Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

Title; Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel
Author; Sara Farizan
Source; Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Format; eBook
Publisher; Algonquin
Publication Date; October 17th 2014

Description; High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different from her classmates; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia's confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to her fellow drama tech-crew members, especially Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise, and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.

My Rating; 4.5*s

Review; As soon as I read the description for this book I just knew I had to have it. It was exactly what I was looking to read. I could not wait to start reading it as soon as I got approved on netgalley.

Then I started reading it and I just go so absorbed in the story, in the characters. Whilst I must admit that I wasn't really surprised by many of the things that happened, it was still a good read for me. A relaxing kind of read.

It is also nice to read a book that is not only LGBTQIA+, but a book that features a main gay character that isn't white. Too often main characters are white, or ethnical backgrounds aren't explored as much. In this book they were. I liked that. (I am white, but even I get fed up).

Leila, oh how I love Leila. Her struggles are so real. Her problems so real. Sibling jealousy and rivalry, coming out, figuring out who you are, telling your parents about it all. Whilst some of the scenes and characters were a little unrealistic Leila was not.

I would have liked to learn a little bit more about some of the other characters, but I guess then we wouldn't have had as much information about Leila. I mean, I know hardly anything about Greg or Tess. Or the tech girls. Or Lisa.

I really enjoyed this story. It was quite fast paced for me. It didn't feel like 300 pages. I could definitely read more from these characters, but considering the book is not part of a series I will just have to read Sara's other work and keep and eye out for anything new.

I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait till it comes out so I can get physical copy of my own!