The comedienne's guide to pride by Hayli Thomson

Taylor’s dilemma is that she hasn’t told anyone she is gay, she’s only just working it out. But her qualifying entry in a competition for a diverse writer’s internship with the ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedy show, means that she needs to come out before the winning submission is announced. Thus begins the countdown and the tension, as Taylor’s anxiety builds. At the same time, she is tentatively exploring her attraction to ‘out and proud’ classmate Charlotte Grey.

There’s many a laugh because Taylor comes from a family of comedians, though her mother gave up her career when baby Taylor came along. Taylor’s quick wit and clever comments make the book a fun read. At the same time, there is a very realistic portrayal of the uncertainties and excitement of a newly budding romance.

All of this takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, a town of waxworks and witchcraft museums, with many an oddball character, making for a very funny LGBQTI+ rom-com. While this often makes for laughs, the teenage love story will still tug at many a heart-string. It is a very realistic portrayal of first love that will draw in YA readers, regardless of their gender identification, as the values of love, trust and self-acceptance come through strongly.

Themes: LGBQTI+, Humour, Romance, Identity, Acceptance of diversity.

Helen Eddy