Jennifer Dugan’s Some Girls Do is a heartfelt, beautifully written YA queer romance that explores what it means to live your truth in a world that often makes that difficult. Blending tenderness with tension, it tells the story of two very different girls one out and proud, the other still finding her courage whose love challenges both their fears and the expectations placed upon them.
Morgan, an openly gay track star, is forced to transfer high schools after her Catholic school’s code of conduct deems her sexuality unacceptable. She enters her new school determined to live honestly, without apology or compromise. Ruby, on the other hand, spends her days restoring classic cars and competing in beauty pageants to satisfy her controlling mother. While Morgan has embraced her identity, Ruby hides hers, terrified of what coming out might cost her. When the two meet, their connection is instant but complicated: Morgan refuses to hide, and Ruby isn’t ready to be seen.
Dugan captures their emotional tug-of-war with honesty and compassion. The romance unfolds slowly, full of longing glances, sharp misunderstandings, and moments of genuine vulnerability. It’s not just a story of first love it’s a story about self-discovery, agency, and the courage to be visible. The chemistry between Morgan and Ruby feels real, their dynamic a reflection of the messy, often contradictory emotions of teenage love.
What sets Some Girls Do apart from many YA romances is how skillfully it handles heavier themes without losing warmth or humor. Dugan doesn’t shy away from the realities of homophobia, emotional abuse, or the pressure to conform. Ruby’s relationship with her mother is both heartbreaking and believable, a portrait of control masquerading as care. Her bond with Billy, her former stepfather, is one of the most touching aspects of the book a gentle reminder that family can be chosen as much as inherited.
Morgan, in contrast, struggles with her own impatience and sense of righteousness. Her determination to live authentically is inspiring, but it also blinds her at times to Ruby’s pain. Their conflicts are frustrating in the best way, because they come from a place of love and misunderstanding rather than contrived drama. Dugan allows both girls to be flawed and human, and that’s what makes their relationship so engaging.
The side characters also bring warmth and depth. Morgan’s work as a peer counselor and her interactions with other queer teens, like Danny, broaden the story’s emotional landscape. The school’s Pride Club discussions touch on topics such as consent, race, and inclusivity within queer spaces subjects often ignored in YA fiction but handled here with nuance and respect.
Dugan’s writing is smooth and vivid, capturing the ache and sweetness of adolescence without resorting to clichés. While some readers might wish for a longer conclusion or more closure for certain secondary characters, the ending feels true to life: hopeful, but not too tidy. The book’s message is clear coming out looks different for everyone, and bravery takes many forms.
Some Girls Do is ultimately about the intersection of love, identity, and authenticity. It’s a tender, occasionally painful, but always hopeful story about two girls learning that loving yourself can be the hardest and most rewarding race you’ll ever run. Fans of sapphic romance, character-driven storytelling, and emotionally grounded YA fiction will find plenty to love here.
Final Verdict: A sincere, empowering, and deeply relatable queer love story that celebrates courage, acceptance, and the messy beauty of first love.
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