I adore Imogen and I love what this book has to say about allyship, community, biphobia, compulsive heterosexuality — and the list goes on. Such an important message about letting people discover themselves in their own time. This book felt like a balm in the way binging Heartstopper does. A new favorite.

This story is smart, warm, sweet, and funny. Five stars for Imogen, Obviously (and none for Gretchen, byeeee!).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is lovely and so timely for teens.
Becky Albertalli gives a gentle, kind illustration of experiencing and learning about oneself and sexuality in those formative 14-20 something years. All of the labeling and energy/importance that teens place on shouting out their identity can crowd out the fluid discovery that happens during adolescence. I could think of 15 kids that I could hand this book to today who would be able to identify with Imogen and her desire to be sensitive and respectful of others to the point of self denial. I love how the supporting characters all have different personal experiences. The antagonist is unmistakable and I think it's a perfectly sharp portrayal for readers to follow along and maybe even identify people in their lives that might partially look like Gretchen (or maybe a cautionary tale, yikes!, for someone!).
Thank you for creating a novel that gives the room for discovery and validation.
Love this book and can't wait to get it for our high school library!

I absolutely cannot wait to recommend this book to my audience! I will be posting a full review on my blog and on goodreads closer to the publication date. This is possibly my favorite Becky Albertalli book thus far, even more than Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda.

Imogen, Obviously just made me feel seen. I can't count the number of passages in this book I highlighted because I found them so relatable. I devoured it in a mere 4 hours on an airplane. I was crying on the airplane.

Imogen is on a precipice. She will soon be leaving home to go to college (even if it is only a 30 minute drive away). College is a new experience that brings changes for everyone, but an early introduction to that world during a visiting weekend has Imogen questioning things.

This is exactly the kind of book I wish I had had when I was a freshman in college. Even a few years out, it still brought me so much comfort and joy. I have no doubt that many others will also feel seen by this book, and that it will help them discover a new part of themselves.

I love the inclusive vision of queerness that Albertalli manages to incorporate into her works. I think it is so important and brings so much joy to the work, while also allowing for serious and open conversations about the queer community.

While Imogen is the star of this book, and I related to her immensely, I also have to shout out all the amazing (and less amazing but important) side characters who made this book what it is. I especially loved Imogen's younger sister.

Again, I cannot wait to give my audience a full, glowing review of Imogen, Obviously.

I have very conflicted feelings on this book. Overall I enjoyed it and I think it will help a lot of people who are questioning their sexuality or don't understand the experience of someone who is.

However, the first 2/3 of the book were a challenge to get through. There was too much internal discourse from Imogen and while it was helpful to see her experience and thoughts as she questions and explores, it was very slow and took up way too much of the book.

Once you get to the last 1/3 though, this book was fantastic. The development between Tessa and Imogen was so cute and I love their dynamic and love story. If the book focused more on Imogen post-coming out and starting to move forward I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot. more. I would love to read more about Imogen and Tessa, their relationship, Imogen finding queer community in college, etc. But unfortunately so much of this book was on Imogen's internal thoughts for 200+ pages

I highly recommend this book and I would love to see a sequel with Imogen and Tessa. I also really appreciated that Albertalli explored toxic queer friendships because that is an unfortunate reality for a lot of questioning or folks exploring their sexuality who don't "appear/act/dress" queer and queer folks around them shutting down or invalidating their experience. The inclusion of that was great and I am really happy it made it into the book, even if it is challenging to read at time.

First half of this book gets a 2-3 stars but the last 100 pages were 5+

Me, holding up this book so everyone has to see it: LOOK AT IT!!!

Anyway, Imogen, Obviously, was incredible. I loved it. I knew I would, it's Becky Albertalli, after all, but I love having it confirmed. This is going to be THE book of spring, mark my words! It was so personal, warm, and so many moments of this book felt so real. It feels like writing a review wouldn't even do this book justice, you just need to read it. I'm so glad I was able to read this book and you will be too.

4.75*

wooooooooooow, it really felt like Becky reached into my brain and pulled out all my insecurities and fears & gave them to Imogen. Any scene with Gretchen nearly gave me a panic attack, as she truly embodies all the worst of the queer gatekeepers. I loved all of the other characters and how they were all so naturally and unapologetically themselves. Imogen, Obviously is such a beautifully emotional read, can’t wait for the pub date!! I definitely needed this book when i was a teenager.

thank you netgalley for the advanced copy!! 💚

I went into Imogen, Obviously thinking "oh, what a cute cover, this'll be fun" and out the other side thinking "I came out to have a good time and I'm honestly feeling so attacked" because this book? Yeah, it hit a little too close at times and I wasn't expecting that.

Imogen, Obviously is amazing! It's about identity and sexuality, and about growing into your ever-evolving self. It's about queerness and comphet and gatekeeping and relationships. It's about love and happiness and doubt and fear. It's about allowing yourself space and to let yourself *be*

"I got this twinge in my chest when she said that. Queerness recognizing queerness. It’s kind of beautiful when you think about it. I really do wish it was mine sometimes."

I'm honestly a little unsure how to write about this book still because everything feels a bit too vulnerable, and more about me than the book itself. This book about the token straight girl in a group of queer friends who knows she doesn't quite fit in so she constantly overthinks everything. She does so to make sure she's the best version of herself not realizing she's trying to be the best version of who she thinks people want to see. She's so busy trying to be a good ally that she doesn't let herself just *be* - it's a bit like not being able to see the forest for all the trees.

"All these moments, scattered and separate. All these disconnected dots."

Lots of Imogen's thoughts and thought processes are ones I've had myself verbatim. It was actually a little unsettling how often I needed to take a break to just breathe because I felt almost uncomfortable, like reading this was making me confront things I wasn't sure I was ready for. I'm still working through everything this book made me feel and think. Books that can get to you like that are rare and Imogen, Obviously is an amazing read.

Becky Albertalli wrote an excellent forward for Imogen, Obviously that gets into the reason this book came into being. It’s very possible you already know that reason though. Becky Albertalli’s experience has been publicized and discussed for nearly 3 years. The reason it’s stayed so relevant is because the internet harassment campaigns against seemingly ‘straight’ people ‘taking up queer spaces’ haven’t exactly stopped (a recent, well-known example being Kit Connor), making this book feel EXTREMELY necessary, and even cathartic to read.

When this book was announced, I was really excited to see Becky explore such a personal and raw topic in fiction form – but for anyone worried that “the Discourse” overpowers the story and characterization, fear not! In true Becky Albertalli style, this book tackled serious topics while also being a really cute romance and story of a girl discovering herself!

Speaking of this girl, Imogen was a great character to follow. She felt real and loveable from the get-go (also in true Becky Albertalli style), and I really enjoyed reading about her life and relationships with her high school friends, her sister, and her new college buddies. Her friendship with Lili was super sweet and I looooved the playful chemistry between Imogen and Tessa. They were really great together and I loved every scene with them <3

On the flip side, it was so heartbreaking to see the ways Imogen had stopped herself/been stopped from examining her attraction to both girls and boys. I have been in that stage of second-guessing (though thankfully all my friends have been very supportive) and it’s an incredibly difficult place to be in – even without the kind of comments Gretchen made.

And speaking of, let’s get into Gretchen. I really liked the way she was written. It was incredibly frustrating to read her Discoursing and I even felt genuine anger at the way she made her own friends feel (you know it’s effective writing when you gotta put your Kobo down for a couple minutes to calm down). But it was clear Becky Albertalli was treating her character with compassion. It made sense why Gretchen felt the way she did – her reasons were out of trauma and a misplaced sense of protectiveness. A real thing many queer people experience! And that needs to be acknowledged! But at the same time, Albertalli doesn’t hesitate to show how her actions ended up hurting the queer community she was trying so hard to protect.

I think my favorite line in the book happens toward the end, when Imogen was reflecting on what the queer community ‘stands for’ – Gretchen says the queer community is about shared experience, but Imogen wonders if the queer community is actually about holding room for variance. I had to sit with that for a second because yes. Not only is Imogen’s description so perfect, but this bit really hit the nail on the head on why there’s this divide in the community. And why the discourse is so hurtful and nonsensical. Becky Albertalli always gets it.

PS. The little Simon vs. reference/cameo had me over the MOON.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an arc of this book. Below is my honest review.

Imogen is visiting her best friend Lili at Blackwell College for the first time. Meeting her queer friends, staying for a three day weekend, and she is … nervous. She drives by the college going to Wegmans but has never visited. Immy is a rule follower down to her bones. She is a people pleaser, the only ally in her schools pride alliance (or was until Lili’s brother joined, too) and Immy is very, very shy. Even though Imogen will be going to this very school in less than six months, she just hasn’t found the courage to visit.

When Imogen arrives, she finds out that Lili told her friends that they are ex-girlfriends as well as best friends. Imogen is fine with it since Lili did not exaggerate any stories and understands that Lili just wanted to fit in by saying she dated in high school. The only lie Lili told is that they are exes.

What could possibly go wrong?

This book is going to mean the world to so many people, young and old alike. You can tell Albertalli wrote this, at least in part, for her younger self and any/all who are similarly questioning themselves.

And, to top it off with discussions of actors not coming out even if they are in queer roles was masterfully done. This happens far too often in our society. I’m hoping the discord in this novel flips a switch for even more people.

And the Simonverse cameo! Blink and you miss it. I was super stoked.

I highly recommend this one. It is absolutely worth the read.

This stunningly written book captured me from the first sentence. Our author has always done a beautiful job of giving us relatable characters and stories that stay in our heads even after we've closed the book. I was definitely honored to receive this e-arc. So our main character Imogen (Obviously, duh) has always been a dedicated ally and friend to all those around her, especially her queer-identifying friends. Every step of the way she's been there, ready to support them and fight anyone who says otherwise. Her two best friends Gretchen and Lili are polar opposites and she's torn between the two on multiple occasions. Which one needs her support the most? Staying with Lili on campus, she meets Tessa. Mysteriously gorgeous and consumes her mind from the very start. All she can focus on is this girl she meets and the fact she meets her under false pretenses. Because right now, everyone thinks she's Bi, thanks to Lili's out-of-control lie. Something that should be easy to handle but it starts to stir up emotions in Imogen she's long since buried. She's in a place where everyone is themselves, easily. They aren't worried if they're not queer presenting enough or stuck in their own mind micro-analyzing their every move. They're just - being. Something she so desperately wants. It was so refreshing to read every thought I have had at least once in my life, even before coming out. Thoughts I even have to this day. It can feel so intimidating and it's hard to be bold and brave when you don't even know how. It does a fantastic job of showing imposter syndrome and how intensely it can affect the lgbtq+ community. Even after you've allowed yourself to be true in your mind, there's always something to prove. Sometimes even to your closest friends and family. This will be a book I recommend for years to come. It finally gave word to feelings so easily forgotten.

Growing up with two queer best friends and a queer sister, Imogen Scott has earned her title as the greatest pride ally. When she visits BFF Lili at college, she learns that Lili bent the truth and told her college friends that Imogen was her ex-girlfriend, not her straight friend. Imogen agrees to go along with the ruse, but begins to question her own identity as she grows closer to Lili’s friend Tessa.

This young adult novel is a feel-good, coming of age story with diverse LGBTQ representation, perfect for teens searching for their own identities. Imogen is a well-developed, relatable character sure to resonate with many readers, and I truly enjoyed following her journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer and Bray for my gifted e-ARC!

THIS BOOK. I read it twice in one weekend. I found the depiction of queer community to be very moving, and Imogen is just as charming as Albertalli's other leads. I wish I could hand my high school or even college self this book-- perhaps more than almost any other book.

An intensely personal novel about authenticity, allyship, toxic friendships, and the harmful risks that stem from gatekeeping queer spaces. As always, Becky Albertalli's hilarious and heartfelt writing guides Imogen on an intimately relatable journey.

Imogen is also a stark reminder of why we should be retiring the term Own Voices, and instead using specific identifiers that authors and creators are comfortable using for themselves and their characters.

Words alone are not enough to describe the love I have for Imogen, Obviously.

I read this ARC as soon as I received it but I’m saving my review until the Harper Collins strike is over. This review was written in December of 2022.

Being a late in life (I say this but I’m only 30 at the time of writing this) bisexual who has had so many of the same thoughts and internal monologues as Imogen. I felt seen (and also the same deep love for varying queer media before fully knowing my own identity) Becky’s own Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens agenda being the first queer book I read when I got back into reading as an adult and I formed a deep love and attachment to it).

Imogen is a girl on the brink of adulthood who thinks she knows and understands herself fully, until meeting one of her best friends group of friends from college. Imogen then begins to show growth whilst also questioning her identity. Imogen, as I mentioned previously is such a relatable character for me!

I really loved Tessa. Tessa is such an effortlessly cool character. She’s a Jewish lesbian with ADHD who has a more masculine style and is unapologetically herself. Tessa and Imogen quickly become close (and maybe closer than Imogen could have ever imagined) and the growth of their relationship is so genuine and cute!

Five glowing stars!

Never stop writing Becky, the work you do is important.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am 45 years old, and came out and was outed in a confusing tangle in high school after realizing I was bisexual in middle school. And yet, so much of this book resonated with me.

This book is obviously doing dual duty: it is Albertalli's response to years of queerbaiting accusations and subsequent coming out, and also a sweet love story. It succeeds on both levels, never feeling like it derails from its narrative to preach by set off most of its conflict by a character who easily spin off into her own book if so inclined. Albertalli shows the antagonist more grace than another author might, and that's not a bad thing.

Imogen, Obviously adds to a growing canon of queer books that feel like how-to's in the gentlest way. In this, we get "how to recognize one's own bisexuality in a world that defaults to heterosexuality." I hope to see this on a lot of best of lists.

I have never read a Becky Albertalli read that I didn’t like, and Imogen, Obviously was no exception. This whole story was a joyous exploration of Imogen figuring out who she was and who she wanted to be, and I enjoyed every single word. Imogen and Tessa have such a cute friendship-turned-relationship, and it warmed my heart to see Imogen bloom as she visited college. The characters all had distinct personalities, and I loved meeting all of them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the employees at HarperCollins for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I cried about 5 times before I even started the first chapter. This book blew me away, it’s SO Becky in the absolute best way possible. I definitely think this is my favorite book of her’s. It’s seeped with things that just remind me of her and the things she’s had to go through the last few years. But I’ll just let the book and the author’s note speak for itself on that topic.

I have so many thought about how the character Gretchen is meant to embody the gatekeepers of the queer community and how much that speaks to me and my journey as a queer/trans person. It’s an insane metaphor that Becky pulls off flawlessly.

God, this is just a good book. Go buy it! Right now!!

PS: there is a simonverse character if you look very closely👀

Imogen Scott is the token Straight friend in her group of friends. Most of them are queers and so is her sister. But she’s straight, so straight, especially according to her best friend Gretchen. When Imogen finally accepts her other best friend’s invitation (Lili) to visit her and stay in her college dorm room with her, she’s still a bit hesitant . She’s scared that she won’t compare and fit in with Lili’s new and cool queer friends. But she couldn’t be more wrong, especially since it turns out that Lili has some insecurities of her own and she actually lied and said that she and Imogen used to date. But now, Imogen is mesmerized by Tessa, one of Lili’s new friends and what if she thinks she’s like into her into her?? Cause she can’t be, since she’s straight, right? RIGHT??

This was incredible, groundbreaking, amazing. I loved every single second of it. I loved Imogen, Lili, Tessa and the whole group of Lili’s friends. I cried, I laughed, I raged. It was truly everything and more. The characters, the setting, the romance, the short chapters, it’s like all of it was made for me. I was truly glued to the page and could not stop reading. I’m sorry this is a terrible review, why is it so hard to review great books??? I just don’t have anything to say except that it was perfection to me and that you should all read it! Becky Albertalli really just did it again.

So good, so readable. I love love loved Imogen.

I also will admit I felt very vindicated that Gretchen was so awful bc I disliked her from when I first met her on account of her name. Yeah, fantastic. and all of Imogen’s friends who weren’t Gretchen were just wonderful. And the thing about Gretchen is, she represents a very real group of queer people. All these things she was saying were things I have seen ppl saying, whether it was about Becky or Kit or someone else. It needs to stop.

Without a doubt this is my new favorite Becky Albertalli book.

I thought this was lovely! You can tell this was primarily based off of Albertalli's experiences after writing Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda, and I liked the added layer. The characters were all fun, too. I think this was a solid book, and will definitely put Albertalli back on the map.