Get ready for one of the best books of the year: Full Disclosure. Camryn Garrett is here to compel you fully.



In a community that isn't always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love--and lust--for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.

Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real--shy kisses escalating into much more--she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.

Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on...



As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.

First things first: Full Disclosure is a remarkable standout. In my entire lifetime, I've never seen such a poignant exploration of what it means to be living HIV positive. Camryn Garrett is one of THE next great literary voices and if she wasn't on your radar already, she will be after this one is released. Not only is Full Disclosure one of the best debuts of the year--it is one of the best books of the year, period.

It takes a lot out of an author to craft stories with such care and honesty. Not everyone is up for the task, but Garrett does so beautifully. There's a line you simply cannot cross. There's a reality behind every sentence. There are facts that need to be represented with illnesses. Most importantly, every work of fiction can represent something in reality. For a book to discuss so much, so frankly, in such a small window of time, is a triumph. Full Disclosure is a rare read, indeed, for this reason alone.

Not only does it tackle the stigma and facts, and dismantle falsehoods of the disease, surrounding HIV, it touts a diverse cast that is nothing short of lively. Simone is one of the best lead characters I've read in recent memory--determined, hopeful, and so deserving of all good things in this life. I loved reading her journey and watching as she found her footing, chased her dreams, and made life her own. Further, the relationships explored within Full Disclosure felt real and complex in a really wonderful kind of way.

At its core, Full Disclosure is a truly stunning coming of age story that explores many true to life topics: sexuality in a positive and realistic manner, living a life with an illness so heavily misunderstood and unrepresented, and the subtle threatening nature our peers might have upon our happiness. It explores all forms of relationships in this life and does so with a tenderness that still remains blunt with honesty.

(It also hits a personal sweet spot for me in referencing musicals. We all know THAT is my true love.)

Full Disclosure is about many things. Mostly, it's about coming of age, living your life, and reflecting on the relationships we gain--or lose--on the way. The amount of life we witness in Full Disclosure should be applauded and admired. I'll say it again: Camryn Garrett is the voice/author to look out for.

In short? I loved seeing such a wonderful portrayal of the HIV virus. I loved that this didn't feel like a cardboard cut-out exploration of hard hitting topics and instead felt full of life and its diversity. It is hands down one of the most realistic YA releases of all time and should absolutely be added to everyone's TBR.