Helpful Score: 1
I've been meaning to get and read Rainbow Boys for years now so when I saw an ARC tour for this on a friends blog I hopped right on.
While I am into YA I haven't read much in the way of glbt and the like. I'm a very open-minded person and because of my own life and that of some friends and family I knew the chances of me being able to relate to one or more of the characters in Boyfriends with Girlfriends was high.
And I was right. The four main characters, Lance, Anna, Sergio, and Kimiko are all very relatable even if you're not living through the same experiences. These four are questioning their sexuality while dealing with a number of other things that come directly and indirectly into play. A straight person who has never had questions of this sort will still be able to relate more than they might think.
Some parts of the dialogue felt somewhat stilted. Using more of 'I'm' and 'you're' instead of 'I am' and 'you are' would have helped here I think. My only other complaint goes along the lines of how fast everything plays out. There were no breaths in between and everything felt very rushed.
I try to avoid spoilers at all costs so allow me to be vague. One of the main characters has a parent who is adamantly against the way the character is living life. After a very brief confrontation and conversation (if it can even be called that) she totally changes her views. So much so that she actually wishes her child luck in a new possible relationship.Now, stranger things have happened I'm sure but that's anything but believable.
I love the title, love the cover, love, love, love, love the fact that the teens on the cover totally fit the image of the teens in the book. That goes a long way with me.
As one would expect there are some sexual scenes. None get very graphic although one or two are somewhat borderline I would say.
I'm stuck on the age group IMO. Apparently this is for 12+. Kids are starting younger these days, aren't they? I'm trying to imagine handing this to my daughter at 12. And I can't. Maybe 14 but that might be too late in this day and time. :(
I can't say it's inappropriate for 12 year olds. I don't think it is I guess. It's just hard to imagine my daughters eyes reading some of the same words I just read.
I do believe this is noteworthy and I do believe it should be in libraries and homes across the world. Sanchez captures the questioning beautifully. If this can help someone be more comfortable with being themselves, whoever that may be, than it's done it's job IMO. I'm still interested in reading Rainbow Boys and I may seek out others by him if there are others.
I should mention how fast this is - I read it in under one day and if I had had the uninterrupted time I could have read it in one sitting.
While I am into YA I haven't read much in the way of glbt and the like. I'm a very open-minded person and because of my own life and that of some friends and family I knew the chances of me being able to relate to one or more of the characters in Boyfriends with Girlfriends was high.
And I was right. The four main characters, Lance, Anna, Sergio, and Kimiko are all very relatable even if you're not living through the same experiences. These four are questioning their sexuality while dealing with a number of other things that come directly and indirectly into play. A straight person who has never had questions of this sort will still be able to relate more than they might think.
Some parts of the dialogue felt somewhat stilted. Using more of 'I'm' and 'you're' instead of 'I am' and 'you are' would have helped here I think. My only other complaint goes along the lines of how fast everything plays out. There were no breaths in between and everything felt very rushed.
I try to avoid spoilers at all costs so allow me to be vague. One of the main characters has a parent who is adamantly against the way the character is living life. After a very brief confrontation and conversation (if it can even be called that) she totally changes her views. So much so that she actually wishes her child luck in a new possible relationship.Now, stranger things have happened I'm sure but that's anything but believable.
I love the title, love the cover, love, love, love, love the fact that the teens on the cover totally fit the image of the teens in the book. That goes a long way with me.
As one would expect there are some sexual scenes. None get very graphic although one or two are somewhat borderline I would say.
I'm stuck on the age group IMO. Apparently this is for 12+. Kids are starting younger these days, aren't they? I'm trying to imagine handing this to my daughter at 12. And I can't. Maybe 14 but that might be too late in this day and time. :(
I can't say it's inappropriate for 12 year olds. I don't think it is I guess. It's just hard to imagine my daughters eyes reading some of the same words I just read.
I do believe this is noteworthy and I do believe it should be in libraries and homes across the world. Sanchez captures the questioning beautifully. If this can help someone be more comfortable with being themselves, whoever that may be, than it's done it's job IMO. I'm still interested in reading Rainbow Boys and I may seek out others by him if there are others.
I should mention how fast this is - I read it in under one day and if I had had the uninterrupted time I could have read it in one sitting.
