I Don't Like Blue

De: Lyric C. Faulder

Narrado por: Krystal Hammond, WT Bennett

Nothing could ever replace Azure. So why do they feel like he's still alive when they're together?

Riley was in love with Azure. They were outed as non-binary at school, and they transferred to what had been Azure's school, but he died by suicide at the end of the previous school year. Now, Riley is alone, and they can't stop wondering why their best friend would choose to leave them. The only thing holding them together is their role as vice president of the newly formed Gay-Straight Alliance.

Then Riley meets Zane, the boy Azure couldn't stop talking about. They're drawn to him, but Zane can't seem to get over Azure any more than Riley can.

Azure was in love with Zane. But Zane's straight, so there's nothing he could have done differently. When he meets Riley, he wonders whether he's really seeing them for who they are, or who he wants them to be. Riley is determined to find out the truth behind Azure's death, and at first, Zane encourages it. But as Riley grows closer to Zanes ex-friend, the president of the GSA, Zane struggles with his feelings for Riley and the knowledge of what really happened the night Azure died.

©2022 Lyric Faulder (P)2024 Lyric Faulder

So beautifully sad

I'm a little older than the target audience for this book but I know I would've loved it just as much as a teenager. This story just speaks to me a lot as someone who grew up queer and with mental health issues, all the characters and their struggles and fears feel so real. I can see myself and my friends in Riley and Zane and even Azure, and that makes everything that happens hit so close to home.

The best thing about this story for me is honestly how it deals with grief. It's such a complicated thing, and the author really doesn't shy away from any aspect of it. There are parts that are so, so painful because they're just so real. It's sweet how the characters are able to deal with their grief together, and it's also sweet how Azure is so loved by everyone and still such an important person in all of their lives even though he's gone. It's a story that hurts but also a story with such sweet and heartwarming moments and characters that you really end up loving!!

The narration is awesome too, I think the voice actors fit the characters so well! They did a great job and you can really feel the characters' emotions, made it so great to listen to even (especially!!) during the sad parts.

good

This book was really good. Yes, some parts can make you mad, upset and happy. The story and plot was great. I could not walk away until finished.