She Loves You, She Loves You Not... (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Peters is an accomplished author of LGBT YA novels and shows her expertise in this novel. This is the first novel I have read in the YA genre that successfully uses the 2nd person point of view. At some points, in the beginning this perspective is a bit off-setting, however the continuation of the novel pinpoints why Peters used this format. However, I must disagree when Peters changes from the use of 2nd person in a diary format, to stating the back-story (totally essential to the structure of this novel) as an integrated part of the overall narrative. I also am disappointed by what I consider a rather expected and "pat" ending.Nevertheless, this coming-of-age novel about a lesbian teen female has much to over. Written in the present tense, there is a certain engagement of the reader to the story. I am not sure the title truly reflects the overall theme of the novel.However, I can recommend this novel. I do really like Julie Anne Peters, and I definitely enjoyed this read. I like the characters and plot lines and details she develops, and I like reading their stories. I think it was just hard reading this immediately after A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend, which was written so wonderfully. Peters, like some other high-profile queer YA authors I've read, just uses too much cheesy phrasing sometimes and it makes my brain squirm a little. And the protagonist seemed like she was sassy and independent but yet then was SO needy and dependent on her ex, who was pretty underdeveloped and seemed irritating so it was hard to understand why she'd be so heartbroken over her, anyway.That said, there are a ton of interesting issues presented in this novel, like having a mom who's an exotic dancer and working on not judging her for that, among other things, and I loved Arlo and really, really wanted to be able to go to Colorado and eat at his restaurant, like now.So that was a weird review.
What do You think about She Loves You, She Loves You Not... (2011)?
Good story. Well written. I read it in one day, in one sitting. The ending left me wanting more.
—rudolph
I loved this book so much! I wish that there was a sequel
—Lysa
