"Objects of Destruction" is a heartwarming and refreshing read that emphasizes the importance of representation in literature. Lee, the main character, is a queer woman who, after a devastating breakup, begins to question the very existence of love. With the help of her friends Max and Risa, Lee embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring love in all its forms and uncovering truths about herself she never knew existed.

What sets this book apart is its diverse cast of characters, who come from different backgrounds and sexual orientations. The story offers an authentic and inclusive portrayal of queer love, showing how it can be just as powerful and meaningful as any other kind of love. The book is set in Memphis, which is portrayed vividly, adding to the overall charm of the story.

"Objects of Destruction" is a page-turner that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with the characters. It is a great read for young adults who are looking for books that reflect their own experiences and offer a window into the lives of those different from themselves. Overall, this book is a must-read that shows how representation matters for our youth, and how literature has the power to shape their understanding of the world around them.

A lovely look at some of the most heartbreaking things that happen in a typical teen's life, how thoroughly they can shake a teen to their core, and how they can remain indestructible, even when they feel like they've fallen apart.

I found this one a little tiresome. The plot is all over the place. While I like how all of the secrets are interconnected it felt like it lacked focus. The central characters don't follow a single aim.

Thoughtful, real, lovely book. The podcast format throughout was a really compelling way to move the plot along. I will absolutely buy for my library and recommend to teens- it was unique, but still relatable. Loved it.

Indestructible Object is the story of Lee, a recent high school graduate, podcast host, and sound tech who thinks she has her life figured out. That is, until her boyfriend dumps her on their podcast, she is asked to take a leave of absence from her job, and her parents announce their separation. Lee attempts to find herself again through a new podcast project, attempting to solve a family mystery, and maybe even a new love interest.

Indestructible Object is a unique and engaging book, and one that I finished in less that 24 hours. The book addresses a host of relevant topics, including race, sexuality, relationships, and acceptance, both on an individual and community scale. Lee is a complex main character who is wise beyond her years, while simultaneously naive in certain aspects of her life. I really liked all of the supporting characters surrounding her; everyone had their own quirks and intricacies that added a lot to the plot. Indestructible Object is a thoughtful and detailed YA book and one that is sure to spark many discussions upon completion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC; this is my honest and voluntary review.

What Works
I wanted to love this book so badly. I mean, that description, right?! Author Mary McCoy presents us with some heady stuff to chew on. Plus, any novel that uses art history as a motif is getting some points in my book. I mean, Indestructible Object is the name of a Man Ray piece. The main character Lee Swan’s parents named her after artist Lee Miller, who was Ray’s lover at one point.

The lazy, hazy southern vibe of Memphis blends so comfortably with the existential ennui Lee is going through in her final summer before university. The supporting cast is wonderful as well. I particularly loved Max’s storyline. It’s a unique, fresh, but real take on parental disapproval post-coming out.

There’s also something particularly moving about watching a child’s parents’ marriage blow up when the child is in, or closer to, adulthood. The idea that a 20-year marriage was a success, even if it is currently ending, is something I think we’re only now starting to talk about.

Indestructible Object is also about found family, which will always hit me in the feels. Lee’s parents have a circle of friends who routinely choose their friendships over romance or biological family. They’ve raised Lee and Max in an “it takes a village” vibe, which hits the spot.

Finally, this last bit is also in my “what doesn’t work” section. Lee is polyamorous and bisexual. The people around her grow to accept that, and she finds love. That is fan-freaking-tastic. We need more queer rep of all kinds. Like, seriously, YAY.

What Doesn’t Work
The overwhelming issue with Indestructible Object that creates practically every other problem I’ll discuss is the pacing. With so many balls in the air, the storyline ends up not juggling them all that well.

Mary McCoy centralizes, then decentralizes underdeveloped romances in favor of (more interesting) family drama. And then rushes to wrap everything up in a tidy bow at the end. It’s just not satisfying.

To get the issue of polyamorous bisexuality out of the way … the way Lee’s revelations and self-discovery unfolds, it would be really easy to infer that polyamory and infidelity are inherent traits of bisexuality, rather than experiences particular to Lee.

To reiterate, polyamory is a valid, wonderful way to live. And people can be unfaithful, regardless of their sexuality or how they do relationships. Unfortunately, there’s some harmful biphobic language in this book that isn’t questioned or examined enough to make it clear that Lee’s completely valid experience of queerness isn’t universal. To that end, while I normally love me a first-person POV and an unreliable narrator, Lee leaves out a bit too much to follow certain threads. There’re some wonderful points raised about Lee’s privilege as a white, gender-conforming cis woman.

However, since the story is from her POV, and she’s not aware of her privilege, it seems shoehorned in. Of course, that is what suddenly being made aware of your privilege can feel like, but I do think there’s a difference between narrative storytelling and real life. We could have used a few more dots connected before these conversations happened.

Furthermore, Max calls Lee out for not understanding what life in Memphis is like being openly queer. This is true, but neither Max nor Lee really examine what it’s like being closeted in Memphis with any real depth. Lee wonders for a few sentences if she avoided dealing with her sexuality because she “knew Memphis wouldn’t love [me] back.” I just … wanted more.

What Really Doesn’t Work
I never again want to read another flipping nonconsensual outing that’s glossed over.

Final Thoughts
I went into Indestructible Object super excited. And enjoyed it immensely for about the first 20 percent. I kept reading because I expected someone to call people out on their problematic BS, but no one did. And, honestly, I walked away from the book a lil’ bit traumatized.

This was an interesting story about love and creating podcasts. Lee and her boyfriend of two years, Vincent, created a podcast of their love story, Artists in Love, But it ended when they broke up during the last podcast. They loved each other but Vincent was going to college in Washington DC while Lee was staying in Memphis. During their two year relationship, Vincent never wanted to have sex. So Lee cheated on him several times with Claire, her coworker, and was eventually outed as a liar and cheater.While she was going through her own emotional upheaval, her parents who were married for twenty years, were also breaking up. Lee, with the help of her friends, wanted to find out more about her parents’ own love story and along the way, learned some things about herself.

I liked the idea of the story but not so much the characters. They all seemed to have some kind of hidden agenda except Risa, who seemed to be the most genuine and caring of the characters.The others seemed to be self absorbed. It seemed like Vincent and Lee both used each other as did Lee and Max. I liked the idea of using the podcast to explore love stories, but not the way the characters went about it. It didn’t feel right since some of those stories were not their truth to share.

Overall, even though I didn’t like the teenage characters, it was an interesting storyline about personal discovery such as being a polygamous bisexual and owning up to the truths: past and present.


An ARC was given for an honest review.

Well written phenomenal hard hitting novel this really made an impact. This book was just made me speechless in so many eays. And so relatable that i know teens will highly enjoy this this. Im in love with this book gah i need more

Lee finds a passport and a book of poems and these finds lead her to question secrets about her newly separated parents may have. In the meantime, she and her boyfriend have split up. Or have they? Lee meets a girl Risa and thinks she would like to pursue her for a relationship,maybe? While Lee is questioning everything she does podcasts which make her question and wonder about love and her parent’s past. Lee realizes she needs to step outside her comfort zone and carry that passion in everything you do. Enjoyed this.

At first, I thought this was going to be another story about a cheating bisexual, but that’s not it. I mean, there is a cheating bisexual, but she’s also learning that she’s poly. And there is an untidy queer. And a lesbian. Really great LGBTQ+ rep. I don’t know many YA novels with a poly protagonist.

This one is also for fans of podcasts and musicians. Lots of love for Memphis as well. Definitely ready to rec this one to teens.