This was a fav of the year for me! I love a campus story and coming of age so that made it the perfect type of book for me! Can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Hey everyone! 📚✨ Just finished "Old Enough" by Haley Jakobson and I have to say, it's a fantastic read! This book dives deep into the complexities of growing up and finding your place in the world with such heart and honesty.

Jakobson’s writing is so relatable and fresh, you’ll feel like you’re chatting with a friend. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, each one bringing their own unique voice to the story. One scene that really stuck with me is when the protagonist faces a major life decision at a college party—it’s raw, real, and totally gripping.

If you’re looking for a book that’s both thought-provoking and heartwarming, "Old Enough" is a must-read. It's a journey of self-discovery that will leave you reflecting on your own experiences. Happy reading! 🌟📖

#BookReview #MustRead #HaleyJakobson #ComingOfAgeReads 📘✨

An interesting look at what it means to be a young adult in today's world. Times have changed but some issues remain timeless. Healing from wounds and learning to be who you are is something that needs to be talked about.

This is a tender coming-of-age story about Sav, a bisexual college sophomore, navigating identity, friendship, and healing from sexual assault. As she builds a supportive queer community, an invitation to her childhood best friend’s wedding dredges up old trauma and threatens her newfound stability. The novel alternates between Sav’s present and flashbacks to her teenage years, revealing her complex relationship with her former best friend and her best friend’s brother. Though the letter-like flashbacks were initially distracting, they ultimately added depth to the story. Sav’s journey is both compelling and easy to root for.

favorite book of 2024, mark my words. So relatable. Made me ache for queer community in such a specific way. loved loved loved

I love this book! It made me slightly nostalgic for my own college days. A great introduction to Jakobson’s long form work. I can’t wait for her second novel.

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2023. This debut novel had me hooked from the first page with its honest, funny, and heartfelt exploration of queer love, community, and the messy reality of growing up.

What I loved most about Old Enough is how it captures that strange in-between time of life—when you’re not quite sure who you are yet, but you’re getting closer. Jakobson’s writing is raw and vulnerable, but also filled with so much love and warmth. It’s a story about finding your people, dealing with past wounds, and figuring out how to be okay with who you’re becoming. If you’re looking for a book that’s both deeply moving and incredibly affirming, this is it. Old Enough is a must-read.

I think the depictions of sexual assault and its effects are important, harrowing, and well done. However, the rest of the story was not for me, and I think it would be better suited for a YA audience.

Haley Jakobson’s Old Enough is a remarkable and enthralling read that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. From the very first page, Jakobson’s narrative pulls you into a world of vibrant storytelling and compelling characters, making it an unforgettable experience.
The novel masterfully explores the complexities of growing up and the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood. Jakobson’s keen observations and authentic voice bring the protagonist's journey to life with incredible nuance and depth. The story resonates with anyone who has faced the challenge of finding their place in a world that often feels both thrilling and overwhelming.
What truly sets Old Enough apart is Jakobson’s ability to capture the emotional landscape of her characters. The author’s writing is both evocative and empathetic, allowing readers to deeply connect with the protagonist’s struggles, triumphs, and moments of introspection. The themes of self-discovery, identity, and the impact of choices are explored with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to be moved by them.
Jakobson’s prose is sharp and lyrical, and her storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking. Every chapter feels meticulously crafted, with a pace that keeps readers hooked and a narrative that unfolds with grace and insight. The emotional depth and complexity of the characters ensure that Old Enough is not just a book but a profound journey into the essence of growing up.
In summary, Old Enough is a stellar achievement by Haley Jakobson. It’s a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that captures the essence of what it means to come of age. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful and resonant read.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with myself now that this is over??

Old Enough has everything and felt personalized for me, but also felt like a book that could relate to anyone and that’s what makes it so special. Friendship breakups, queer self-identity, queer relationships, new relationships, familial relationships, shifting friendships and changing dynamics and personalities, as well as finding your own voice and trusting your own mind and body. Incredible. Honestly.

I loved this so god damn much. I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.

This book was a wonderful read. I loved the characters, and the focus on friendship, and growing up, learning who you are and how you change as a person as you get older.

Some parts were heartbreaking, but I loved that Savannah had Candace and Vera and this little found family friend group rallied around her to support her growth, processing, and healing.

Probably one of my favorite books I read this year.

As always thank you to publishers and Netgalley for a free arc in exchange for an honest review!

Please check TW before reading novel

Old enough is breathtakingly beautiful and raw. The emotions this book provoked from me were absolutely unexpected. The conversations around abuse, violence and the complex aftermath of both were so real and ultimately proved that while conversations may be uncomfortable, they are so necessary. If you need a good angry or sad cry read this book. If you've ever had a toxic relationship, loved someone that wasn't the best to you, or had someone majorly screw you over this is the book for you. But especially for the survivors of abuse that are taking things day by day, you're valid, you are loved and you didn't deserve that.

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson is an exploration of sexuality and identity for a woman right at the cusp of adulthood. I think this book will resonate with many readers. There was something tonally that did not quite click for me, but I can appreciate what the author was trying to achieve here.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

The blurb for this book was really promising, but I had a lot of trouble really getting into it. First of all, there needs to be trigger warnings/content warnings for the sexual assault and aftermath. I found it difficult to root for the characters and couldn't seem to connect with any of them.

I honestly don’t know how to rate this book. It’s a combination of being so deeply serious, shaking and vulnerable and… unserious.
This book discusses sexual assault and the trauma resulting from it, so be aware of potential triggering content! It shows a person unraveling and not making the smartest choices due to trauma, and learning how to handle this with communication and community support. This book felt very raw and important due to this at parts. It also has a very queer cast, and also characters who use multiple pronouns, which was great!
Sadly… at times this felt all over the place. The pacing and introduction of characters confused me at first. The writing style felt immature… which might match the main characters psyche but not her aspirations of becoming a writer. I couldn’t connect with her or like her. I’m sorry to say I would have rather read a book about some of the side characters. I’m sorry to say this wasn’t for me and not what I hoped for based on the synopsis and other reviews.

This sounded like exactly my kind of book with lots of queer friendships and finding community, but I found it difficult to root for the characters and couldn't seem to get into Old Enough.

Coming-of-age stories are my favorite. Haley is a great writer and I look forward to reading more from her. Such a great story and journey. Highly recommend!

I felt so seen by the protagonist of this novel - it made me laugh, it made me cry. I have already been hand-selling this novel, and will gladly continue to!

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the eARC of Old Enough! All opinions in this review are my own.

I picked up Old Enough kind of on a whim. I don't always love the messiness that comes with characters in their early 20s but I am so glad I read Old Enough! While some of it deals with heavier topics, most of Old Enough is about figuring out who you are and finding your people. Sav trying to navigate friendships she has had for years with the woman she has become is a relatable problem that I don't know if enough people give consideration to. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to Sav's struggle of being true to herself while still being close to people who she has known all of her life.

I am looking forward to reading more from Haley Jakobson!

Over-the-top supporting characters distract from what could have been a great story. Tone is very YA much of the time but with fully Adult themes.