How can a book be simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time??? This was a book about characters living in fear because of their sexuality and race while struggling with mental health and betrayals, characters who fear they are sinners and might get thrown out of home for being who they are, for them betrayal came from parents who are supposed to protect them, characters who had to grow up and be adult at an age when they are supposed to be carefree. This was a story about growth, finding one’s place in this world, what it means to be queer and latina, about a group of loyal friends, strong sibling bonds, two extremely sweet queer relationships, gay panic & the battle with faith and sin. 

Read this book and tell me that YA is not an IMPORTANT genre!