Title: Imogen, Obviously
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: May 2, 2023
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Summary
Imogen has always considered herself the world’s best ally. She goes to all of the Pride Alliance meetings, and is constantly supporting her friends and sister. Now, she has the chance to support her newly out best friend, Lili, at college among all of her new, queer friends.
Excited to support Lili in every way she can, Imogen brings her A game when she visits her on campus. Even if Lili has told them a small lie: that Imogen and Lili dated in high school. None of them know that Imogen is actually heterosexual, not even Lili’s new best friend Tessa. But the more Imogen spends time with Tessa, the more she realizes she might not actually be straight.
Review: Imogen, Obviously
Thanks to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for an advanced copy of Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli to review! Becky Albertalli is an autobuy author for me, and I knew I was going to love this one. Albertalli put so much of herself, her own struggles in this book, and it’s just one that I want to hold near and dear to my heart.
From the beginning, you’re going to fall in love with Imogen. She’s a fierce friend, ready to support anyone that she loves. She’s a little bit quirky, a little bit nerdy, and always down for an adventure. There are so many layers to her character, and I think everyone who reads this book is going to fall in love with her instantly.
Outside of Imogen, the side characters are just as fully developed. As we have come to expect from Albertalli. Honestly, the little college friend ground made me miss some of my college days a bit. Just that always being up for anything, let’s go on this random adventure. Not to say you can’t do that outside of college, it just distinctly feels like a college thing. But I digress.
There are a lot of discussions throughout the book about identity, specifically queer identity. Imogen is constantly trying to figure out if she’s actually queer or just taking on the identity of those around her. Albertalli handles a lot of these conversations with finesse, and they’ll definitely leave you thinking. This book is a love letter to those who don’t just know their identity and take time to figure it out. Especially for those who always thought they were just an ally, but actually ended up being something more.
All in all, I am in love with Imogen and can’t wait to revisit this book again. Because you know it’s going to make it into my re-read cycle for sure.
5/5 stars