Review: Full Disclosure

Full Disclosure
Camryn Garrett
288 pages
Releases October 29, 2019 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
⭐⭐⭐

Look at that beautiful cover! The colors and font attracted me immediately, and the novel's description drew me in even more as the book covers a sensitive topic that I've never seen before in a YA novel... HIV. Simone was born with the virus, which she contracted through her birth mother, and is being raised by her two dads.

Simone is a character unlike any other that I've seen in a young adult novel and not just because she is HIV positive... although, imagine all the kids with HIV who are going to pick up this book and finally see themselves represented; what a happy thought. Simone is real. She thinks like a teen, acts and speaks like a teen, has insecurities and ambitions like a teen. She is probably one of the most realistic characters I've read thus far in YA.

The book does lose a couple point from me for the first half.  The first half of the book focused nearly 100% on sex. Simone and her friends talk about it, they have it with their significant others, the shop for sex accouterments... I'm not saying real teenagers don't do these things, but they do do other things! Luckily, the second half of the book focuses more on Simone's work as director of her school musical, her support group, and of course, her adorable romance with Miles, who is probably one of the top ten book boyfriends ever. Ever! If you find yourself rolling your eyes in the first half, please keep reading. The end of the book makes up for it, I promise.

Let's talk about the treatment of HIV in the book. I read a review that implied it came off flippant and this could not be farther from the truth! From the first chapter, when Simone visits the doctor for one of her regular checkups, the virus is treated seriously. It is made excruciatingly clear throughout the book by Simone's doctors and her parents what to do when it comes to sex, and that you must disclose to your partner that you are HIV positive. In addition, Simone and her support group discuss several aspects of having the virus. The book is lighthearted despite the topic and has several moments of levity and laughs, but HIV and HIV patients are always treated with the respect they deserve.

Finally, I want to add a note here about the author, Camryn Garrett. She has quite an impressive bio which is even more impressive when you take into account she sold this book to the publisher when she was only seventeen years old! This must be why her characters came across as such realistic teenagers - she still is one! I will be keeping my eyes peeled for more books by Garrett.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me the review copy of Full Disclosure. You can preorder the book now through the publisher, Amazon, or your favorite bookstore. Full Disclosure will release on October 29, 2019 and will be the perfect way to pass a sunny (or cloudy) fall day.