Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Pub Date: June 11, 2019
Pages: 320
Format: ARC| Source: publisher
Genres: young adult, contemporary, LGBT
Rating:

Sana Khan is a cheerleader and a straight A student. She’s the classic (somewhat obnoxious) overachiever determined to win.

Rachel Recht is a wannabe director who’s obsesssed with movies and ready to make her own masterpiece. As she’s casting her senior film project, she knows she’s found the perfect lead – Sana.

There’s only one problem. Rachel hates Sana. Rachel was the first girl Sana ever asked out, but Rachel thought it was a cruel prank and has detested Sana ever since.

Told in alternative viewpoints and inspired by classic romantic comedies, this engaging and edgy YA novel follows two strongwilled young women falling for each other despite themselves.

I loved this for probably 90% of the book. The ending felt rushed to me and I really would have liked an epilogue. I also felt like some of the dialogue surrounding Sana’s college decision and Rachel’s film process got repetitive. But omg this is probably the most LA book I’ve ever read and I mean that as the highest compliment. It’s so easy to get the nuances wrong and these are all right. Not to mention the actual character diversity and character growth. Jewish Mexican rep! Persian Muslim rep! And all the movie references, I was in heaven- the chapter titles were so clever. And the hate to love queer girl ship is so, so worth it. I want more books like this!

Dating Sarah Cooper by Siera Maley
Published by: Siera Maley Books
ReRead: April 2019
Pub Date: July 30, 2014
Pages: 268
Format: e-book | Source: purchased
Genres: young adult, contemporary, LGBT
Rating:

Katie Hammontree and Sarah Cooper have been best friends since the 2nd grade. Katie’s welcoming, tight-knit family is a convenient substitute for Sarah when her distant parents aren’t around, and Sarah’s abrasive, goal-oriented personality gels well with Katie’s more laid-back approach to life.

But when a misunderstanding leads to the two of them being mistaken for a couple and Sarah uses the situation to her advantage, Katie finds herself on a roller coaster ride of ambiguous sexuality and confusing feelings.

How far will Sarah go to keep up the charade, and why does kissing her make Katie feel more alive than kissing her ex-boyfriend Austin ever did? And how will their new circle of gay friends react when the truth comes out?

Dating Sarah Cooper is so deliciously fluffy in that really meaningful but adorable way! I love Katie and Sarah so muchhhh- they’re extremely likeable despite the very unlikeable fake dating circumstances that start the book. I loved their voices and I really liked the other characters as well. Not all of them were super fleshed out but there’s a good bit of “more than meets the eye” going on. I also adored Katie’s parents and how close and supportive they were of her. Their quarterly family date night was such a fun idea. I thought Dating Sarah Cooper did a really wonderful job of exploring sexuality, prejudice, and how that all gets confused and fit into high school. I loved watching Katie’s journey especially, the way she explained and sorted through her confusion & feelings, and gosh, this book was just CUTE. And had some very swoony kissing and really nice friendships. Totally loved it. This would make the BEST movie. Plus it’s own voices and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for cute f/f books to read!

Have you read either of these books? What are some of your favorite f/f contemporary romances? Let me know!