Some Girls Do

Morgan, a track star and openly gay athlete, transfers to a new Catholic school after being forced out of her previous school due to discrimination. At her new school, she meets Ruby, a closeted beauty pageant competitor who works at an auto shop to help support her family. The two girls develop a connection despite their different approaches to their identities - Morgan lives openly while Ruby keeps her sexuality private. Their growing relationship faces obstacles from their contrasting lives, personal struggles, and the pressures of their respective pursuits in track and pageants. Through their story, the novel explores themes of authenticity, self-discovery, and the various ways people navigate their identities in different social contexts. The narrative examines how family expectations, religious institutions, and economic realities can shape young people's choices about living openly or staying hidden.

Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of Morgan and Ruby's contrasting experiences as queer teens, with many noting the realistic complexities of coming out versus staying closeted. The chemistry between the main characters and examination of class differences earned positive mentions. Readers appreciated: - Complex family dynamics - Representation of different paths to accepting sexuality - Sports and car racing elements - Discussion of religious pressure and homophobia Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the middle - Some found Ruby's actions frustrating - Resolution felt rushed - Supporting characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (250+ ratings) BookTok: Frequently recommended in #QueerYA lists "The dual perspectives really show how different coming out can be for everyone," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Others mention the "raw and honest portrayal of internalized homophobia" while some found the romance "takes too long to develop."

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🌈 Author Jennifer Dugan is also a tattoo artist who has worked in multiple tattoo shops, bringing authenticity to the character Ruby's experiences in her family's tattoo business. 📚 The book explores the complexities of being publicly out versus staying closeted in high school, drawing on real experiences of LGBTQ+ teens who face different family and social pressures. 🏃‍♀️ The running elements in the story were informed by Dugan's own background as a former high school athlete and coach. 💝 Some Girls Do is one of the few YA novels that features a romance between a publicly out character and a closeted character, highlighting the nuanced challenges of such relationships. 🎨 The cover art, featuring two girls with their foreheads touching, became widely recognized in the YA community and has been praised for its tender portrayal of sapphic romance.