FICTION

The Love Song of Ivy K. Harlowe

Entangled Teen. Jun. 2021. 330p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781649370495.
COPY ISBN
Gr 10 Up–Andie, a 19-year-old working at her family’s strip club in Providence, RI, has been in love with her friend Ivy for years. But charismatic, guarded Ivy has never been interested in relationships. She is in her element at Kinetic, a club where she effortlessly finds people to take home, always for just a night. But Andie is surprised when Ivy keeps spending time with Dot, a high schooler with a passion for makeup, after their night together. Having always imagined Ivy settling down with her, Andie struggles to reimagine her love story without Ivy in it. Moskowitz’s novel begins like a boisterous romance focusing on Andie’s experiences in Providence’s queer scene, but becomes an exploration of substance abuse and recovery after trauma. Readers may grow weary of Andie’s fixation on Ivy, but the book’s strength is in its exploration of what it means to be in a healthy relationship. Andie is of Italian heritage and Dot is Vietnamese American.
VERDICT Older teens will appreciate a look at life after high school and a protagonist who is still discovering what she wants from her future.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?