This was okay. I enjoyed it, but overall I was underwhelmed.

I wish it had gone through a final round of edits because it was very juvenile and not in a “I don’t read YA” way because I read YA a lot. The writing and the dialogue were both shallow, and I wish we had a better exploration of the heartbreak, confusion and frustration that comes with what Coley & Sonya experienced.

I have such a memory of watching Hayley Kiyoko’s Girls Like Girls music video and was so happy to see she was writing a book to expand on that story. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations which is disappointing.
In my opinion, the writing falls flat. I understand this is the author’s first novel, but I believe it should have gone through another round of edits. Her voice shines through, but it isn’t quite polished yet. Additionally, the pacing feels choppy with a speedy ending.
Something I did like are how she wrote Coley, as well as her relationship with her mother and her father. Also I think it captured the chaos of being a teenager. I believe that someone will find solace, hope and entertainment from this novel, though it wasn’t me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Girl like Girls is a really sweet coming of age story of Coley, a 16 year old girl who recently lost her mom to suicide and moves to live with her absentee dad. She ends up starting a relationship with another girl and they have to come to terms with what it means to be gay.

While overall I enjoyed this story, there was a lot that could have made it better. The ending was very abrupt and left a lot of storylines unfinished. I wanted to know more about Alex and his sexuality. It briefly mentioned he was gay and then never came back to it. I also wanted to know why Coley’s parents separated and why Curtis disappeared from Coley’s life. I wanted to see Trenton have some repercussions for his actions from the fight and just from being a general douche.

I also think the story could have been enriched by more backstory of the relationship with Coley and her mom what what her life was life before Oregon. An epilogue could have made the story much better too! I needed more.

Overall- it was a cute book and I was engaged and felt invested in the story. It definitely read like YA but some of the themes- drug use, alcohol use, etc- felt a little mature for that audience.

Thank you netgalley for the arc.

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko follows Coley and Sonya, the two main girls from the original music video, in the summer of 2006. Coley has just moved to Oregon after losing her mother and moving in with her father who she hasn't seen since she was 3 years old. But when she meets Sonya, sparks fly immediately. Throughout their time together in the summer, Coley and Sonya grow closer, but when push comes to shove, will their connection withstand it, or will they go their separate ways?

Overall, I enjoyed this story and had a great time reading it. The "Girls Like Girls" music video came out 7 years ago and I still remember watching it with my group of friends at the time, all of who were some form of LGBTQ+, and how big of an impact it had on us. I love that Hayley expanded on the story and brought some amazing depth and background to these characters. The story overall was pretty good, and I really appreciated the growth that Coley went through in particular, especially her relationship with her dad and her journey toward self-love. Sonya's character was very frustrating throughout the majority of the book, but that was a struggle that I deeply understand, as someone who was in the closet during most of high school. It is an incredibly hard thing to come to terms with, especially when the people around you are not the most supportive.

Trent was an incredibly unlikeable character as Sonya's boyfriend and even just as a person in their group of friends - he didn't have any redeeming qualities throughout the entire book which made it a bit unbelievable that they were all still friends with him. But when in you're in a small town, sometimes those options are limited and you put up with things you normally wouldn't. I really enjoyed the characters of Alex and SJ and their support of Coley and Sonya, as a couple and just as individual people trying to find inner happiness and peace. I wish we had gotten a bit more of Coley and Sonya being together for real at the end of the book, but given that the book ends where the music video also ends, I suppose it makes sense. An epilogue would have been lovely though :). Coley's relationship with her dad was great to see evolve and grow throughout the story, both of them struggling with the loss of Coley's mom, while also trying, and sometimes failing, to build a relationship foundation between the two of them. Coley's journey of self-love was wonderful to witness, and her constant efforts to continue trying to move forward and grow from the pain she has experienced was very inspiring.

Overall, I enjoyed this story a lot, and love that we have even more backstory for these characters from this absolutely iconic music video that I know changed the trajectory of so many people's lives.

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko felt like her iconic music that expands on the characters who we slightly touched upon in the video. Her novel brings these characters to life with heartbreak, joy, and the feeling of a never-ending summer. This by far isn’t perfect but if you want to feel a sense of belonging you’ll feel right at home with these fantastic characters. As a debut novel, this is all I could ask for if not more, it feels like an extension of the music video so I will say check out both again it’ll make you fall in love with both if not more.

Obsessed with how this book was so atmospheric. Like I was absolutely thrust back into a hot summer in 2006. The Livejournal entries, the days at the pool, all of it was so rich and I literally feel sweaty just thinking about how hot it was in the book. Anyway, really loved this book!

3.5, rounded up

Girls Like Girls is based on the music video for Hayley Kiyoko's song of the same title, but with even more drama.

Coley is seventeen, and she feels abandoned. After her mother passes away, Coley is forced to move to Oregon to live with the father she hasn't seen in fourteen years. Soon after arriving, she meets Sonya and her friends. The instant attraction Coley feels for Sonya answers every question Coley has about herself.

But it can't ever be that simple. Throughout the summer, Sonya sends Coley mixed signals because she's confused. She's never fallen in love with another girl, and like most confused teens in the mid-aughts, she laments over this on her private LiveJournal account. The two pine for each other from afar as they try to heal personal wounds.

Girls Like Girls was such a quick read that I read it in a few sittings. I felt for both Coley and Sonya's struggles, though Sonya sometimes frustrated me. The book's pacing wasn't perfect, and I think things wrapped up too quickly to feel satisfying, but I think Hayley Kiyoko has a solid start as a YA author.

And can I add that I've never felt so nostalgic for AIM and flip phones?

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this debut from pop star Hayley Kiyoko (a total unknown to my old ass self). With a full cast of queer narrators and excellent sound effects, this book is highly recommended in audio format! I loved the complicated queer romance between a social butterfly and the new girl in town who is grieving the loss of her mother from suicide.

Now living with the father who abandoned her when she was 3, life is complicated for Coley. She thought she found a friend who could be more in Sonya only to feel betrayed with Sonya seems to get back together with her ex-boyfriend and tells her other friends about Coley's mom. Beautiful and tender, this was a standout debut! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

what queer girl didnt watch the girls like girls music video in middle school?
cuz my bi ass did, and to this day i love the song.

this book reminded me of the intense "friendship" you have with a girl the first time, where you both feel it but it makes you feel so guilty so you both end up hurting each other

i was kinda sad they made Sonya annoying and lowkey rude but whateva
i still enjoyed the story

I thought that this book really worked for me. I love the emotions and the two main characters so much. I was sobbing near the end. I must admit it took me quite a while to actually get through it, but god was it worth it. I think there were some faults in writing and minor issues that made it a 4 instead of a 5 but I think its definitely worth the read especially if you're a fan of hard to read topics and peak emotions.

I love Hayley Kiyoko as a musician and I loved this book. It was well written and very much reminded me of my own experiences on the early internet and with love. This was a quick read and I cried in the public park while reading this book. No notes. 5/5

3.75 stars, rounded up. My first experience with Hayley Kiyoko was as Stevie on Wizards of Waverly Place. It wasn’t until years later that the Girls Like Girls music video came out. By that point, I was already out of high school but still years away from figuring out my sexuality. I watched the music video when it was first released but didn’t connect with it like I’ve heard so many people say they did.

I’m so glad media like that music video and this book exist for the people that need and want to see themselves represented. Though I do wish the relationships were less toxic. If I had seen people like me (aro and/or ace) maybe I would’ve figured out my whole thing earlier lol 😅

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"Girls Like Girls" by Hayley Kiyoko takes readers on a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love. At the heart of the story is Coley, a 17-year-old who finds herself grappling with the recent loss of her mother, thrusting her into a new environment and leaving her vulnerable and uncertain. Kiyoko's portrayal of Coley's emotional journey is incredibly poignant, allowing readers to connect deeply with her vulnerability and doubts.

When Coley crosses paths with Sonya, an immediate connection ignites. Kiyoko masterfully weaves their relationship, capturing the exhilaration, tenderness, and uncertainty of first love. Coley's doubts about her own worthiness of love and Sonya's journey as someone who has never been with a girl before add layers of depth and authenticity to their evolving connection.

Set in a small town in Oregon, this book beautifully explores the challenges of teenage life and the courage it takes to embrace one's true self. With relatable characters and a celebration of LGBTQ+ experiences, Kiyoko's storytelling captures the essence of love and acceptance. "Girls Like Girls" was a captivating read.

Based on the billboard-charting smash hit song and viral music video GIRLS LIKE GIRLS, Hayley Kiyoko's debut novel is about embracing your truth and realizing we are all worthy of being loved back.

Listen, go ahead and go watch the video before you pick up this book. I'll wait.

https://youtu.be/I0MT8SwNa_U

My teenage self would have fully devoured Girls Like Girls. It has some heavy themes but the story itself is pretty simplistic. And a lot of it is Coley's inner dialog. The story also takes you right back in time to first crushes and summer love. Fans of Hayley's and coming-of-age stories will definitely still enjoy it. Just don't expect anything groundbreaking (like the video was).

I very much recommend the audiobook and it's cast of narrators. Brandon Flynn, Hayley Kiyoko, Katie Gavin, Malia Pyles, and Natalie Naudus are all fabulous.


***Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Wednesday Books for providing me with a review copy.***

I really hate to say this because it's Hayley Kiyoko, but I couldn't get through this book all the way. The protagonist's voice irritated me to the point that I was completely taken out of the story.

Hayley Kiyoko's debut novel, based on her hit song and viral video "Girls Like Girls," tells a coming-of-age romance set against the backdrop of a small town in rural Oregon. In this story, 17-year-old Coley, grappling with loss and self-doubt, meets Sonya and finds an immediate attraction. The book explores themes of self-worth, fear, and acceptance. However, despite the promise of an engaging narrative, I found the writing style to be a significant barrier to my enjoyment. As a debut novel, I understand that Kiyoko's main focus lies in her successful music career, but unfortunately, the book suffers from poor writing quality. As a fan of young adult novels, I was disappointed by the overall lack of polish and struggled to connect with the story.

Overall, I would rate this book two out of five stars. While the premise holds potential, the writing style prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story. Readers looking for a well-crafted young adult novel may find themselves similarly unable to enjoy this particular offering. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that individual preferences can vary, so fans of Hayley Kiyoko's music might appreciate the book for its connection to her hit song and music video, even if the writing falls short.

A pretty accurate story about teen girls in the time period its set in! It's interesting that the same qualities that made the song and music video so excellent make this novelization a little bit of a slog—the universality of the feelings expressed in those translate to a novel that's full of a lot of trite clichés. I also wish we'd got more epilogue! I know that's a bit "The meal was terrible and there was so little of it!", so obviously the cliches didn't hinder my experience that much.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Hayley Kiyoko, and St. Martin's Press-- Wednesday Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I absolutely adore Hayley Kiyoko as a singer and actress. I have been a fan of hers for years, and I was so excited when I found out she was writing a book. This was a fine read, but unfortunately, I was personally a bit disappointed by it. I wasn't expecting the book to be set in 2006, and I would love to know the reasoning for that choice because some of the things I didn't like about the book were centered around that fact, such as extra pressure to be closeted because less accepting times. I didn't always believe the chemistry between the characters, and it was a bit melodramatic in parts, but I think my interpretation of that is simply because I'm above the target reader's age. I did think the writing was great, and it's a very well thought out novel, so major props to Kiyoko for that! I would have just liked to see more about Coley's mom/the relationship with her and even some of the side characters, like Alex, rather than just so many mentions of drinking and smoking weed. I'm definitely not straight-laced, but it just seemed a bit of overkill with how much the characters were either under the influence or talking about being high/drunk. I would have enjoyed seeing the characters function more outside of that as well, as it led to a lot of conflict in the book. Overall, this was just okay for me, but I would be interested in seeing what Kiyoko writes in the future-- especially if she aged the characters up a bit for a more adult audience!

I knew Hayley Kioko was a poet from her amazing music, but reading her book made me realize what a great storyteller she is. Girls Like Girls - the book - gave me the very same feelings the song by the same name gave me, back when I first heard it and when I first watched the music video.

I loved the characters and how real they felt, I loved the pace of the romance, the thrills of new situations, the fear of the forbidden, the angst. A true celebration of sapphic love and live.

I really hope Hayley writes more books, I’m looking forward to reading anything she writes.

thank you to netgalley for my advances reader copy of Girls like Girls!

For the most part, I enjoyed this story. It took me a while to get through because the middle felt a bit long, but overall this is a quiet story about young adult grief, identity, parental relationships and falling in love that takes place over a summer.

Coley moves to this small town to live with her estranged dad after her mom passes away (tw for death of a parent and suicide) and meets Sonya and Sonya’s group of friends. She and Sonya fall in love and have to learn how to accept and live with their identities and ultimately choose to be together.

There were a few flaws with the book for me. Technically speaking, I could tell this was an early (first) novel for someone because I wasn’t super impressed with the writing, but I think Hayley could get to a place of being a great storyteller if she chooses to write more novels. So this isn’t that big of a deal to me.

I also felt that none of the characters (Coley especially) really had much growth during the course of the novel. For Sonya, it seems like she grew a bit more and love won for her in the end because she wanted to be with Coley and stopped focusing so much on the fact that she liked girls.

I love Hayley Kiyoko as a person and her music and am still excited to see her put out a YA novel. Overall, i recommend the read if you enjoy YA novels and I hope to see her write more and grow in the future!