Sara Farizan

High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different from her classmates; if word got out that she liked girls

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel

At Armstead Academy, everyone knows everything about everyone. Well, everyone thinks they know everything . . . Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is a relief. As an Iranian American, she’s different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would. As she carefully confides in trusted friends about Saskia’s confusing signals, Leila begins to figure out that all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and some are keeping surprising secrets of their own “An empowering romance featuring a lovable, awkward protagonist who just needs a little nudge of confidence to totally claim her multifaceted identity.” —Booklist, starred review “Farizan exceeds the high expectations she set with her debut, If You Could Be Mine, in this fresh, humorous, and poignant exploration of friendship and love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Funny, heartwarming, and wise.” —Kirkus Reviews • A 2015 ALA Top Ten Rainbow List Title • A 2015 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

A Novel

abbie j

i changed my rating for this because in hindsight it had quite a few problematic aspects :/

“Both personal and universal, this is a compelling story about high school, family and owning up to who you really are. Farizan is just the voice YA needs right now. Trust me, you'll be glad you listened.” --Sarah Dessen Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. As an Iranian American, she’s different enough; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia’s confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to her fellow drama tech-crew members, especially Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise, and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.

I hate this book so much, it made me hate everything I am. This book inspires racism and homophobia in me and I hate it so much. Imagine being so disconnected from your own culture you write a book slamming it down. Fuck this book and fuck this author

Ro Grayson

allie

ishika 🌷

the ending seemed so incomplete i don't know i wanted more

Antonia Sonntag 

Ariel Himboi

A more coherent review to be entered her later.  

Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel is a feel good book. Not necessarily because it's rainbows and butterflies all the time. Our main character is an awkward lesbian in high school trying to meet her parent's expectations and keep her friendships- mostly, with her ex who still likes her and a new girl she can't stay away from. 

The story is interesting and I really enjoyed seeing the family dynamics. Leila is a nice MC to read about. I liked that I could relate to her a lot, between wanting to hide herself and please everyone around her, to becoming confident and choosing to be with the people who make her happy. 

The drama towards the end felt rushed. One minute we had the antagonist that moved the plot and riled up the MC, and the next they were history. I felt like some of it was still unsolved, but still served it's purpose to age the main character. 

The romance was incredibly cute and I hadn't expected it at all. The friendships were also adorable and realistic and I think the grief felt by side characters was very realistic. The dialogue did not feel awkward or forced at all. 

This was a nice book to read for fun. I picked it up, expecting less than I got, and was left buzzing with happiness. 

I recommend this 8/10!

Hayley 📖🌈💜🌸

2.5-3 stars. I just- it had so much potential that it didn't live up to. Like me in high school.

Cori

Martha F.

Ayla Hawthorne

Melissa Railey

Agus

Jazelle H

brianna

zahra

jess

jupiter

Noelia Abreu

Lola Money

Valeria Figueroa 

Tess 

Sarahi

With the heart of Judy Blume and wit of Alison Bechdel, Sara Farizan brings the authenticity and humour that distinguished her debut novel, If You Could Be Mine, to her second work of fiction for teens Leila has made it most of the way through high school without having a crush on anyone, which comes as something of a relief. Her Persian heritage makes her different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. And what would her parents think? It’s bad enough she’s not even going to become a doctor. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never dreamed of, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia’s confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all of her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.