In the Role of Brie Hutchens… by Nicole Melleby
- Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers, 2020
- Genre: Middle Grade, LGBTQ+
- Format: eARC
- Page Count: 272 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐️⭐ (4/5)
Brie Hutchens lied to her mom in a panic when she almost got caught looking up naked photos of her favorite actress. Being a mediocre student at a Catholic school, her lie of being chosen to crown Mary was unlikely to come true. And it certainly did not help when Kennedy, the perfect girl in her class, gave Brie butterflies in the stomach.
I did not plan on reading this book from Holy Saturday to the midnight of Easter. It felt special when I realized so.
Melleby did a wonderful job of tackling the issues of figuring out oneself and navigating family relationships. We followed Brie, a somewhat unreliable narrator, as she tried to come out to herself and loved ones. I personally relate to her on so many levels, including attending Catholic middle school and finding emotional release in theatre. Though Brie was not particularly likeable, she was certainly very relatable. We experienced her yearnings of being liked by her mom, confusion over her own feelings, and attraction to Kennedy.
This book is oh-so-very-cute and heartwarming in every way. For any queer teens out there, I think it makes them feel seen and gives them hope and assurance that everything is going to be okay. I highly recommend In the Role of Brie Hutchens… to readers of any age. [11 Apr 2020]
I received an e-ARC from Algonquin Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
