Imogen, Obviously

A fun coming out story, that warms your heart. Albertalli is back with a new book and I devoured it. The book not only talks about how it can be hard coming out to friends but also gatekeeping in the queer community. It is now on my favorites list of queer literature.

I love this book. The story is so relatable yet so unique. The characters are all different, but share so much with each other that connects them. You just want to know more about each one of them. Albertalli also tickles a topic that is unfortunately very present even in the LGBTQIA+ community and being, mostly, a straight passing queer woman the whole story just hit different for me. I don't want to say too much as I think you should experience the book all for yourself, and I strongly recommend you too, but let's just say there were times I got furious at one of the characters who are supposed to be a good friend of Imogen. Also, I have to say that I LOVE the way Imogen's brain works because I can relate to it so much, in general I can relate to her a lot.

Imogen's a people pleasing overthinker who considers herself a big LGBTQIA+ ally... until her bestie Lili told her new friends they've dated before and Tessa came along. She's going through a proper full on gay crisis á la Nick Nelson while people putting her in the "straight girl box", was alles nur verwirrender macht. I loved it so much! || coming of age • relatable mc • bi awakening • internal angst • sexuality discussions • first crush

It´s a beautiful YA novel that deals with topics like queer baiting, biphobia and the journey of self-discovery. This book will never leave my heart. I expected it to be a bit cheesy but Becky Albertalli was able to write such a loving main character with this relatable queer story that made me fall in love with the protagonist as well as myself.

Do you know those books, that stick with you for days and you can’t concentrate on any other book really, because you’re still thinking about it? That happened for me with „Imogen, Obviously“. And I really didn’t think that would happen, I thought it would just be another cute, but forgettable YA romance. But nooooooooo! I inhaled that book in like a day. I was SO invested in the story and I loved how we got to know like all the characters, even though it takes place in like just a week. I loooooved the character development of Imogen, how we got to see her internal thought spirals that felt so authentic and how she slowly but surely grows into herself. She is just a very relatable character. And I also really adored her friendship with Lili. It’s just a beautiful story about self discovery, breaking toxic stereotypes and is also kinda educating. I’m just really glad I picked it up!