown

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year! A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year! A Bustle.com Best Young Adult Book of the Year! Joanna meets the perfect girl for her and must decide whether to break a promise that could change everything for her and her family or lose out on love in this funny, moving, and charming romance. It's perfect for fans of Julie Murphy's Dumplin' and Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees. Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldn't possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad. Even if she's starting to fall for the girl. Even if there's a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?

• ISBN10: 0062270982
• ISBN13: 9780062270986
• Publish Date: 6 October 2016 (first published 30 August 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 26 July 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperTeen
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

At its core, this was a romance, and it was a rather lovely one at there. I loved hearing Jo talk about the stirrings she felt, and the two of them together were adorable. But, this was also about having to hide part of yourself, the sacrifices you make for your family, and being both gay and religious. I really appreciated the story Brown told. It was thoughtful and beautifully written.

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[Angie]

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit totally surpassed my already high expectations for it. I was 100% intrigued by a Christian character who is the daughter of a preacher being out and proud, then forced back into the closet. I wasn't expecting to have so many emotions though! Jo's father has just remarried, and now they're moving to his new wife's hometown. Her parents and the town in general aren't very accepting, so Jo's father asks her to lie low for the year and in return she can have her own radio show. Jo agrees, but things get complicated when she starts falling for Mary Carlson.

I am freaking in love with Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit. From the beginning, I just loved it, because Jo is such a great character. I loved how she was out, proud, and still had faith. Her father was accepting of her, even if he finds her best friend, Dana, a bit questionable (not because she's also gay, she's just a wild child). Even her new stepmom is sweet, caring, and accepting. Despite the reverse coming out plot, this isn't a tragic queers book. In general, everyone is accepting and wonderful! Not to say that there are no bigots around, because of course there are. But the focus is really on self-acceptance and surrounding yourself with people who love you unconditionally. And being honest with yourself and others.

Even though I'm not religious, I loved how Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit explored the topic. Jo's father is a radio evangelist, but he's not all fire and brimstone. He preaches love and...acceptance (noticing a theme?). Jo is gay and has faith. Dana is gay and doesn't believe. Jo's friends at her new school all attend church and the youth group. Some of them are okay with the gay, and others think it's a sin. The girls also discuss the hypocrisy in having sex before marriage while also condemning people who aren't straight. You can't have it both ways! It was all very interesting and well done.

The ending of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit made me cry. Multiple times. I couldn't help it! Jo is finally cleaning up her messy web of lies. She's seeing that she's judged people too harshly. The small town isn't all bad, and there's just so many heartwarming moments! It's not all sticky sweet though. There are some steamy scenes between Joanna and Mary Carlson, which were just a nice bonus. My little queer heart grew three sizes today!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Nany]

Even though I didn't like the majority of the decisions made by the characters, I loved the story, the romance, but overall the message.