I thought this book was okay. I liked all the characters and I loved that they displayed so much diversity, both with LGBTQ+ aspects and with various health issues/disabilities. It was wonderful to read a book with so much representation.

This book deals heavily with religious themes, and many different religious views are discussed. This is mentioned in the synopsis, but I want to emphasize that the religious themes are a huge part of the book, and not something that is simply mentioned a few times, so if directly exploring religious themes doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I would skip this book.

My only gripe with this book is that some of the events that take place feel a little ridiculous, like when Synclair falls into a pit and all of the events around that, or the very dramatic hail storm. At some points, it reads a little bit like fanfiction.

Overall, I think that this book was alright. If the subject matter appeals to you and you're okay with a little dramatics, you may enjoy this read.

Liked it! An honest and light story, but it had its load on me! I loved to see the development of Synclair. The writing is also very fluid, super fast to read.
The whole drama of the story reminded me a lot of things I lived in adolescence and that was very good! I loved it

Synclair's summer is set up to be filled with friends and cooking. But she's also searching for the God she knows is real, but doesn't quite know how to make sense of, and so she begins an exploration of her spirituality. Then, as if by divine intervention, her old elementary school friend Avery shows up for the summer and she's gorgeous, and totally into Synclair. Her summer takes some wild turns, but her friends are there for every minute of her journey.

This was a super interesting book, I really enjoyed reading through the exploration of Synclair's spirituality through her eyes. Something that could be quite serious and heavy was brought a sort of lightness through her eyes and through all the drama that comes with being a teenager and the unique situations Synclair gets herself into. I loved the style of writing - I think somehow this was my first book by Rachel Gold and I will have to rectify that. I really loved all the characters, and Rachel Gold really made sure to explore all of their unique stories. This was a fun YA with cute romance and an interesting exploration of spirituality. If there is anyone who can make that combination work it is the brilliant Rachel Gold.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Gold creates a conversation when you read one of her books. Synclair is no different as it is an intriguing talk about religion. I love the different opinions and ideas that Gold’s characters engage in and express. It is actually a process that I am going through right now and Gold’s book comes right on time.

Synclair is about more than religious introspection as Gold adds romance to the mix. Now is this done in a typical way? Heck no! It is a Gold book. First we have Kinz, the girl she currently secretly crushes on and who just happens to be her best friend. Then her best friend from the past comes back and she is hot. She is not only gorgeous, but likes girls.

Easy triangle right? (laugh) Then there is an accidental kiss with someone else and talk about complications! I loved it and Synclair. Gold takes on some controversial topics and does it splendidly!

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Teenage is the time of exploring, of searching and of defining oneself. Gold writes about teens and their struggles with panache in her books. The first book that we read by this author was In the Silences which is one of the most powerful, moving and beautiful books we’ve ever read (and re-read). Synclair is a story about a teenager during a watershed summer.



The main players:



Emma Synclair: Seventeen, gay. Older brother, Mac. Parents active atheists who strongly discourage any religious or theistic explorations. In love with her best friend, Kinz.



Kinz: Synclair’s rock. Deeply religious and unforgiving father resulting in poor home life and an active dislike for everything religion. Has a girlfriend, Camden.



Camden: Loves her God and religion. Loves Kinz. Mature and articulate. New to Kinz’s group of Synclair, Kinz and Duke. Brings along her BF, Jay, into the group.



Jay: Outdoorsy, cool, rolls with the punches, ends up with Duke.



Duke: Cheerful, rock solid, struggling with a medical condition that affects him on a physical level too.



Avery: Synclair’s old friend who had disappeared before sixth grade. More spiritual than belonging to any organised religion, Avery explores all sorts of free-flowing beliefs building her own belief system.



Besides these characters, there is Synclair’s brother Mac and there are smaller appearances by various parents.



It is summer vacation and Synclair’s parents are travelling while their house is being remodelled so their house ends up becoming the gathering spot for everyone. Synclair has always been interested in understanding various theological beliefs but keeps her interest hidden from her parents. During this watershed summer, she intends finding God / religion/ spirituality – anything that resonates with her. She is also confused about and exploring love and attraction because she is attracted to Avery, Kinz and Camden.

There are so many books about children rebelling against unforgiving religious beliefs and feeling boxed in by their parents’ theological demands and non-acceptance. It’s an opposite perspective in this – Synclair’s parents are completely accepting of her sexuality but she has to work to make them accept her need to understand and/or find religion. It’s startling to realise that acceptance needs to be more expansive and encompassing. It is accepting a person for everything that they are.

This book is mostly about acceptance. Within the cast, Gold covers different types, shades and depths of belief. There is a very Looking for Alaska vibe to the book with the teenagers experiencing, exploring, expounding and explaining within their group. The dialogues flow, there are some hilarious moments and snappy back chat. The interactions and relationships are believable and every single person is extremely likeable.

Quite a nice read, this.

This was a cute read.

Emma decides before she enter her senior year she wants to find true love or God whatever comes first. As she navigate crushes and having her house be the place to hang out she runs into her childhood friend Avery that she hasn’t seen in a while she grew up nice as they get to know each other she wonders did she find her true love or is God her true love as she ponders this she starts to wonder can she have both.

I like all the characters it was humorous finding oneself and accepting.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.