Julie Anne Peters always seems to
write about the same characters: two lesbians, one out, one not-so-out.
However, this time, I think Peters has an original story! Never in my years as
an avid reader have I read a story about two lesbians in an abusive relationship.
Usually, it is the same old story where two girls see each other across the
hallway, their eyes lock, the one not-so-out girl questions her sexuality,
breaks up with her boyfriend and hooks up with the out girl. This time, Peters
has the same two characters but we get the notion that these two aren’t going
to have a smooth road ahead in their pending relationship.
The two girls, Johanna and Reeve represent
the small group of lesbians in their
school. Reeve is that girl we all know; the one with the posse of lesbians, the
beauty queen, the girl every bi-curious woman wants to test their sexual
tendencies with. Johanna is the quiet lesbian, reveling in her singleness,
being an all-around good student, and avoiding the nearest GSA. Johanna also harbors
a massive crush on Reeve.
What I like most about the book is
that anyone can relate. Most of us will willingly admit to having a crush on
that one person that just makes the whole world stop for a few seconds. Only a
select few will admit that on the occasion that we are in a class that is
boring or dazing off at work, we will create scenarios in our head which
involve our crushes and ourselves. Readers get a glimpse into the desperation,
lonliness, and lust that Johanna has for Reeve.
Throughout the book, I found myself
hanging on to different clues that Reeve wasn’t a good person for Johanna to
fantasize or want. For one thing, Reeve was extremely rough with her friends
and would randomly slug them in the face or kick them. However, once Johanna and
Reeve started connecting, Reeve’s abusive nature was apparent. Also, while
reading, I found myself getting frustrated with Johanna. She blamed herself for
all of Reeve’s physical actions. She risked everything; her best friend, her
job, her volunteer opportunity, for this girl who stole and mentally and
physically hurt her.
Rage
was that story that needed to be told and I am glad it did. Abuse can happen in
any relationship, despite sexual orientation.
