Down to the Bone Paperback – July 10, 2012

How mortified would you be if one of your teachers read one of your private notes or letters out loud in front of the class? Take that mortification times one hundred, and that's what happens to Laura Amores on the last day of class. Except this letter is from her girlfriend and describes in detail their forbidden love. By the end of the school day, previous friends have deserted her, the nuns at her school have expelled her, and her mother has kicked her out of the house. At least until she changes her ways and falls in love with a boy.Thankfully, Laura (who has many nicknames throughout the story) has a good friend in Soli and her mother, Viva. They let Laura stay with them indefinitely.The story only gets worse for Laura. The girl she is in love with leaves Miami for Cuba. To add pain to heartache, Marlena tells Laura over the phone that she realizes their love was wrong and sinful and she is going to marry the man her family wants her to wed.Laura struggles throughout the book to come to terms with who she is. She has dated boys in the past, but only Marlena has sent sparks through her body. Is she gay? Is she bi-sexual? Was it only Marlena that caused these feelings?Laura meets many interesting people during the course of the story. They all help Laura define who she is and who she will become. She is determined to win back her mother's love. But in the end, is it really so important to have someone love who they want you to be but not who you are? Laura struggles with society's negative opinions of anyone not heterosexual or who is different from the norm.Ms. Dole is a fresh new voice in the GLBTQ genre. She speaks frankly about the issue for teens to grasp and understand. The story is not always easy to read, but it's one that you'll be glad that you have. It will bring a deeper understanding of those that may seem different than you, but who just want to be loved and understood like everyone should be.Reviewed by: Jaglvr

I have never read a more "teenager" book in all my life. It was just angst and staring off into the distance contemplating, while grownups over reacted to everything. the only reason I gave it two stars is because the main character is Cuban, and I liked the way the language was used throughout the story.

I really enjoyed the book and was happy that Shai learned to accept herself as the strong, loving young woman she always knew she was. As a Hispanic woman I can relate having been thrown out of the house at 16 after being outed by an uncle. Most of my white Lesbian friends can't understand why we still love our mothers after such an experience, and all I can respond is with sherry mother. I am hoping that in these times and age, less of our young Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans youth suffer through this same pain.

I didn't enjoy the book. Surprised it got published. No real story line just same conversation over and over. If I had purchased it hard back I would return it I kept skipping and skipping over pages on talk, talk and same thing. I kept looking for some action. Sorry to be so negative but you asked.

Shai is brave in her exploration of relationships and in how she never follows the rules regardless of the consequences. This is a powerful and at times hilarious novel that fascinates not only in its sprinkled use of Cuban colloquialisms and dialect, but in the extremely diverse set of characters that one may never meet in a lifetime. I delved into a colorful, honest world known to few outsiders and Shai won me over. Compelling. Wish there was a sequel!

This book is an amazing and realistic read. I loved the characters and became invested in their well being. I keep rereading this book. Author Mayra Lazara Dole brings to life realities faced by LGBT*Q communities and provides a view into the intersections of sexual/romantic orientation with faith, family and ethnicity. I strongly recommend this book to all who are looking for an AMAZING read.

I bought the book with high hope because I've read so many positive reviews here. The book was such a let down. The only thing I liked about the storyline is that there are some funny moments, that's all.I liked the writing style of the author but hated her storyline. One of the things I didn't like about the book was that it didn't let me get to know the main girl and her love interest but instead it jumped into them being together and in love. Because I didn't know about their story, it was hard to imagine how much they loved each other. Then boom boom bang, the story began. The author spent first half of the book letting us know how the main girl missed and loved her ex-girlfriend, the second half was about her forcefully dated a guy and made out with a "boi". In the very end, there were two pages about main girl dates another girl she's interested to, no development romance at all!!I know it's hard to write a good story, I respect the author for trying her best to write this book but I couldn't bring myself to like it.

I loved reading Down to the Bone (paperback) because it drew me in and touched my heart. I learned a lot about Miami Cuban culture. Mayra Lazara Dole is a vibrant and passionate writer. I didn't want it to end. Highly recommended!

Didn't like this book,the wrighting style was really childish and i couldnt finish it because it felt as if it was aimed at a kid.