Old Enough
- Haley Jakobson
- May 22, 2023
GOODREADS BLURB:
- Albany, WA
A debut novel about a young bisexual woman who is pulled between a new sense of community and loyalty to a friendship she’s outgrown
Savannah Sav Henry is almost the person she wants to be, or at least she’s getting closer. It’s the second semester of her sophomore year. She’s finally come out as bisexual, is making friends with the other queers in her dorm, and has just about recovered from her disastrous first queer “situationship.” She is cautiously optimistic that her life is about to begin.
But when she learns that Izzie, her best friend from childhood, has gotten engaged, Sav faces a crisis of confidence. Things with Izzie haven’t been the same since what happened between Sav and Izzie’s older brother when they were sixteen. Now, with the wedding around the corner, Sav is forced to reckon with trauma she thought she could put behind her.
On top of it all, Sav can’t stop thinking about Wes from her Gender Studies class–sweet, funny Wes, with their long eyelashes and green backpack. There’s something different here–with Wes and with her new friends (who delight in teasing her about this face-burning crush); it feels, terrifyingly, like they might truly see her in a way no one has before.
With a singularly funny, heartfelt voice, Old Enough explores queer love, community, and what it means to be a sexual assault survivor. Haley Jakobson has written a love letter to friendship and an honest depiction of what finding your people can feel like–for better or worse.
Savannah Sav Henry is almost the person she wants to be, or at least she’s getting closer. It’s the second semester of her sophomore year. She’s finally come out as bisexual, is making friends with the other queers in her dorm, and has just about recovered from her disastrous first queer “situationship.” She is cautiously optimistic that her life is about to begin.
But when she learns that Izzie, her best friend from childhood, has gotten engaged, Sav faces a crisis of confidence. Things with Izzie haven’t been the same since what happened between Sav and Izzie’s older brother when they were sixteen. Now, with the wedding around the corner, Sav is forced to reckon with trauma she thought she could put behind her.
On top of it all, Sav can’t stop thinking about Wes from her Gender Studies class–sweet, funny Wes, with their long eyelashes and green backpack. There’s something different here–with Wes and with her new friends (who delight in teasing her about this face-burning crush); it feels, terrifyingly, like they might truly see her in a way no one has before.
With a singularly funny, heartfelt voice, Old Enough explores queer love, community, and what it means to be a sexual assault survivor. Haley Jakobson has written a love letter to friendship and an honest depiction of what finding your people can feel like–for better or worse.
GENRES:
FIRST WORDS:
It was the first day of Gender and Sexuality 101. There were only six of us and the pressure of forced intimacy was palpable.
MY REVIEW:
absolute favourite:
☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5
* Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided. *
I am always a sucker for a queer found family, but Old Enough is so much more than that. It’s deceptively complex, digging deep into trauma and outgrowing your roots and discovering your identity. It’s the book I could’ve used as a teenager, the one I needed in my twenties, and the one I’m glad I’ve now found in my thirties. It’s a cozy, supportive, queer idyllic community with friends who are family before you realise it.
It takes a few chapters before you realise that Old Enough is more than it appears. Like Sav, you start to feel a little imposter syndrome-y. This can’t be hitting you as hard as you think – after all, it’s only a bi college student making friends, developing crushes, and drifting from high school relationships…
Jakobson’s writing allows Sav and her story to shine. I never questioned her emotions or actions because each scenario was well-defined, as were the other characters involved. Sav made mistakes and was awkward and second-guessed a lot of her choices, but it was never to force a plot point or mislead the reader. She was clearly trying to figure out who she was and what she wanted, all while balancing her privilege, identity, trauma, and past. It was very easy to fall for this character who was trying so hard to do the right thing and be the right kind of person without breaking any promises, even if it was emotionally and psychologically traumatising at times. I was so glad that Candace and Vera were incredibly supportive and encouraging people because Sav needed them and deserved them in her life.
Every single interaction between Sav and Wes was so cringeworthy in all the best ways. I got secondhand embarrassment every time, but I always wanted more. I loved how obviously they were into each other without being able to make any movement in the right direction. It was slow and awkward and achingly sweet.
I could rave about Old Enough for hours, but I don’t want to give any more away than I already have. I can’t wait to see what Jakobson writes next because if it’s anywhere near as honest and welcoming and supportive as Old Enough, it’s sure to be another worthwhile five-star read.
It takes a few chapters before you realise that Old Enough is more than it appears. Like Sav, you start to feel a little imposter syndrome-y. This can’t be hitting you as hard as you think – after all, it’s only a bi college student making friends, developing crushes, and drifting from high school relationships…
Jakobson’s writing allows Sav and her story to shine. I never questioned her emotions or actions because each scenario was well-defined, as were the other characters involved. Sav made mistakes and was awkward and second-guessed a lot of her choices, but it was never to force a plot point or mislead the reader. She was clearly trying to figure out who she was and what she wanted, all while balancing her privilege, identity, trauma, and past. It was very easy to fall for this character who was trying so hard to do the right thing and be the right kind of person without breaking any promises, even if it was emotionally and psychologically traumatising at times. I was so glad that Candace and Vera were incredibly supportive and encouraging people because Sav needed them and deserved them in her life.
Every single interaction between Sav and Wes was so cringeworthy in all the best ways. I got secondhand embarrassment every time, but I always wanted more. I loved how obviously they were into each other without being able to make any movement in the right direction. It was slow and awkward and achingly sweet.
I could rave about Old Enough for hours, but I don’t want to give any more away than I already have. I can’t wait to see what Jakobson writes next because if it’s anywhere near as honest and welcoming and supportive as Old Enough, it’s sure to be another worthwhile five-star read.
“I have to be honest about one thing, though.” Her voice was stern.
I winced. “What?”
“Downloading Snapchat for a cis guy might be the most biphobic thing you’ve ever done.”
“Nooooooooo!” I screamed.
She cackled and reached for the radio knob, turned the volume all the way up, and sped out onto the road.
I winced. “What?”
“Downloading Snapchat for a cis guy might be the most biphobic thing you’ve ever done.”
“Nooooooooo!” I screamed.
She cackled and reached for the radio knob, turned the volume all the way up, and sped out onto the road.
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