Reviews Posted: April 28, 2023
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This book is what I would call hauntingly beautiful in so many unexpected ways. There were a lot of parts that just absolutely captivated me, like the growth of the main character and the discussions around mental health as a teen. But I do feel that the romance was more of a subplot than anything else.

Coley got on my nerves a little at first, and I think it is because she reminded me of myself when I was in high school. That it can feel like the walls are closing in, and talking about it to literally anyone seems impossible. I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the book, and by the end, I was defiantly a fan of her. Dealing with mental health as a teen can feel impossible at times I think that was captured perfectly and that the road to getting better isn’t smooth or a straight line. Her interactions with her father throughout the book are what showed this very well.

While the side characters were mostly surface-level, they all did serve an important purpose for Coley’s story. My favorite part of the side characters is that there was a good mix of first impressions that were right and ones that were completely wrong. Because many of us often look back and think did we get one relationship completely right, only to be blindsided by another?

The romance was the weakest part of the story for me. This book was marketed to me as a romance, and I think that is why I was let down. While it is important to Coley’s overall journey, it felt lackluster, and I wasn’t really invested in it. And personally, I did not love how things played out with it.

I think this is a great coming-of-age story of being sure of yourself but also being unsure of yourself in regard to the rest of the world. The romance was bland and lacked chemistry and would have been better served as a side pot rather than trying to make it the main one.

first and foremost, this is a YA novel at heart. i tried to remember that as i read it, but there was so much 2006 cringe that it was hard to enjoy the story.

coley and her father, curtis, move to a small town after her mother died by suicide. after she almost gets hit by a car, a girl just like her comes running out after her. a romance begins.

there is a lot of unresolved grief and trauma in this novel as well as a lot of internalized homophobia. the novel begins with this “i’m not like other girls” monologue, which i hated. there are a lot of private posts and an unsent email of sonya’s that we see that don’t quite feel right with the first person narrative. sonya is just not likable. she’s annoying, she treats coley like shit, and she’s just not a good person. it was hard to root for this toxic relationship.

the one saving grace of this novel is curtis. he obviously loves his daughter and wants to help her in any way possible. he was the only character i actually cared for, and i felt he was always genuine. the other male characters of this novel blend together into one blob.

sj has no reason to be in the novel, and blake only exists to be a bad friend. there’s a very strange comment on abortion that feels out of place and antifeminist. we’re not supposed to like blake because she’s a bad influence. she smokes pot, pierces for cash, and had an abortion. she is painted in such an unbelievably negative light for seemingly no reason.

even though this is a YA novel, i expected a lot more form hayley kiyoko. her prose lacks her poetic and lyrical prowess.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I read this as an arc from Netgalley. THANKKK YOUUUU.
This is more of 4.25.
This book follows Coley moving to Oregon to stay with her dad. She meets Sonya and the story goes on there. I love Coley. My little sweetheart was going through so much in this book. She was dealing with her mother's death, staying with her dad, and experiencing love. I think this book did not really do anything new but nostalgia from the "Girls Like Girls" was WORKINGGGGGG. I would have loved this book when I was younger and I think a lot of teenagers would like this. I think it would make a good series though. Coley really developed through this book and I was cheering her on during this time. I like Sonya and I wish more was done with her. I think I just wanted more of her point of view. I kinda wanted more moments with Alex and Coley. In the little moments that they had, he was a friend that she could lean on. I like that the book was really empathizing with how you do not have to accept people's shitty behaviors.

Such a good book! I really enjoyed it. I always love to a read a wlw book that doesn’t involve death or some other tragedy. Sometimes you just need a cliche romance book. Looooove!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

Like many people, I was obsessed with the storyline in the original music video and how it perfectly depicted the longing queer women often feel. I wished it could have been extended in any way. Reader, our wishes have come true. Hayley Kiyoko perfectly encapsulates the same raw emotions we felt in that music video and the result is a poignant coming of age story that I wished I could have had when I was younger. While, at times, the story showed the strain of being converted into a novel format, overall, I was pleased by the result.

I’m so happy a new generation of queer teens will have access to this book.

I was stoked when I was approved to read this ARC. I’ve been a fan of Hayley Kiyoko’s since her Lemonade Mouth and Disney Channel days. I’m also all for artists expanding their interests and trying something new. But writing is a beast of a task and, unfortunately, one that Kiyoko needs more practice at. From start to finish, this book was rough for numerous reasons.

First, the writing style. It was...a bumpy ride, to say the least. I made numerous notes that the story was telling the reader what was happening, rather than showing it. Much of that was due to the first-person perspective. This story mode is limiting, for the reader only sees the narrator’s thoughts and voice. But it also takes significant crafting and confidence to cultivate the first-person perspective while grounding the reader with concrete details. And that’s what this story was missing: concrete details. While it was clear what Coley was thinking in each moment, there wasn’t much to ground the reader in the moment. Yes, there were light details to give us an idea of what the characters were wearing or what their setting was, but the details didn’t go a step farther to invite emotions and figurative language into the prose.

I can’t help but wonder how much better this novel could have been if it was written in third person and in dual perspective. Coley and Sonya were both clearly struggling to come to terms with their sexuality and attraction toward each other. It would have given Kiyoko the opportunity to foil and mirror the two girls against each other. And it could have opened the novel up to exploring two different routes of girl’s discovering their sexuality.

For a short novel, this has a rather large cast of characters. Which would normally be fine, but all the characters bled together after a while. They all behaved similarly (I.e., they were perpetuating toxic friendships and never expanded beyond their character archetype) and didn’t have differentiating voices (That was a result of the dialogue construction. For the most part, characters talked directly to each other instead of past one another, as normal people typically do.). By the 50% mark, I was desperate for any one of the characters to show a redeemable quality. It was exhausting to read Sonya calling Coley a “bitch” anytime Sonya didn’t like Coley’s reaction to something. Although Coley had a backbone and wasn’t afraid to call people out for their BS, she still had a negative outlook on her life, her experiences, and was, frankly, judgmental toward others. There was a lack of development and self-awareness in all the characters (apart from Curtis and SJ), which made it a rather passive story to read.

If there was one bright point to this novel, it was Curtis. (Honestly, the only character I was rooting for was Curtis and I wish he had received more page time throughout the story.) Kiyoko had great bonding moments and growth moments for Coley as she got to know her dad a little better. Curtis brought dynamics and sincerity to the novel, which was refreshing in the face of the toxic relationships perpetuated everywhere else.

While I did read this novel in less than two hours, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. There are many sensitive topics (see trigger warnings) in this book that are glossed over or used as plot devices to get characters moving through the plot. The writing style and character voices were juvenile, cliché, and perpetuating story archetypes. I was hoping for a groundbreaking novel from an own voices author and, instead, I walked away feeling disappointed.

TW: death of a parent (off page), suicide (off page), toxic friendships, toxic romantic relationship, homophobia, internalized homophobia

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I cannot begin to explain how weird it is to read a book that takes place when you were a teen that’s written now when you’re very much not a teen.

If you’ve seen the music video of the same name (which I have many, many times) this has the same plot: Coley likes Sonya but Sonya has a boyfriend. However the longer they stay together the more Sonya starts to feel the same way about Coley. This is not however a romance. It features romance yes but it has more to deal with Coley coming to terms with her mother’s death by suicide.

This is definitely a book I would recommend not just to queer teens but to anyone.

3.5 stars

This book feels like it was needed 10 years ago. Set in 2006, Coley moved to a new town after suffering a tragedy and moving in with her estranged dad and is discovering who she is. I didn't feel connected to the characters and unfortunately, I really didn't want the couple to get together. I also felt very disconnected as it was set in 2006 and felt more cringy than anything. "Rawr."
The ending was very redeemable and I did love how the book ended. Ultimately, this book just wasn't for me but I can see it being amazing for other people.
I recommend watching the music video before reading this as it helped me feel more connected to the characters.

Thank you Wednesday Books and St Martins Press for an advanced copy.

Damn, this was bad. I know Hayley primarily as Velma, but I have listened to some of her music and think it's fine, not my taste, personally. I didn't know exactly what to expect when I snagged the arc, but a total downer certainly wasn't one of them.

Coley and Sonya's relationship is so toxic. Between Coley's abandonment and self-worth issues and Sonya constantly masking herself and running when things got complicated, these two were a recipe for disaster. Sonya was the worse between the two, in my eyes, because she kept dragging Coley through this vicious cycle of saying she loved her but they couldn't be together. I get that she was afraid of the consequences of coming out, or, at least, being in a lesbian relationship, but taking out all of her messy feelings on Coley was just so fucked up. I was hoping Coley would finally stand up for herself and leave Sonya to figure herself out, but then they kiss in the last chapter, promise to message each other, and the book ends there. I was so flabbergasted that I was crying, "HUH?!" because I couldn't believe it.

I just - why?

Overall, my feelings are a no on this one. Everyone but Curtis and SJ sucked and the whole romance is just miserable.

I’m just enjoying all of the LGBTQ books being sent my way. Love is love is love and when you are lucky enough to find someone who looks at you like you are magic, grab them and give it a chance. I hope everyone gets to experience this feeling.

🦇 Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❝ But you, the girl not like other girls...you look down the road, and it's not shiny and bright. The thought of it doesn't make you feel any of the ways ever described in story or song. And those people, they're not all lying—which means there's a secret you're keeping even from yourself. That feeling you can't—and now maybe won't—name. You push it down. You ignore it like it's a plan that'll shrivel away. But you're the thing that's shrinking. And one day you learn: it's not that you're not like other girls. It's just that you've never met a girl like you. And then, you do. You meet her. And suddenly the songs make sense. ❞

❓ #QOTD What song changed your life growing up? ❓

🦇 This coming-of-age YA romance follows 17-year-old Coley, who arrives in rural Oregon to live with her father. No stranger to loss, Coley is wary about risking an already aching heart; a risk she's willing to take when she crashes into Sonya. Despite trying to conceal their feelings, there's an undeniable spark between them. Can they fight through fear to accept the love neither of them think they deserve?

💜 Hayley Kiyoko's debut novel captures all the heartache of trying to navigate the complexities of love with a young heart. Every time Coley questions her feelings for Sonya, every time past pains or society's expectations make her pause, readers feel that ache. Kiyoko creates realistic characters who are frustratingly unreliable, as most feelings are. This beautiful story is as chaotic and messy as young love, but it's far more than a romance; it's the coming-of-age story most people don't allow themselves. Coley's story explores topics of homophobia and grief, giving real layers to the emotions Coley is forced to confront before she can heal and realize who she's meant to become.

❝ I know now. I can't run away from it the way she does, now that I know what it's like to spark and burn under another girl's hands. What it is to blossom at the mere thought of her. Kissing Alex is a wet match, fizzling dark compared to her. It's not his fault. It's not my fault. It's just...who I am. There it is: the truth. No running from it anymore. It's living in me, and I can try to kill it or try to grow it. ❞

🦇 Unfortunately, this novel lacked the poetic prose or lyrical lines you'd expect from a strong songwriter like Hayley Kiyoko. Since this is a literary debut, an adjustment period is expected, but it felt like Kiyoko relied too heavily on the limited plotline from the music video; limitations that made this a very simple story. Some of the writing, namely the dialogue, is cringy, but I'm not sure whether to account that to Coley's social awkwardness or inexperienced writing. Despite spending almost every day together, we needed more from Coley and Sonya's relationship to really invest in their messy story. Usually, when a character clings onto a mantra, it repeats more than once as a way of bringing the story together. Coley's mom used to say "You gotta love hard and live hard," and I wish that line repeated near the end of the novel, as a way of encouraging Coley to do just that. I honestly didn't expect a HEA in this one, which made it feel a little forced; a pretty bow to finish the story off just as the music video did.

🦇 Recommended to anyone looking for a complex coming-of-age story and sapphic happily ever after. I hope this one wins your heart.

❤️ YA Coming-of-Age
🧡 Debut Novel
🤍 Lesbian Romance
💗 Friends to Lovers
💜 Summertime Vibes

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Young Adult books are typically tricky for me as a reader because often I find my headspace and understanding of the world to be so vastly different from that of their target audiences. But, man, did Girls like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko get me right in the feels. This is a really nicely done young adult novel which speaks both late teen / early adult and “more seasoned” adult beautifully.

This story is gritty, angsty, but touching and tender. I think anyone who has felt infatuation as a young person can really identify with the characters in this novel. This story gave us action and drama but without the illogic and excess that can sometimes take over books in this genre. Girls Like Girls quite beautifully captured the angst and chaos of being a teenager, no matter the type of teenager that you are or were.

I was delightfully surprised to enjoy my time reading this well-written novel so much and flew through its pages pretty quickly. I am glad to have read it and would recommend it if it seems interesting.

This book packs a punch in such a short amount of time. We deal with everything from depression and suicide, sexuality and repressed sexuality, homophobia and internalized homophobia as well as gendered dynamics. So read with caution.

You get fully engulfed in the world and characters Kiyoko created. And it’s no surprise, if you’ve seen the girls like girls music video you KNOW how this story ends. But the way it’s told breaks your heart time and time again. While at certain points gluing it back together (I was a big fan of the romance tropes used) That being said it does have a few small faults in my opinion— it’s YA so sometimes it does read as a little immature but such is YA. Especially when dealing with the tough issues this read tackles. We get certain aspects of certain characters that aren’t ever further explored. But it’s still a very moving very vital story full of multiple queer experiences that I hope are able to help some young queer readers who may pick this book up. Kiyoko attempts to teach bravery and encouragement of being one’s self. Books like this are and forever will be important. I urge you to check it out when it’s out this May 30th.

Thank you netgalley and St Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review and thank you lesbian Jesus for including the phrase “lesbian Jesus” in this book.

As a longtime Hayley Kiyoko fan, I was so excited when I learned she wrote a novel. One of my favorite things about music videos is how they show the stories that songs tell and really bring them to life. I love the idea of furthering that and writing an entire novel based on that music video - which is what Hayley did with Girls Like Girls.

I loved seeing the relationship between Coley and Sonya be fleshed out and seeing their relationship from both points of view. This story was honest and raw as it tackled a variety of topics from grief to self-discovery.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

"I know now. I can't run away from it the way she does, now that I know what it's like to spark and burn under another girl's hands. What it is to blossom at the mere thought of her. Kissing Alex is a wet match, fizzling dark compared to her. It's not his fault. It's not my fault. It's just...who I am. There it is: the truth. No running from it anymore. It's living in me, and I can try to kill it or try to grow it."

These thoughts are some I am confident almost every queer woman has found herself feeling. When it's impossible to deny the part of yourself you don't fully understand yet. When the world is screaming at you that it's wrong. When there's finally clarity about what exactly has been making you feel so different for so long.

Kiyoko writes about these feelings so beautifully and so gut-wrenchingly that it is impossible to put Girls Like Girls down until the end of the very last page. This coming of age novel is so much more than that. It is clarity. It is hope. It is queer joy. And there's so much heartbreak, too. But that's what makes it so real. The denial, the fear...all of it is so important to give this story the scope it has.

This book perfectly captures the melancholy of summer. It's set in 2006, which is when I was a teenager as well, and maybe this is part of the reason why it worked so well for me, because it really took me back.

I wasn't really sure what to expect of this book, but the atmosphere is really very close to that of the Girls Like Girls music video. Of course I had to listen to Hayley's music while reading this, and I can only recommend you do the same!

Girls Like Girls is a young adult story of finding yourself, even in the toughest times. Coley moves to a small town to live with her dad after her mom dies. She is immediately love struck by Sonya, a local popular girl…confusing feelings ensue.

This story was deep and fairly intense for what I was expecting. I loved the main character but to be honest, I was not rooting for her and Sonya to get together. I loved the character development of Coley and her finding out who she is in her new life.

3.5 Stars, rounded up.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I absolutely loved the music video and when I heard that there was a book based off the story behind it, I was so excited. I do like the tie ins to the music video, and thought that was done fairly well.

It was hard to like the characters, and while that's totally normal, it also just felt very hard to root for them. It felt like there wasn't a ton of chemistry between Coley and Sonya, which is what I really craved for a YA book like this. Some of the themes were important and I'm glad they were included, but it also felt like there was a ton of internalized (and external, at points) homophobia that really just felt unnecessary at points, and honestly, harmful.

The book was portrayed as partially character-driven and plot-driven, but it felt like we never really made it anywhere. While there was some character growth, there was a lot still missing and the characters were just... not enjoyable, not even really at the end. It was nice to see some growth, but it felt like so much was left. And I wish we got more than what we got at the end, but I think it did sort of wrap it up.

This book took me a while to read because I just kept putting it down and not wanting to pick it back up. I think it was interesting, and I'm glad I gave it a shot, but honestly, it was not the level I was expecting it to be, so I'm definitely feeling a little disappointed, though would potentially recommend to people if they were seeking something with these specific topics.

This honestly bored me. It wasn’t enough of an exploration of grief or connecting with a new place. Most of the story seemed to be about an angsty teen, yes, a reason to be angsty but the prose just made her seem normal angsty instead of “I’m struggling with huge life changes” angsty”. And the way she partied and dealt with drama in her life had me waiting for the blood to start flowing as the horror book really kicked off or the equally angsty monster boyfriend/girlfriend came in as the real love interest.

At least then it would have been in my preferred genre.

I don’t know. I was looking for an exploration of someone coming into their own during a trying time and instead was bored.

At first I was convinced this would be just another LGBT romance… until I remembered two things:
1) There is no such thing as “just another LGBT romance” (I LOVE THEM)
2) Take a look at the author… it’s none other than the representation icon that is Hayley Kiyoko.

This book is NOT another celebrity trying to bring themself back into the spotlight by writing a book. The heartfelt romance between Coley and Sonia made me want to cry and scream and punch them and hug them… all at the same time. I didn’t want to put this book down, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have “Girls Like Girls” playing on repeat in the background nearly the entire time. I will NEVER watch that music video the same again!

This book does contain potentially triggering subjects such as homophobia, death, suicide, and abuse.

I received a free copy of this book as a bookseller from Hayley Kiyoko, Wednesday Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.