📚Thanks to @kidlitexchange #partner for this review copy of The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde- published by @swoonreads in May 2018- All opinions are my own📚 I felt very much like a fangirl getting a sneak peek into the fast paced, tumultuous lives of celebrities. Money, power, and fame is everything you think you want and then you realize all the judgement, dishonesty, and betrayal that comes with it. Emmy King, the main character, is a drummer in a quickly rising pop rock band. She is faced with a traumatic history with her partying immature horrible parents. She is forced to deal with a girlfriend who belittles, manipulates, and pressures her into doing stupid choices. She publicly acknowledges her sexuality but is often sent into questioning and doubting spirals as situations are spun to create media hype. This book touches on mental health and not feeling ashamed in asking for help either through therapy or medicine. It has a strong overlying sense of finding true friends and a support system. There are also many moments in the book where you can feel the magic of music and the human connection we feel between artists and their fans. Oh and there are some super hot romantic scenes- definitely a book to be discussed with anyone younger than 8th grade. I am happy to be reading more books lately that tell the story of our LGBTQIA+ community- they are often left out of young adult fiction being deemed inappropriate or whatnot. But we all know how important it is to be represented starting with picture books on up. I have to admit I had to look up a few terms not really understanding what they meant, which tells me that even though I'm a friend, I am not as aware and supportive as I should be. This was an enlightening fun start, time to read and immerse myself further! ⭐Available on Amazon, here's my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2IDRWzk⭐ #brightsiders #jenwilde #pride #pridemonth #yafiction #swoonreads #kidlitexchange #bookstagram #youngadults #representationmatters #lgbt #lgbtqia #fameandfortune #mentalhealth #friendship #support #trauma #rockstar #fans #yabooks #diversebooks #inclusive
