"The romance stories in Lorimer's Real Love series reflect the diverse world teens live in--at a reading level for emerging readers. Unlike children's books available at a similar reading levels, the series is meant for young adults and offers more mature themes and characters to appeal to that audience. The four books reviewed feature protagonists who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. You're You tells the story of Freyja, a passionate activist and leader in the LGBTQA+ community. When her girlfriend breaks up with her, she throws herself into volunteering at a local food bank to cope. There she meets Sanjay and finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him. In True to You, Jorge is expelled from school for fighting, comes out to his parents, pursues his interest in professional wrestling, and falls in love with Thom. The companion novels, Just Julian and Romeo for Real, mimic the character names and whirlwind romance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Bullying, homophobia, depression, and teen drinking are prominent in both books. "All four books provide the fast-moving, linear stories, and straightforward language that is typical of high-low texts, and all sacrifice some story to fit the format. The characters are believable, and their insecurities, search for acceptance, and navigation of identity and romance will resonate with readers. Flawed choices, peer pressure, and intolerance add to the credibility. You're You, Just Julian, and Romeo for Real keep tight focus on a short time frame, which fuels the tumbling, rushing blue of teen romance and engages readers. The stories flow smoothly and quickly, and the chemistry between characters leaves the page. True to You, however, makes bigger leaps, glossing over plot points and leaving readers disconnected. Intense moments lose their intensity in shallow, expository storytelling.
Parts of Just Julian feel fantastical, but those utopian elements are balanced by the sometimes violently homophobic world around them. Although occasionally heavy-handed in addressing social issues, the books effectively use the characters to contemplate when how, and how loudly people should speak out. The consequences of prejudice and the search for acceptance, both from the wider society and within LGBTQA+ communities ring true. Additionally, they help to broaden the range of experiences represented in the romance genre, moving beyond the white, heterosexual characters normally seen. This series is worth consideration in young adult collections."--VOYA.