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It Not Like It a Secret Misa Sugiura Books

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This charming and bittersweet coming-of-age story featuring two girls of color falling in love is part To All the Boys I've Loved Before and part Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

It Not Like It a Secret Misa Sugiura Books

A truly wonderful story! The characters are incredibly well developed and the chemistry between Sana and Jamie is electric. The use of poetry throughout the story as a plot device and to set the mood for scenes is especially impressive.

One of the things I found most effective in the story is one of the aspects many reviewers seem to dislike the most: the cheating storyline. Like it or not, things like that happen in life. It isn't often that you find a YA story that handles that type of storyline, either with the main characters OR with the main character's parents, well. I felt that this novel handled both of them well, with one impacting the other, and portrayed Sena's actions accurately. She made errors in judgement; she allowed peer pressure to influence the level of trust she put in Jamie; and her upbringing and tendency to avoid conflict, at least that is how I perceived it, prevented her from keeping the situation from spiraling out of control once she realized how massive her mistake had been. (Not that Jamie was blameless either... her actions contributed to the situation as well.)

I was particularly impressed with the depiction of Sena's parents relationship. It gave the story a cross-cultural aspect that many readers might have trouble identifying with. The decisions made by Sena's mother are not the decisions most American or European women would make if faced with the same situation, though, frankly, her behavior isn't that different from the way things were for women in aristocratic and upper class families world wide for the majority of the past few centuries. Putting the needs of family first isn't that odd. It is just more firmly ingrained in some cultures than others.


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It Not Like It a Secret Misa Sugiura Books Reviews

Sana "coming out" is only one part of this complex, heart-wrenching study of stereotypes and struggling to reveal yourself to those you love most. Sana is a relatable character in how she finds herself messing up the best things in her life and then fights to get them back (just as awkwardly as she lost them). Even things which sound absurd to both her and cross-cultural readers are revealed to be deep philosophies rooted in love and family. Highly recommend.
I really enjoyed Sana's journey in this thoughtful, challenging story of secrets, first love, and the difficult moments that shape our lives. The author wasn't afraid to dig into the hard issues teens (and adults!) face and show them in all their messy complexity. I especially enjoyed Sana's unfolding relationship with her mother and all the strong girl friendships portrayed in this book. And poetry lovers will gleefully excavate all the literary treasures along with Sana and Jamie. Lots to love about this book!
Loved this one. Sugiura gracefully tackled so many difficult and sometimes sensitive topics, while also creating fully-fleshed, relatable characters. Sana's voice is spot on. I can't wait to have this gorgeous book on my shelf to share with my students.
This may be the perfect YA novel for our time. It’s set in a modern-day American school, with authentic-sounding teenager voices and texts and emojis, features a mostly-minority cast of characters in a majority-minority high school, and shows a main character making the kinds of mistakes kids sometimes make. Plus – the main character is struggling with the realization she is lesbian. Plus – lovely, well-chosen poetry that fits the plot.
Sana is vivid and realistic and appealing, and I cheered her on, even as her life got complicated. The tension kept me hooked throughout. Fascinating twist to her family life at the end. What a great theme – open secrets that “everyone” knows about but it’s hard to talk about.
Brava! Excellent book. I can see why it won so many awards!
Proceed with caution as I can’t discuss what I didn’t like about this book without diving into major spoilers. So you’ve been warned.

Ok the first half of the book is great. Sana our main character moves from Wisconsin to California after her dad gets a new job. Starting out, I absolutely loved her friends and while quick, I even like the chemistry between Jamie and Sana. They were really the only ones the other could truly be themselves around. Caleb at times got on my nerves, as he’s clearly just here to have a crush on Sana. While she clearly doesn’t see him as more than a friend, they could have a great friendship. All of these feelings completely changed for me getting into the second half.

Once more, I’m diving into major spoilers of the book.
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I couldn’t stand Sana the second half of the book! Starting with Jamie seeing her ex girlfriend Kelsey and Sana’s friends catching them kissing. Jamie didn’t handle this well, even though she has no feelings for Kelsey anymore. I agree, but it’s nothing compared to Sana. Her friends suck! When believed Jamie has cheated on Sana, her friends tell her to date Caleb because Jamie cheated, so Sana therefore isn’t cheating. First of all, Sana made it clear multiple times she doesn’t see Caleb that way yet her friends won’t shut up about it! Second, yes it’s still cheating!!!! This book has the nerve to justify cheating and saying that if you cheat, it’s ok as long as you’re other half cheated too. Sana acting like it was ok because she thought, THOUGHT Jamie was gonna dump her for Kelsey. Sana knows Caleb likes her, so she could have easily told him she just didn’t see him as more than a friend without outing herself. Sure he would have been disappointed, but he would have gotten over it. This also makes Sana a hypocrite, after learning of her fathers affair. She was super upset about this, yet instead of telling Caleb she wasn’t interested, SHE kisses him! And proceeds to cheat on Jamie!!! Jamie at least told Sana the truth and the only reason Jamie couldn’t tell her about Kelsey first was because Sana deliberately avoided her! And the only reason Sana gets busted cheating isn’t because she finally steps up to what she has done. No she gets busted when Caleb kisses her in front of Jamie!!! Both of them rightfully tell her off, which is what kept me reading! To finally bust this character for how selfish and stupid she’s being!!! I felt no sympathy when all she did was cry about it saying what has she done?! She knew what she was doing and brought this all on herself!!! Yet after everything she’s done, Caleb and Jamie pretty much instantly forgive her! Jamie even takes her back!!! Ok author what a horrible message you are delivering. That “it’s ok to cheat if you think your other half is”. And “if your other half chests and lies, you’ll take them back instantly if they just give you pages of poetry”.

What is wrong with this author?!?! It reminds me of another book 99 Days which I do NOT recommend either!!! The main character is just as dumb and selfish is Sana.

I’m sparing anyone I can, do NOT read this book!!!
A truly wonderful story! The characters are incredibly well developed and the chemistry between Sana and Jamie is electric. The use of poetry throughout the story as a plot device and to set the mood for scenes is especially impressive.

One of the things I found most effective in the story is one of the aspects many reviewers seem to dislike the most the cheating storyline. Like it or not, things like that happen in life. It isn't often that you find a YA story that handles that type of storyline, either with the main characters OR with the main character's parents, well. I felt that this novel handled both of them well, with one impacting the other, and portrayed Sena's actions accurately. She made errors in judgement; she allowed peer pressure to influence the level of trust she put in Jamie; and her upbringing and tendency to avoid conflict, at least that is how I perceived it, prevented her from keeping the situation from spiraling out of control once she realized how massive her mistake had been. (Not that Jamie was blameless either... her actions contributed to the situation as well.)

I was particularly impressed with the depiction of Sena's parents relationship. It gave the story a cross-cultural aspect that many readers might have trouble identifying with. The decisions made by Sena's mother are not the decisions most American or European women would make if faced with the same situation, though, frankly, her behavior isn't that different from the way things were for women in aristocratic and upper class families world wide for the majority of the past few centuries. Putting the needs of family first isn't that odd. It is just more firmly ingrained in some cultures than others.