A Summer of Unrequited Love and Friendship Mishaps: A Dive into Lovesick Falls
When I first stumbled upon Lovesick Falls by Jennifer Dugan, I was immediately drawn to its intriguing premise—a queer retelling of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, set against the backdrop of a summer teen romance. As a sucker for stories that capture the essence of teenage emotions and messy friendships, I felt an irresistible pull to dive into the lives of Ros, Celia, and Touchstone. Little did I know just how much their journey would resonate with my own youthful experiences of unrequited love and complicated friendships.
At its heart, Lovesick Falls is a charming, somewhat chaotic portrayal of teenage relationships and the shifting sands of friendship. Before their senior year, Ros, Celia, and Touchstone embark on a summer-long adventure, hoping to strengthen their bond while navigating crushes and jealousy. I found myself rooting for Ros, who’s irresistibly drawn to the charismatic Jess Orlando, while Celia grapples with her feelings—jealous of the attention Ros pays to Jess and caught in the web of her own unreciprocated love. Touchstone, the quiet observer, adds a comedic touch while wrestling with his feelings for Celia, creating a delightful love triangle that mirrors the complexities of adolescence.
Dugan captures the essence of summer with her vibrant descriptions, bringing the setting of Lovesick Falls to life. It’s filled with the kinds of scenes that make you long for lazy days and late-night junk food binges with friends—a reflection of that blissful, unsupervised summer freedom we all cherish. The pacing, while sometimes meandering, felt fitting; it allowed the emotional beats to genuinely land, even if the ending left me feeling a tad ‘meh.’ But perhaps that’s the point—life rolls on, and friendships evolve quietly, much like summer days turn into autumn.
The strength of Celia’s voice stands out in particular, conveying her intense peaks of emotion with relatable flair (shoutout to the cleverly placed “?!”). She’s the quintessential overthinker, grappling with jealousy and heartache that many readers will find themselves nodding along to. Although the other characters—especially Touchstone—could use a bit more depth in their narration, the shifts in perspective enhance our understanding of each character’s desires and dilemmas.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the quirky chapter titles and playful footnotes? They inject a sense of humor into the narrative, making the reading experience even more enjoyable. Dugan’s intentional choice to explore various aspects of identity—including sexuality and gender expression—is commendable and refreshing, offering a rich tapestry of representation.
One poignant moment that stuck with me is when Celia’s mom reminds her, “You are not responsible for another person’s happiness, no matter how close you are.” This encapsulates one of the book’s central themes: the complexities of friendship, the importance of personal boundaries, and the inevitable process of growing apart or together.
In conclusion, Lovesick Falls is a delightful read for those who cherish the rollercoaster of teen emotions—perfect for fans of coming-of-age stories with a queer twist. It captures the bittersweet reality of friendships, love triangles, and growing up, making it relatable to both younger readers and those of us who reminisce about our own chaotic teen years. If you’re ready for a heartfelt exploration of love and friendship, grab your copy—you just might find a piece of your own youthful spirit reflected back at you amidst the pages.