What do you think?
Rate this book
Don't Be a Drag
Two rival drag kings competing for a crown might just win each other's hearts.
When eighteen-year-old Briar Vincent's mental health takes a turn for the worst, her parents send her to spend the summer in New York City with her older brother, Beau, also known as the drag queen Bow Regard.
Backstage at the gay bar where Beau performs, Briar just wants to be a fly on the wall, but she can't stand by when the cute but conceited drag king Spencer Read tries to put down another up-and-coming performer. To prove to him that even a brand-new performer could knock him off his pedestal, Briar signs up for the annual drag king competition.
There's just one flaw in her plan: Briar has never done drag before.
With the help of her brother and a few new friends, Briar becomes Edgar Allan Foe, a drag king hellbent on taking Spencer down. But unless she can learn how to shake her anxiety and perform, she doesn't stand a chance of winning Drag King of the Year, overcoming her depression and inner demons, or avoiding falling for her enemy, who might not be so bad after all.
When eighteen-year-old Briar Vincent's mental health takes a turn for the worst, her parents send her to spend the summer in New York City with her older brother, Beau, also known as the drag queen Bow Regard.
Backstage at the gay bar where Beau performs, Briar just wants to be a fly on the wall, but she can't stand by when the cute but conceited drag king Spencer Read tries to put down another up-and-coming performer. To prove to him that even a brand-new performer could knock him off his pedestal, Briar signs up for the annual drag king competition.
There's just one flaw in her plan: Briar has never done drag before.
With the help of her brother and a few new friends, Briar becomes Edgar Allan Foe, a drag king hellbent on taking Spencer down. But unless she can learn how to shake her anxiety and perform, she doesn't stand a chance of winning Drag King of the Year, overcoming her depression and inner demons, or avoiding falling for her enemy, who might not be so bad after all.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
About the author
Skye Quinlan
2 books104 followersSkye Quinlan (they/them) is a queer, autistic author of YA fiction. They’re an avid reader, have an absurd amount of crystals and gemstones, and if they’re not tending to their garden, you can usually find them playing Animal Crossing. Skye lives in Ohio with their wife, two dogs, a snake, and two lizards.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Read
August 8, 2023BOOK TWO, LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! So excited to share this piece of my heart with y'all. <3
Tamara Grasty at Page Street YA has bought Don't Be A Drag by Skye Quinlan (Forward March), a sapphic YA contemporary about depressed teen Briar Vincent who, while spending the summer in NYC with her drag queen older brother, accidentally stirs up trouble by entering an annual drag king competition and kicking off a rivalry with overconfident (and unfairly attractive) performer Spencer Read. Now, she must become Edgar Allan Foe, take home the crown for Drag King of the Year, and battle her inner demons while avoiding falling for her enemy. Publication is slated for 2024; Moe Ferrara at Bookends Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street YA has bought Don't Be A Drag by Skye Quinlan (Forward March), a sapphic YA contemporary about depressed teen Briar Vincent who, while spending the summer in NYC with her drag queen older brother, accidentally stirs up trouble by entering an annual drag king competition and kicking off a rivalry with overconfident (and unfairly attractive) performer Spencer Read. Now, she must become Edgar Allan Foe, take home the crown for Drag King of the Year, and battle her inner demons while avoiding falling for her enemy. Publication is slated for 2024; Moe Ferrara at Bookends Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
May 28, 2024
I have been looking forward to this book since it was first announced! Let me tell you, it was worth the wait! I foam at the mouth for any books with drag queens, but drag kings I rarely see!
This is a YA story that follows Briar as she navigates her mental health while making some friends, some enemies, and discovers more about herself and what she can do. Maybe along the way, some enemies may become... More...
I adored any and all references to drag and gay culture. I would have LOVED to actually be in attendance to some of the performances that are described in the book. I love the depression representation and the support systems that were showcased in this book. I adored the ending of the book and how is was positive and believable. I wish I would have had more books just like this one when I was a baby queer. Highly recommend!
This is a YA story that follows Briar as she navigates her mental health while making some friends, some enemies, and discovers more about herself and what she can do. Maybe along the way, some enemies may become... More...
I adored any and all references to drag and gay culture. I would have LOVED to actually be in attendance to some of the performances that are described in the book. I love the depression representation and the support systems that were showcased in this book. I adored the ending of the book and how is was positive and believable. I wish I would have had more books just like this one when I was a baby queer. Highly recommend!
June 3, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This is one of those books that had me smiling as I read it, and when it ended all too soon, I was left wanting a sequel, if not an entire series about these characters and their lives together. However, a quick warning before I get into the review. This book deals with some heavy topics. Briar has both anxiety and depression, and there is a moment in the book where she enters into a dark spiral and has thoughts of killing herself. Selene’s last girlfriend committed suicide, and Selene is holding onto a lot of guilt about not answering her last text. These matters are handled with sensitivity and delicacy, but if this is sensitive subject matter for you, it’s perfectly fine to walk away from this book and find another one.
This book has amazing messaging, amazing characters, and… well, an amazing set of relationship. Everything and every character fits together so well and so seamlessly. The writing is skillful, light easy to read and yet not holding back or skimming past the heavier moments. For me, this book hit every note and will most definitely be on my year end list. I hope it is for you, too.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This is one of those books that had me smiling as I read it, and when it ended all too soon, I was left wanting a sequel, if not an entire series about these characters and their lives together. However, a quick warning before I get into the review. This book deals with some heavy topics. Briar has both anxiety and depression, and there is a moment in the book where she enters into a dark spiral and has thoughts of killing herself. Selene’s last girlfriend committed suicide, and Selene is holding onto a lot of guilt about not answering her last text. These matters are handled with sensitivity and delicacy, but if this is sensitive subject matter for you, it’s perfectly fine to walk away from this book and find another one.
This book has amazing messaging, amazing characters, and… well, an amazing set of relationship. Everything and every character fits together so well and so seamlessly. The writing is skillful, light easy to read and yet not holding back or skimming past the heavier moments. For me, this book hit every note and will most definitely be on my year end list. I hope it is for you, too.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
June 13, 2024
pride month book #5? (i’ll double check that number)
little impromptu buddy read with topaz!
i read this whole thing pretty much on my phone so it felt like reading fanfiction (but not necessarily in a bad way). every once in a while i need a romance book where i don’t have to pay attention to things like “worldbuilding” or “foreshadowing” and this definitely worked! i love when romance authors just put the two characters in a Situation (drag contest in this one) and then make them figure it out. favorite subgenre of romance for sure. i really should go read forward march now but i think i’ll save it for when i’m burnt out from fantasy/sci-fi!
little impromptu buddy read with topaz!
i read this whole thing pretty much on my phone so it felt like reading fanfiction (but not necessarily in a bad way). every once in a while i need a romance book where i don’t have to pay attention to things like “worldbuilding” or “foreshadowing” and this definitely worked! i love when romance authors just put the two characters in a Situation (drag contest in this one) and then make them figure it out. favorite subgenre of romance for sure. i really should go read forward march now but i think i’ll save it for when i’m burnt out from fantasy/sci-fi!
June 30, 2024
The most ADORABLE queer Young Adult book about finding your way in the world through the power of identity and found family.
Please read this. And donate it to your local library.
Please read this. And donate it to your local library.
June 15, 2024
3.5 STARS!! (Since I feel reluctant about pulling out The Fun Rating.) That’s literally the same rating I gave to Forward March, down to the rounding up, but I liked this one more. Thank you to Laurel for doing a buddy read with me, even though I only made it into one last-minute!
I’ll get into my criticisms later, but I’ll first say that this was a lot of fun. Perhaps that was helped by me being in the middle of making a cosplay for a convention in the week I was reading this, since it made it easier for me to connect with and enjoy the parts where the main characters were assembling their outfits and ideas. (I’m with Selene on that drag is easier than cosplay! But in the words of my teacher, it depends on the person and cosplay.) I can tell the author has a lot of love for the subculture and the art behind it, and it definitely seeped into how drag is represented through the characters.
Laurel also pointed this out in their review, but the “characters are put into a situation” plot with a lack of different devices like foreshadowing definitely made this read like a fanfic. (Which was amusing, with the sparse references to fandom culture and fic writing sprinkled throughout.) Especially in the case of Selene/Spencer and Briar/Edgar’s romance!! Their often very queer rivalry and constant back-and-forth gave me flashbacks to a couple of modern AU fics I’ve read.
(And I think the fic comparison makes more sense the more I think about it, considering that sometimes authors deal with mental health issues through characters, and based off the author’s note this was a personal story to write.)
But one of the factors that made me lower my rating was Selene’s constant switching. From Beau’s convoluted defenses, I gathered at some point that she’d be revealed to have some kind of personal insecurity and emotional struggle. (It’s also kind of a cliche for more brash/rude characters. Even if she was only like that sometimes.) In the last third, she from being rude to Briar and instigating arguments, to seemingly feeling bad for how she affected Briar and eventually becoming friendly enough to have an actual romance instead of homoerotic relationship. And there were a couple of things I thought she should’ve brought up in her apology, but never did. I feel the accountability of the main character’s social circle was handled better in Don’t Be A Drag than Forward March(thank god), however, Selene’s arc was still incomplete and rushed.
The only character I didn’t really like was Beau, but he was unfortunately a very realistic kind of messy gay even if he MADDENED me sometimes. I think most of his accountability issues were handled by the end, though.
But talking about a character I LOVED, though: ACHILLES PATRICK!! I’m probably biased since I’m autistic, nonbinary and sometimes do drag(it’s been for pride events, though. I’ve yet to perform), but they were genuinely such a sweet character and I thought their friendship with Briar was one of the most organic relationships in the story. I also think they embodied a lot of the joy to be found in self-expression through drag. (Which can be said about a lot of the cast. But I mean specifically what the author was going for when writing Briar’s story.)
I don’t have many other thoughts besides I liked the mental illness rep(specifically the depression rep), and if I’d found this a year or so ago when I was struggling it would’ve hit me hard. Overall, I have a couple criticisms and complicated feelings, but I still liked it.
I’ll get into my criticisms later, but I’ll first say that this was a lot of fun. Perhaps that was helped by me being in the middle of making a cosplay for a convention in the week I was reading this, since it made it easier for me to connect with and enjoy the parts where the main characters were assembling their outfits and ideas. (I’m with Selene on that drag is easier than cosplay! But in the words of my teacher, it depends on the person and cosplay.) I can tell the author has a lot of love for the subculture and the art behind it, and it definitely seeped into how drag is represented through the characters.
Laurel also pointed this out in their review, but the “characters are put into a situation” plot with a lack of different devices like foreshadowing definitely made this read like a fanfic. (Which was amusing, with the sparse references to fandom culture and fic writing sprinkled throughout.) Especially in the case of Selene/Spencer and Briar/Edgar’s romance!! Their often very queer rivalry and constant back-and-forth gave me flashbacks to a couple of modern AU fics I’ve read.
(And I think the fic comparison makes more sense the more I think about it, considering that sometimes authors deal with mental health issues through characters, and based off the author’s note this was a personal story to write.)
But one of the factors that made me lower my rating was Selene’s constant switching. From Beau’s convoluted defenses, I gathered at some point that she’d be revealed to have some kind of personal insecurity and emotional struggle. (It’s also kind of a cliche for more brash/rude characters. Even if she was only like that sometimes.) In the last third, she from being rude to Briar and instigating arguments, to seemingly feeling bad for how she affected Briar and eventually becoming friendly enough to have an actual romance instead of homoerotic relationship. And there were a couple of things I thought she should’ve brought up in her apology, but never did. I feel the accountability of the main character’s social circle was handled better in Don’t Be A Drag than Forward March(thank god), however, Selene’s arc was still incomplete and rushed.
The only character I didn’t really like was Beau, but he was unfortunately a very realistic kind of messy gay even if he MADDENED me sometimes. I think most of his accountability issues were handled by the end, though.
But talking about a character I LOVED, though: ACHILLES PATRICK!! I’m probably biased since I’m autistic, nonbinary and sometimes do drag(it’s been for pride events, though. I’ve yet to perform), but they were genuinely such a sweet character and I thought their friendship with Briar was one of the most organic relationships in the story. I also think they embodied a lot of the joy to be found in self-expression through drag. (Which can be said about a lot of the cast. But I mean specifically what the author was going for when writing Briar’s story.)
I don’t have many other thoughts besides I liked the mental illness rep(specifically the depression rep), and if I’d found this a year or so ago when I was struggling it would’ve hit me hard. Overall, I have a couple criticisms and complicated feelings, but I still liked it.
Read
September 9, 2024i'm DNFing this and not going to give a rating bc of the small amount of reviews. i don't want to be a dick but also this is my goodreads account so
just really found it difficult to find things about this i enjoyed other than the concept on paper. feels like it was written by someone who does not have a grasp on how local drag scenes operate especially since most of the characters are up and coming or brand new performers - at least in the portion of the book i read, there was also no mention of how most drag spaces don't even BOOK kings. so to making your main drag king have 30k followers with consistent shows is nuts. i know many talented, veteran kings who headline shows and run competitions and have been working every weekend for YEARS in major cities who barely have 3k. this is a small detail as an example to be hung up on, but this kind of misunderstanding of what the local scene is like (especially for kings!) kind of permeates the whole text. another example: the first in-text drag performance is to lady gaga's born this way (LOL) and there's a line of dialogue where a character says it's a cool performance bc "no one really does gaga" anymore..... i go to mostly alt/punk drag shows but. gaga? drag queens don't do gaga anymore? in what world?
this suffered the typical pitfalls most YA does where it feels a rabid need to reference pop culture, except the author is not in the intended age demographic and i'm convinced maybe doesn't know anyone that does? lost my mind at this 17 year old in 2024 writing yuri on ice fanfic bc like............... What. and the drag king performing to post-ryan ross panic! songs. these are not things young adults are into. these aren't even things teenagers would be able to talk to you at length about. putting pop culture references like this in dates your book enough, you don't need to make it worse.
i also really, really intensely hated every time enzo and jac spoke. i think making an attempt at diversifying your cast of characters is noble and worthy, but having your main latina character "swear in spanish" (and not even saying the word) every other paragraph and having your only black woman character (IN A BOOK ABOUT DRAG IN NEW YORK... CRAZY) speak in the most stereotypical cadence was really.... truly.... embarrassing at best and uncomfortable at worst to read.
this is also example #3905095 of books that would work better as adult that i'm not really sure why the author is insistent about making a YA project - there is only so much disbelief you can suspend when high schoolers are constantly in bars and working at bars. and the line about how selene started performing shirtless the second s(he) turned 18 was......... well. it was!
i don't know. i was really excited to read this. i love drag and i love drag kings and there are so few books out there that have two women who aren't both hyper fem - this would have meant the world to me had it panned out.
just really found it difficult to find things about this i enjoyed other than the concept on paper. feels like it was written by someone who does not have a grasp on how local drag scenes operate especially since most of the characters are up and coming or brand new performers - at least in the portion of the book i read, there was also no mention of how most drag spaces don't even BOOK kings. so to making your main drag king have 30k followers with consistent shows is nuts. i know many talented, veteran kings who headline shows and run competitions and have been working every weekend for YEARS in major cities who barely have 3k. this is a small detail as an example to be hung up on, but this kind of misunderstanding of what the local scene is like (especially for kings!) kind of permeates the whole text. another example: the first in-text drag performance is to lady gaga's born this way (LOL) and there's a line of dialogue where a character says it's a cool performance bc "no one really does gaga" anymore..... i go to mostly alt/punk drag shows but. gaga? drag queens don't do gaga anymore? in what world?
this suffered the typical pitfalls most YA does where it feels a rabid need to reference pop culture, except the author is not in the intended age demographic and i'm convinced maybe doesn't know anyone that does? lost my mind at this 17 year old in 2024 writing yuri on ice fanfic bc like............... What. and the drag king performing to post-ryan ross panic! songs. these are not things young adults are into. these aren't even things teenagers would be able to talk to you at length about. putting pop culture references like this in dates your book enough, you don't need to make it worse.
i also really, really intensely hated every time enzo and jac spoke. i think making an attempt at diversifying your cast of characters is noble and worthy, but having your main latina character "swear in spanish" (and not even saying the word) every other paragraph and having your only black woman character (IN A BOOK ABOUT DRAG IN NEW YORK... CRAZY) speak in the most stereotypical cadence was really.... truly.... embarrassing at best and uncomfortable at worst to read.
this is also example #3905095 of books that would work better as adult that i'm not really sure why the author is insistent about making a YA project - there is only so much disbelief you can suspend when high schoolers are constantly in bars and working at bars. and the line about how selene started performing shirtless the second s(he) turned 18 was......... well. it was!
i don't know. i was really excited to read this. i love drag and i love drag kings and there are so few books out there that have two women who aren't both hyper fem - this would have meant the world to me had it panned out.
June 7, 2024
3.5ish ⭐️? Ratings are hard but I had a really good time with this! This had some good discussion of mental health, community, and diverse drag. There was a bit of the tension that felt a bit forced and some of it played out a bit unrealistic. But honestly, I didn't mind much while I was reading. It was very YA stylistically* and those parts weren't outside the realm of what is expected for that. It also includes a lot of pop culture references, which can be an issue for some readers but I tend to like a good reference and I enjoyed how most of them were incorperated. Over all, I really liked it!
*that's not a negative, just sort of descriptive of the writing style. I quite like this style when I'm in the mood for it. It's earnest in a way that adult lit rarely is... but I digress.
*that's not a negative, just sort of descriptive of the writing style. I quite like this style when I'm in the mood for it. It's earnest in a way that adult lit rarely is... but I digress.
July 29, 2024
"Don't be a drag... whether you're broke or evergreen"
But unfortunately I am broke, so I'm very glad I won this arc.
This book is so sweet. It manages to balance a very soft and lovely sense of finding community and who you really are while also not just breezing over mental health.
It is heavy (please check the trigger warnings) but also somehow a comfort read. Recommend!
Thank you to the publisher/author for the arc!
This is part of the pride month books I'm trying to read this month which so far consists of:
Book 1: Stonewall, breaking out in the fight for gay rights Book2: I was born for this
Book 3: Heartstopper: Volume 4
Book 4: The prince and the dressmaker
Book 5: Loveless
Book 6: Late to the party
Book 7: Time is a mother
Book 8: Don't be a drag
But unfortunately I am broke, so I'm very glad I won this arc.
This book is so sweet. It manages to balance a very soft and lovely sense of finding community and who you really are while also not just breezing over mental health.
It is heavy (please check the trigger warnings) but also somehow a comfort read. Recommend!
Thank you to the publisher/author for the arc!
This is part of the pride month books I'm trying to read this month which so far consists of:
Book 1: Stonewall, breaking out in the fight for gay rights Book2: I was born for this
Book 3: Heartstopper: Volume 4
Book 4: The prince and the dressmaker
Book 5: Loveless
Book 6: Late to the party
Book 7: Time is a mother
Book 8: Don't be a drag
February 28, 2023
Y'all are not ready for this book. ❤️
May 24, 2024
I really loved Blair, the main character of Don't Be a Drag, and found the drag queen/drag king storylines to be fun and interesting. The contest was a fun element to add to the book and enjoyed the discussions of costuming, makeup, a little history, and the performance aspect. I appreciate that the book did not shy away from difficult topics, but they also weren't particularly sensationalized. Finally, while there is some romantic attraction and some romantic subplots, this is not a genre romance. I also liked the ending; I appreciated that it was more realistic and less centered around giving the main character everything she could want.
The things I struggled with: I thought that the depiction of anxiety and depression was well done; however, I was SO frustrated that ever single character seemed to take Blair's anxiety as if it were just something she should expose herself to and "get over," including Blair herself. This wasn't particularly challenged by the book. I really disliked how often they put her in situations that were extremely stressful for her and just shrugged off the fact that she was stressed until she had a full panic attack--though even then, reactions were mixed. Why was it never addressed that Beau just told everyone he's ever met about Blair's medical conditions, complete with updates?? Felt violating and it was never addressed by him. I found it uncomfortable and it made me like the characters less. On the other hand, I do think that Blair's depression and suicidal ideation was handled well in-book, with characters accepting when their reactions were not that helpful and offering various different types of support. I like that they tried to understand what she was going through and did not punish her for needing space. Achilles was probably my favorite character in that regard; they were sensitive and understanding.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
The things I struggled with: I thought that the depiction of anxiety and depression was well done; however, I was SO frustrated that ever single character seemed to take Blair's anxiety as if it were just something she should expose herself to and "get over," including Blair herself. This wasn't particularly challenged by the book. I really disliked how often they put her in situations that were extremely stressful for her and just shrugged off the fact that she was stressed until she had a full panic attack--though even then, reactions were mixed. Why was it never addressed that Beau just told everyone he's ever met about Blair's medical conditions, complete with updates?? Felt violating and it was never addressed by him. I found it uncomfortable and it made me like the characters less. On the other hand, I do think that Blair's depression and suicidal ideation was handled well in-book, with characters accepting when their reactions were not that helpful and offering various different types of support. I like that they tried to understand what she was going through and did not punish her for needing space. Achilles was probably my favorite character in that regard; they were sensitive and understanding.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
June 21, 2024
3.5 rounded down.
For this one, I think I feel similarly overall to how I felt about Forward March. Except for different specific reasons in the narrative. I had trouble deciding whether to round up or down but at the end of the day, I was skimming a lot in the end and just kind of wanted the book to be done so I went down instead of up. It’ll be 3.5 on SG.
So, first I really adored the representation we got in this book. We had almost the entire Pride flag and I was so happy to see it! So much beautiful diversity. ❤️
There were also some specific scenes I liked: mainly a lip syncing scene that made me sigh 😌 And Keel! They were the best character hands down!
I think for me, the hold up here was the absolutely AGGRESSIVE rivalry banter. There was so much animosity here: more than I’ve ever read between two possible love interests. 🥲 It pained my soul too much. I really didn’t enjoy those parts at all.
The characters also had very rotating emotions, if that makes sense. They’d go from hot to cold in an instant. And it’s not just Briar but allll of them. 😅 I couldn’t keep up with the emotional pace in this book. It just didn’t hit right for me.
I definitely do think that others will enjoy this book and I applaud Skye for taking a huge step forward in representation in YA books. But this one wasn’t for me and it’s definitely personal preference based on the things above.
Also, a side note: I wouldn’t give this to a younger teen. I’d stick to 16+ on this because of the frequent swearing and trigger warnings.
(Also side note: I didn’t cry.)
For this one, I think I feel similarly overall to how I felt about Forward March. Except for different specific reasons in the narrative. I had trouble deciding whether to round up or down but at the end of the day, I was skimming a lot in the end and just kind of wanted the book to be done so I went down instead of up. It’ll be 3.5 on SG.
So, first I really adored the representation we got in this book. We had almost the entire Pride flag and I was so happy to see it! So much beautiful diversity. ❤️
There were also some specific scenes I liked: mainly a lip syncing scene that made me sigh 😌 And Keel! They were the best character hands down!
I think for me, the hold up here was the absolutely AGGRESSIVE rivalry banter. There was so much animosity here: more than I’ve ever read between two possible love interests. 🥲 It pained my soul too much. I really didn’t enjoy those parts at all.
The characters also had very rotating emotions, if that makes sense. They’d go from hot to cold in an instant. And it’s not just Briar but allll of them. 😅 I couldn’t keep up with the emotional pace in this book. It just didn’t hit right for me.
I definitely do think that others will enjoy this book and I applaud Skye for taking a huge step forward in representation in YA books. But this one wasn’t for me and it’s definitely personal preference based on the things above.
Also, a side note: I wouldn’t give this to a younger teen. I’d stick to 16+ on this because of the frequent swearing and trigger warnings.
(Also side note: I didn’t cry.)
May 29, 2024
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was really good. It had really in depth and well written talks about depression. But it was also about queer joy and queer spaces. It was truly a great dive into underground drag, not what we see on big shows but the smaller spaces. I really liked that part. In the end, it didn't really read like a romance like I thought it was. Maybe it was more a coming of age book?
The only thing I didn't love was the pacing. It felt a little choppy. I can't really explain but it was off to me.
Still, that was a book like none I've read before and I can't wait for more by Skye Quinlan.
This was really good. It had really in depth and well written talks about depression. But it was also about queer joy and queer spaces. It was truly a great dive into underground drag, not what we see on big shows but the smaller spaces. I really liked that part. In the end, it didn't really read like a romance like I thought it was. Maybe it was more a coming of age book?
The only thing I didn't love was the pacing. It felt a little choppy. I can't really explain but it was off to me.
Still, that was a book like none I've read before and I can't wait for more by Skye Quinlan.
June 15, 2024
this book is epitome of found family, amazing drag artistry (would absolutely love to see it all in real life tbh) and impeccable although at times gut-wrenching mental health rep. okay, so pacing might have been a little unenven with some parts feeling like it had been a bit too dragged (yeah ikr) out while others felt cut out too quickly and some things that happened after or in between left unexplored so it all felt a little bit choppy at times, but i just loooved these characters so freaking much that in the end i didn't care about all that. oh and we seriously need more books about drag (esp all forms of drag, like kings or just some enby gender-fuckery a little bit of which we got a glimpse of in this book too)
May 2, 2024
3.25 stars
Thank you Page Street and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll admit to having a really rocky start with this book. I found the characters to mostly be one dimensional and a little annoying and the love interest seemed quite frankly awful. But something made me stick with it. I’m inclined go believe it was a combination of that queer found family vibe and the comforting writing style.
I am glad I stuck with it though. Everyone got growth and backstory and some fleshing out in the second half, and I ended up falling in love with all of these characters.
Especially Briar, our MC. She goes on SUCH a huge journey in this book. I really appreciated the fact that her healing was in no way portrayed as linear, that she had set backs, that she was depressed without a specific trigger, that her thoughts and feelings were given space to exist without something magically fixing her. I especially loved how hopeful that final scene felt.
This book comes with a list of trigger warnings at the start which I highly recommend you check. This book is heavy and deals with a lot.
Still, it’s one to look out for this month.
Thank you Page Street and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll admit to having a really rocky start with this book. I found the characters to mostly be one dimensional and a little annoying and the love interest seemed quite frankly awful. But something made me stick with it. I’m inclined go believe it was a combination of that queer found family vibe and the comforting writing style.
I am glad I stuck with it though. Everyone got growth and backstory and some fleshing out in the second half, and I ended up falling in love with all of these characters.
Especially Briar, our MC. She goes on SUCH a huge journey in this book. I really appreciated the fact that her healing was in no way portrayed as linear, that she had set backs, that she was depressed without a specific trigger, that her thoughts and feelings were given space to exist without something magically fixing her. I especially loved how hopeful that final scene felt.
This book comes with a list of trigger warnings at the start which I highly recommend you check. This book is heavy and deals with a lot.
Still, it’s one to look out for this month.
June 20, 2024
OMG!!! I have no words….this book, absolutely blew me away. I laughed, I cried, got angry and then cried some more while reading this book. The rivalry, found family, all of it….absolutely amazing. I hope we will see more of Edgar, Spencer, and Keel in the future.
Read
September 17, 2024Soft DNF, just not in the mood for this right now! I can’t wait to dive in again
October 29, 2023
Content warnings: Anxiety and panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts and ideation, blood, body dysmorphia, cancer (past, off-page), swearing, death due to AIDS (past, off-page), alcohol, drag bans, homophobia (past, off-page), intrusive thoughts, mental illness, mention of queer characters' deaths (past, off-page), non-consensual touching (hair and arms) panic disorder, planned suicide attempt (past, off page), suicide (past, off page), transphobia and vomiting.
Rep: MC is bisexual, gender questioning/exploring and has severe anxiety and depression. On page lesbian character (she isn't really the love interest, but she also sort of is?). Everyone else is queer. Side POC characters. Side trans character (I will love Achilles with every single fibre of my being and I will kill anyone who tries to do them harm. Achilles is also autistic).
Welcome to my new favourite book and a huge personality trait of mine!
Yes this book isn't out until May next year (!!!) but I read this over a few days (I needed a few days because I kept crying while reading this) and I loved every fucking second of it.
This book.
THIS BOOK Y'ALL. I can't even.
Okay, before we get started THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THIS BOOK IS BISEXUAL SO CREATE A BISEXUAL SHELF FOR YOUR BOOKS SO YOU CAN TAG HER AS BISEXUAL BECAUSE IT IS LAZY AND BIPHOBIC TO NOT BOTHER TO DO THIS.
Moving on.
The way this book deals with depression, anxiety, and the everything that comes with that is *chef's kiss* so absolutely perfectly done. It's spot on.
This is the reason it took me so long to read - because I had to keep stopping the book to not only cry but compose myself before I could move on.
I should've known that Skye's second book would also pack a punch because their first, Forward March, was not a light and breezy contemporary like the cover would have you believe.
The drag culture in this book is also incredible. I loved every single second that was spent not only sharing the drag culture with the readers, but showing how utterly freeing it is for people as well. The way gender is explored and fucked with in this book made my heart so fucking happy it is impossible for me to adequately articulate.
This review is all over the place, and I am not even sorry for it.
I love Achilles too - this character is my new favourite and I will protect them with my entire fucking life. This kid. THIS KID. I love them. Also, banger chosen name. I fucking love.
And the portrayal of Achilles' autism spoke to my own autistic heart so loudly.
I love Briar's character, too. She's incredibly anxious, but despite that, she does things that are outside of her comfort zone. Doing these things doesn't cure her depression or anxiety, but she does them anyway.
Also Spencer was a fuckwad I couldn't help but love.
Anyway. I hope someone else reads this book soon and can come and talk to me about it. Because I know of, like, one person who's read this, and more people need to read and love this book.
6/5 stars.
Rep: MC is bisexual, gender questioning/exploring and has severe anxiety and depression. On page lesbian character (she isn't really the love interest, but she also sort of is?). Everyone else is queer. Side POC characters. Side trans character (I will love Achilles with every single fibre of my being and I will kill anyone who tries to do them harm. Achilles is also autistic).
Welcome to my new favourite book and a huge personality trait of mine!
Yes this book isn't out until May next year (!!!) but I read this over a few days (I needed a few days because I kept crying while reading this) and I loved every fucking second of it.
This book.
THIS BOOK Y'ALL. I can't even.
Okay, before we get started THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THIS BOOK IS BISEXUAL SO CREATE A BISEXUAL SHELF FOR YOUR BOOKS SO YOU CAN TAG HER AS BISEXUAL BECAUSE IT IS LAZY AND BIPHOBIC TO NOT BOTHER TO DO THIS.
Moving on.
The way this book deals with depression, anxiety, and the everything that comes with that is *chef's kiss* so absolutely perfectly done. It's spot on.
This is the reason it took me so long to read - because I had to keep stopping the book to not only cry but compose myself before I could move on.
I should've known that Skye's second book would also pack a punch because their first, Forward March, was not a light and breezy contemporary like the cover would have you believe.
The drag culture in this book is also incredible. I loved every single second that was spent not only sharing the drag culture with the readers, but showing how utterly freeing it is for people as well. The way gender is explored and fucked with in this book made my heart so fucking happy it is impossible for me to adequately articulate.
This review is all over the place, and I am not even sorry for it.
I love Achilles too - this character is my new favourite and I will protect them with my entire fucking life. This kid. THIS KID. I love them. Also, banger chosen name. I fucking love.
And the portrayal of Achilles' autism spoke to my own autistic heart so loudly.
I love Briar's character, too. She's incredibly anxious, but despite that, she does things that are outside of her comfort zone. Doing these things doesn't cure her depression or anxiety, but she does them anyway.
Also Spencer was a fuckwad I couldn't help but love.
Anyway. I hope someone else reads this book soon and can come and talk to me about it. Because I know of, like, one person who's read this, and more people need to read and love this book.
6/5 stars.
![Profile Image for Lee [Bibliophile Tings].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1714421530i/162596364._UY200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
August 12, 2024
Thank you so much to Page Street YA for sending me an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you’re the type of person who can easily forgive and forget, Don’t Be A Drag is the book for you. But if that does not describe you, keep scrolling to see my issues with this book.
Selene, aka Spencer, is a mean girl. There’s no other way to say it. Throughout the book, Selene says terrible things to her fellow drag performers. She opens her mouth almost exclusively to insult and degrade the people around her. The rest of the time, Spencer is on-stage lip-syncing. (I am, however, a huge fan of all the drag moments.)
Selene eventually opens up and shares her reasons for this behavior, but by then I was done with her. I was still reeling from Selene’s awful outbursts when she completely changes course. I couldn’t believe how quickly everyone forgave, forgot, and became friends with her.
Other than my (massive) dislike of Selene, I still sincerely recommend Don’t Be A Drag.
My happy place is books with a cast of LGBT+ characters. This is an ensemble cast, but I was never confused by the number of people or the drag names. I found it all easy to understand. There is so much queer joy in this book. If you’re a fan of the found family trope, you should get your hands on a copy.
There are also on-page depictions of depression and anxiety. If you want to read a book with mental health representation, Don’t Be A Drag is the book for you.
In case you’re curious about the exact content warnings, you’re in luck! The author has provided a list at the beginning of the book.
Bottom line: Mean girls ruin everything.
If you’re the type of person who can easily forgive and forget, Don’t Be A Drag is the book for you. But if that does not describe you, keep scrolling to see my issues with this book.
Selene, aka Spencer, is a mean girl. There’s no other way to say it. Throughout the book, Selene says terrible things to her fellow drag performers. She opens her mouth almost exclusively to insult and degrade the people around her. The rest of the time, Spencer is on-stage lip-syncing. (I am, however, a huge fan of all the drag moments.)
Selene eventually opens up and shares her reasons for this behavior, but by then I was done with her. I was still reeling from Selene’s awful outbursts when she completely changes course. I couldn’t believe how quickly everyone forgave, forgot, and became friends with her.
Other than my (massive) dislike of Selene, I still sincerely recommend Don’t Be A Drag.
My happy place is books with a cast of LGBT+ characters. This is an ensemble cast, but I was never confused by the number of people or the drag names. I found it all easy to understand. There is so much queer joy in this book. If you’re a fan of the found family trope, you should get your hands on a copy.
There are also on-page depictions of depression and anxiety. If you want to read a book with mental health representation, Don’t Be A Drag is the book for you.
In case you’re curious about the exact content warnings, you’re in luck! The author has provided a list at the beginning of the book.
Bottom line: Mean girls ruin everything.
May 28, 2024
4.5 stars!
Listen, I am a sucker for rivals to lovers AND drag so this mix was a match from heaven! If you enjoy sapphic romance with a kick, queer joy, found family, performances, and fun dialogue I recommend Don't Be a Drag!
Don't Be A Drag was so fun and dynamic, I enjoyed meeting all the characters and learning more about them through the story. The main girl is named Briar who comes from conservative Texas, who for the summer, goes to visit her Queer brother who is a drag queen in New York City. During her stay, she meets members of the drag community, and through a kerfuffle with the drag king Selene, she is inspired to start drag herself.
Briar becomes a part of a group of people who work at the bar The Gallery where the drag performances are located. Slowly Briar through the help of those around her, learns to do drag and become more in tune with themself. Briar has anxiety and low self-esteem, which made her feel realistic and made me root for her. I enjoyed reading about the transformation of not just her but all the characters when it came to performing, friendship, love, healing, and growth. Selene was a great enemy/love interest because of her issues, past, and complexity. Making the novel not just a romance but a story of joy, growth, and identity.
I adored all the drag culture in the novel, I found the attention to detail what made this novel shine. The characters would create clothing, dance, lip sync, and do makeup. It was a blast to read the entire process that they had to go through to create a result that showed their vision. Drag Kings do not get enough attention in the LGBTQIA+ community so I find this book to be a breath of fresh air.
I enjoyed the side characters such as Achilles, Enzo, Beau and so many more! Especially the part each of them had in Briar's growth in drag and with herself. Drag is the ultimate expression of freedom, a time to shine, and do what you want, and be who you want to be. I loved the connection between drag and becoming who you were meant to be. Especially how it helps with confidence and self-love.
Negatives:
As someone who adores rivals to lovers based on performances such as dance, music, sports, etc., I was slightly disappointed at the inconsistency of the two main love interests. Warning for possible spoiler but I felt like Selene was a bit messy when it came to Briar. At times this confusion between seeing her as their rival vs lover was well done but at times the tension disappeared because...well...there wasn't one? But apart from those moments that took me out of the book I still loved their romance.
Read trigger warning:
The anxiety representation was a bit triggering at times as someone with generalized anxiety myself, and honestly, Briar's behavior did bother me quite a lot. I feel like the author went too hard on the anxiety in the first couple of pages for a novel that caters to neurodivergent queers, which made it uncomfortable. But as the novel passed it got easier for me to read. And apart from this the representation was in my opinion well done and realistic, but it is different for everyone.
Listen, I am a sucker for rivals to lovers AND drag so this mix was a match from heaven! If you enjoy sapphic romance with a kick, queer joy, found family, performances, and fun dialogue I recommend Don't Be a Drag!
Don't Be A Drag was so fun and dynamic, I enjoyed meeting all the characters and learning more about them through the story. The main girl is named Briar who comes from conservative Texas, who for the summer, goes to visit her Queer brother who is a drag queen in New York City. During her stay, she meets members of the drag community, and through a kerfuffle with the drag king Selene, she is inspired to start drag herself.
Briar becomes a part of a group of people who work at the bar The Gallery where the drag performances are located. Slowly Briar through the help of those around her, learns to do drag and become more in tune with themself. Briar has anxiety and low self-esteem, which made her feel realistic and made me root for her. I enjoyed reading about the transformation of not just her but all the characters when it came to performing, friendship, love, healing, and growth. Selene was a great enemy/love interest because of her issues, past, and complexity. Making the novel not just a romance but a story of joy, growth, and identity.
I adored all the drag culture in the novel, I found the attention to detail what made this novel shine. The characters would create clothing, dance, lip sync, and do makeup. It was a blast to read the entire process that they had to go through to create a result that showed their vision. Drag Kings do not get enough attention in the LGBTQIA+ community so I find this book to be a breath of fresh air.
I enjoyed the side characters such as Achilles, Enzo, Beau and so many more! Especially the part each of them had in Briar's growth in drag and with herself. Drag is the ultimate expression of freedom, a time to shine, and do what you want, and be who you want to be. I loved the connection between drag and becoming who you were meant to be. Especially how it helps with confidence and self-love.
Negatives:
As someone who adores rivals to lovers based on performances such as dance, music, sports, etc., I was slightly disappointed at the inconsistency of the two main love interests. Warning for possible spoiler but I felt like Selene was a bit messy when it came to Briar. At times this confusion between seeing her as their rival vs lover was well done but at times the tension disappeared because...well...there wasn't one? But apart from those moments that took me out of the book I still loved their romance.
Read trigger warning:
The anxiety representation was a bit triggering at times as someone with generalized anxiety myself, and honestly, Briar's behavior did bother me quite a lot. I feel like the author went too hard on the anxiety in the first couple of pages for a novel that caters to neurodivergent queers, which made it uncomfortable. But as the novel passed it got easier for me to read. And apart from this the representation was in my opinion well done and realistic, but it is different for everyone.
April 2, 2024
Thank you to Page Street Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC. This is my honest review.
Wow! This was great! Seriously so good! This book is raw and alternately wonderful and heartbreaking and I am so happy it exists.
Starting off, this has in-depth trigger warnings at the start, and it's highly recommended you read the. They include, but are not limited, to depression, anxiety, mention of an off-page suicide in the past, present suicidal ideation and talk of self harm and more. I really appreciate Skye including these such precise trigger warnings, and even still, when part if it came up, I had to put the book down and hug my spouse. So, just be prewarned going in.
Briar, our protagonist, is written in such a manner that you can tell the author knows what it's like to be in the depth of some of the things she goes through, and feels. Many of her thoughts struck quite close to home a number of times. I had a harder time with some of the the ways she would hold a grudge, but whatcha gonna do. As anxious and scared as Briar could be, I do appreciate her willingness to stand up for others, in spite of herself. I'm curious how her examination of her gender will be a year or two down the line.
Selene/Spencer, our chief rival/LI, was for the most part fantastic. I had some trouble with how quickly her temper could switch on a dime, but I do somewhat understand it when she got around to explaining herself, and being willing to (eventually) call herself out on her bullshit. Her protective side was wonderful to see, and I really wanted Briar to clue in to it a little more, not just focus on the bad. I do really love that this is a book where both Briar and Selene, at the end, admit they like each other but have to work on shit in themselves before they can attempt a relationship. I really liked that.
The rest of the cast was phenomenal. Briar's brother, Beau/Bow Regard was absolutely fabulous, and it was so heart wrenching when he was in pain. Enzo I would die for, best boy ever. And Achilles...our sweet autistic enby best friend...I felt lucky to be a secondhand bestie with them by way of Briar. And last but certainly not least Jacquelynn, drag mother extraordinaire. She was so loving and wonderful, but would not put up with any shit, either. Perfect. And even what little we saw of Selene's parents was very cute.
Any more I have to say is just going to be more gushing. 4.5 stars if only for some of the seemingly out of the blue mood changes characters, but it's so minor I'm rounding up this time.
Wow! This was great! Seriously so good! This book is raw and alternately wonderful and heartbreaking and I am so happy it exists.
Starting off, this has in-depth trigger warnings at the start, and it's highly recommended you read the. They include, but are not limited, to depression, anxiety, mention of an off-page suicide in the past, present suicidal ideation and talk of self harm and more. I really appreciate Skye including these such precise trigger warnings, and even still, when part if it came up, I had to put the book down and hug my spouse. So, just be prewarned going in.
Briar, our protagonist, is written in such a manner that you can tell the author knows what it's like to be in the depth of some of the things she goes through, and feels. Many of her thoughts struck quite close to home a number of times. I had a harder time with some of the the ways she would hold a grudge, but whatcha gonna do. As anxious and scared as Briar could be, I do appreciate her willingness to stand up for others, in spite of herself. I'm curious how her examination of her gender will be a year or two down the line.
Selene/Spencer, our chief rival/LI, was for the most part fantastic. I had some trouble with how quickly her temper could switch on a dime, but I do somewhat understand it when she got around to explaining herself, and being willing to (eventually) call herself out on her bullshit. Her protective side was wonderful to see, and I really wanted Briar to clue in to it a little more, not just focus on the bad. I do really love that this is a book where both Briar and Selene, at the end, admit they like each other but have to work on shit in themselves before they can attempt a relationship. I really liked that.
The rest of the cast was phenomenal. Briar's brother, Beau/Bow Regard was absolutely fabulous, and it was so heart wrenching when he was in pain. Enzo I would die for, best boy ever. And Achilles...our sweet autistic enby best friend...I felt lucky to be a secondhand bestie with them by way of Briar. And last but certainly not least Jacquelynn, drag mother extraordinaire. She was so loving and wonderful, but would not put up with any shit, either. Perfect. And even what little we saw of Selene's parents was very cute.
Any more I have to say is just going to be more gushing. 4.5 stars if only for some of the seemingly out of the blue mood changes characters, but it's so minor I'm rounding up this time.
June 2, 2024
Firstly, a book about drag kings?! Yes please!! I love that we’re getting more and more books – especially YA books that depict the less mainstream aspects of the LGBTQ+ community, and in this case the queer performing arts scene.
Skye Quinlan does a great job of depicting the joy that drag can bring, and what it can mean to both performers and audience members alike. We got to see a really wide range of drag performers – kings, queens, artists, drag mothers, newbies, and everything in between. The book really felt like a love letter to drag culture.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
Just as much as the story depicts the highs of the performing life, it also looks at the mental health struggles that are a reality for so many queer people. It’s a difficult topic to cover but I thought it was sensitively done, and balanced well with the other themes and storylines.
The friendships in this book were so lovely to read, and a reminder of the importance of found family – even though, in this case, Briar’s family were really supportive of her. Having multiple generations of queer people as well is something that we so rarely see in fiction, but is so important to real-life queer communities.
Overall, this was a moving and uplifting story that has a strong emotional truth behind it.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Skye Quinlan does a great job of depicting the joy that drag can bring, and what it can mean to both performers and audience members alike. We got to see a really wide range of drag performers – kings, queens, artists, drag mothers, newbies, and everything in between. The book really felt like a love letter to drag culture.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
Just as much as the story depicts the highs of the performing life, it also looks at the mental health struggles that are a reality for so many queer people. It’s a difficult topic to cover but I thought it was sensitively done, and balanced well with the other themes and storylines.
The friendships in this book were so lovely to read, and a reminder of the importance of found family – even though, in this case, Briar’s family were really supportive of her. Having multiple generations of queer people as well is something that we so rarely see in fiction, but is so important to real-life queer communities.
Overall, this was a moving and uplifting story that has a strong emotional truth behind it.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
June 18, 2024
Briar’s summer in New York City turns into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment when she dives into the world of drag under the guidance of her drag queen brother, Beau. Determined to challenge a cocky drag king and confront her own mental health struggles, Briar transforms into Edgar Allan Foe. With newfound friends and courage, she navigates the competitive drag scene, battles her inner demons, and discovers unexpected connections along the way.
There was a lot to like about this one. First of all - a moment for this cover, please!? It is absolutely stunning and was so eye-catching I decided I had to read this book.
*spoilers*
I really enjoyed the journey of self-discovery for Briar. From learning to navigate her relationship with her older brother Beau, to making friends, to trying to stay afloat, to realizing that she can let people be there for her - she grew so much. I loved Jacklynn - what a Queen. The scene where Briar goes to Jacklynn’s apartment had me crying.
I loved the drag king competition aspect and really enjoyed the relationships between Briar and Keel, Briar and Beau, and Selene and Briar grew on me, especially after the talk about *why* Selene was so hostile.
I thought Briar’s description of her struggle with depression was so open, honest, vulnerable, and relatable. She and her family had to navigate quite a bit of trauma. Recognizing she needed help and had resources available to her was such a great moment for her.
Loved the friendship support. That was a pretty perfect ending. I hope you pick it up and enjoy!
There was a lot to like about this one. First of all - a moment for this cover, please!? It is absolutely stunning and was so eye-catching I decided I had to read this book.
*spoilers*
I really enjoyed the journey of self-discovery for Briar. From learning to navigate her relationship with her older brother Beau, to making friends, to trying to stay afloat, to realizing that she can let people be there for her - she grew so much. I loved Jacklynn - what a Queen. The scene where Briar goes to Jacklynn’s apartment had me crying.
I loved the drag king competition aspect and really enjoyed the relationships between Briar and Keel, Briar and Beau, and Selene and Briar grew on me, especially after the talk about *why* Selene was so hostile.
I thought Briar’s description of her struggle with depression was so open, honest, vulnerable, and relatable. She and her family had to navigate quite a bit of trauma. Recognizing she needed help and had resources available to her was such a great moment for her.
Loved the friendship support. That was a pretty perfect ending. I hope you pick it up and enjoy!
February 21, 2024
THIS BOOK!!! This book is a warm hug. This book is a bowl of soup when you’re sick. It’s a steaming cup of tea when it’s raining. It’s a blanket pulled fresh from the dryer on a chilly day. This book is the feeling of joy from the inside out. I would sit in my car reading this book on my lunch breaks almost in tears at parts. It makes you FEEL something, everything— all the good and bad we experience in life. And it gives you hope.
Definitely read the trigger warnings. As someone who has struggled with mental health and many of the thoughts presented here, I thought this was an accurate and tactful representation of anxiety and depression. I loved that Briar’s friends and family never try to “fix” her, but are with her every step of the way as a solid support system. I did want to hit Beau with a wet pool noodle until he was concussed for the first half of the novel, but he gets better.
Selene/Spencer is a walking red flag but thankfully red my new favorite color! Achilles is the best friend we all need and deserve, and I love them.
I wish this was targeted towards an older audience, but I think the representation in that age group is so important and is something I wish I had at the time. It addresses the stigma around therapy, mental health medications, and drag in a way that is encouraging healthy.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book. Go read it! Oh, and thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Definitely read the trigger warnings. As someone who has struggled with mental health and many of the thoughts presented here, I thought this was an accurate and tactful representation of anxiety and depression. I loved that Briar’s friends and family never try to “fix” her, but are with her every step of the way as a solid support system. I did want to hit Beau with a wet pool noodle until he was concussed for the first half of the novel, but he gets better.
Selene/Spencer is a walking red flag but thankfully red my new favorite color! Achilles is the best friend we all need and deserve, and I love them.
I wish this was targeted towards an older audience, but I think the representation in that age group is so important and is something I wish I had at the time. It addresses the stigma around therapy, mental health medications, and drag in a way that is encouraging healthy.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book. Go read it! Oh, and thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2024
This was an entertaining, cute, coming-of-age story of a bisexual teen who's still figuring out gender and learns to express herself through drag. I loved the side characters and how a found family is formed with drag families and the commentary on the current climate of drag. My only major issue that made reading the book very hard was Selene's outburst at Briar which subsequently made Briar's brother mad at her in a moment of misunderstanding and how right after that a major romance development happened. I feel like I had a hard time forgiving Selene even though Briar had no issue with the outburst aside from being generally bummed. It made it hard for me to be invested in the romantic side plot but I do appreciate by the end of the story they decide not to start a romantic relationship but work on themselves first to properly start a relationship with a good start. I feel like if they did get together by the end I would be very upset but this book prioritizes healthy connections not only to others but to themselves. Reading this book during the scenes where the characters were performing really felt like the reader was part of the festivities of a drag show and I love how drag kings are getting a spotlight for once.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
#indigoemployee
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
#indigoemployee
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
Briar arrives in NYC to spend the summer with her brother Beau after she has a breakdown. Her brother is a well-known drag queen and takes her along to one of his shows. There, she meets Selene, who is a drag king, and though Selene is attractive both in and out of drag, she immediately gets on Briar's nerves, and Briar decides to enter a drag competition to try to beat her. Amid the pressure and rivalry, Briar finds her mental health slipping again.
Any fan of Rupaul's Drag Race will enjoy this story that takes place almost entirely in the world of drag. The pronouns got a little wild, as each performer's pronouns (and names!) change when they are in drag - it was helpful for some of the drag names to be similar (like Beau / Bow, Selene / Spencer). But it wasn't too hard to follow, and there was plenty of drama and sequins to go around. I enjoyed the descriptions of the costumes and how they were put together, and I'm always a fan of enemies to lovers. When Briar falls into a deep depression, it hits hard due to how colorful and fun the story is around the episode. Overall this is a fun story that deals with mental health and getting the help needed.
Content advisory: Suicidal ideations, major depressive episode, discussions of sex, AIDS, and homophobia, strong language.
Any fan of Rupaul's Drag Race will enjoy this story that takes place almost entirely in the world of drag. The pronouns got a little wild, as each performer's pronouns (and names!) change when they are in drag - it was helpful for some of the drag names to be similar (like Beau / Bow, Selene / Spencer). But it wasn't too hard to follow, and there was plenty of drama and sequins to go around. I enjoyed the descriptions of the costumes and how they were put together, and I'm always a fan of enemies to lovers. When Briar falls into a deep depression, it hits hard due to how colorful and fun the story is around the episode. Overall this is a fun story that deals with mental health and getting the help needed.
Content advisory: Suicidal ideations, major depressive episode, discussions of sex, AIDS, and homophobia, strong language.
March 24, 2024
This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking book. At its heart, it really addresses the themes of community and trauma within the queer community in a thought provoking, tear jerking, and heartwarming way. I really appreciated the thoughtfulness behind the depictions of mental health and grief in the book, as well as the fact that the book is really about growth as much as anything else. The research that went into writing the drag community was also really really well done and it made me want to drag for the first time. I loved the plot, the characters, the setting - everything about this book. I would give a couple warnings to readers. First, the characters - except for one - are all really young and certainly act in age appropriate manners that might bring back memories of when the readers were their age and equally as bad at coping with things. And second, the trigger warnings need to be. taken seriously. The book addresses so many hard, heavy topics in an amazing way but it's certainly not an easy book to read. If readers are ready to really feel emotions, then I would totally recommend the journey that this book takes them on. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
July 23, 2024
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
I want to start by saying that cringe culture is dead. Bring ALL of your special interests in full force, I do want to see you talk all about it. But holy hell, being forced to relive the year of 2016 where I was obsessed with Yuri On Ice hurt like a MF. Hearing about a fanfic between Tony Stark and Loki nearly killed me on the spot. Even the modern instance of "omg have you read the Song of Achilles?" Had me clawing for reprieve. This was WILDLY tumblrcore and proudly so and while I laud it for that I can't say that I enjoyed all of the secondhand embarrassment I got from it.
The writing is fine, nothing magical, but the instances of talking about how depression and being suicidal feels hit really hard, and felt very poignant. I saw myself in those descriptions and passages and knew it came from a place of real experience. The on-page panic and anxiety attacks also had that same vibe of "this is MY experience," that I think the author probably injected intentionally.
Of course, there's all around trans, nonbinary, queer, fluid, and agender people in this story, as well as all kinds of romantic and sexual love. But I appreciate how we got to see drag performers from every walk of life, be it the days of the AIDS crisis, Stonewall, baby gays, and heroes of Drag Race. Seeing trans, nonbinary, and cis drag performers all spoken of with respect and dignity was great.
The characters were fine as well. Let me tell you, I would have slapped the hell out of Selene without a second thought. The level of entitlement never ended up sitting quite right with me even after she was redeemed. Her treatment towards Achilles and Briar was disgusting. The supporting characters were nice, but I got frustrated with Beau a lot. He was way too flighty and irresponsible to act all high and mighty with Briar.
My enjoyment of this book was severely kneecapped by the fact that Selene went and found Briar's fanfiction stories and read them. I couldn't even fathom looking at someone in real life after they did that to me, and especially when Briar so clearly dealt with anxiety and social awkwardness. Do not ever do this unless the person says you can do this! Holy crap!
This story felt like a really important one from the author and I'm glad they were able to put it out into the world. I'd look forward to seeing more of Spencer Read, Achilles, and especially Edgar Allan Foe.
I want to start by saying that cringe culture is dead. Bring ALL of your special interests in full force, I do want to see you talk all about it. But holy hell, being forced to relive the year of 2016 where I was obsessed with Yuri On Ice hurt like a MF. Hearing about a fanfic between Tony Stark and Loki nearly killed me on the spot. Even the modern instance of "omg have you read the Song of Achilles?" Had me clawing for reprieve. This was WILDLY tumblrcore and proudly so and while I laud it for that I can't say that I enjoyed all of the secondhand embarrassment I got from it.
The writing is fine, nothing magical, but the instances of talking about how depression and being suicidal feels hit really hard, and felt very poignant. I saw myself in those descriptions and passages and knew it came from a place of real experience. The on-page panic and anxiety attacks also had that same vibe of "this is MY experience," that I think the author probably injected intentionally.
Of course, there's all around trans, nonbinary, queer, fluid, and agender people in this story, as well as all kinds of romantic and sexual love. But I appreciate how we got to see drag performers from every walk of life, be it the days of the AIDS crisis, Stonewall, baby gays, and heroes of Drag Race. Seeing trans, nonbinary, and cis drag performers all spoken of with respect and dignity was great.
The characters were fine as well. Let me tell you, I would have slapped the hell out of Selene without a second thought. The level of entitlement never ended up sitting quite right with me even after she was redeemed. Her treatment towards Achilles and Briar was disgusting. The supporting characters were nice, but I got frustrated with Beau a lot. He was way too flighty and irresponsible to act all high and mighty with Briar.
My enjoyment of this book was severely kneecapped by the fact that Selene went and found Briar's fanfiction stories and read them. I couldn't even fathom looking at someone in real life after they did that to me, and especially when Briar so clearly dealt with anxiety and social awkwardness. Do not ever do this unless the person says you can do this! Holy crap!
This story felt like a really important one from the author and I'm glad they were able to put it out into the world. I'd look forward to seeing more of Spencer Read, Achilles, and especially Edgar Allan Foe.
August 28, 2024
I wanted to finish this book to challenge myself. It was pretty "eye-rolling' to me as an adult hetero cis woman. I'm kinda old-school in a sense that gender fluidity is still a bit of a mystery to me. I like to "keep up with the times" and educate myself on this subject, but I still feel so disconnected. Anyway that's the reason I pushed myself to get through this. The writing was ok,... I knew I was reading YA... but the teenage drama always kills me. I don't remember having my head in the clouds and being so self-absorbed, but I'm sure I was. The LGBTQ+ topic didn't change things much with raging teenage hormones... still the same. Pronouns were all over the place, I respect that and understand I was not the target audience. All the characters were bratty, even the adults. I knew a few drag queens myself back in the days and I thought this would be a bit of nostalgia for me, but the whole story fell short. On top of that, I felt that the mental health issue was thrown in out of nowhere. I get that it was an important topic for the author to cover, it just seemingly came out of the blue.
June 22, 2024
Don’t Be A Drag is a YA Contemporary novel that I liked.
After a mental health scare, Briar spends the summer with her older brother. Leaving behind her conservative upbringing of Texas, she’s wrapped up in queer culture for the first time in NYC. Briar’s brother, Beau, is a drag queen with a found family that welcomes Briar with open arms. Well, almost every one. Selene is Beau’s drag son and while she might be charming and confident, she can also be an asshole. Briar and Selene butt heads over the way Selene treats another drag king and, before she knows it, Briar signs up to take down Selene in a drag king competition.
I really loved the mental health rep in this story. Depression isn’t something I personally struggle with, but the story felt so authentic. My heart hurt for Briar. I loved her growth as a character and the way this story wrapped up.
I struggled a bit with the romance. Having a traumatic backstory doesn’t give you a free pass to be an asshole. But I do love genuine apologies and a change in behavior.
Overall I really enjoyed many aspects of this story. The found family was fantastic and I loved the way every aspect of the plot/storylines wrapped up.
After a mental health scare, Briar spends the summer with her older brother. Leaving behind her conservative upbringing of Texas, she’s wrapped up in queer culture for the first time in NYC. Briar’s brother, Beau, is a drag queen with a found family that welcomes Briar with open arms. Well, almost every one. Selene is Beau’s drag son and while she might be charming and confident, she can also be an asshole. Briar and Selene butt heads over the way Selene treats another drag king and, before she knows it, Briar signs up to take down Selene in a drag king competition.
I really loved the mental health rep in this story. Depression isn’t something I personally struggle with, but the story felt so authentic. My heart hurt for Briar. I loved her growth as a character and the way this story wrapped up.
I struggled a bit with the romance. Having a traumatic backstory doesn’t give you a free pass to be an asshole. But I do love genuine apologies and a change in behavior.
Overall I really enjoyed many aspects of this story. The found family was fantastic and I loved the way every aspect of the plot/storylines wrapped up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews