In the Role of Brie Hutchens...

ARC provided by NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

"Brie never felt ready, no matter how many times she had to say the words. She hoped that Kennedy would figure out how to do it on her own time. She hoped that when she did it, it would be because she was ready. Not because she felt pressured to."

so i am... crying. jsdfsh no one is surprised. i knew i would love this book because i love Nicole's writing and i adore her other book, Hurricane Season, which is one of my favorite books of all time, and middle grade sapphic novels in general have a special place in my heart. i think this is because i wish i had known i was sapphic myself earlier on, and had gotten to enjoy some stories, experiences and feelings earlier. but anyways.

so this book follows brie, a passionate thirteen year old who loves soap operas and dreams of one day being an actress. she has a crush on a girl in her class, kennedy, and also struggles through an awkward and complicated relationship with her mother.

to be honest, when i read that this story would be set in a catholic church, i was scared, for reasons i'm pretty sure you all know and understand. BUT i had no reason to be, afterall. this is one of the things i appreciate the most in this book, because despite it being a catholic school, the support that the teachers offer brie is astounding. and heartwarming. and relieving. and so wholesome. and so is the support shown by her friends and her family, even though it takes her mother longer to come to terms with brie's sexuality.

speaking of, brie's mother is... flawed, even though she says she tries her best. her relationship with her daughter is quite strained and awkward. her invading brie's privacy was one thing i could not forgive, no matter how much i tried. she is not bad, she never stops caring for and supporting her daughter, and eventually comes around, but she could have dealt better with the whole situation.

it's really hard for me to write this review because so, so many things hit very close to home. so here are other aspects that i loved, that i will just mention briefly:

- the teachers encouraging brie and the other students to question their faith, never scolding them for doubting and always trying to guide them
- brie's mom making sure that brie knows consent is important
- brie never pressuring kennedy about coming out
- everyone apologizing for their mistakes and owning up to them

PLEASE read this book, it's such an important story and so heartwarming. my review does not do it justice, but maybe after i detach myself a little from it, i'll manage to be more coherent. anyways, thank you Nicole for another beautiful story. really looking forward to the next one!

Melleby follows her fantastic debut, Hurricane Season, with this phenomenal story. In the Role of Brie Hutchins helps fill the need for more upper MG stories. This one will engage and speak to readers examining their own identities. The author expertly handles the main character’s evolving relationship to religion, her family, and her sexuality. Highly recommended.

Brie loves soap operas. It’s been a way for her to bond with her mom for years. But now Brie has a secret. She googled Kelly Monaco’s name (a soap opera star) and found topless photos. And thing is: Brie likes them.

Her mom walked in on Brie discovering this, but Brie slammed the laptop shut quickly before her mom could realize it. In attempts to distract her mom, she told her that she was picked to crown Mary, a big deal at her Catholic school. But it’s not even true.

Brie quickly begins her mission to earn to that top spot, becoming a better student than she ever has before. As she begins this mission though, she struggles as her mom takes on more hours at work, as she continues to hide that she likes girls, and as she tries to earn that spot to crown Mary.

This book can be a little bit tough at times to read. [Spoiler] Brie is outed to her mom, and her mom doesn’t respond that well. It’s heartbreaking to read, even though it’s realistic for many people.

But the book is beautiful. It takes you in to the story quickly, and you will root for Brie throughout the whole story.

In the Role of Brie Hutchens releases April 21, 2020.