A wonderfully woven story about found family, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and true love. The story alternates between the 1970s (Jane's memories) and the present, where Jane is stuck. You experience, through Jane's stories, the evolution of Gay Pride and rights. Then you immerse yourself, through August, in the New York of now, where there is more of an embracing of queer culture and a larger queer community. Jane is threaded through the movements that helped to establish and acquire 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. It was heartbreaking, but also so hopeful. Jane is strong, resilient, and even after all the pain she has endured she shows kindness, compassion and love. Jane Su is an all-time favourite character now. The moment she stomped onto the page I loved her. Her punk attitude, her generosity, her easy charm, but also her uncertainty and defensiveness. She lived in a time when she had to fight constantly just to be able to be accepted for who she is. She had to fear what could happen to her if she fell in love, what if they happened across the wrong people (the people who hated anyone different than them). This character, she is just so amazing, I could honestly read a whole other book just about her. Okay, but her relationship with August was adorable as well. Their understanding of each other, their care, when they both need comfort the other is there ready to listen and help if they can. They never push, which also leads to misunderstandings, but also builds trust and respect. August started her time in New York closed off, but her overly open roommates and Jane helped her to realize the importance of having others to lean on and love. Also, my favourite part, the music references and how Jane and August communicated with each other through song titles or lyrics on the radio. Just absolute perfection (brought me down memory lane and had me pulling out my own record collection). Myla, Niko, Wes, Isaiah/Annie Depressant, and all of the Billy's Pancakes gang were diligently created and added much needed depth and emotion. This found family is everything; they love wholeheartedly, support, care, comfort, and help where they need to. They are honest with each other completely, even pushing someone when they are stalling themselves. They do not lie when something is wrong or bothering them, and they are quick to set boundaries and be firm with each other. This group comes together in the face of adversity and triumph. I did think the book could have been shorter, but overall it was such a fantastic story worth all of the hype! TW: homophobia, drinking, light drug use (weed), semi-public sex, depression and anxiety, memory loss and cognitive issues, familial estrangement, familial death, grief, missing persons, implied PTSD, the AIDS crisis, police violence, childhood neglect, arson, murder, death, historic hate crime
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