I am religious and gay myself (that's why I picked up the book) but I have a hard time reading the negative aspects of the Baptist and gay experiences detailed in the book. Jo has strong faith that is an important part of her life. Am I the only one that has a hard time reading Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown It's in no way the fault of the author though. After emerging from Sephora and a (somewhat painful trip to the mall) with Three, "Joanna" is reborn as a "good, Southern girl". Jo agrees, under one significant condition, and her BFF Dana (wild-child from Atlanta) decides Jo should go completely undercover, make-over and all. The main character, lesbian-identified urban Joanna (Jo, back home in Atlanta) is confronted with a major choice when her radio-ministry father - who was previously supportive of her coming out and living her truth - asks her to go back into the closet for her final year of high-school, after he gets married to "Three" (wife #3) and they move back to her small town, spending time with Three's conservative parents and community. I really enjoyed this southern YA novel, for its integration of faith and queer identity.
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