In the last i’ve enjoyed Albertalli’s books, but I think they’re just not for me anymore. I didn’t really have any connection or even emotional attachments to this book, I found myself skimming it often and not immersed in the story. If i’d read this when I was younger (when i’d first read Albertalli’s SVTHSA) i think i would’ve really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC of this novel in exchange for a honest review. I was honestly very uncomfortable at times reading this book which is to the book's credit. Reading the thoughts of Imogen and how hard she tries and how she overthinks almost every interaction was rough at times because she just wants to be accepted and loved. The author's note was also an eye opener and a reminder that we should all be kind to everyone. It gets lost so much in this world that everyone has their own stuff going on and we should do our best to never put our stuff on theirs. As with other Becky Albertalli novels, this is very well-written and I really enjoyed it. If you like her other books, you will also like this one. Just be prepared to have your own biases challenged and know you can grow from novels. I know it is giving me an enhanced perspective.

This was my first Becky Albertalli book, since I was never interested in any of her past books. I really enjoyed this! I remember the controversy behind the author feeling forced to come out because of all the backlash from her past books because of queer representation and this felt like incredible comentary on that side of queer culture. I liked the main character, Imogen, and I enjoyed seeing her come to terms with her bisexuality despite it feeling wrong. The college setting was interesting and I wished I had a friend group like she does. My only complaint is that I wish there was more! Another chapter, an epilogue, something! Overall, a great story about discovering queerness and acceptance!

I remember when people started calling Love, Simon and the book connected to it as something written for straight people and I never understood that. As a baby gay when I saw Love, Simon at the time with my then partner, I was instantly obsessed. It was the first time I saw gay teens being focused on, and the book just opened up this whole new world of the fact that gay people can be the lead in books. To this day, it is still one of my comfort books and movies, I always recommend it to people as a good book to start when it comes to reading queer books.
And I remember this crap getting so bad that Becky was forced to come out- while I appreciate wanting to read books that come from actual queer people about queer identities, I always found it sort of ironic how much Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda was about "why is straight the default?", one of the best damn scenes in the whole movie is everyone coming out to their parents as straight just to show how dumb it is.
And yet people took that, heard that Becky was married to a man, had kids, and just assumed she was straight.
And this book perfectly captualizes the pure stupidity of it. There are multiple points of what it means to still be part of the lgbt community even when not being- or not knowing- you're queer, about how even if you didn't realize you were at the end of the day you were the entire time.
I might not have always known that I was trans, but I was always trans. Its not something that just appeared one day. And I love seeing Becky take that rage and write a book about it, to hopefully make people realize how crazy it was. And I hope to see her write more WLW books, they always are some of my favorites of hers.

I unfortunately was not able to get to this book before it came out, but I still can’t wait to read it! I have heard nothing but good things and know I will love it when I am able to read it!

To literally no one's surprise Becky Albertalli wrote a phenomenal book. I laughed and cried and felt a whole shit ton of feelings. My heart hurts knowing that so much of the story is based on Becky's own experience.

Simon Vs was the first queer book I read as an adult and I vividly remember reading it and it was before I came out as queer and I feel like I have such a strong connection to Becky's books and her experiences cuz they're just so relatable. Feel like I really come full circle and see so much of myself too in Imogen. I think that Imogen is my favorite of her books and I cannot recommend it enough!

This is the type of YA book that makes me love YA. Imogen is the straight friend in all her friend groups. She’s a high school senior but visits her best friend Lili at college and becomes close with Lili’s queer friend group, but they think Imogen is also queer. Is the plot predictable? Yes, especially if you know Becky Albertalli’s personal story. Is it still adorable? 100% yes.
Also.. points for it being set in the finger lakes region of NY, which is not far from where I live! I am not close enough to be a local but it seemed to hit all the landmarks (including the thinly veiled actual college ) really well! Didn’t expect that after all of the Atlanta books!!

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli is an LGBTQIA book about questioning sexuality after being an ally to friends and family. Imogen visits her best friend during a college tour, trying to enjoy herself while spending time with her best friend's college friends. After her best friend reveals that she's told her friends that Imogen is her ex-girlfriend, Imogen begins to question her sexuality: is she hetero or bi? When she's attracted to Tessa, a friend in the LGBTQIA friend group. Once this starts to unfold, Imogen incessantly questions her attraction and identification. And when I say incessantly, it becomes a repetitive inner monologue that becomes redundant. While I believe the "questioning" aspect of this is important, it overrode what could have been a dynamic story. There was conflict between Imogen and her friend Gretchen, who spend most of the novel texting about their tour experience. I would have preferred reading more about Imogen and Tessa's attraction and connection develop. Even the times when the group was playing pranks on each other were a nice distraction from Imogen's back and forth. Yet, despite the feeling gymnastics and guilt over potentially not being enough of an ally, Imogen, Obviously gave a satisfactory happy ever after.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Becky Albertalli has done it again! I felt so seen reading a book about capital A Allyship that had something bigger at play. I can see so many teens also feeling seen and needing this kind of story, especially in today’s terrifying climate. All identities matter and are valid!

I wanted to love this book considering how much Imogene’s journey paralleled my own (we even have the same birthday oddly enough) but unfortunately the novel fell flat and didn’t grab my attention like I hoped it would. At one point, I looked at my reading progress expecting it to be at least 60% done but I was only about 30% done.

I felt like I was being beat over the head with the overall theme. Like, I get it, Imogen is straight but she’s having butterflies when around this new queer friend, oh but wait no she’s queerbaiting, or is she? It was so repetitive I honestly almost DNFed about 40% in.

I do believe there are some important points & conversations that occur throughout the book about who gets to decide who is welcome in queer spaces and how no one is owed an explanation for another person’s queer identity. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone in the beginning of their queer journey who might be unsure of their feelings. I could see myself needing this book 10-15 years ago when I had no idea who I was.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins - Balzer + Bray for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imogen, Obviously is incredibly precious and Imogen is a cinnamon roll. This coming-of-age queer awakening story shows how compulsory heterosexuality can mess with how someone explores their own sexuality. As a person who did think they were "just an ally" for 27 years too long, I can't even express how much I LOVED this book. The passion and care Becky Albertalli put into the pages of Imogen, Obviously is crystal clear.

Where do I sign up for my own Tessa? I've been looking for a Jewish lesbian love interest myself (so if you know anyone *hint* *hint*). She is chaotic, quirky and full of flirty banter. Reading through her texts with Imogen is one of the best parts of the story. Whenever they interact, you can't help but cheer for their success and for Imogen to realize this IS what a crush feels like.

Lili's friends at college is one of the best examples of found family. They're welcoming, extremely sweet and comforting. Seeing the community they've build is heartwarming. Also, the scenes related to the tiny German sausage are hilarious. Having comedic breaks was important.

I didn't expect to hate Gretchen as much as I did. She was exhausting. The way she disagreed with anyone who didn't conform to her definition of queerness was upsetting. Not everyone comes to the realization that their gay at a young age. Some, like me, and Imogen, learn it later in life–we're late bloomers. I'm thankful none of my friends ever invalidated my questioning period. That said, Gretchen's character is a true portrayal and based on her lived queer experience–it's just not the only queer experience out there.

It's important to note how Imogen, Obviously explores events and actions that may be triggering to some readers including biphobia (internalized and externalized), gatekeeping, gaslighting, forced outing, homophobia, underage drinking and discussions surrounding queerbaiting. But, at the same time it also shines a light on found family, acceptance and queer joy.

BUY IT. READ IT. LOVE IT.

YA LGBT contemporary romance/realistic fiction. Having read Simon vs the Homosapians, Becky Albertalli is a go-to voice for me in the YA LGBT romancelandia. In Imogen, Obviously, Albertalli destroys the queer baiting, gatekeeping discourse in the queer community to perfection. This story was a genuine and unique approach about a girl’s search for her true identity. Behind that beautiful cover is a serious tale. Heavier moments are effortlessly balanced out by so many cute, wholesome, and really funny moments This may be one of Becky Albertalli's best works yet.

I adored Imogen, Obviously. The book features fantastic representation for the LGBQIA+ community that you do not see everywhere. A fantastic book about the journey of self discovery and learning to accept and love yourself. This is a beautiful book that every library should definitely have on hand.

I really enjoyed reading this book! Imogen is the quintessential bisexual questioning their feelings and sexuality after being told forever that she is straighter than a ruler. There is great character growth throughout the book and you can’t help to just root for Imogen.

I don't really know what I expected when I picked this book up, but what I got was not it. I have never seen a book pander to a Gen Z audience so hard in my entire life. To describe the dialogue as cringey is an understatement. I have never heard ANYONE describe an in person argument as discourse, or refer to someone's opinion as discourse. It's a term that is pretty universally acknowledged as being an online term.

The main character had 2 personality traits: over thinking everything, and worrying about wether or not she acted/looked too "straight" to be part of the queer community. At a certain point it does become exhausting. So, I guess the lesson there would be to just be yourself? There were some cute moments but overall this book is a borrow not a buy.

• Love the new revelations and character growth for Imogen in one weekend
• Imogen's anxiety felt real and raw as she goes through new discoveries
• I loved how personal the story got!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer+Bray for this e-copy. I was approved for this book after the publication date, by which point I had already bought it, so any quotes are from the final published version**

Imogen is surrounded by queer people: her best friends are bisexual (Gretchen Patterson) and pansexual (Emilia "Lili" Cardoso - initially pansexual, but by the end possibly panromantic asexual or demisexual), and her sister is a lesbian (Edith "Edie" Scott). She also thinks she is a great ally, one who attends all the Pride Alliance meetings.

We meet Imogen as she is being dropped off to spend the weekend at her best friend Lili's dorm at Blackwell College. Lili is kind of upset that despite having inviting Imogen many times, she never came until now. Imogen admits that she was intimated by Lili's "queer friends" and that she was concerned about her right to even be there in their queer space, since she has never seen herself as anything other then straight and was concerned about their comfort. Little does Imogen know that Lili has told her friends a lie: that she and Imogen used to date, and Imogen is bisexual. This make her feel a lot of things, as you can imagine.

As the weekend goes on, Lili's friends fully accept Imogen without questioning her at all, despite her being worried they will sense her straightness. She even attracts the attention of Tessa, Lili's lesbian friend. Imogen starts to develop a crush on Tessa, and begins questioning herself, looking back at her whole life and the things that have happened. Then she realizes: she might not have been straight after all, as the pieces come together.

This book is about finding yourself, your community, and understanding that no one has the authority to decide what is considered "queer" or "queer enough," and we should all just respect each other and our journeys.

I LOVED IT! Becky Albertalli is an auto-buy author for me, and Imogen, Obviously just confirms why I love Becky's books so much. I think this is such a relevant book. I loved the LGBTQ+ rep and how Becky handled such important topics like identity, labels, and so much more. The characters were so realistic and lovable. I binged this one, and you should too.

I purchased a copy of this for my classroom library before reading it because, it's Becky Albertalli so of course I did! I finally carved out time to read this over the weekend and I absolutely loved it! Imogen is a likable, relatable, and fantastic character and I think many teens will relate to the experience of finding out more about yourself when you step into a new environment. This is the perfect story for any young person (or old!) who is still figuring out exactly who they are and for anyone just trying to be supportive of the people in their lives who are figuring things out. 10/10, no notes!

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It spoke to Becky’s traumatic experience of being forcibly outed and having her personhood questioned. Imogen was relatable and kind and trying and that’s more than anyone can ask of a person. I loved the romance, the self discovery , the friendships and more.