Starlah's Reviews > You Should See Me in a Crown

This was adorable! I read this book mostly via audio and the narration by Alaska Jackson was amazing. This story is just bursting at the seams with delightful teenage, high school shenanigans - and I never thought I'd actually care about things like that, but honestly, make it gay and I'm all for it. There were so many fun things like bake sales, prom campaigning, powder puff games - which I didn't even know what that was before reading this - all while still addressing a lot of important things. The reality of navigating a rigged system as a lower-class, queer, Black girl. Being someone surrounded by privileged people while you constantly get the door shut in your face. Homophobia, chronic illness, parental death, family, friendship, relationships. It was all just so well balanced and well rounded.

Liz doesn't even realize that she begins to conform to what these white folks around her expect from a prom queen as she is desperately trying to get the scholarship money she needs to pursue her dreams. And it was such a sweet story to watch her learn that winning by her own rules, and on her own terms is so much sweeter. Watching Liz grow confident and finding her way and realizing how much love she has in her life, was just so heartwarming. It has perfect humor and wit. Just the right amount of pop culture references. A second-chance friendship, which was so sweet. An adorable f/f romance. And just everything. I couldn't put this book down - which is why I read it in a day! I loved this.