Just Juliet

by Charlotte Reagan

[chymerra]

This book probably should be THE book a teenager (or actually anyone) reads if they are questioning their sexuality or want to come out to loved ones. It showcases the good, the bad and the ugly….without glossing anything over. Take for instance Scott’s coming out to his parents. For me, that is the worst case scenario. It is the bad and the ugly all rolled into one and I was in tears reading it. Not to get preachy but you loved your child before he/she was born….why should that change because of who THEY love or what gender they identify with? Maybe I am in the minority but if my son or my daughters came up to me and said “Hey, Mom, I think I am gay/bisexual/trans (just sticking to the basics here but you get my gist)”, I wouldn’t be throwing them out. I wouldn’t be screaming at them “I didn’t raise a faggot or a dyke” or assaulting their SO’s (like Scott’s father did to Lakyn). Like I said above, they are your children. You carried them in your body and molded them into who they are. I can’t understand WHY anyone would choose to act like that to their own flesh and blood. Strike that, I do and its called IGNORANCE and FEAR.

Ok now that I went off that tangent, let’s continue with the review….lol.

Juliet’s father, for me, was the best case scenario. He knew his daughter was a lesbian and could really care less. Actually, Juliet did explain why he was so tolerant but you need to read the book to find out why (I know, I’m a shit).

I honestly didn’t connect with Lena, at first. I don’t know why, she just didn’t really jive with me….at first. I think it was that while she was very attracted to Juliet, she didn’t know how to express herself to her (as weird as that sounds). But once she did, and oh boy was that scene funny, she all of a sudden got more likeable and by the end of the book, I loved her. Her coming out scene to her parents was bittersweet, especially after what Scott told her about how his parents reacted.

Juliet, I absolutely loved. She was that girl that everyone stopped to look at because she commanded attention and she didn’t take anything from anyone (the scene at the football game stands out in my mind the most). She was out and proud and I loved it. While she was definitely more experienced than Lena, she slowed it way down and to it at Lena’s pace.

The secondary characters totally made the book too. Lakyn, Scott, Lacey (OMG, she had me in tears laughing at points in the book and you couldn’t have asked for a better best friend).

The ending was great. It really wasn’t a HEA per say but it was close to it.

How many stars will I give Just Juliet? 5

Why? It is just a really well written book that explores all sides of coming out to parents and friends. It is also a book about first love.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range: Teen

Why: No sex but some scenes of making out, language.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**