You can have some things figured out and get others completely, devastatingly wrong. There are lots of things going on in this book, but what stuck with me is its recognition that people are complicated and flawed. She hops on a plane and arrives in the alien world of Portland, Oregon: a very different place from the Bronx.

She’s so blown away by this book that she writes a letter to the author and lands an internship with her. This is a coming of age story about Juliet, who’s just had her eyes opened to feminist ideals by a book titled Raging Flower: Empowering your Pussy by Empowering your Mind. It may not be for everyone–its focus on feminist politics and how they intersect with race and other factors will feel unfamiliar to some readers–but I thought it did a fantastic job with that focus. I can see why so many people fell in love with this book, and I can only agree. “I feel like I’ve been hearing about that book every day for our entire relationship!”)Īs usual, my nervousness was completely unfounded. It wasn’t until booktube started the #diverseathon that I decided to finally take the leap and pick it. What if I was one of the few that didn’t like it? And then how would I even talk about it? I wanted to like it so much that I was afraid to actually read it in case it disappointed me. But somewhere along the line the hype began to have the opposite effect. In that time, I heard more and more of the book blogs and vlogs I follow mention Juliet, almost always positively. And then it sat there for about six months. But when the reviews for Juliet Takes a Breath began to pour in, I couldn’t resist! I bought it brand new and moved it to the corner of my dresser, ready to be the next book I picked up. I acquire so many books that I tend to stick to used books and the library for new acquisitions. In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out-to the world, to her family, to herself.I don’t usually buy new releases. And she definitely doesn't have all the answers.

Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women's bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff is sure to help her figure out this whole 'Puerto Rican lesbian' thing. And when Juliet's coming out crashes and burns, she's not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.īut Juliet has a plan-sort of. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon to intern with her favorite feminist writer-what's sure to be a life changing experience. Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx.

A gutsy, queer coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Nina LaCour, Rainbow Rowell, and Elizabeth Acevedo.

Juliet takes a breath age appropriate