Me, holding up this book so everyone has to see it: LOOK AT IT!!!

Anyway, Imogen, Obviously, was incredible. I loved it. I knew I would, it's Becky Albertalli, after all, but I love having it confirmed. This is going to be THE book of spring, mark my words! It was so personal, warm, and so many moments of this book felt so real. It feels like writing a review wouldn't even do this book justice, you just need to read it. I'm so glad I was able to read this book and you will be too.

4.75*

wooooooooooow, it really felt like Becky reached into my brain and pulled out all my insecurities and fears & gave them to Imogen. Any scene with Gretchen nearly gave me a panic attack, as she truly embodies all the worst of the queer gatekeepers. I loved all of the other characters and how they were all so naturally and unapologetically themselves. Imogen, Obviously is such a beautifully emotional read, can’t wait for the pub date!! I definitely needed this book when i was a teenager.

thank you netgalley for the advanced copy!! 💚

I went into Imogen, Obviously thinking "oh, what a cute cover, this'll be fun" and out the other side thinking "I came out to have a good time and I'm honestly feeling so attacked" because this book? Yeah, it hit a little too close at times and I wasn't expecting that.

Imogen, Obviously is amazing! It's about identity and sexuality, and about growing into your ever-evolving self. It's about queerness and comphet and gatekeeping and relationships. It's about love and happiness and doubt and fear. It's about allowing yourself space and to let yourself *be*

"I got this twinge in my chest when she said that. Queerness recognizing queerness. It’s kind of beautiful when you think about it. I really do wish it was mine sometimes."

I'm honestly a little unsure how to write about this book still because everything feels a bit too vulnerable, and more about me than the book itself. This book about the token straight girl in a group of queer friends who knows she doesn't quite fit in so she constantly overthinks everything. She does so to make sure she's the best version of herself not realizing she's trying to be the best version of who she thinks people want to see. She's so busy trying to be a good ally that she doesn't let herself just *be* - it's a bit like not being able to see the forest for all the trees.

"All these moments, scattered and separate. All these disconnected dots."

Lots of Imogen's thoughts and thought processes are ones I've had myself verbatim. It was actually a little unsettling how often I needed to take a break to just breathe because I felt almost uncomfortable, like reading this was making me confront things I wasn't sure I was ready for. I'm still working through everything this book made me feel and think. Books that can get to you like that are rare and Imogen, Obviously is an amazing read.

Becky Albertalli wrote an excellent forward for Imogen, Obviously that gets into the reason this book came into being. It’s very possible you already know that reason though. Becky Albertalli’s experience has been publicized and discussed for nearly 3 years. The reason it’s stayed so relevant is because the internet harassment campaigns against seemingly ‘straight’ people ‘taking up queer spaces’ haven’t exactly stopped (a recent, well-known example being Kit Connor), making this book feel EXTREMELY necessary, and even cathartic to read.

When this book was announced, I was really excited to see Becky explore such a personal and raw topic in fiction form – but for anyone worried that “the Discourse” overpowers the story and characterization, fear not! In true Becky Albertalli style, this book tackled serious topics while also being a really cute romance and story of a girl discovering herself!

Speaking of this girl, Imogen was a great character to follow. She felt real and loveable from the get-go (also in true Becky Albertalli style), and I really enjoyed reading about her life and relationships with her high school friends, her sister, and her new college buddies. Her friendship with Lili was super sweet and I looooved the playful chemistry between Imogen and Tessa. They were really great together and I loved every scene with them <3

On the flip side, it was so heartbreaking to see the ways Imogen had stopped herself/been stopped from examining her attraction to both girls and boys. I have been in that stage of second-guessing (though thankfully all my friends have been very supportive) and it’s an incredibly difficult place to be in – even without the kind of comments Gretchen made.

And speaking of, let’s get into Gretchen. I really liked the way she was written. It was incredibly frustrating to read her Discoursing and I even felt genuine anger at the way she made her own friends feel (you know it’s effective writing when you gotta put your Kobo down for a couple minutes to calm down). But it was clear Becky Albertalli was treating her character with compassion. It made sense why Gretchen felt the way she did – her reasons were out of trauma and a misplaced sense of protectiveness. A real thing many queer people experience! And that needs to be acknowledged! But at the same time, Albertalli doesn’t hesitate to show how her actions ended up hurting the queer community she was trying so hard to protect.

I think my favorite line in the book happens toward the end, when Imogen was reflecting on what the queer community ‘stands for’ – Gretchen says the queer community is about shared experience, but Imogen wonders if the queer community is actually about holding room for variance. I had to sit with that for a second because yes. Not only is Imogen’s description so perfect, but this bit really hit the nail on the head on why there’s this divide in the community. And why the discourse is so hurtful and nonsensical. Becky Albertalli always gets it.

PS. The little Simon vs. reference/cameo had me over the MOON.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an arc of this book. Below is my honest review.

Imogen is visiting her best friend Lili at Blackwell College for the first time. Meeting her queer friends, staying for a three day weekend, and she is … nervous. She drives by the college going to Wegmans but has never visited. Immy is a rule follower down to her bones. She is a people pleaser, the only ally in her schools pride alliance (or was until Lili’s brother joined, too) and Immy is very, very shy. Even though Imogen will be going to this very school in less than six months, she just hasn’t found the courage to visit.

When Imogen arrives, she finds out that Lili told her friends that they are ex-girlfriends as well as best friends. Imogen is fine with it since Lili did not exaggerate any stories and understands that Lili just wanted to fit in by saying she dated in high school. The only lie Lili told is that they are exes.

What could possibly go wrong?

This book is going to mean the world to so many people, young and old alike. You can tell Albertalli wrote this, at least in part, for her younger self and any/all who are similarly questioning themselves.

And, to top it off with discussions of actors not coming out even if they are in queer roles was masterfully done. This happens far too often in our society. I’m hoping the discord in this novel flips a switch for even more people.

And the Simonverse cameo! Blink and you miss it. I was super stoked.

I highly recommend this one. It is absolutely worth the read.

This stunningly written book captured me from the first sentence. Our author has always done a beautiful job of giving us relatable characters and stories that stay in our heads even after we've closed the book. I was definitely honored to receive this e-arc. So our main character Imogen (Obviously, duh) has always been a dedicated ally and friend to all those around her, especially her queer-identifying friends. Every step of the way she's been there, ready to support them and fight anyone who says otherwise. Her two best friends Gretchen and Lili are polar opposites and she's torn between the two on multiple occasions. Which one needs her support the most? Staying with Lili on campus, she meets Tessa. Mysteriously gorgeous and consumes her mind from the very start. All she can focus on is this girl she meets and the fact she meets her under false pretenses. Because right now, everyone thinks she's Bi, thanks to Lili's out-of-control lie. Something that should be easy to handle but it starts to stir up emotions in Imogen she's long since buried. She's in a place where everyone is themselves, easily. They aren't worried if they're not queer presenting enough or stuck in their own mind micro-analyzing their every move. They're just - being. Something she so desperately wants. It was so refreshing to read every thought I have had at least once in my life, even before coming out. Thoughts I even have to this day. It can feel so intimidating and it's hard to be bold and brave when you don't even know how. It does a fantastic job of showing imposter syndrome and how intensely it can affect the lgbtq+ community. Even after you've allowed yourself to be true in your mind, there's always something to prove. Sometimes even to your closest friends and family. This will be a book I recommend for years to come. It finally gave word to feelings so easily forgotten.

Growing up with two queer best friends and a queer sister, Imogen Scott has earned her title as the greatest pride ally. When she visits BFF Lili at college, she learns that Lili bent the truth and told her college friends that Imogen was her ex-girlfriend, not her straight friend. Imogen agrees to go along with the ruse, but begins to question her own identity as she grows closer to Lili’s friend Tessa.

This young adult novel is a feel-good, coming of age story with diverse LGBTQ representation, perfect for teens searching for their own identities. Imogen is a well-developed, relatable character sure to resonate with many readers, and I truly enjoyed following her journey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer and Bray for my gifted e-ARC!

THIS BOOK. I read it twice in one weekend. I found the depiction of queer community to be very moving, and Imogen is just as charming as Albertalli's other leads. I wish I could hand my high school or even college self this book-- perhaps more than almost any other book.

An intensely personal novel about authenticity, allyship, toxic friendships, and the harmful risks that stem from gatekeeping queer spaces. As always, Becky Albertalli's hilarious and heartfelt writing guides Imogen on an intimately relatable journey.

Imogen is also a stark reminder of why we should be retiring the term Own Voices, and instead using specific identifiers that authors and creators are comfortable using for themselves and their characters.

Words alone are not enough to describe the love I have for Imogen, Obviously.

I read this ARC as soon as I received it but I’m saving my review until the Harper Collins strike is over. This review was written in December of 2022.

Being a late in life (I say this but I’m only 30 at the time of writing this) bisexual who has had so many of the same thoughts and internal monologues as Imogen. I felt seen (and also the same deep love for varying queer media before fully knowing my own identity) Becky’s own Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens agenda being the first queer book I read when I got back into reading as an adult and I formed a deep love and attachment to it).

Imogen is a girl on the brink of adulthood who thinks she knows and understands herself fully, until meeting one of her best friends group of friends from college. Imogen then begins to show growth whilst also questioning her identity. Imogen, as I mentioned previously is such a relatable character for me!

I really loved Tessa. Tessa is such an effortlessly cool character. She’s a Jewish lesbian with ADHD who has a more masculine style and is unapologetically herself. Tessa and Imogen quickly become close (and maybe closer than Imogen could have ever imagined) and the growth of their relationship is so genuine and cute!

Five glowing stars!

Never stop writing Becky, the work you do is important.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am 45 years old, and came out and was outed in a confusing tangle in high school after realizing I was bisexual in middle school. And yet, so much of this book resonated with me.

This book is obviously doing dual duty: it is Albertalli's response to years of queerbaiting accusations and subsequent coming out, and also a sweet love story. It succeeds on both levels, never feeling like it derails from its narrative to preach by set off most of its conflict by a character who easily spin off into her own book if so inclined. Albertalli shows the antagonist more grace than another author might, and that's not a bad thing.

Imogen, Obviously adds to a growing canon of queer books that feel like how-to's in the gentlest way. In this, we get "how to recognize one's own bisexuality in a world that defaults to heterosexuality." I hope to see this on a lot of best of lists.

I have never read a Becky Albertalli read that I didn’t like, and Imogen, Obviously was no exception. This whole story was a joyous exploration of Imogen figuring out who she was and who she wanted to be, and I enjoyed every single word. Imogen and Tessa have such a cute friendship-turned-relationship, and it warmed my heart to see Imogen bloom as she visited college. The characters all had distinct personalities, and I loved meeting all of them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the employees at HarperCollins for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I cried about 5 times before I even started the first chapter. This book blew me away, it’s SO Becky in the absolute best way possible. I definitely think this is my favorite book of her’s. It’s seeped with things that just remind me of her and the things she’s had to go through the last few years. But I’ll just let the book and the author’s note speak for itself on that topic.

I have so many thought about how the character Gretchen is meant to embody the gatekeepers of the queer community and how much that speaks to me and my journey as a queer/trans person. It’s an insane metaphor that Becky pulls off flawlessly.

God, this is just a good book. Go buy it! Right now!!

PS: there is a simonverse character if you look very closely👀

Imogen Scott is the token Straight friend in her group of friends. Most of them are queers and so is her sister. But she’s straight, so straight, especially according to her best friend Gretchen. When Imogen finally accepts her other best friend’s invitation (Lili) to visit her and stay in her college dorm room with her, she’s still a bit hesitant . She’s scared that she won’t compare and fit in with Lili’s new and cool queer friends. But she couldn’t be more wrong, especially since it turns out that Lili has some insecurities of her own and she actually lied and said that she and Imogen used to date. But now, Imogen is mesmerized by Tessa, one of Lili’s new friends and what if she thinks she’s like into her into her?? Cause she can’t be, since she’s straight, right? RIGHT??

This was incredible, groundbreaking, amazing. I loved every single second of it. I loved Imogen, Lili, Tessa and the whole group of Lili’s friends. I cried, I laughed, I raged. It was truly everything and more. The characters, the setting, the romance, the short chapters, it’s like all of it was made for me. I was truly glued to the page and could not stop reading. I’m sorry this is a terrible review, why is it so hard to review great books??? I just don’t have anything to say except that it was perfection to me and that you should all read it! Becky Albertalli really just did it again.

So good, so readable. I love love loved Imogen.

I also will admit I felt very vindicated that Gretchen was so awful bc I disliked her from when I first met her on account of her name. Yeah, fantastic. and all of Imogen’s friends who weren’t Gretchen were just wonderful. And the thing about Gretchen is, she represents a very real group of queer people. All these things she was saying were things I have seen ppl saying, whether it was about Becky or Kit or someone else. It needs to stop.

Without a doubt this is my new favorite Becky Albertalli book.

I thought this was lovely! You can tell this was primarily based off of Albertalli's experiences after writing Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda, and I liked the added layer. The characters were all fun, too. I think this was a solid book, and will definitely put Albertalli back on the map.

This is another excellent read by Albertalli - full of her trademark pathos. Fans of her previous books will find more to love here as we follow a girl navigating the LGBTQ community while feeling like an outsider.

Story: Imogen has always worked hard to be a staunch ally. Her sister came out as a lesbian at a young age and her best friends are bi. Imogen is always trying her best to be a people pleasing person while being supportive of the trials of those close to her. When she visits best friend Lili at college, the unexpected happens - she begins to question just how cishet she truly is when she starts to develop feelings for one of Lili's lesbian friends.

Most of the book is Imogen overthinking every possible situation. There are some very interesting discussions on 'comphet' and assumptions about one's sexuality. But also on what it means to be bi or lesbian, how that affects one's outlook on life, and how things can be easily misinterpreted or hurtful. Interestingly, this is not a preachy book; most of the drama is from within Imogen's friend's group and not from without.

The story takes place over 9 or so days as Imogen visits friend Lili's college (where Imogen will be attending in 6 months) and gets to meet Lili's new circle of LGBTQ friends. Imogen once again feels like an outsider and that is paralleled to how she has been experiencing her relationships with her family and good friends before then.

In the end, I did get tired of the endless questing inner monologue. As well, not much happens in the book since most of the time Imogen is being neurotic about this or that subject in the LGBTQ community. But this is an Albertalli book so there is a lot of heart and emotion. The dialogue snaps, is very relevant, and the drama isn't overwrought or melodramatic. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I am a big fan of Becky Albertalli books, Unfortunately, this one didn't resonate with me. The characters were well-developed and likeable. But I found the amount of self-doubt and navel gazing by Imogen was a bit much. I wanted more to happen outside of her head. I understand that this is meant to show the process of self-discovery of her sexuality, but it felt repetitive to me, and I started to lose interest.

Becky Albertalli is arguably one the most highly talked about authors in queer YA, and her stories overall have been very hit or miss for me. For every “Simon VS” there’s a “Kate in Waiting”. The character of Imogen is endearing and charming, and is the perfect titular character for Albertalli to her story through. It takes great strength for Albertalli to share her story with an overly skeptical audience, and soft her to find a way to relay that story through fictional characters must be commended. Overall, the story was just a basic coming of age, sexual awakening story for me. I enjoyed 98% of the characters and the story was very cut and dry, so there’s no justification to give this any less then 4 stars, but the story wasn’t gripping enough to go up to 5. If you like Albertalli and her overall body of work, “Imogen, Obviously” slot’s delectably into her bibliography.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the early copy of this novel <3

This was a complete and utter DELIGHT!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Becky Albertalli book, but I’m pleased to confirm that she has not lost her magic touch! Imogen Obviously was heartwarming, entertaining, addicting, and honest. Having read about Albertalli’s experiences with being forced to come out, I read this with the knowledge that Albertalli’s own story was deeply woven into Imogen’s and I admire her courage in sharing it with the world.

Imogen, Obviously follows Imogen Scott, who is 100% straight. However, with a queer younger sister and two queer best friends to support, she’s also 100% the World’s Greatest Ally. In fact, she’s so supportive that when she visits her childhood friend, Lili, at college and is roped into pretending to be her ex-girlfriend, she decides to give it all she’s got. And although she fears that everyone can tell how postively hetero she is, none of Lili’s friends seem to notice a thing – not even Lili’s extremely cool new friend, Tessa…

As Imogen gets to know Tessa and the rest of Lili’s friend group, she finds that “pretending” is a lot easier than she expected… in fact, she may not be “pretending” at all.

Through Imogen, Albertalli tackles issues from biphobia to gatekeeping within the queer community. It is obvious she is writing from a very personal space and one character in particular (who you will loathe as much as me) represents the toxic mindset and perspective that Albertalli herself has been subjected to time and time again. I know Imogen’s experiences will also resonate with a lot of readers too especially in an age where ideas of “queerbaiting” are going too far (a la Kit Connor) and the incessant entitlement towards people’s identities is growing more and more prominent.

Anyways, despite the often complex and difficult subject matter, this book was composed of a lot of joy and I adored every second of it. Imogen was a such an easy character to love and root for. I related a lot to her social anxiety and tendency to overthink in particular. I also adored Tessa, the love interest if it wasn’t quite clear. She was absolutely lovely and I felt giddy reading their interactions.

I find that while many authors attempt to write relatable teen interactions and often miss the mark, Albertalli is not one of those authors. Every single text conversation Imogen had with a friend or Tessa rang true. There was only one or two comments where I was like… okay, that’s pushing it, and that’s probably a record. Honestly, I was grinning like an idiot reading most of Imogen and Tessa’s exchanges in specific.

The found family aspect of this book… perfection. The friend group in this book in particular reminded me of what I love the most from Casey McQuiston books as well. It just felt so warm <3 I will never forget the tiny German sausage OMG 😭

Also returning to that certain character who shall not be named… I actually really appreciate that even though they were meant to be portrayed in a negative light, Albertalli also took the care of developing them with nuance and depth, allowing the reader to both understand their actions and even empathize with them… TO AN EXTENT, of course.

My only real issues were: I felt the beginning felt a bit disjointed in that we were dropped into the plotline without any context. The adjustment took a second. Similarly, I felt that some of the chapter transitions felt a bit abrupt and/or awkward. I’m thinking of one chapter in particular towards the end where I literally had to reread the last page of the previous chapter and the first page of the next twice in order to understand what happened. (Chapter 55 of the e-ARC, I believe)

Overall: I thoroughly recommend and I hope to see a lot of people pick this up in May!!