REVIEW: Ramona Blue

Ramona Blue
Publisher: B+B
Source: Harper Collins
Rating: 4/5


”There’s something unfair about the fact that by being born her sister, my destiny is predetermined. I will always be a few steps behind her, picking up the pieces and putting them back together again, waiting for my own life to start.

This book is about Ramona. It's about a girl who is discovering her sexuality. She thinks she's lesbian, but then starts to question. Sexuality is fluid, and we need more YA books that explore it. RAMONA BLUE does exactly that, and does it perfectly. It is NOT a book about a guy who turns a lesbian straight. It is a book about a lesbian who realizes she's not as sure about her sexuality as she used to be. 

It's about family. Ramona, the main character, has very different relationships with her mom, sister, and dad, and each is explored in the book. 



The characters in this book were incredibly vivid, but my favorite is Freddie, a biracial boy with curly hair and freckles. It's clear from the first time that we see Freddie that Ramona has complicated feelings about him. Those feelings are further complicated when she finds herself holding hands with him and that feeling "like aloe on a sunburn." 

Ramona is such a strong character that I just fell in love with her.


The writing was so beautiful and immersive. I felt like I was a part of the town, like I knew these characters. Their stories embedded themselves in my heart and I cared. Everyone was real and accessible creating a story that felt authentic and true
I admired Ramona from the beginning, simply for her resilience and hard work, but I soon grew to care for her since she never bothered to care for herself. With her sister pregnant, Ramona is scurrying around to save money for the baby, help her sister get the prenatal care she needs, and is making plans for post-graduation--not to go to college, but rather to be there for her sister. It broke my heart that Ramona didn't see a future for herself past Eulogy, Mississippi and I wanted her so desperately to be selfish, just the once, and put herself ahead of her family.


Ramona's dad was great. Her sister wasn't always great, but it was clear that she loves Ramona very much. All of the sister stuff in the book was very real and beautifully done and I appreciated it loads. 


There's so much involvement of adults, and various families (all coming in different shapes). It all flows so naturally, the way our lives do when we living in real communities. The adults are so realistically human, flawed but trying as best they can. Just like the kids. 

Ugh this book is so good it makes my chest hurt. It felt like it was written just for me. What else can I say? I love it

The one thing that fell short for me was the swimming. Ramona was supposed to be madly in love with swimming but it felt like it was hardly touched upon. I wish that had been expanded on more. Other than that, this was a wonderful story! 


Thank you Harper Collins for sending this beauty to me ! I loved it !