I really enjoyed this queer coming of age story, that I feel like so many readers (in their 20s especially) will be able to relate to—whether they identify as queer or not.

Old Enough is an exploration of queer love, friendship (both old and new), and what it means to be a sexual assault survivor.

I really appreciate the way the author handles Sav’s navigation of the messy, painful complexities of long standing trauma, and how perspective shifts can affect one’s relationship with both themselves and those close to them.

I loved Sav’s college friends and allll the queer representation and queer joy that flooded these pages.

I was honestly surprised at how adorable I found the super awkward crush related interactions to be. Wes and Sav get SO endearingly flustered around each other. In the words of Candace “it’s like watching a car crash so very slowly.”

I FELT it. I felt Sav’s awkward dilemma of having known how to flirt with straight guys her whole life and now feeling like all flirting abilities have flown out the window with queer crushes.

I’m so looking forward to this one getting in the hands of our young adult and new adult readers of today.

Y’all, I INHALED this book. I loved every ounce of it so, so much. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I was *devastated* when it was over and I couldn’t spend any more time with it. What a wonderful book!

This book was absolutely hilarious and had me laughing so much. There was one page, especially, that had me absolutely *cackling* but, really, there were so many absolutely hilarious things in this book. If there's one thing I love, it's a book that can make me laugh!

But this also discussed sexual assault and survivors and did so with such grace. It felt real and relatable and so, so important for other survivors. (Which is something that we need to see in more books. It's okay to process your feelings and learn to survive. But as a society, we often don't normalize that, which isn't okay.)

I loved these characters. I loved the setting. I loved the class. My favorite bit was at the end when they presented their projects and just showed how much everyone had grown.

I also read to learn and as a cis white woman, I still have a lot of learning to do. The lgbtq+ rep in this book is fantastic and I learned so much. And I’m so glad this book and others like it exist. I can’t stress how much I loved reading about Sav’s journey.

I don’t think I’m doing this wonderful book justice with this review so I’ll just say: it is FANTASTIC and I cannot recommend it more highly! Please read this book!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Dutton Books for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and Netgalley for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've followed Haley Jakobson's social media for a while, so I was thrilled to hear news of her debut novel. And let me say, it did not disappoint!

Old Enough follows our main character Savannah in two timelines: The present timeline follows college Savannah during her semester in a Women and Gender Studies course. In another, we flashback to high school Savannah's POV. Throughout the novel, we learn the circumstances surrounding a trauma Savannah experienced during high school and the subsequent social and emotional fallout. We follow Savannah's healing journey as she confronts the past, cultivates new friendships, and exercises her autonomy.

Jakobson deconstructs cultural norms surrounding "forever friendships" and introduces a distinct cast of characters that become Sav's safe place to land. There are knockout conversations on justice versus healing and consent, plus beautiful depictions of joyful queer community.

This is a young adult coming of age story that covers a lot of ground, and it does so with vulnerability and precision. Old Enough is Savannah's story, but it's a story that will resonate with so many.

(I highly recommend listening to Haley Jakobson's episode on the "Sad Girls Who Read" podcast after finishing the book!)

4.5 stars, rounded up.

I truly wish I had this book when I was younger, and am so glad that others will have it now. A wonderful coming of age story that follows Savannah through a semester at college, along with how she interacts with all the people in her life. Starting in a Gender & Sexuality Studies class, we watch Sav learn about herself and how she interacts with the world.

The only thing that really fell short for me were some of the chapters from when she was younger. The change in language threw me off for a bit, and I wasn't really sure what use it was. Besides that, I think it dealt with hard topics in a way that still encompasses the idea, while allowing Sav to come into herself and ultimately grow.

So many times I would highlight a sentence or a passage because it felt so relatable, from the small, minor details that most people glimpse past, to some of the larger lessons. Being able to watch Sav grow over this heartbreaking and heartwarming journey was such an honor. There is so much happening, but it's all important, it's all part of this coming of age. The friendships were beautiful, the people in this novel were great to meet and learn and love, but ultimately Savannah feels like a hero for herself, in her own way.

I would definitely recommend this book, but make sure to check trigger warnings.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Old Enough by Haley Jakobson!

3.75 ★ Old enough is a beautiful and tragic coming of age novel about Savannah, a sophomore in college, who is learning how to reckon with the end of a friendship she thought would never change and beginning the path to discovering who she will be. Old Enough has very heavy themes, including sexual assault, and I implore you to read all TWs before choosing to proceed with the novel.

There is a widely diverse cast of supporting characters, and they were almost the best part of the story for me. Found family is one of my favorite themes and it was at play here. I struggled to get into it in the beginning, but I'm happy I stuck it out. As the story unraveled, my attachment to the characters grew. A solid debut by Jakobson!

What a wonderful debut from Haley Jakobson! This book broke my heart and put it back together again. I could tell this was a labor of love for the author; there was real heart poured into it. Old Enough is a coming-of-age story about trauma, finding yourself, and true friendship. I read this in two days; I could not put it down. I loved reading about the community Sav builds and would love spin-off books about Candace and Vera! There were some heavy topics dealt with, especially relating to SA trauma, so make sure to take care of your own mental health while reading this. I’m not sure what else to say about this except I loved it. I can’t wait to read whatever Haley writes next!

CW: sexual assault, biphobia, transphobia, toxic relationships

Oof, this is a brutal one. It's about Sav, who in high school was the upper class white party girl that was definitely going to join a sorortiy — and all other related overdone stereotypes — inseperatable from her similar best friend, Izzie. In college, she's coming to terms with being openly bisexual, and being brought into a heartwarming family of queers.

The gulf between Sav and Izzie keeps growing, based on one experiencing a signfinicant trauma in high school and the other making it worse. While Sav is in college, Izzie is portrayed entirely as an over the top sorortiy girl, who is getting married too suddenly and doesn't even want Sav in her wedding. And Izzie cannot be any further than Sav's new friends, who protect her no matter what and care so so much.

Sav works through losing her old self and finding her new self, processing her trauma and how it's impacted her life, and how go forward into the future. There's a very sweet, innocent love story, a queer woman who could make me do <i>anything</i> , a teacher who helps people be their most open selves and a typical sorority girl who (shocking!) has more beneath that image.

There's a lot of good. Individual characters are well crafted, as are certain relationships, namely Sav, Vera and Candance. Trauma is proessed in a way that makes sense and feels real. As is coming out. The weird little relationships that you develop in college and the way they can lead to strange, awkward maybe hook ups was very real.

But there was also a disconnect throughout the entire book that comes down to writing. The stories were told in a messy order, and often I didn't know who was speaking or where the setting was. I felt very far from Sav, and Izzie was barely crafted as a human. Sav and Wes's flirtation is adorable, but the way it's developed felt like we missed a few chapters.

Overall, it was fine. I'm happy to have read it, but probably won't remember much or discuss it with friends.

Let me start my saying, I devoured this book in one day and I haven’t done that in a long time. This is something that you’re either really gonna connect with, or simply won’t, but boy did it work for me. Topics such as surviving and healing from assault, personal growth, identity and so much more are tackled in this book and done so well, while also having its funny and tender moments. Not to mention the great representation in this book, that I appreciated that so so much! I felt so deeply for the main character which is why I ultimately loved this book as much as I did! I would highly recommend picking this up when it’s released next week! One of my favorites of the year!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc copy!

On paper I thought I would really love and connect with Old Enough. Some parts, yes, I did. But overall, not so much. It read a little too young adult for me. Pros: Highlighting the complexities of women dealing with identity and traumatic events; close friendships; coming-of-age story; strong finish. Cons: Lots of characters to keep track of but not much character development; lengthy banter that does not add to the storyline, just fills pages; slump in the middle. (Thank you to NetGalley for this book.)

Warning: this book may have the following side effects:

Enrolling in college
Finding the queer friend group you missed out on.
Losing all respect for older brothers
Dealing with trauma instead of downing vodka cokes every night

No disrespect for John Green, but maybe if I had read more books like this at 18 I would have been better prepared for the world. The likelihood of me contracting leukemia and falling hopelessly in love with another (hot) cancer patient? Low. The likelihood of me surviving sexual assault and coming out as bi while also hiding who I was in high school from my cool new friends? 100% true and boy would it have been great to have this book along for that ride!

This is one of those 5 star books that everyone will be forced to read if they want to have a coherent conversation with me within the next 6 months. U r welcome.

I’m so glad this book exists.
It was the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump. I mean, it starts off in a Gender & Sexuality class with the main character eyeing up (affectionate/ only slightly judgy) every person in the room. Is there a more perfect beginning setting?

Every character in the book, queer or straight, are all three dimensional. The stereotypes of the queer best friend, the sorority girl, the friend in a poly relationship are all fought against, for everybody on the page has humor and heart and earns our attention and empathy.

I know wishing this book was around when I was 17 is pointless, so I’m glad I have it now. To validate that queer teenager, to show her the importance of giving yourself grace, to understand that friendships can be fundamental to who you are and still relinquished when they no longer serve you. I’m thankful everybody has this book now. Perfectly messy, honest, heartfelt, and did I mention queer as heck?

I went in not knowing much about the storyline of Old Enough and I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I think it is always important to focus on multiple, different points of view and perspectives and this book certainly did that! I learned a lot about some of the struggles the queer community can face. I can also really relate to the main character and her internal struggle about a traumatic incident from her past. The story was a little bit more YA than I am used to reading but still was a good read. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to check out an ARC of this book through NetGalley!

I was really excited to read this book! I mean a new adult book about a bisexual women in college? Sign me up! But, unfortunately the book fell flat for me. It really read more like a Young Adult book. I also felt like sometimes the book was trying too hard to check all the boxes with being "queer enough". I felt like sometimes things were said or characters were added just to prove a point. I absolutely love queer representation, but when it doesn't feel authentic and feels more forced it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I do think the storyline dealing with being a sexual assault survivor was the books strongest point. I think it was done well and to me that felt extremely authentic.

I was tempted to DNF this book, but I think at the end of the day I was glad I finished the book, but I don't think I would ever pick it up to read again.

This book bridged literary fiction and YA/NA lit. It's very clear that the author is writing from personal experience, as this character is very real. Love having a book with a bisexual character I can relate to.

I really enjoyed Old Enough by Haley Jakobson. It does a fantastic job of being very heartfelt, funny and insightful. I also thought it did a great job of expressing queer representation. I would say that the only thing I struggled with this book was that at some times the writing felt a little too YA for my liking. It had moments where it really slowed down and I struggled to get through those parts but once it did, it was a great read.

This is the new queer coming of age classic we have been waiting for.

With a hearty mix of heavy topics and navigating light hearted topics that come with the college years, Jakobson has captured the queer experience in a way I've never seen done so well before. Her characters are nuanced, flawed, but addicting, as I felt I couldn't put this book down.

A story, at its core, about relationships, this novel examines the uncertainties of friendship after hardship and growing apart, the potential of new loves, but most importantly the relationship we develop with ourselves.

I look forward to what Jakobson writes next as it will sure to capture my heart as much as this read.

This is a lovely coming-of-age story of Savannah (Sav), a bisexual 20 year old in her second year at University. She has finally put away the trauma of her past (or so she thinks) and has made good friends within the queer community at school. But just as things are moving forward, she receives news that her childhood bestie, Izzie, is getting married and Izzie wants Sav to be a part of all the wedding planning madness. There's a problem: Sav has history with Izzie's brother and the wedding brings it all back to her. Then there's Wes who is in one of her university classes and Sav can't stop thinking of them, acting like a silly schoolgirl with a crush. But there is the chaos and pain that Izzie's wedding brings up that forces Sav to face her past and move forward with her future, along with the help of some very special friends.

This novel is a perfect read for Pride Month. It's messy and full of angst (the college version) as well as a coming-of-age story where Sav needs to deal with the sexual trauma of her past and accept that friendships evolve over time. It's a novel about friendship, finding your community and discovering your identity, I thought this was a great read, but I'm also a sucker for "finding yourself" types of stories.

Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for this early review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Haley Jakobson, and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I have seen Old Enough all over my Tik Tok for months now; the social media buzz, both from the author and BookTokers, was actually what led me to request my ARC because I was so curious about the glowing reviews. I'm SO BEYOND THRILLED I did because I LOVED every second of this read!! This is an important book that fills a much-needed gap in the industry of queer college-aged books, so thank you Haley for writing this. Teenage me needed this book. College me needed this book. Mid-20s me needed this book. There are going to be so many readers who will need this book, and I'm thrilled that it now exists. Sav and all of her friends are just so wonderful to read about; I laughed, I teared up, I felt all the emotions while reading because they're all so REAL. I was able to resonate with her as a protagonist learning who she is and finding herself despite her background and the expectations put on her. The characters and writing are so nuanced and bring the pages to life. Reading about her friendship growing with Vera and Candace throughout made me miss my college best friends aka the Gal Pals!! And of course, the romance was a delight; this is truly the most accurate and authentic bisexual representation I've ever read!! But don't get it twisted-- there is SO MUCH good queer representation of all types here, I'm obsessed. As glowing as this review is so far about all the lovely things in this book, I cannot dance around the fact that this book deals with very heavy sexual assault/rape themes. In fact, that is very crucial to the story line and Sav, so I don't want it to seem as though I'm ignoring that aspect of the story. I won't dive into it too much here, but I thought that Jakobson did a fantastic job of handling a hard subject delicately but frankly. Again, this book will be such a necessary read for many in many ways. I am absolutely blown away that this is a debut novel, and I am absolutely on the edge of my seat for whatever Jakobson writes next.

4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC.

I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this story when I started it, but I quickly grew to enjoy it. I really liked reading about Savannah and her growing friend group, because making friends is hard sometimes. I thought the author did a really good job handling the more sensitive topics of this story, and I appreciated the way she included so many funny, joking moments and dialogue so that the story wasn't too heavy. I read this book in four days, but I honestly probably could've read it in two. It was easy and enjoyable, despite the more sad emotions it sometimes elicited.

I also think the author did a really great job describing how it can feel to move from a community that's not as socially evolved to one that is, and I like that she explored some of these feelings in Savannah. I feel like this book did a good job presenting lots of diversity, but in a way that wasn't super pushy like some of the others I've read. Again, the author tackled lots of issues in a very sensitive but relevant way and I think that was a really great thing about this book.

I feel like this would be a great book for anyone ages 16 and up. It does have some explicit scenes, but I personally believe the issues it tackles regarding diversity and consent are really important to discuss. However, if you have sensitivities regarding these topics, I would recommend checking the trigger warnings for this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for digital arc access in exchange for an honest review.

I have been so excited to read this book since Haley first announced it, and wow it was everything I could have hoped it would be. As with all of Haley's writing, I was pulled into to this story from the very start and truly could not put it down.

This story was messy, and full of heart, and honest. I loved seeing Sav's journey through her baby queerness, understanding her trauma, and finding friends and relationships that see her at her fullest self. It's a story I wish I'd had when I was just discovering my queerness, and one that I still need now when trying to process the trauma of my childhood and teen year