It’s such bullshit that there’s a stigma around being closeted. We get shit for “living a lie” just beceause we want to survive. I don’t want to keep losing everyone I’m close to.

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, p. 215

Synopsis

On the outside, Yamilet Flores is transferring to Catholic school to help her brother stay out of trouble. But she also has a motive that no one, especially not her mom, can know: she’s gay, and was outed at her previous school to disastrous effect.

Keeping her gay-ness on the down-low is harder than anticipated when she befriends Bo, the only openly queer girl at school, who also happens to be super cute and smart and brave. Meanwhile, at home, Yami’s brother is keeping secrets, and she lives in constant fear of being thrown out of the house if her mom finds out she’s gay. Will Yami be able to live her truth when the odds are so stacked against her?

Review

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School is definitely one of my best reads of the year, and one of the best queer contemporary YA I’ve ever read. Yami is an incredibly likeable protagonist. Though she deals with more expectations and stress than any teenager should be expected to carry, she still has time to be funny, lovesick, and charismatic. Above all, this book treats the ups and downs of a queer, Latinx teen experience with such love and care. Reyes does an incredible job balancing family drama with school life, making Yami’s life feel full and lived-in. Yami and her friends will stay in your heart forever.

TW: deportation, homophobia, racism, and suicide.