Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert | One of my new faves of this year!

Title: Little & Lion
Author: Brandy Colbert
Pages: 336 pages
Release Date: August 8th, 2017
Source: ARC from The Novl
Genre: LGBT, Mental Health, Young Adult, Contemporary
Rating: 5/5 stars
A stunning novel on love, loss, identity, and redemption, from Publishers Weekly Flying Start author Brandy Colbert

When Suzette comes home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England, she isn't sure if she'll ever want to go back. L.A. is where her friends and family are (along with her crush, Emil). And her stepbrother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, needs her emotional support.

But as she settles into her old life, Suzette finds herself falling for someone new...the same girl her brother is in love with. When Lionel's disorder spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help her brother before he hurts himself--or worse.

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**I received an advanced galley from the publishers. This has not affected my thoughts in any way**

Still figuring it out... Well, wait Alex still figuring what out? Everything. 

Let me preface this review by saying I don't think what I'm about to write will do this book any justice. Sorry to be such a pessimist, but I want to be honest with you. First I must say happy publication week to Little & Lion. I don't remember the last time I was this excited about a book's release, but I'm truly happy to see this book make it onto shelves everywhere. And if you haven't already figured out from the star rating and my endless rambling in an attempt to describe my feelings after finishing this one, I loved this book.

Our narrator is Suzette and the story begins with her return to sunny California after being sent away to a boarding school in Massachusetts by her parents. She returns to her supportive family, the friends that she left behind, her crush on one of her closest friends, and her brother, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As the story unravels, it jumps from the past to the present, revealing the reason why she was sent away while also resurfacing tragic memories. Throughout the course of her return, Suzette struggles with her identity as well as the unfinished business she left behind in New England. If Suzette is still figuring it all out herself, how can she be the emotional support that her brother Lionel needs?

I don't think this book had any set plot, more like it just went with the flow. And that wasn't a problem because the characters and writing really stole the show for me. It took attention away from the non-linear story line and directed it to some of the real social issues surrounding the book's characters.

This book brings many social stigmas about sexuality and mental illness to light. The book specifically discusses the fluidity of sexuality and how labels aren't everything. I really liked the parts in which bisexuality was discussed. A social stigma that is specifically discussed about bisexuals is their tendency to cheat as well as that being a bisexual is all about switching between men and women when you tire of one or the other. Our main character, Suzette, refutes this stigma by saying, "It's about being open to whatever happens with either one."

"Why? Bi, queer... it doesn't really matter, as long as you're happy. Just make sure you don't let anyone tell you what you are. People can be real assholes about labels." 
This book is incredibly diverse. Our main character is a black Jewish girl who is questioning her sexuality. Her brother, Lionel, struggles with bipolar disorder. There is also a pansexual character in this book, which was my first time reading about one!

I must say, though, the most precious part of my reading experience was the emotional tie that I had to all the characters. I loved all of them (well maybe not all. Looking at you Caite and Grace). I was having a blast following along as they were just figuring things out for themselves and learning more about each other along the way. I especially loved how accepting Emil was of Suzette when she came out as a bisexual. This book also has one of the best family dynamics I've ever seen with everyone being so supportive and two parents who loved their children as much as their children loved them back.

So what book should be your next buy? Little & Lion! If not for the incredibly important topics that are discussed, then you should read it for the well-fleshed out and three-dimensional characters. This is definitely one that's going to be on my end-of-the-year favorites list!
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4 comments

  1. Ahh, this book sounds so awesome! It's added to my TBR, lovely review!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad this book is getting a lot of talk at the moment!

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  2. I HAVE SEEN SUCH POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK AND I WILL DEFS BE CHECKING IT OUT! It seems fantastic and I love the premise so thank you for this review!


    xx Anisha @ Sprinkled Pages

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    Replies
    1. I really hope you enjoy it. It's been getting a lot of traction lately but I think it deserves more.

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