With one parent incarcerated and the other struggling with addiction, 17-year-old Kody lives with Nanny, his maternal grandmother, in her Morgan, Kentucky, modular home. Between watching The Golden Girls, church on Sundays, and working on sewing projects together, the two have a lot in common. But, close as they are, Nanny doesn’t know Kody’s greatest secrets: He’s gay, and he has a ritual Dolly Dress-Up Hour when she’s not home. A third secret comes to light when a surprise Facebook message connects Kody, who is White, with Macey, the 15-year-old half sister he knew nothing about. Yet another surprise for Kody, given that the town is almost entirely White, is that Macey’s late father was Black. The siblings meet across state lines where Macey lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and get to know each other. Macey believes she might be bisexual, and her family’s casual acceptance surprises Kody. But the more they connect, the more Kody’s personal secrets—and his family’s own closely kept secrets—begin to unravel. Watts’ latest contemporary Appalachian story movingly melds identity exploration with more prominent themes of addiction, family, faith, and racism. Though she doesn’t skirt away from uncomfortable situations or harsh realities, the overall tone is hopeful—not unlike a Dolly Parton song itself. Although the end of the novel feels too rushed, the rural setting and community are richly drawn.

A would-be “Backwoods Barbie” tale with a whole lot of heart. (Fiction. 14-18)
(Kirk's Reviews)

With one parent incarcerated and the other struggling with addiction, 17-year-old Kody lives with Nanny, his maternal grandmother, in her Morgan, Kentucky, modular home. Between watching The Golden Girls, church on Sundays, and working on sewing projects together, the two have a lot in common. But, close as they are, Nanny doesn’t know Kody’s greatest secrets: He’s gay, and he has a ritual Dolly Dress-Up Hour when she’s not home. A third secret comes to light when a surprise Facebook message connects Kody, who is White, with Macey, the 15-year-old half sister he knew nothing about. Yet another surprise for Kody, given that the town is almost entirely White, is that Macey’s late father was Black. The siblings meet across state lines where Macey lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and get to know each other. Macey believes she might be bisexual, and her family’s casual acceptance surprises Kody. But the more they connect, the more Kody’s personal secrets—and his family’s own closely kept secrets—begin to unravel. Watts’ latest contemporary Appalachian story movingly melds identity exploration with more prominent themes of addiction, family, faith, and racism. Though she doesn’t skirt away from uncomfortable situations or harsh realities, the overall tone is hopeful—not unlike a Dolly Parton song itself. Although the end of the novel feels too rushed, the rural setting and community are richly drawn.

A would-be “Backwoods Barbie” tale with a whole lot of heart. (Fiction. 14-18)
(Kirkus Reviews)

A book about fabric arts? This knitter/crocheter appreciates that! Plus, I loved the main character. I plan to add this to my classroom library this fall and feature it as my first "book of the week" recommendation. I think there are several students who may be able to relate to this story.

Wow. I can’t believe this book has been lingering on my tbr stack for so long and when I finally started reading it I could not put it down. I literally read the entire first half of the book before even putting a bookmark in the book.

This book is beautifully written and the characters feel so real. I can’t imagine anybody not loving sweet Kody. He spends most of his time with his grandmother and loves Golden girls and Dolly Parton. He’s the kindest, most loyal guy and he’s always the one taking care of everyone else. He doesn’t expect anyone to love him just as he is. He keeps the fact that he’s gay a secret because he doesn’t want to upset his grandmother who is his caregiver. Kody’s mom is absolutely heartbreaking. His mom has addiction issues. She’s not able to care for Kody or his little brother. She’s not able to care for herself. But Kody’s grandmother makes sure her daughter has food on the table, a roof over her head and that her utilities are on. And Kody tries his best to help his mother sober up. Poor kid. Kody does not get to be a teenager.

Kody lives in a very small town. It’s very poor, it’s very religious. Kody really doesn’t judge anyone harshly for anything. My heart broke for Kody, he’s good to absolutely everyone and expects nothing in return.

One day a stranger reaches out to him on social media and it changes his life in every possible way. I won’t spoil it by saying who it is or the secrets that get uncovered as a result. But the secrets do cause Kody to wonder whether his life can be more than it already is.

This book is very sad at times but very hopeful at other times and it’s just absolutely beautifully written. ( )

A gentle and perceptive look at two issues people in small town rural America would like to ignore, addiction and gay teens. Kody is insulated from some of this with his time taken up by a love of knitting with his grandmother, singing along with Dolly Parton records, and trying to help his addicted mom. There's comfort in this routine as well as heartbreak and stress, but when he connects with a Black girl who claims to be his half sister and accepts him for who he truly is, Kody's world begins to expand and take on added color. There's no neatly wrapped happy ending here, but you come away satisfied and rooting for Kody. It's a book deserving of a place in any libary where teens dealing with family addiction, or gender issues are valued. ( )