Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Can my review just say that Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera is amazing & you need to read it ASAP?

Juliet is a 19-year-old Puerto Rican lesbian from the Bronx. She’s heading to Portland, OR for an internship with her feminist icon. She just came out to her family & her girlfriend is heading to DC for her own internship.

Readers spend a summer with Juliet. We see Juliet question whether this privileged white feminist is really a voice for all women. Juliet meets friends, colleagues & love interests who introduce her to queer spaces. We learn why these safe & inclusive spaces are so important & cherished for the LGBTQIA+ community. We see Juliet experience microaggressions towards her, blatant racism & we see Juliet trying to make space for herself in a white-centered world. I hear myself saying, “Oh, shit” knowing there are places in my life where I (as a privileged white woman) can & will do better.

Along with Juliet, readers are able to learn about labels, gender, fluidity, the meaning of feminism, inclusion, love & how each of us really can take ownership of those terms & labels. Most importantly, we get to see Juliet come into her own & shaping & owning her true self.

THE VERDICT

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera is powerful. While I think readers of probably 14 & up are best suited for this novel, many adults should read this too. Truly, there is something really meaningful about seeing a young person question, learn & develop into feeling comfortable & harnessing their own power. It’s inspiring & solidifies my quest to read more YA.

Also, I can’t wait to read more from Gabby Rivera. I’m grabbing Gabby’s America Chavez series from Marvel ASAP.

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