Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Juliet Takes a Breath

by Gabby Rivera

Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx.

Only, she’s not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon to intern with her favourite feminist writer - what’s sure to be a life changing experience. And when Juliet’s coming out crashes and burns, she’s not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.

But Juliet has a plan - sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff is sure to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. Except Harlowe’s white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn’t have all the answers…

In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out - to the world, to her family, to herself.

Reviewed by Angie on

4 of 5 stars

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YES!
+Juliet is a lesbian Latina who is exploring feminism! She's just starting out, so there's so much to learn. Which is why she's leaving her home in the Bronx to do an internship with her favorite author in Portland, Oregon.
+I can't think of any other books I read that focus on an internship. Especially not an internship as unconventional as this one. Harlowe is certainly a different kind of person than Juliet was expecting, but not in all bad ways. But not all good either. People are flawed. Even those that we put on pedestals.
+Sweet summer romance. No strings. No complications. Hot librarian. Thumbs up.
+This book will open doors for people who are entering their own journey of identity. Juliet learns so much about feminism, race, intersectionality, relationships, spirituality, politics, and so much more. It's a lot, but I loved it.

NO!
-Some of the conversations felt like Juliet was reading from a pamphlet on these topics rather than talking to an actual person. I don't doubt that these conversations would happen, but all of the people that she speaks to sound very text book rather than conversational and engaging.
-If this is set in 2003, how is it almost the ONE year anniversary of 9/11?

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 9 June, 2020: Finished reading
  • 9 June, 2020: Reviewed