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Taking Flight
Seventeen-year-old Lauren Lennox is a city girl at heart. Being born and raised in Los Angeles, California by her movie star mom and ex-child-star father sounds like an ideal childhood, but with a mother who’s always busy and a father who suffers from alcoholism, Lauren’s already parentless childhood and her resulting rebellious streak are made worse when her mother passes away and she’s left alone with her father, who doesn’t care how little school she attends, how much alcohol she drinks, or how many girls she sleeps with. When she puts too many toes out of line and a judge deems her father unfit to be her guardian, she’s shipped across the country to the rural mountains of northern Georgia, where a personal friend of the judge lives with his wife and two kids on a farm. David Marshall is a professional counselor known for “reforming unruly youth”, and as part of David’s program, Lauren will be required to work with farm animals, go to church once a week, attend counseling sessions with David, and go to a new school, all for seven months until her graduation. So naturally, her plan is to have her best friend come pick her up two months early on the day she turns eighteen, and to be as difficult as possible in the meantime. Her plan doesn’t account for David Marshall’s daughter.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2015
151 people are currently reading
4050 people want to read
About the author
Siera Maley
7 books749 followersSiera Maley was born and raised in the southern Bible Belt. After coming out as a lesbian as a teen, she relocated to a more suburban area and now lives with her girlfriend and very adorable dogs while she works on writing young adult lesbian fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
June 17, 2018
There are some authors who I, once I actually find them, gobble everything by them up as quickly as possible (or, at least, whatever I can get my hands on). Then there are authors who have written books I’ve liked and who, for reasons that aren’t really clear to me, I take a lot of time getting around to reading other stuff by them. Sierra Maley falls into the second category – I’ve now read all but one of their six books, but it took me three years to read these five books.
Part of my slowness in reading these books is the nature of the books – all but one are contemporary romance young adult books, and that other one also involved youngish adults, though it was one of those high fantasy books. I’ve read a ton of young adult books – more than the 78 on my shelves Still, I seem to always be kind of reluctant to dive into young adult books, especially if they are romances. This is everything this author, Sierra Maley I mean, writes.
But enough of that.
Three months before the start of this book, Lauren Lennox’s mother died in a car accident. She, the mother, was somewhere around 42. Lauren, at the time, was 17. Before that tragic death, Lauren had two parents, but not the normal type of life experience that one would get from having two parents. Pops (not sure if his name was ever given) is an alcoholic and basically disappeared into the bottle long long ago – other than someone to stumble across as he is passed out drunk, Lauren doesn’t really have a relationship with her father. Her mother, on the other hand, disappeared from her life for another reason – she was an A-list movie actress and was constantly working. So Lauren has spent basically the last 10 years of her life with limited (any?) rules, and low level parenting and support (the mother became an A list star 10 years ago, though she’d been a child actress at some point, so she was always working, just not at the same level).
For the last three months, since her mother’s death, Lauren has basically spent her time in her bed. This is how she ended up in court for failure to attend school. This is not her first time getting into trouble for attendance. The Judge set her up with a program in a small town in Georgia. A quite religious town, with a Baptist family. Lauren, by the way, has been openly lesbian since she was . . . what, 14? Something like 14.
The early part of the book shows Lauren with her one good friend, Caitlyn, dealing with the issue of being shipped off (shortly, like in three days) to Georgia. Her plan, which she sets up with her friend before leaving, is to be a disagreeable sort with her program family, and once she turned 18, the friend would pick her up and they’d drive off, freeing her early. Money? Her trust fund has millions in it. Not that she can touch any at the moment.
The second part of the book (and no the book is not cut evenly in half) involve Lauren interacting with the small Georgian town, the Baptist family she lives with, and the small high school she attends.
There’s a lot about the description of Lauren, who and what she presents herself as, which would likely be annoying for me to read. But there’s more to her than this description, and she’s actually pretty fun to follow along.
There are many things I liked about this book, beyond Lauren: there’s quite good characterization, a good story-line, great side-characters, etc. etc. I like how this book mentions a young adult who is attending high school . . . and actually shows stuff in the school.
After that was lunch, only the lunch periods were beyond confusing, and I wound up sitting alone at a table for two lunch periods instead of one. Then it turned out neither of those lunch periods were the one I was supposed to have attendedMany seem to like to just skip that part. I liked how there is/was a romance in the book and it wasn’t a ‘love at first sight’ type of thing, nor was it without complications (I’m trying to figure out how to mention some of this without spoilers - .
The characters felt real. The story felt real. Quite good book.
I was literally huddled under a tree in the middle of nowhere during an increasingly heavy downpour, soaking wet, in order to watch a recently-pseudo-dumped blonde girl dance around and drink rain. Caitlyn would die of laughter if she could see me now.
Watching Cammie interact with Nate and Fiona was like watching a baby bird take a nosedive out of its nest.- Lauren, being Lauren, had looked for some non-threatening looking people to sit with at lunch, so became friends with Nate and Fiona. They were initially quite confused, though, as to why Lauren would want to sit with them. Lauren, I've never mentioned, is white. Nat and Fiona are black. Lauren hadn't thought it would be strange to sit with them, but . . . while the small town wasn't necessarily racist, it was still a small town in Georgia, one that was about 99.9% white. Cammie, here in the quote, is Cameron Marshall, the young woman who Lauren lives with in the Marshall home. Cammie isn't specifically racist but never thought of sitting with Nate & Fiona. Until that particular part of the book.
“Don’t make fun of my boobs,” I hissed. She just giggled and pulled me down for another kiss.
Rating: 4.88
June 17 2018
November 16, 2018
3.5 rounded up to 4 .. the ending wasn’t as strong as I would’ve liked it to be.. overall it’s a sweet story :)
May 31, 2020
I re-read this book last night because I needed a comfort read. I continue to love it so much. Lauren and Cammie's relationship shines with authenticity. It's such a real, grounded, believable book and I love the flawed, fully realized characters.
April 12, 2023
Loved this book - a real turn-pager - slightly philosophical and was that a bit of lecturing? But the tale kept me going and it was brilliant to read a book that spoke in terms of real life, of the view of others in moulding our lives when we pretend we are in charge.
March 30, 2015
I struggled a bit through this one. This is definitely my least favorite by Siera Maley.
I liked it though, hence the 3 stars. It kept me interested enough to want to finish it. It's better than a lot of stories of this genre. It has the qualities I usual find in Maley's books: mature characters, realistic dialogues, really sweet moments. Cam, the Marshall daughter, is really attractive and intriguing, and I quite enjoyed discovering her and seeing her come out of her shell.
But I guess it comes down to personal tastes. A lot of things bothered me.
I didn't quite like the setting. I usually don't care much for stories taking place in the South, where gay characters are facing typical ignorant Christian people and high school is a segregational nightmare. Maybe that's because I'm a Jewish lesbian from a big European capital and I can't relate, but in any case, the storyline in itself is original but the environment really isn't for a coming out story. It's a good thing that some of the clichés from the South are debunked by Lauren, it gives the reader somewhat faith in humanity!
I also had a big issue with Lauren. It's hard to explain why, but I found her really annoying. First, I was disappointed to read about the lesbian who is scared to commit and scared to feel because of abandonment issues. That's such a typical character in lesbian romances. Whether that's a shield or not, she comes across as this arrogant spoiled angry brat during most of the book. She's a player who enjoys sex with random people and goes to Georgia with the hope that she'll find hot girls to sleep with or lure at, as if it was the only thing that mattered. Shallow little thing! I was eagerly waiting for her barriers to come down so we could see who she really was, but she isn't much better once she gets with Cam. She becomes this simply boring character that we don't really know in the end. I guess that she doesn't really know herself either, but it's still frustrating for a reader to not find an interest in the protagonist.
The supporting characters aren't much better. David is nice, but Wendy, Cam's mother, and Scott, her brother, are infuriating at times. Maddie, the only out lesbian Lauren wants to hook up with, is the absolute worst. Not only is she really uninteresting, she is also overly dramatic and it was painful to read.
The story is very very very slow and nothing much happens until 2/3 of the book, really. It gets really repetitive at times, although we do get to discover Cam a bit more each chapter. She definitely saved the story for me.
Last but not least, the love story. The transition between friendship and relationship is way too abrupt. We spend most of the book trying to decipher Cam and wishing for Lauren and her to get together and then boom, it happens really fast and leaves you almost unsatisfied. They kiss, they hardly talk about it before they're a full fledged couple saying "I love you".
Okay, their interactions were cute and nice and sometimes really delightful to read, but there was very little chemistry. Plus, I couldn't really comprehend why Cam would fall in love with Lauren. I guess it's a love story I don't really believe in. It's not the powerful "you're the love of my life" kind of thing, so it basically does feel really teen, in that way.
Still, despite all these negative comments, I gave it 3 stars. So I would recommend it. It's a really fast read with really good writing.
I liked it though, hence the 3 stars. It kept me interested enough to want to finish it. It's better than a lot of stories of this genre. It has the qualities I usual find in Maley's books: mature characters, realistic dialogues, really sweet moments. Cam, the Marshall daughter, is really attractive and intriguing, and I quite enjoyed discovering her and seeing her come out of her shell.
But I guess it comes down to personal tastes. A lot of things bothered me.
I didn't quite like the setting. I usually don't care much for stories taking place in the South, where gay characters are facing typical ignorant Christian people and high school is a segregational nightmare. Maybe that's because I'm a Jewish lesbian from a big European capital and I can't relate, but in any case, the storyline in itself is original but the environment really isn't for a coming out story. It's a good thing that some of the clichés from the South are debunked by Lauren, it gives the reader somewhat faith in humanity!
I also had a big issue with Lauren. It's hard to explain why, but I found her really annoying. First, I was disappointed to read about the lesbian who is scared to commit and scared to feel because of abandonment issues. That's such a typical character in lesbian romances. Whether that's a shield or not, she comes across as this arrogant spoiled angry brat during most of the book. She's a player who enjoys sex with random people and goes to Georgia with the hope that she'll find hot girls to sleep with or lure at, as if it was the only thing that mattered. Shallow little thing! I was eagerly waiting for her barriers to come down so we could see who she really was, but she isn't much better once she gets with Cam. She becomes this simply boring character that we don't really know in the end. I guess that she doesn't really know herself either, but it's still frustrating for a reader to not find an interest in the protagonist.
The supporting characters aren't much better. David is nice, but Wendy, Cam's mother, and Scott, her brother, are infuriating at times. Maddie, the only out lesbian Lauren wants to hook up with, is the absolute worst. Not only is she really uninteresting, she is also overly dramatic and it was painful to read.
The story is very very very slow and nothing much happens until 2/3 of the book, really. It gets really repetitive at times, although we do get to discover Cam a bit more each chapter. She definitely saved the story for me.
Last but not least, the love story. The transition between friendship and relationship is way too abrupt. We spend most of the book trying to decipher Cam and wishing for Lauren and her to get together and then boom, it happens really fast and leaves you almost unsatisfied. They kiss, they hardly talk about it before they're a full fledged couple saying "I love you".
Okay, their interactions were cute and nice and sometimes really delightful to read, but there was very little chemistry. Plus, I couldn't really comprehend why Cam would fall in love with Lauren. I guess it's a love story I don't really believe in. It's not the powerful "you're the love of my life" kind of thing, so it basically does feel really teen, in that way.
Still, despite all these negative comments, I gave it 3 stars. So I would recommend it. It's a really fast read with really good writing.
July 18, 2025
this was still so cute the second time around rtc
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CAMMIE WAS CUTE?!!
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CAMMIE WAS CUTE?!!
October 23, 2022
Loved this but the ending was a bit disappointing
September 18, 2016
Taking Flight belongs to the genre we might loosely term the Bell Jars, in which the main character, usually a teenager or undergraduate, is sent to some kind of custodial facility, for anorexia, drugs, depression, sometimes a more serious criminal offense. In the case of 17-year old Lauren Lennox, technically her problem is habitual truancy assisted by alcohol. Her mother Nicole Erickson was a popular television star who has recently been killed in a car wreck. Her father is another former TV personality now washed up in alcohol. But the real conflict on which this story is centered is not about Lauren’s attendance record, but her sexuality. She is a lesbian, tho’ her orientation is unknown @ first to the foster care farm family to whom she is sent. As Lauren is a Los Angelina whose footwear consists mostly of heels & the Marshall family, whose father David is a psychologist & school counselor, live in rural Georgia on a farm along with homebody wife Wendy, son Scott, & dtr. Cameron – who is a cheerleader & “hot” as well. (I was surprised Lauren is initially confused about Cameron’s gender – surely she’d heard of Cameron Diaz!) In addition to being expected (but not forced) to attend the local Baptist church, Lauren is required to assist with the farm chores, so besides a Bell Jar story we also get some Funny Farm humor, where Lauren’s taste in footgear proves a problem. (I had some trouble believing she’d not have owned @ least a pair of DMs.)
Much of the pleasure we get for reading Taking Flight lies in discovering unexpected aspects of the characters (including a horse) & turns in the story, so I am going to skip any analysis of characters & plot, especially as our suspense & concern about how events & relationships will develop drives our appetite in finishing the story. No point in hiding spoilers – this is a one-time feel-good work of romantic fiction. I think most of us will be quite pleased with the denouement, even tho’ in real life - where most of us, unlike Lauren, don’t have trust funds awaiting our 18th birthday (& some who are wealthy make some very stupid choices indeed) - the sort of ending in this story is much harder to negotiate. The question of spirituality is worth a comment too. The bad religion Lauren encounters in Georgia is very noxious indeed & all of us who were raised with that sort of toxic religiosity well understand how liberating it is to escape it, especially for a teen. But religion & spirituality are not the same thing, & there are plenty of forms of spirituality, both Christian & otherwise, that have no problems accepting & affirming everyone’s orientation & identity. If after Lauren & her partner get to New York, should they find they need some spiritual support, I’m sure Saint Luke’s in the Fields would give them a warm welcome.
Much of the pleasure we get for reading Taking Flight lies in discovering unexpected aspects of the characters (including a horse) & turns in the story, so I am going to skip any analysis of characters & plot, especially as our suspense & concern about how events & relationships will develop drives our appetite in finishing the story. No point in hiding spoilers – this is a one-time feel-good work of romantic fiction. I think most of us will be quite pleased with the denouement, even tho’ in real life - where most of us, unlike Lauren, don’t have trust funds awaiting our 18th birthday (& some who are wealthy make some very stupid choices indeed) - the sort of ending in this story is much harder to negotiate. The question of spirituality is worth a comment too. The bad religion Lauren encounters in Georgia is very noxious indeed & all of us who were raised with that sort of toxic religiosity well understand how liberating it is to escape it, especially for a teen. But religion & spirituality are not the same thing, & there are plenty of forms of spirituality, both Christian & otherwise, that have no problems accepting & affirming everyone’s orientation & identity. If after Lauren & her partner get to New York, should they find they need some spiritual support, I’m sure Saint Luke’s in the Fields would give them a warm welcome.
May 30, 2018
I felt bad when i rated the book but didnt say anything about it, especially the book that is good and i enjoyed it alot. I kind of slept than went to work thats why i decided just rated the book only. But it didnt sit still with me. So i has to come back, one day after, to write it. I kind of forgot what i wanted to write it in first place. So i just have to brief with it. Just to sastified myself.
I like both main characters in this book. Lauren was kind of a player, lots of one night stand, she a spoiled kid in a way but that because of how she grew up and her parents didnt close to her. But what i like about her is that she is atheist, she didnt care much about how others view her (like she made friends with Maddie, Nate and Fiona), willing to stand for other people if she think it’s wrong,but she did hid about being gay because of the place (a small religious community in a rural area) so she did that just to protect herself, i think. I found her to be kind of cool. Like an experienced bad kid, so she kind of know how the system work. Cammie is a good innocent daughter type of girl with her family but a wild kid (not really wild, just enjoy drinking and partying i think) at school and had some reputation there. She tried to keep up with the image that others expected her to be. I like her in general, and i also like the open side of her when she’s with Lauren.
The religious also played big part in this story. . . Hmmm i dont know what else to say. So i just ended it abruptly. Like i said i forgot what i wanted to write. So please read other review for more info. Lol
All in all, i like this book and enjoyed it alot.
I like both main characters in this book. Lauren was kind of a player, lots of one night stand, she a spoiled kid in a way but that because of how she grew up and her parents didnt close to her. But what i like about her is that she is atheist, she didnt care much about how others view her (like she made friends with Maddie, Nate and Fiona), willing to stand for other people if she think it’s wrong,but she did hid about being gay because of the place (a small religious community in a rural area) so she did that just to protect herself, i think. I found her to be kind of cool. Like an experienced bad kid, so she kind of know how the system work. Cammie is a good innocent daughter type of girl with her family but a wild kid (not really wild, just enjoy drinking and partying i think) at school and had some reputation there. She tried to keep up with the image that others expected her to be. I like her in general, and i also like the open side of her when she’s with Lauren.
The religious also played big part in this story. . . Hmmm i dont know what else to say. So i just ended it abruptly. Like i said i forgot what i wanted to write. So please read other review for more info. Lol
All in all, i like this book and enjoyed it alot.
November 3, 2015
Taking Flight deals with lots of heavy issues, but without feeling heavy. There's always a sense of hope as Lauren works to get her life back on track, and unexpectedly helping the family she's been sent to live with. Lauren is the child of a Hollywood star and an alcoholic childstar. But when her mom dies, her father is found unfit to be her guardian after she missed three months of school. Now, she's shipped off to rural Georgia to live with the Marshall family who take in troubled teens and turn their lives around. Lauren doesn't want to be there, but soon she finds a reason to stay.
Lauren was a really great character. Her parents have been mostly absent from her life, even before her mother died. When Taking Flight opens, Lauren has already had her court date and is about to go out on one last hurrah. She goes out, gets drunk, and winds up in bed with her best friend, which is not exactly unusual. She's basically free to do what she wants, but that's not going to fly with David Marshall. Lauren has every intention of being a pain, but she falls into routine with the family, goes to school, helps on the farm, and actually opens up to David. She's not this stereotypical bad girl who's running wild because her parents didn't care enough and cocks an attitude with everyone. She wants to be respected, not just liked, and she actually puts in an effort with her new classmates, even the ones that others don't bother with.
Taking Flight is ultimately Lauren's story. She goes from throwing her life away, to finally caring about something and someone. But I was equally interested in Cammie's story. She's David's daughter and suppose to be like a role model (and babysitter) for Lauren. She comes across as this perfect girl, but Lauren sees through that. Obviously Cammie has secrets, and she and Lauren eventually fall in love. Lauren also helps Cammie be open with her parents about how she doesn't share their dreams for her future. Cammie is terrified of losing their love, but she's losing herself in the process. I loved how Lauren saw all this and wasn't afraid to stand up for her.
Taking Flight was just really great. The romance is sweet, and I enjoyed all of Lauren and Cammie's scenes together. But I do think I enjoyed their individual stories even more. I loved seeing both of them going after what they wanted, even if they didn't exactly have all of it figured out. There's also a lot of great discussion on appearances, such as the Marshall's looking like a perfect family from the outside, but they still have their own issues like anyone else.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Lauren was a really great character. Her parents have been mostly absent from her life, even before her mother died. When Taking Flight opens, Lauren has already had her court date and is about to go out on one last hurrah. She goes out, gets drunk, and winds up in bed with her best friend, which is not exactly unusual. She's basically free to do what she wants, but that's not going to fly with David Marshall. Lauren has every intention of being a pain, but she falls into routine with the family, goes to school, helps on the farm, and actually opens up to David. She's not this stereotypical bad girl who's running wild because her parents didn't care enough and cocks an attitude with everyone. She wants to be respected, not just liked, and she actually puts in an effort with her new classmates, even the ones that others don't bother with.
Taking Flight is ultimately Lauren's story. She goes from throwing her life away, to finally caring about something and someone. But I was equally interested in Cammie's story. She's David's daughter and suppose to be like a role model (and babysitter) for Lauren. She comes across as this perfect girl, but Lauren sees through that. Obviously Cammie has secrets, and she and Lauren eventually fall in love. Lauren also helps Cammie be open with her parents about how she doesn't share their dreams for her future. Cammie is terrified of losing their love, but she's losing herself in the process. I loved how Lauren saw all this and wasn't afraid to stand up for her.
Taking Flight was just really great. The romance is sweet, and I enjoyed all of Lauren and Cammie's scenes together. But I do think I enjoyed their individual stories even more. I loved seeing both of them going after what they wanted, even if they didn't exactly have all of it figured out. There's also a lot of great discussion on appearances, such as the Marshall's looking like a perfect family from the outside, but they still have their own issues like anyone else.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
June 21, 2016
Summary: After her celebrity mother dies, Lauren is sent from L.A. to a rural farm in Georgia to help her work on her emotional issues. When she's not avoiding her negligent alcoholic father, Lauren's used to skipping school, using lots of drugs and alcohol, and having random hook-ups with girls she never talks to again. Taken in by miracle-worker David Marshall and his family, Lauren starts to reflect on her own behavior — but also quickly sees through the veneer of the perfect family at the Marshall house. And, of course, she falls in love.
Thoughts: Taking Flight is an OK read, but nothing special. The book could have done with some editing — the endless "Cammie and I" hypercorrection is irritating, and the use of characterization and description is minimal.
When Lauren meets Cammie for the first time, she describes her as "hot." Later, again, on the phone to her friend Caitlyn, "hot." What does that even mean? What does she look like? What makes her hot? A few chapters later, we find out that she's blond. OK. Then, "the prettiest girl on the [cheerleading] squad." Very helpful. I'm not a fan of purple prose, but some description would be useful. Even the horse, Aerosmith, is left entirely to the imagination, besides being apparently very scary and "gross."
I probably wouldn't have noticed the lack of physical description had everyone been fleshed out into three-dimensional characters. But unfortunately, they don't have notable or unique personalities, so it's hard to get too emotionally invested. The romance at the heart of the novel is sweet, but not terribly compelling, since the characters feel so flat.
Other information is spotty too; by the end of her stay, Lauren's developed some muscle from all her farm work — what farm work? There's little mention of it as the story unfolds. There was the one time Cammie showed her how to clean a stable. And she milked a cow for about five seconds...?
And call me femmephobic, but I found it really hard to believe that Lauren "started wearing heels at five" and owns only one pair of normal shoes. Even the rich child of a celebrity has surely worn sneakers before??
I did like this quote though: "I'm the froggiest frog to ever freaking frog; I was a frog for, like, more girls than I even know."
Thoughts: Taking Flight is an OK read, but nothing special. The book could have done with some editing — the endless "Cammie and I" hypercorrection is irritating, and the use of characterization and description is minimal.
When Lauren meets Cammie for the first time, she describes her as "hot." Later, again, on the phone to her friend Caitlyn, "hot." What does that even mean? What does she look like? What makes her hot? A few chapters later, we find out that she's blond. OK. Then, "the prettiest girl on the [cheerleading] squad." Very helpful. I'm not a fan of purple prose, but some description would be useful. Even the horse, Aerosmith, is left entirely to the imagination, besides being apparently very scary and "gross."
I probably wouldn't have noticed the lack of physical description had everyone been fleshed out into three-dimensional characters. But unfortunately, they don't have notable or unique personalities, so it's hard to get too emotionally invested. The romance at the heart of the novel is sweet, but not terribly compelling, since the characters feel so flat.
Other information is spotty too; by the end of her stay, Lauren's developed some muscle from all her farm work — what farm work? There's little mention of it as the story unfolds. There was the one time Cammie showed her how to clean a stable. And she milked a cow for about five seconds...?
And call me femmephobic, but I found it really hard to believe that Lauren "started wearing heels at five" and owns only one pair of normal shoes. Even the rich child of a celebrity has surely worn sneakers before??
I did like this quote though: "I'm the froggiest frog to ever freaking frog; I was a frog for, like, more girls than I even know."
February 13, 2023
3.5/5
i feel like this could have been a 4/5 if it weren't for how it felt like she just threw the ending into an epilogue. it was in the middle of something that doesn't feel very last scene-y and then it's like 'oh here's everything that you were waiting to see, but in a few paragraphs, the end!'
i feel like this could have been a 4/5 if it weren't for how it felt like she just threw the ending into an epilogue. it was in the middle of something that doesn't feel very last scene-y and then it's like 'oh here's everything that you were waiting to see, but in a few paragraphs, the end!'
June 8, 2018
"If you leave your heart in someone else’s hands it’s so much easier to get it broken."
Another great book from Siera Maley, and once again it didn't dissapoint. Great characters with a believable connection.
July 27, 2019
no one writes ya f/f contemporary like siera maley
rep: lesbian mc's and side character, f/f romance
content warnings: internalised homophobia, use of the d slur, lesbophobia (contested)
June 6, 2018
I'm an emotional wreck right now, I could relate to so much about Cammie and it made this book extra emotional for me
May 16, 2020
I just literally read this in one sitting, non stop! Loved it, awesome story...I thought it deserved a better ending, but overall loved it!
July 24, 2022
There's a lot going on here, pretty much what could possibly go on whilst growing up.
For a YA novel, this was really well done.
We have a troubled girl sentenced to a time of reform in rural south. Her reform not only comes with her change but the effects she also makes to those around her.
For a YA novel, this was really well done.
We have a troubled girl sentenced to a time of reform in rural south. Her reform not only comes with her change but the effects she also makes to those around her.
March 24, 2017
4.25 stars. This is the third book of Siera Maley's I've read. I really wish there were writers like this when I was a teenager and I'm so glad that these are available now. From the first page of "Taking Flight" I was hooked and I wasn't disappointed.
Unlike Maley's first two books that focused on accepting one's sexual orientation and were coming out stories, this book is more about universal issues everyone struggles with; figuring yourself out, living for yourself instead of others, being subjected to stereotypes, being loved for who you are, and letting yourself be vulnerable when you've spent your life putting up walls. While sexuality plays a role and the gay factor makes things more complicated than it otherwise would be this story is mainly about two teenagers and their personal growth rather than the sexuality itself.
What I loved about this book...
This is a complete character piece. Not only is it about Lauren's development as she is thrown into a completely foreign situation but it's about how she impacts the lives of everyone else around her. The characters are very well developed and it's all about interactions and relationships. Every scene, even with the smallest of characters, reveals something about Lauren and Cameron. The story isn't rushed at all, taking its time to unfold.
When religion was brought up I was cringing because I thought Lauren would have a come to Jesus moment that would be the impetus to turn her character. This didn't happen and I was so glad! Not only is Lauren lesbian, she's also Atheist and stays that way. I really appreciated that. I LOVED all of the church scenes and exchanges about religion. They were handled in a very realistic, fair, and sometimes amusing way.
The depiction of teenage life is pretty gritty and accurate. There were plenty of amusing bits that made me laugh and it's a completely heartfelt story. Because of the subject matter, I think this book resonates beyond the young adult audience and would be enjoyed by adults as well as all walks of sexual orientation.
There are a few things I would've liked to have seen like Lauren struggling more with intimacy and vulnerability after she gets in the relationship and, in a way, I felt closer to Cameron in the first half of the book than the second so I wish that intimacy would have stayed with her. Those are subjective, though, and the story was already dealing with so much that adding more may have been epic. Editorially, there are a couple of hiccups but, overall, it's well done.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely. And, while you're at it, go pick up Maley's other books "Time It Right" and "Dating Sarah Cooper". She's definitely an author to follow and I look forward to her future works.
Unlike Maley's first two books that focused on accepting one's sexual orientation and were coming out stories, this book is more about universal issues everyone struggles with; figuring yourself out, living for yourself instead of others, being subjected to stereotypes, being loved for who you are, and letting yourself be vulnerable when you've spent your life putting up walls. While sexuality plays a role and the gay factor makes things more complicated than it otherwise would be this story is mainly about two teenagers and their personal growth rather than the sexuality itself.
What I loved about this book...
This is a complete character piece. Not only is it about Lauren's development as she is thrown into a completely foreign situation but it's about how she impacts the lives of everyone else around her. The characters are very well developed and it's all about interactions and relationships. Every scene, even with the smallest of characters, reveals something about Lauren and Cameron. The story isn't rushed at all, taking its time to unfold.
When religion was brought up I was cringing because I thought Lauren would have a come to Jesus moment that would be the impetus to turn her character. This didn't happen and I was so glad! Not only is Lauren lesbian, she's also Atheist and stays that way. I really appreciated that. I LOVED all of the church scenes and exchanges about religion. They were handled in a very realistic, fair, and sometimes amusing way.
The depiction of teenage life is pretty gritty and accurate. There were plenty of amusing bits that made me laugh and it's a completely heartfelt story. Because of the subject matter, I think this book resonates beyond the young adult audience and would be enjoyed by adults as well as all walks of sexual orientation.
There are a few things I would've liked to have seen like Lauren struggling more with intimacy and vulnerability after she gets in the relationship and, in a way, I felt closer to Cameron in the first half of the book than the second so I wish that intimacy would have stayed with her. Those are subjective, though, and the story was already dealing with so much that adding more may have been epic. Editorially, there are a couple of hiccups but, overall, it's well done.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely. And, while you're at it, go pick up Maley's other books "Time It Right" and "Dating Sarah Cooper". She's definitely an author to follow and I look forward to her future works.
June 19, 2019
5/5
- tw alcoholism, homophobia, dyke slur, internalized homophobia
- when a gay LA girl is forcibly moved to a quintessential southern town, tables are going to be shook
- Something that I loved was addressing *passivity* in homophobia and racism; even if you aren’t outright homophobic or racist, if you don’t do anything against it, doesn’t that also make you an offender in the matter??
- I also loved the discussions of religion specifically Catholicism, why cammie, Lauren’s (mc) roommate follows the religion of her own volition and how specific verses have been perceived to be homophobic rhetoric; all the while relatively lightheartedly
- Other topics explored are the predatory behaviour of older men concerning high school girls 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼, hookup culture (to each one’s own imo), full realized consent, heteronormativity in all it’s toxic glory
- Lauren is something special I love her so much I genuinely want to be her friend, the way she’s written is so organic and genuine
- We read from her POV and thought process especially as the narrative follows her through her counselling; we see she isn’t perfect, she isn’t a mouth piece for what’s “right” over what everyone else including what her counsellor says
- Her counselling interactions are so .. insightful and just anything but preachy
- THE ROMANCE!! THEIR PROGRESSION IS 💋👌🏼 SO GOOD
- nothings rushed, their chemistry is so on point, the explore both their vulnerabilities and insecurities with each other with so much care in a soft bitch
- Also I cried if that’s any indication of how much I loved this
- My only gripe is the super rushed ending and epilogue 😭 I need more
- “It was boys and now it’s girls. Simple.”
- tw alcoholism, homophobia, dyke slur, internalized homophobia
- when a gay LA girl is forcibly moved to a quintessential southern town, tables are going to be shook
- Something that I loved was addressing *passivity* in homophobia and racism; even if you aren’t outright homophobic or racist, if you don’t do anything against it, doesn’t that also make you an offender in the matter??
- I also loved the discussions of religion specifically Catholicism, why cammie, Lauren’s (mc) roommate follows the religion of her own volition and how specific verses have been perceived to be homophobic rhetoric; all the while relatively lightheartedly
- Other topics explored are the predatory behaviour of older men concerning high school girls 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼, hookup culture (to each one’s own imo), full realized consent, heteronormativity in all it’s toxic glory
- Lauren is something special I love her so much I genuinely want to be her friend, the way she’s written is so organic and genuine
- We read from her POV and thought process especially as the narrative follows her through her counselling; we see she isn’t perfect, she isn’t a mouth piece for what’s “right” over what everyone else including what her counsellor says
- Her counselling interactions are so .. insightful and just anything but preachy
- THE ROMANCE!! THEIR PROGRESSION IS 💋👌🏼 SO GOOD
- nothings rushed, their chemistry is so on point, the explore both their vulnerabilities and insecurities with each other with so much care in a soft bitch
- Also I cried if that’s any indication of how much I loved this
- My only gripe is the super rushed ending and epilogue 😭 I need more
- “It was boys and now it’s girls. Simple.”
March 25, 2018
Lauren Lennox is a rebellious teenager. She skips school, gets drunk, and sleeps with a lot of girls. After the death of her movie star mother her father is deemed to be an unfit parent and a judge sends her to live with David Marshall, a counselor in a small town in Georgia who helps troubled teens. Lauren plans to leave the second she turns 18, but her plan might be changed by David’s daughter Cammie.
Does this book kinda have a ridiculous premise? Yup. Is it pretty easy to predict what’s going to happen? Definitely. “Oh, this gay girl gets sent away and has to share a room with another girl. I wonder what’s gonna happen?” Like, c’mon. But is it a totally enjoyable read? Hell yeah!
While this book does have some more serious moments touching on grief or homophobia, the majority of the book is pretty cute. The romance that eventually happens feels really rewarding because it isn’t an instalove that happens on page 10. And the journey that Lauren goes on feels very real.
This definitely isn’t a perfect book. At times the writing feels very simple. It’s never bad, but it’s never amazing. Also, the ending of the book seems a little abrupt and then everything tries to get wrapped up in the epilogue. But I don’t really care. This is such a sweet book about girls falling in love. I first read this back in 2015 and I enjoyed it just as much reading it in 2018.
Does this book kinda have a ridiculous premise? Yup. Is it pretty easy to predict what’s going to happen? Definitely. “Oh, this gay girl gets sent away and has to share a room with another girl. I wonder what’s gonna happen?” Like, c’mon. But is it a totally enjoyable read? Hell yeah!
While this book does have some more serious moments touching on grief or homophobia, the majority of the book is pretty cute. The romance that eventually happens feels really rewarding because it isn’t an instalove that happens on page 10. And the journey that Lauren goes on feels very real.
This definitely isn’t a perfect book. At times the writing feels very simple. It’s never bad, but it’s never amazing. Also, the ending of the book seems a little abrupt and then everything tries to get wrapped up in the epilogue. But I don’t really care. This is such a sweet book about girls falling in love. I first read this back in 2015 and I enjoyed it just as much reading it in 2018.
September 18, 2017
The writing is quite good, but I was expecting more.
I liked it in general. But would love it if we had more about the couple and after the graduation stuffs.
I liked it in general. But would love it if we had more about the couple and after the graduation stuffs.
March 15, 2019
Overall sweet story but missed some opportunities to be better and definitely flubbed the ending. It felt like the writer ran out of gas at the end of the race.
November 27, 2021
absolutely amazing. loved every second. will definitely read again sometime in the future. and will definitely cry later when it sinks in that i finished🥲.
June 23, 2018
I really liked this book. I think it’s one of my favorite romances. I thought it was interesting throughout, it never got boring, and it was very well written. I liked the characters, both were appealing in their own unique way, and I really liked how sweet the development of their relationship was and of course I liked that they had a happy ending.
I really think this book needs a sequel because so many story threads were left unfinished.
What really appealed to me was that at least one of the characters, Lauren, was unambiguously and unquestioningly gay and that no one in her life saw it as being wrong. I could very much relate to that.
I also liked how it was Lauren that ultimately saved Cammie from a seriously messed up life, even though she had problem of her own. It made Lauren like a heroine to me, who saw what was wrong and was unafraid to say something about it to protect the person she cared about. I wish more books had characters like this.
I also like that, at least in a small way, this book explores the relationship between a Lauren and her straight friend. I make out with some of my straight friends, especially after we have a couple of drinks, and it’s fun and nice and makes us closer and we don’t really feel weird about it at all. I have gay friends that do the same with their straight friends too. This is really the first book I’ve read that even talks about that.
The only thing I didn’t like about this books is what Cammie went through to try to prove to herself and her family that she was straight. It so broke my heart reading about it and it still makes me cringe having to think about it.
I really think this book needs a sequel because so many story threads were left unfinished.
What really appealed to me was that at least one of the characters, Lauren, was unambiguously and unquestioningly gay and that no one in her life saw it as being wrong. I could very much relate to that.
I also liked how it was Lauren that ultimately saved Cammie from a seriously messed up life, even though she had problem of her own. It made Lauren like a heroine to me, who saw what was wrong and was unafraid to say something about it to protect the person she cared about. I wish more books had characters like this.
I also like that, at least in a small way, this book explores the relationship between a Lauren and her straight friend. I make out with some of my straight friends, especially after we have a couple of drinks, and it’s fun and nice and makes us closer and we don’t really feel weird about it at all. I have gay friends that do the same with their straight friends too. This is really the first book I’ve read that even talks about that.
The only thing I didn’t like about this books is what Cammie went through to try to prove to herself and her family that she was straight. It so broke my heart reading about it and it still makes me cringe having to think about it.
May 2, 2023
4 stars. I really have become a fan of Maley’s work. Her writing is great and her characters always feel real and honest. I haven’t read a book that I haven’t liked yet. This one was great. I loved the character growth and development that Lauren went through because I’ll be honest I wasn’t feeling her at first. I empathized with her for what she was going through but I found her to be super unlikable. By the end though I was rooting for her. She has a great friendship turned romance with Cammie and I loved how much she cared for her and how much she wanted to help her just be herself and live her life freely. The ending was wonderful and I overall just really enjoyed this.
October 15, 2025
Qualche problema c’è ma comunque mie bimbe
February 21, 2024
2.75
would have been at least a 3 or 4 star if it didn’t keep mentioning how there were only two black people at the school the mc went too and how she only choose to sit with them because they seemed like outcast… completely unnecessary to the story and made me feel super uncomfortable
would have been at least a 3 or 4 star if it didn’t keep mentioning how there were only two black people at the school the mc went too and how she only choose to sit with them because they seemed like outcast… completely unnecessary to the story and made me feel super uncomfortable
June 7, 2017
this was just lovely.
to put the summary a bit more into focus: lauren's always been a bit of a party girl and has gotten in trouble before. but when her mom dies, she (understandably) spirals into such a depression that she doesn't attend school for a solid few months, which is the final nail in the delinquency coffin that finally gets her booted off to this camp. despite being run by religious folks and taking her to church, lauren's sexuality is never part of the problem trying to be fixed. it's primarily (a) substance abuse, (b) not going to school, and (c) "intimacy issues," basically that she doesn't really honestly love or open up to anyone.
so now that THAT'S out of the way, i was so delighted by this book. it felt genuine, though of course it needs to have some drama too; it's a romance novel, not a memoir. but lauren's initial resistance and rebelling is totally understandable, and her changes are gradual. the same goes for cammie, though instead of rebellion it's conforming to her mom's wants. and man some stuff is honestly heartbreaking, like
i think this also realistically shows different levels of outness. minor spoilers: there is no insistence that there is a big "coming out to everyone" moment, but also the understanding that repression and secrecy aren't good either. so again, different shades of out.
anyway YEAH read this.
to put the summary a bit more into focus: lauren's always been a bit of a party girl and has gotten in trouble before. but when her mom dies, she (understandably) spirals into such a depression that she doesn't attend school for a solid few months, which is the final nail in the delinquency coffin that finally gets her booted off to this camp. despite being run by religious folks and taking her to church, lauren's sexuality is never part of the problem trying to be fixed. it's primarily (a) substance abuse, (b) not going to school, and (c) "intimacy issues," basically that she doesn't really honestly love or open up to anyone.
so now that THAT'S out of the way, i was so delighted by this book. it felt genuine, though of course it needs to have some drama too; it's a romance novel, not a memoir. but lauren's initial resistance and rebelling is totally understandable, and her changes are gradual. the same goes for cammie, though instead of rebellion it's conforming to her mom's wants. and man some stuff is honestly heartbreaking, like
i think this also realistically shows different levels of outness. minor spoilers: there is no insistence that there is a big "coming out to everyone" moment, but also the understanding that repression and secrecy aren't good either. so again, different shades of out.
anyway YEAH read this.
June 21, 2017
I've read Dating Sarah Cooper and Colorblind and loved both so much, so I was expecting a lot more from this one.
I think the writer touched on a lot of intense topics that weren't as well explored as they could've been, specially when it came to Lauren, who had the potential to be a really interesting character but ended up being kinda cliche and boring most of the time.
I wish we could've seen a bit more of Lauren and Cammie just spending time together and having fun, they have a lot of important moments of sharing and getting to know each other, but I feel like we missed big chunks of their friendship and skipped to Lauren starting to have feeling for Cammie, who was apparently already in love with her.
The ending was so rushed it caught me a bit off guard, I didn't even realize it was almost over until I saw 'Epilogue'. There was a lot more that I thought it was gonna happen and a lot of things that felt unfinished.
All in all, it's an okay book, the writing's great, the plot original and I loved Cammie, she was by far the most interesting character and I wouldn't mind reading more about her.
I think the writer touched on a lot of intense topics that weren't as well explored as they could've been, specially when it came to Lauren, who had the potential to be a really interesting character but ended up being kinda cliche and boring most of the time.
I wish we could've seen a bit more of Lauren and Cammie just spending time together and having fun, they have a lot of important moments of sharing and getting to know each other, but I feel like we missed big chunks of their friendship and skipped to Lauren starting to have feeling for Cammie, who was apparently already in love with her.
The ending was so rushed it caught me a bit off guard, I didn't even realize it was almost over until I saw 'Epilogue'. There was a lot more that I thought it was gonna happen and a lot of things that felt unfinished.
All in all, it's an okay book, the writing's great, the plot original and I loved Cammie, she was by far the most interesting character and I wouldn't mind reading more about her.
December 29, 2015
This is the first book I enjoyed from Siera Maley. It's not a great story, as it is full of topics (Beautiful, rich, spoiled, and teen version of a Lesbian player from LA, versus sweet, beautiful, hardworking but closeted and religious southern girl) but the story is well written and the topics actually work, somehow.
If you're looking for a passionate lesbian love story, this book will disappoint you. This is more a ya story and/or a comming out story rater than a romance novel and although the love story is sweet in a teenagers kind of way it lacks the passion of the romance genre. But in the end it kind of works because this is what most teenage love stories are: sweet, but nothing more than that.
If you're looking for a passionate lesbian love story, this book will disappoint you. This is more a ya story and/or a comming out story rater than a romance novel and although the love story is sweet in a teenagers kind of way it lacks the passion of the romance genre. But in the end it kind of works because this is what most teenage love stories are: sweet, but nothing more than that.
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