This was such a fantastic read! It hit so close to home for me. Today's teens are so lucky to have books like this and I couldn't be happier for them.

There’s few contemporary YA authors I’ll read anything they put out, but Becky Albertalli is one. And I’m so glad I read this. From the author’s note at the beginning, you know this story is deeply personal for Becky, and that connection to the plot is felt throughout. One thing that keeps me coming back to her books is how readable they are, and this is no exception. I devoured the entire thing in one day, unable to put it down once I got started. Imogen and her family/friends are written so well and in such a realistic way (again, a Becky Albertalli staple to me is that all characters and dialogue feel true to life). She really captured the emotions of the end of high school/beginning of college experience, and Imogen is a great lens to view the changes through. Seeing her character spend most of the book in a web of self-doubt, only to come out at the end with a stronger sense of who she is was perfect. I think this story is going to resonate with a lot of people who read it, not just teens. I would 100% recommend.

Great book for young adults. The characters are very relatable. Many young adults (especially females) will love this book and relate to it.

Oh my goodness this book! I loved it. I found the characters relatable and fun. It had a little bit of everything and I devoured it

I think I'm landing on 4-stars with Imogen, Obviously, mostly because I had a very hard time putting it down and read it in pretty much one day, which is impressive since I've been struggling with reading attention lately. However, despite that dreamy cover and a lovely romance plotline, it's not without it's flaws.

I feel a lot of big Ways about Imogen, Obviously, and it's abundantly clear that Becky Albertalli feels strongly, passionately, about this story. I'm very much aware of the author's coming out story, and I imagine that this book is a very personal one to Becky Albertalli. It feels like a big story, and the character's emotions feel extremely raw and close to the surface.

Things I enjoyed were the romance (dreamy!), Tessa (and actually the whole group of college friends), and the discovering-yourself plotline. Sexuality discovery stories will always hold a special place in my heart, and I adored that part of the story. Also, the chemistry between Imogen and Tessa was pretty electric, and I adored Tessa's flirting style and banter. A+ character development. The friends were pretty much the dream cast of accepting college friends, and it made me nostalgic for my college days. Just a cute dynamic between the friends all around. Honestly, there was a lot to love about the story, including a very well done writing style that kept me wanting more. There is a reason I keep coming back to this author.

There were a few things I struggled with in the story, however. For one, I think the big baddie gatekeeper did have a few valid points. There is no right or wrong way to be queer, and you should NEVER invalidate someone's sexuality, but there is something to be said for queer people getting to tell their stories or have their opinions heard in queer spaces. I think it's very true that you shouldn't make assumptions about people or their sexuality/gender identity, but I think that to frame the gatekeeper character (I won't say names to avoid spoilers, but it's pretty obvious) as sort of the villain isn't fully okay either.

To take a tangent into very personal territory, I had a lesbian, very out housemate in college when my best friends all went abroad, and her friends were ALL queer. For a full year, I spent every week watching new episodes of "The L Word," going to queer comedy shows and queer clubs, and being a part of that world. I was the Imogen, but straighter and with much less self awareness at the time. Reflecting back, I always debate if I was infringing on their queer spaces too much or getting too immersed in the community without being a member of it, and the fact that I am an avid consumer of LGBTQIA+ books has made my internal debate continue to this day. My conclusion is that I really don't know the right answers, but I think what I'm trying to say is that raising some concerns can be valid. Does that make sense?

I think this book veered a bit into being preachy about acceptance, mostly because the author personally feels so strongly about it, but I aside from that, I think it was a really well done story. I don't read enough sapphic romances, so when I read a story with a couple that really makes my heart sing, I latch on. I wish we got more of Tessa and Imogen's story from after they got together, or maybe this author could write more lesfic romances, because I thought she slayed that part of the story.

All in all, I love Becky Albertalli's writing style, and this book really lived up to my expectations. Though it wasn't perfect, I had the hardest time putting it down (I almost read my Kindle in the shower), so that makes it at least a 4-star read in my book.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

This was such a nuanced, thoughtful, inclusive, hopeful book. I loved Imogen and the cast of characters, and Albertalli's exploration of queer community was thought-provoking and necessary.

Bisexuals Unite!!!
I loved the LGBTQIA+ rep in this entire book. It was so fun to read about Imogen's journey to figuring out her sexuality and gaining new friends in the process. Her relationship with Tess is amazing. This entire book just goes to show the true talent that Becky Albertalli has for writing the most beautiful stories regarding LGBTQIA+ teens.

5/5 stars

Would highly recommend this to others.

Completely heartfelt and quintessentially Becky Albertalli!

I knew this was going to be incredibly moving having some sense of how personal this is to Becky's experiences, but wow. It's so well-written, has the perfect voice, is humorous and tender and important. I don't really know what to say except that this book is perfect, whole, fully realized. And I'm so grateful for it.

This was such a delight to read! I love a good queer rom-com, and Imogen, Obviously had all the wit and charm of Gen Z humor I love. But what it did so well was detail what so many of us bisexual folks go through- the self-doubt and feeling that we don't really belong in the queer community. I am truly saddened by what Albertalli had to endure online, but the perspective she offers here is valuable. Through Imogen's story, Albertalli shows us you don't have to look a certain way, compete in the oppression olympics, or be forced to disclose anything for the sake of "proof" to "deserve" your label. There should always be a place for questioning and closeted folks in queer spaces.

Albertalli's stories will always have a special place in my heart (Love, Simon being the first queer movie I'd ever seen and Leah on the Offbeat being the first bi girl I'd ever seen represented in a book), and Imogen, Obviously earned its place among them. This is bound to become a special book for many a confused teenager looking for reassurance.

TLDR a charming, witty queer rom-com that advocates for the validity of bisexual folks' place in the queer community. Loved!

I have loved Becky Albertalli's writing ever since I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda a while back. All of her books since then have been enjoyable, especially the ones written with Adam Silvera, but Imogen, Obviously is on par with Simon as being one of my favorites.

Imogen is the same age as my oldest child, but I found her so relatable throughout the novel. It made me wish that a book like this was available when I was a teenager. Back then, it was more taboo to be LGBTQ+ and it felt so intense when friends came out to me initially (like my heart would be racing when they told me). I had even been going to Rocky Horror a lot and it still would faze me anyway. I've always been supportive and definitely an ally, but I feel like I could have responded even better than I actually did at that time.

This novel opens up a lot of interesting dialogue, as well as introspection for Imogen and anyone who is feeling the same way she is. One of the big things it centers around is people putting labels on others and either forcing them out of the closet before they are ready or trying to keep them in the closet when they are not sure that's where they actually belong. Being LGBTQ+ is personal to everyone and I feel that people need to be able to come out when it is right for them. No one else should be allowed to dictate that in order to fit their own narrative. I was frustrated on Imogen's behalf, especially when one of her friends was constantly shutting her down or telling her how to think and feel. I have so many other thoughts after reading this novel, but I would end up writing an entire novel if I kept going with them.

I loved the dialogue and banter throughout. Especially all the text exchanges. And Tessa was so wonderful. She reminded me of a young version of Greta from A Million Little Things, in terms of her personality. I even got teary-eyed while reading this novel.

My only concern (and I have this with a lot of books) is that the conflict came in too late and then it was quickly resolved. However, that didn't take away from my enjoyment one bit!

I definitely recommend this novel to all ages (from tween on up)! There's some PG-13 content but nothing too over the top.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

This was yet another fantastic read by Ms. Albertalli. The chapters were short and quick, the characters were all distinct and likeable (well, except for Gretchen....), and the dialogue was funny and relatable. I flew through this story in a few days. Even as a straight person, I can understand how difficult it is to figure out whether or not you're queer when the world is telling you that you can't be anything but straight. Sometimes it takes longer for people to realize it. Gretchen was a really interesting antagonist because there are absolutely people like that, who gatekeep being queer and refuse to let others decide their own sexual identity. You wouldn't except someone like her to be the Big Problem in this book, and yet she fits the role perfectly by refusing to let the idea of people she's made up in her head go. Imogen and Tessa were so cute together too. A perfect, relatively light WLW book!

I know it is unlikely that Becky will ever see this review. There are thousands out there. But if there is any small chance that you do see this, Becky, thank you. Thank you for writing this book.

Imogen is definitely not queer. She is a self-proclaimed hopelessly hetero ally, who is excited to visit her newly-out friend Lili for the first time at her university campus. Imogen, a senior destined to go to the same college, is nervous about her visit and about fitting in with Lili's cool queer friends. She's especially nervous when Lili tells her that she's told everyone that they used to date! Determined to be the best ally she can be, Imogen goes along with the little white lie. But when Imogen meets Tessa, she begins to question her own sexuality, and wonders just how much truth there is to it.

Abertalli conveys Imogen's confusion with such raw honesty and heart. Imogen is truly shocked to be confronting this part of herself. I only recently became aware of Abertalli's own personal experiences, and it is easy to see how much of her own journey she has poured into this book. Especially through Gretchen, Imogen's queer friend who is unintentionally boxes people in, has very strong opinions about queer discourse, and is not willing to believe that Imogen could be bi. She is a perfect encapsulation of some of the media and internet discourse that often occurs, and made me feel so angry for Imogen while I was reading, but also empathetic - Gretchen's own experiences have shaped her views. The complex dynamics and feelings were so reflective of real life. The romance is sweet and sincere, and, hello, the climate of the book occurs at a dark academia party! It is perfection.

This is a must-add to high school library collections.

This was a cute, bisexual Awakening romance from author Becky Albertalli.

Imogene is a likable character, and I liked her growth as she gets ready to go to college which is a huge time of change in someone's life.

Becky Albertalli's writing is full of heart and she has yet to write a book I don't thoroughly enjoy and Imogen, Obviously is just as exceptional. You can tell how personal the story is to the author and I think a lot of teens and young adults will be able to relate to this story. Imogen is such a likeable character that it is impossible not to root for her. Figuring out your sexuality can be challenging for young adults and I think reading about how Imogen navigates this and the support she receives while trying to figure it all out is will be really valuable to this age group. This is especially true with the book banning of LGBTQIA materials across the United States. I will happily display this story on our library shelves!

First, this is my first time read a queer book and I might be wrong, but this is my thoughts:

I feel sorry for Imogen. Barely adulting with those kind of self-doubting is hard. She went through a lot. And those circumstances often make me had to stop my reading journey. I was full of desperation and absorping every negative emotions Imogen had experienced. Thus, I have hard times to move on.

Nevertheless, I admit this book is a necessity. People should read at least once. Yeah, it is work of fiction and all but what Imogen went through was real. I love the writing. Becky put a perfect balance of the implicit meaning and the actual words. Unless I am hardly emotionally person, I wouldn't put it down even a bit.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books for the copy. I personally hope this book reach those people in needed.

I adored this! It’s clear how close this story was to the author’s heart. I was rooting for Imogen from the start. The characters felt true to their age, and while I’m not usually a fan of pop culture references in books, I feel like they worked with the story here. The back and forth debate Imogen had with herself even to the end of the story felt very realistic. This is a story that people need, not just teens, but anyone of any age who has ever felt pressure to label themselves one way or another.

This book is so obviously personal. It’s very clearly based on Albertalli’s own journey of self-discovery and coming out. This book is so full of heart and soul. It deals with the really horrible outing that Albertalli faced and deals with it with a lot of nuance. This book discusses queer subjects with nuance and care. The characters are well written. With the exception of one side character, all of the characters are easy to root for. The plot is well-written and paced. I read Simon vs the Homosapien Agenda and it was clear that Albertalli had a lot of talent. With Imogen, Obviously, that talent is realized in a wonderful queer coming of age story and YA romcom.

Imogen, Obviously explores issues of friendship, allyship, and identity with all the humor and compassion you’d expect from a book by Becky Albertalli. This is an upbeat book filled to the brim with positive messages. I love how it captures the excitement and nervousness of the transition from high school to college, and how the start of college can provide the opportunity to recreate oneself and find a new place to belong.

Funny, engaging, sweet, and thoughtful. Highly recommended.

It's official -- I love everything that Becky Albertalli writes. This was one of my favorite books of all time. Imogen is compulsively like-able -- so sweet, kind, thoughtful. I loved how her sister, Edith, and her two best friends -- Lilli and Gretchen -- were foils to her, helping her figure out her feelings about herself and her sexuality. I have never read a book that struggled with a difficult topic -- figuring out sexuality and the process of coming out -- but also felt feel good. It felt college nostalgic like a Taylor Swift song or Gilmore Girls. I think this would be an amazing classroom text and I'll definitely recommend it for a free reading text and even though it's a young adult book I think absolutely everyone should read it. It brought up so many great conversations about sexuality, coming out, being out / passing, and how we make space for others. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, my sincerest apologies that I did not read this one sooner, but I also intentionally tried to hold out on reading this one because I knew it would probably want to scream out from the rooftops about this book, and it would hurt too much waiting for the actual release and for others to enjoy it.

Wow. I don’t know how Becky just writes like this, but she just does? I always find myself laughing out loud for her books and saying “awww,” and I always go through the full range of emotions with her books. This book was just so real. These characters are so real. The dialogue feels so real, and it just never feels inauthentic in any way ever.

I ADORED this cast of characters. And I also love how a lot of these characters deal with conflicting emotions for all things. I also love that we also saw some rough patches with different friends in the book that just made this so much more real. And I really like when books acknowledge the fact that friendships are so fluid and that they aren’t always so picture perfect.

I also just love how this book addressed finding yourself and discovering your sexuality because it can often be confusing. I really think that many adults would even benefit from reading this book. This opened my eyes to so many things that I had never even thought about.

Ugh, this book just made me swoon.

Also, forever sending Becky all the love because this book in part was definitely reflective of her own life. And I think that’s so brave of her to let us into all the emotions that went along with that. It felt so real.