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What Happens When Review

What Happens WhenTitle: What Happens When
Author: Samantha Boyette
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Trigger Warning: Homophobic language and actions, bullying, toxic relationship, alcohol abuse
Rating:  3 Stars
Release Date: March 12, 2019



Synopsis




For Molly Kennan, senior year is already an epic disaster. It feels like the whole school knows she made out with Lily at that party, and now she’s accidentally outed herself as a lesbian. Her ex-best friend is trying to ruin her life, and school generally sucks. All she wants is to drown her sorrows in sweet potato fries, but she finds herself tongue-tied by the diner’s new waitress, Zia. Zia is way out of Molly’s league. Older, beautiful, and definitely way more sophisticated. It’s probably just wishful thinking, but Molly can’t help wondering if maybe Zia is flirting with her. Despite Zia’s always-there boyfriend, Molly falls hard for her, and Zia says she feels the same way. So then why doesn’t Zia break up with her boyfriend, and why does she keep so many secrets? Then there’s Lily, who she can’t seem to stop accidentally kissing. When your head and your heart are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?


Review

A special thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc for providing a free advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to pick up a YA book with a f/f romance and the plot looked really interesting on this book as well. The plotline of the Queer Alliance and Lily's leadership within this group also made a feel good story. It was a little sad but also amazing. I wish that this plot had been the main story instead of the romance because I absolutely loved this storyline. It was sad and exciting and while maybe a little bit on the stereotypical side, unique in its own way.

I absolutely adored the sibling relationship between Molly and Luke. The siblings are incredibly close to each other and rely on the other one for guidance and support. It reminded me of how close my sister and I can be at times. This really was the highlight of the book for me and was really well written. I especially appreciated how this relationship was already built before this book was written so the relationship feels even more real.

However, I did have some issues with this book. The romance was such a stereotypical f/f contemporary romance where bisexuality is either erased or the one bi character is an awful person. Also Lily was way too good for Molly. I had some major issues with Molly as well. I am not quite sure exactly what it was, but she and Lily really don't belong together.

I absolutely loved Lily though, She was an amazing character and I loved her storyline. Everything else just kind of felt stereotypical and plain. It isn't a bad book; I definitely enjoyed reading it. I definitely recommend reading it and I think that some people would love this. The representation with Lily and some of the other characters, like Connor and Emma, is really well done. I just kind of wish the Queer Alliance was the main storyline.


Thanks for reading!
Alyssa
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