Queen B’s Decree: Girls Like Girls takes place in 2006 and I really felt like I was transported back in time. The LiveJournal, the clothing, the music selections; it really brought me back.
Coley has moved to a new town after her mother’s suicide. Her father hasn’t been present in her life and frankly, she doesn’t know how to have a relationship with him. But she becomes attached to the first friend she makes, Sonya, pretty hard. Kind of like a barnacle.
I enjoyed how Girls Like Girls went into so many deeper themes: suicide, homophobia, internalized homophobia, and becoming your true self. But the romance felt forced. Coley and Sonya were a bit insta-lovey, but also very whiplashy. I loved Coley’s growth and watching her accept herself, but Sonya never showed much character progression. And sadly, the storyline was a bit predictable.
But hey, I’m in for this nostalgic feeling and thought Girls Like Girls was a good debut.
Book: Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
Series: standalone
Genre: YA
Hotness: mild salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: lgbt, sapphic