Overall: 4.2/5
Characters: 3 / 5; I only dislike the parents because they are not as open to hearing them out. Especially Jaq’s mother because she is delusional throughout like it’s not other people in the world.
Plot Development: 4/5

So to start there are three girls in which they have come to this home in the woods. If you wish for it, it will come true. The missing/dead girl is the one that becomes succumbed to the house and leaves the friends to forget the night that it happened and their true queer selves. It didn’t really start making sense to them until the musical that one of the characters is instructed into as the male character and about to kiss a female, things from the past are coming back to them.

Fern is the tomboy type and Jaqueline is the lesbian both are living in a lie but, when they tried to live out their truth it’s like the Patron was stopping them because the little house in the woods was really a conversion house. Whatever the Patron had the girls doing prior to the burning of the house to convert is what they are experiencing to the end like for example saying or doing things they are not trying to but, it’s like they are forced to do so, if the Patron theory is correct.

The ending was sweet and I am glad that they were brave enough to come to terms with their true selves. This writing style was really simple for me to follow through and I would definitely read something from the author again because the plot was good and I loved the ending with the acceptance.

i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
i’m conflicted on how to rate this book, as i have mixed feelings towards it. i think it’s an important book for the lgbtqia+ community since it covers some important topics, like internalized homophobia, dysphoria and some religious themes, but i didn’t enjoy reading it as much as i expected to. the rep and how the characters’ evolution to fully being themselves were wonderfully crafted, but i found the horror bits to be lacking.

i truly loved how the book dealt with the heavier subjects it features. the commentary on feminism and what it represents to each of us, the way it brought light to how subtle homophobia can be and the way we follow these characters come to terms with the reality of who they truly are were so well-written. it’s very obvious that the author took their time to hone their craft and research the portrayal of what being queer can look like. i think the characters were very complex and, as a reader, you get to be in their head and see what they go through, which made for an interesting read.

however, since we spent so much time following the characters’ coming-of-age story, it felt like the horror bits were just thrown in there, without adding much to the novel. everything felt rushed, especially towards the end, and we’re left with a bunch of questions about the main “villain” of the book, since his lore isn’t explained much. the way the conflict was resolved wasn’t the best, in my opinion, as i didn’t see the characters do much research on what they were doing or what will work – they just went with the flow and hoped for the best, which was a bit disappointing. the horror parts we did get were well-written and i truly did enjoy reading them, but they felt more like an after-thought, rather than a main plot.

the relationships between the characters also felt a little rushed, especially jaq and her romantic interest, but i think some of that can be explained by the big reveal, so it didn’t bother me that much. i did like fern and jaq as characters, i think they worked wonderfully as main characters. i wish we would’ve gotten more information about the side characters, as they only played minor parts in the book. the friendship between mal, jaq and fern was interesting to follow and i appreciate how the author took her time to develop it during the flashbacks we got.

overall, i think this is a book worth-reading, even though i think the horror was too lacklustre for my taste. i can see “come out, come out” being a loved book because of its characters and the representation it offers.

While this a horror story, it’s an absolutely beautiful one. There’s just enough creep factor to make it interesting yet unfathomable, yet the terror that these kids lived with during their every day life is so real. This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming story of kids trying to come to terms with who they are, and handle societies views on who it think they should it.
Out of all the characters, Frank is my favorite. I wish j had a Franks All Night Diner tshirt.
I also loved the play on words in the title. So clever!

Thank you Penguin Random house and NetGalley. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Please. This is the spooky book of my DREAMS. Spirits? Secrets? THE WOODS? Also, the commentary in this is just fabulous with the way that it mirrors the real world and how this country is trying to erase everyone's identity. It was tense, profound, and mysterious, all while delivering a coming-of-age story about finally being who you are that rivals the greats. If you love the supernatural and queer horror, it's the perfect read for spooky season!

Atmospheric and haunting, but always with a focus on the real story at the heart of this book: Jaq and Fern and their individual explorations of who they are, what it means for them to be queer in families/worlds that -- to varying degrees -- don't accept them, and how they rediscover that and reclaim it for themselves.

I freaking love queer horror, man. This was such an honest, raw look at the pervasive nature of homophobia and transphobia and the many ways it can manifest. It is not just one thing, but rather a many dangers that manifest. Such a brilliant, haunting book.

Though, I will say that I wished for just a tad more out of the ending. It felt like it was trying to Make A Point, which I totally respect, but I just personally wanted the full scope of love and happy endings that felt like they could be possible. Of course, that's just a personal quirk of mine!

This book and the journey the characters take brought very real tears to my eyes.

This is a queer ya supernatural thriller that I think was so well done. It’s both in your face and nuanced at the same time, with levels that you peel back as you read.

YA thrillers have been my catnip lately, and if it has a supernatural twist, I am going to be even more inclined to read it. And this one had it all.

The characters are really well thought out, going through real issues, coming to terms with themselves and finding who they are. Overall, this book is an homage to growing up queer and learning who you are in that space and outside of it. But, we also get this mysterious paranormal subplot!

Three friends who bond over their shared queerness find solace in an old abandoned house that seems to be there just to protect them. Running from life at home, the three venture to the house one night but only two make it back… gone along with Mallory are Fern’s and Jaq’s memories of that night. Five years later, Fern and Jaq are in the cusp of adulthood, living completely separate lives with no memory of their friendship or their queer identities, just a vague feeling they both get randomly.

Slowly, something starts happening… and they start to remember little by little. They must figure out what happened to their friend and come to terms with their queerness, coming out, and what exactly happened in that house all those years ago.

This was just superb and a fabulous read!