3.5 stars
Going into this, I was excited to read about a person who is figuring out their gender identity/expression. It’s not something I see discussed a lot and definitely not something that is part of the MC. It was interesting to see Dawn struggle with people referring to her as a girl. I actually liked the slow and easy downfall of her relationship with Lukas. I like the exploration between someone who wants declarations of love, commitment, and exclusivity, while the other sees that as a control tool of the patriarchy. Lukas thinks having to say I love you and say you’re monogamous is meaningless and works against the strength of one’s relationship. As time moves along, Dawn realizes that her and Lukas have run their course. I thought the hidden letter in the bookbinding was very cool and the sapphic club story behind it. I love little secret ways queer people communicated with each other.
The first half was stronger than the second half unfortunately. I just wanted to be done with it. Her relationship with Gertrude and her guilt wasn’t interesting or the distance growing between her and Jae after the attack.

Thank you, Algonquin Books, for allowing me to read Endpapers early!

Jennifer Savran Kelly became a new favorite of mine with this book. I deeply related to the protagonist and this connection between us made the novel even better in my eyes.