Synopses & Reviews
A gutsy, queer coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Nina LaCour, Rainbow Rowell, and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx.
Only, she's not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon to intern with her favorite feminist writer — what's sure to be a life changing experience. And when Juliet's coming out crashes and burns, she's not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.
But Juliet has a plan — sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women's bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff is sure to help her figure out this whole "Puerto Rican lesbian" thing. Except Harlowe's white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn't have all the answers . . .
In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out — to the world, to her family, to herself.
Review
“Even if Holden Caulfield was born in the Bronx in the 1980s, he could never be this awesome.” Inga Muscio, author of Rose: Love in Violent Times
Review
“Gabby Rivera’s genius lies in her ability to make you weep and laugh in the same paragraph. Juliet Takes a Breath is powerful AF.” Zoraida Cordova, author of Labyrinth Lost and Bruja Born
Review
“Raw. Powerful. Honest. Juliet Takes a Breath is a luminous journey of self-discovery. Through Juliet’s awakening, Rivera gently challenges us to step out of the shadows and into the light, and reminds us that successful rebellion begins with loving yourself in all your infinite variety.” Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters and Internment
Review
“Juliet Takes a Breath is absolutely breathtaking. This is the homegirl I’ve always wanted to see in literature, made flesh by Rivera’s pen.” Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X
Review
“Dazzling, funny as hell, poignant, all the things.” Roxanne Gay, author of Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body
About the Author
Gabby Rivera is a Bronx-born queer Latinx babe on a mission to create the wildest, most fun stories ever. She's the first Latina to write for Marvel comics, penning the solo series AMERICA about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse. In 2017, Gabby was named one of the top comic creators by the SyFy network, and one of NBC's #Pride30 Innovators. Gabby now makes magic on both coasts, currently residing in California. She writes for all the sweet baby queers and her mom.