Old Enough is a raw, radiant coming-of-age story that captures the messy, tender process of queerness, healing, and self-discovery in the wake of trauma. Haley Jakobson writes with fierce vulnerability and fizzy warmth, giving voice to the liminal space between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming. It’s brave, affirming, and full of heart.

Bold and deeply personal, this coming-of-age story hit me hard. The voice is raw, authentic, and full of vulnerability. While the pacing occasionally meanders, the emotional impact is undeniable. A powerful story about identity, queerness, and becoming.

This was a fantastic debut! I truly wish that I would have had this book when I was in college trying to figure out my identity. Looking forward to more of Jakobson's work!

This book truly was beautiful. It made me think it made me anxious laugh tense and made me cry. The author wrote a stunning story that I could not put down. Truly a chaotic perfect book.

Old Enough took me out at the KNEES. Admittedly I did let this one sit on my shelf (metaphorically) for much, much longer than I meant to; I put off reading this book for two years after I started it as an ARC at an arguably weird point in my life, and while I do wish I had read it earlier considering how much it resonated with me, I'm also glad I found my way to it when I could truly appreciate it. And wow, did I love it.

The novel opens on our narrator Savannah Henry's first day of her second semester, sophomore year. She's just started an Intro to Gender and Sexuality Studies course in which she's working alongside five of her peers - Reg, Lara, Candance, Vera, and Wesley - as they navigate all of the complicated ways that both gender and sexuality affect their own lives, the world around them, and how they interact with it. This first day of class seems to be a catalyst that pushes Sav to look deeper at the things she's been trying to turn away from: the fact that she and her childhood best friend, Izzie, have been growing apart for more reasons than one; the fact that she is still trying to find where she fits best within the queer community at her university; and especially the fact that her abuser is her best friend's older brother, and her best friend can't even hear Sav say out loud that he assaulted her when they were sixteen.

But Sav finds community within each of her classmates in unique ways, and as we follow her throughout the course of this one semester, we (read: I) learn lessons and fall in love (both platonic and romantic) and laugh and cry right alongside her. This book is messy and emotional, but it's also so, so real. Sav's journey was completely un-put-downable. I devoured it in two days - honestly, one day; I stayed up til one in the morning just to finish it - and I still find myself thinking about it even now, hours after I finished it.

Thank you, Haley Jakobson, for the big, bold, bisexual book of my dreams. As someone constantly reckoning with their sexuality (bi) and gender identity (who even knows at this point), this book was a breath of fresh air. A reminder that you are not always beholden to the person you were yesterday. To be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes or hurt people in ways you regret, and especially to know it's not your fault when the people you love become unrecognizable to you.

I went to a four-year liberal arts university with a boisterous, joyful, flourishing queer community (although I partook in more dorm room socializing than off-campus parties and open mic nights), and so I do have to admit that a lot of what I think I enjoyed about this book is what I was able to see of myself in it (which is a normal and beautiful way to interact with a text, might I remind you), but it is also objectively a kick-ass book. Jakobson has such a beautiful style of prose that is somehow both succinct and flowery. And she's funny as hell. I found myself really wishing this book had come out ten years ago, so I could have read it when I was a sophomore in college taking a Gender and Sexuality Studies course.

Happy Pride! Read queer books year-round, support queer artists year-round, but something about reading a really good queer book in June makes me VIBRATE.

I wanted to love this one so, so badly and I deeply connected with the underlying stories. The problem I had was that everything was done with such a heavy hand that it continually pulled me out of the story emotionally. I wanted the story to speak for itself more than it did - I often felt like every point, every concept, every idea was so expressly stated that it didn't let me as a reader become part of the experience.

This book just wasn't for me and I ended up DNF'ing at about 10%. What I read felt pretty standard coming of age and didn't feel all that original. The writing style felt very disjointed and much more telling rather than showing, and I could tell early on that this book was just not for me.

I really wanted to love this, but it ended up being a middle of the road book for me (not bad). I loved the representation and focus on community. I just wish we had gone a bit deeper.. The dialogue also felt a bit unnatural.

This is a sweet coming of age, where Sav is starting to learn more and more about herself, She's surrounded by amazing young people who are more sure of themselves, she's in college. There were moments that I liked the book and moments that I did not, I had to remind myself that this is a YA, lol.

A good addition to a collection of queer representation, especially for questioning youth. It's marketed to New Adult probably due to the MC's age, but might be better suited to the YA collection.

Haley Jakobson made me sob and I'm okay with that! As a former Women's Studies major, this book really hit home and is different than anything I've ever read. Thank you Haley <3

Old Enough follows Sav, a bisexual sophomore navigating her journey toward self-acceptance while confronting past trauma. As her childhood friend Izzie gets engaged, Sav is forced to face the unresolved issues from her past, particularly a complicated experience with Izzie's brother. Meanwhile, Sav develops a crush on Wes from her Gender Studies class, complicating her emotions and sense of self. The novel explores queer love, friendship, and the impact of being a sexual assault survivor with humor, honesty, and heart.

This was a fav of the year for me! I love a campus story and coming of age so that made it the perfect type of book for me! Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Hey everyone! 📚✨ Just finished "Old Enough" by Haley Jakobson and I have to say, it's a fantastic read! This book dives deep into the complexities of growing up and finding your place in the world with such heart and honesty.

Jakobson’s writing is so relatable and fresh, you’ll feel like you’re chatting with a friend. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, each one bringing their own unique voice to the story. One scene that really stuck with me is when the protagonist faces a major life decision at a college party—it’s raw, real, and totally gripping.

If you’re looking for a book that’s both thought-provoking and heartwarming, "Old Enough" is a must-read. It's a journey of self-discovery that will leave you reflecting on your own experiences. Happy reading! 🌟📖

#BookReview #MustRead #HaleyJakobson #ComingOfAgeReads 📘✨

An interesting look at what it means to be a young adult in today's world. Times have changed but some issues remain timeless. Healing from wounds and learning to be who you are is something that needs to be talked about.

This is a tender coming-of-age story about Sav, a bisexual college sophomore, navigating identity, friendship, and healing from sexual assault. As she builds a supportive queer community, an invitation to her childhood best friend’s wedding dredges up old trauma and threatens her newfound stability. The novel alternates between Sav’s present and flashbacks to her teenage years, revealing her complex relationship with her former best friend and her best friend’s brother. Though the letter-like flashbacks were initially distracting, they ultimately added depth to the story. Sav’s journey is both compelling and easy to root for.

favorite book of 2024, mark my words. So relatable. Made me ache for queer community in such a specific way. loved loved loved

I love this book! It made me slightly nostalgic for my own college days. A great introduction to Jakobson’s long form work. I can’t wait for her second novel.

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2023. This debut novel had me hooked from the first page with its honest, funny, and heartfelt exploration of queer love, community, and the messy reality of growing up.

What I loved most about Old Enough is how it captures that strange in-between time of life—when you’re not quite sure who you are yet, but you’re getting closer. Jakobson’s writing is raw and vulnerable, but also filled with so much love and warmth. It’s a story about finding your people, dealing with past wounds, and figuring out how to be okay with who you’re becoming. If you’re looking for a book that’s both deeply moving and incredibly affirming, this is it. Old Enough is a must-read.

I think the depictions of sexual assault and its effects are important, harrowing, and well done. However, the rest of the story was not for me, and I think it would be better suited for a YA audience.