The story perked up at that point, as did the characters, especially once ‘out and proud’ Cece joined Holland’s homophobic high school and instantly made Holland realise she might be gay. That is, until her main love interest Cece Goddard showed up. She seemed like not only a bad girlfriend, but also a bad friend and ultimately dull.
Mainly because, unless it’s written by a young LGBTQ community member in the present day, how realistic can it be? That said I’m going to sum up this book in one sentence: It’s filled with LBGTQ clichés yet still powerful and it successfully explores the issues involved in coming out.įor the first half of the book I hated the main character, Holland Jeager. "About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.I must admit, when I think of LGBTQ-themed young adult fiction I’m rather sceptical. Both books are romantic and layered, and many teens, particularly those with fluid sexual identities, will recognize the questions: Do you have to kiss someone to be gay? What do fantasies mean? Gillian EngbergĬopyright © American Library Association. Peters' story and characters are more developed. Benduhn includes some interesting cinematic references related to Aurin's filmmaking aspirations, but some of her descriptions are over-the-top. Holland finds herself homeless and alone, except for Cece and a new gay support system.īoth novels, written in first-person, are filled with believable inner monologues and finely tuned contemporary dialogue. The girls fall passionately in love and a tragic coming-out story ensues. In Keeping You a Secret, model high-school senior Holland, who has a boyfriend, develops an overwhelming crush on Cece. Benduhn focus on Aurin's self-discovery and friendships, closing the novel before Aurin tells her family what's going on. In Gravel Queen, the author's debut novel, Aurin explores her first gay relationship, and finds that her best friend, a glamorous, possessive drama queen, is jealous. In these novels about first love, a high-school girl falls hard for another girl and faces the complicated pain of coming out to family, friends, and to one's self. Reviewed with Tea Benduhn's Gravel Queen.
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