Okay so The Luis Ortega Survival Club started by breaking my heart. Make sure you read the trigger warnings because heart broken. Ariana's situation and how she processes her own rape and experience left me on the floor. It felt too real and resonated in a way I thought I was beyond. However, The Luis Ortega Survival Club turns into a book about power, solidarity, and friendship. About the victim shaming, the internalization, and the grasps of control. Yet also about friends who will make space to listen.

This was such a cute read. I may found the characters a bit immature at times, but they are growing up. It's bit expected when they are those ages. Perfect read for high schoolers.

4.5 rounded the fuck up. this was a netgalley arc i got last year that i was too sad to go through but i remember being super duper excited when i received it. sensational, there truly is no other words for this . i loved ari , shawni , jasmine and everybody-except you luis ortega fuck you-
this was heavy yet the author managed to write about it in such a warm way that honestly felt like a hug at times , and you know , i haven’t been in the same predicament before-i pray that no one ever is- but i felt like i was transported to the time and place with ari. this was beautiful,start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book, and many apologies for reading it well after the publication date. This book, much like the author's previous novel, deserves all the stars! This is a story of revenge (well-deserved--Luis is among the book characters I despise the most), but it's also a story of friendship and learning to stand up for oneself. I loved Ari so much and the way her character grew throughout the story was just perfect. Truly, this is a must-read for teens. It empowers survivors of abuse and assault and presents the complicated feelings a young person may experience in the wake of an assault by in a very accessible way.

It was such a great book about standing up for yourself and for your community. I'm amazed by the author's ability to craft characters and to build up tension. Lived up to my expectations.

This was enjoyable - who doesn't like tales of revenge against awful people - but it felt like the last third of the book was just missing. I had to many questions when the last chapter ended that the epilogue did not tie up. Who did they give the recording to? What happen to Luis' dad? Did Ed get a settlement? I realize that this is not what the book was about, but as a reader it felt really unsatisfying to end without that information.

Otherwise, this is a quick read, but it does the heavy topic justice.

Difficult one to rate/review. Ultimately going for 4 stars, even though it's closer to 3 stars, "I liked it," for me.

Some of what I really liked: LOTS of representation: Neurodivergence, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ characters, and more. A main character, Ariana, a/k/a "Ari," that I really liked and rooted for, as well as the crew that emerged to support her. A lot more to like, but to me, the biggest plus was the brave tackling, by the author and by the characters, of rape, particularly date rape, slut-shaming, bullying, and other important and too common issues.

Unfortunately, the way that the myriad maze of legal issues involved above is handled just didn't ring quite right, or true. To say more would be to give out spoilers, but let's just say that I found the denouement and the epilogue to not quite work, both as a piece of fiction and as a reflection of real life. And certain subplots, like the one involving Ari's parents, left certain revelations hanging in the air, and thus ended up feeling, I'm not sure, superfluous, at best, or not particularly revealing or needed? Lastly, Ari is autistic and in many other ways, isolated, and not for nothing, a teenager, so it could make sense that she is not always able to read signals and cues like most of us could, at least hopefully. However, some of her assumptions and misunderstandings along the way just didn't always work for me, the reader.

So, lots of mixed, not always positive feelings, but because the book tackled such insidious topics as rape culture, and because this is in many ways an empowering book, not just for victims but also those around them, I'm going with that higher rating and also recommending the book. Many thanks to the author for helping us care, helping us be aware, helping us know we need to take action.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

An incredibly important book. The romance is beautiful and how the group turns from co-conspirators to friends. The main character's hesitance to talk about what happened to her, especially when it didn't match up with what the other girl's had experienced. The complexity of emotion that they all experienced.

Ok I had big expectations going into this one because I love Sonora Reyes and loved The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School. This didn't disappoint. Reyes is such a talented author and they always find a way to dive into the complicated/triggering subjects with gentleness and care.

High school friend groups can honestly be life-saving and I was so glad that Ariana found her people even though it was in such a messed up way. Community support through trauma is incredibly healing and I loved that this was demonstrated at a high school level. So many kids lack this peer support especially over traumatic issues and I really appreciated a book diving into this.

Overall a warm and wonderful read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

An instant favorite—this friend group is everything to me!🥹❤️🏳️‍🌈

What I loved
1. This book honestly reminded me of John Tucker Must Die but instead dealing with a much heavier reason to connect this group of characters—trigger warning: sexual assault. Other trigger warnings from the author are in the beginning of the book which is helpful for young readers especially.
2. The friendships in this book seriously brought tears to my eyes—I loved seeing their little community grow and them all get closer and more comfortable with one another and sharing their stories even when it was hard 😔🥺❤️
3. Queer characters!!!! 🏳️‍🌈
4. Ari is the first character I have read that is non-verbal unless she feels safe/comfortable—this was such an important topic and so happy to see this representation! I loved seeing the other characters learn how to communicate effectively and creatively until Ari felt comfortable with them. Ari is also autistic which is also great representation for YA.
5. Romance in this was just enough— it was a sweet slow burn which is always the best!

An easy 5 star read, can’t wait for the next book by Reyes ❤️❤️

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I had no idea what this book was about before going into it. I find it better that way. The first line hooked me and I knew I would absolutely love this book. It was heartbreaking but full on wonderful. I have so many thoughts but the loudest one is appreciation for such a story.

This was a really nuanced, in-depth exploration of autism, queerness, and rape culture—I loved following the characters as they find their found family and their own strength.

I loved The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School (Sonora Reyes' earlier title) a lot, so of course I requested a copy of The Luis Ortega Survival Club. I am really glad I read this -- Reyes has created interesting, queer, neurodiverse characters in this book. I still loved The Lesbiana's Guide the most, but I am very glad I had the opportunity to read this.

This concept was very cool. It was interesting to see all the ways boys can hurt girls and then have the girls get their revenge.

Thank you @epicreads for the #gifted ebook. It took me a while to get to it but I’m glad I finally did.

When Ariana gets raped at a party, she doesn't realize it was rape at first. She knows she didn't say yes, but she also didn't say no. Soon after, she comes into contact with The Luis Ortega Survival Club, who tells her she's not alone, and they might be able to figure out a way to get revenge.

This is the second novel I’ve read by Sonora Reyes. Both 5 star reads for me.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club is a tough story to read. It shows the reality of sexual assault and the feelings that come from it. I sadly can relate to the MC. That feeling when you realize that you were sexually assaulted is so impossible to describe. But somehow it took me back to that moment because they described it so well.

I saw this being compared to John Tucker Must Die and I completely agree, (but better). I love a good revenge story. I found myself rooting for the club more and more.

I loved all the members of the club. I wish that I could get a book about every single one.

Overall this was a fantastic book. It makes me sad that I have barely seen anyone talk about this. Books like this never get the recognition they deserve.

A sparking, triumphant read! I couldn't finish it in time before the expiration date because I was swamped by real life, but I had such a good time. Sonora Reyes delivers an honest, funny, sardonic teenage voice that's sure to resonate with other queer youth, and I'm so excited to know this book is now out in the world, inspiring others with its vibrancy and humor.

didn’t love it as much as lesbiana’s guide to catholic school but it was still enjoyable. loved reading about an autistic mc who would go nonverbal tho <3 sometimes u just gotta not speak and that’s okay. loved the autism rep.

After reading this book, the only conclusions that I have are that we need more stories about people getting some good old revenge, and we also desperately need more stories with autistic main characters. This book absolutely would’ve been my shit when I was a teenager, and I am very glad it exists now for today’s teens to be able to read.

Good read, keeps reader engaged. The story is about the main character, who presents with symptoms of autism and selective mutism. She’s invited to a party where is she attacked by Luis. Later on she receives messages from someone who can relate and hence the plan to get revenge starts.