The author of this book explores sensitive themes brilliantly. An excellent, contemporary young adult book that gives the reader greater insight into what HIV really is.

Simone has HIV. That's not the same as having AIDS. She's not sick, she takes medication, she needs to keep her viral load down so that the virus is undetectable. She also has a crush on boy and is beginning to wonder ... when, if and can she ever have sex?

Simone has also recently changed schools. Things didn't work out so well in her last place. Not only was she one of the few black girls, but once other people found out that she was HIV positive they started calling a slut, parents called for her to be expelled and she no longer felt comfortable. She wants to tell people her biggest secret, but is terrified they will react in the same way.

Simone is a great character - she's dealt with massive hardships and problems. There are times when she's been really unwell but, with the help of her two Dads, has powered through adversity. That explains why it can be hard for her to trust, or she doesn't always make the best decisions but sometimes that leads to her being such an irrational teenager that it makes it a little hard to love her.

There are two main parts to the plot of this book - her growing relationship with Miles and the aggressive and frightening notes that she receives, threatening to out her as HIV positive. The second part in some ways should take priority, but it doesn't always - the fear and anxiety around it is often forgotten when I really felt that it should be more pressing.

I did love, however, the responsible and informative attitude that this whole story takes towards being HIV positive. I really hope I wouldn't be nasty or judgemental about someone who was positive, but I did find this really informative. I hope its set aside any unconscious, or ignorant, biases I may have unknowingly held.

That being said, it's part of what made the story feel somewhat unrealistic - there was a lot of support and positivity, not just around HIV (mainly from Simone's family and friends), but also towards feminism, racism and incredibly sex and sexuality positive. It's great to read that but cynical Hannah feels it can be too good to be true.

For so many audiences, this can be a really powerful and important story. A huge part of it focused on respect - for yourself, for others' experiences and for your own experiences.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Simone was born with HIV and has spent her life trying to live as normally as possibly whilst keeping her condition a secret from everyone else. At a new school, she joins the theatre group and ends up falling in love.

This was a powerful story about living with HIV, and brought me a new perspective. How must it feel to live your life, knowing that people will judge you for an illness that isn't your fault? How can you find the courage to be accepted for who you are?

A YA novel about growing up HIV+ with adopted dads? I'm all here for this. Plus, the character is directing her high school performance of the musical Rent? Even better. This book could have easily felt like an 'after school special' from the early 90s, but it really brings this kind of story up to date to show how much (and how little) has changed for those living a positive life these days. Touching on bullying, desire, 'undetectable equals untransmittable' and the persistent lack of education around HIV/AIDS, this is a great book for teens and adults to read. I really applaud Camryn Garrett for writing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it offers a rare viewpoint of a teenager living with HIV and the struggles she faces as a result of her condition.

Simone is a teenager who is just starting at a new school, which is bad enough, but she was also born with HIV.

This is the reason for having to change schools in the first place and she is understandably wary of telling any of her new friends of this condition. In fact, nobody at the new school knows about this . . .or do they?
When Simone starts to date someone at her new school, she receives a note telling her to stay away or they will tell everyone about her condition.

What should Simone do and what will Simone do? Two very different options.

This is truly representative of the world that we now live in. Not everything or everyone fit neatly in to a box anymore and the author has done a fantastic job of giving all of the characters a strong voice.

There are subjects covered here that I haven't seen in any other YA books in such an honest way and people of all ages will learn a lot from this amazing, realistic and sensitive book.

At times, a very difficult book to read, due to the rawness and openness of the topics but this is absolutely not a bad thing.
I felt every single emotion going but there were plenty of real laugh out loud moments.

I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, and the representation of a HIV positive MC in a YA book is great! Its main failing is trying to do too much, and pack too many #issues into the story. Focus on one thing, and do it well! I am also just tired of blackmail plots within YA novels - get a new conflict for your plot guys!

Simone is starting over at her new school; this time it will be different. In this quest for a fresh start is one secret she hopes to keep, due to past experience: that she is HIV positive. Full Disclosure explores the ideas of fear and prejudice within the community, and self-acceptance in navigating life, love, lust, and life's most formative moments. It's a brilliant and powerful book, excellent writing, and a fantastic and well-rounded protagonist in Simone.

4.5 stars rounded up because this book is so important, for so many reasons. Ownvoices POC stories are so important and made me realise how rarely a read a book about black characters, written by a black author. I loved the frank and honest discussions of sexuality, sex, and HIV. A very refreshing YA novel.

I liked this book, I thought is was well written and the story delivered in a very responsible way. The character Simone had depth and you really got to know her through the story. I would have liked to have seen more interactions with her friends and learnt a bit more about them but that is just a personal preference. A good young adult read.

I found this book "ploddy' and didn't ever really go anywhere. There were glimpses of the potential but never developed

I thought that I had reviewed this book though obviously not so here goes. My thanks go to Netgalley and Penguin publishers for passing me an ARC version of this book. I did have mixed feelings though impressed that this was an original subject, which is why I really wanted to read the book. The story explores the main character, Simone and her feelings as she navigates the world of dating while having an HIV positive diagnosis. It's aimed at young adult readers though the subject matter is handled sensitively.

Interesting how life can imitate art as one aspect of the book that I found unrealistic where her father accompanies her to a Gynae appointment, I read that an actor in real life does this with his daughter albeit for different reasons.

I would recommend to readers who are interested in an original read around these subject matters.

I received a copy of this book in return for my independent honest review. Thank you
What a great premise. A Gay couple adopts their daughter who is HIV positive from birth and continues to support her as she approaches
adulthood with all the consequences that her .medical condition brings. Especially with regards to her sexuality.
A work of fiction that educates a YA Audience about medical facts on HIV and the emotions that come with knowing you are infected with the virus since birth and coping with teenage issues on top of this diagnosis. It also covers bullying and biased opinions.
I felt that this book covered this very well and is something the majority of teenagers should read. It is very informative and current with regards HIV.

I loved Simone as a character, she accepts her status with good Grace and responsibly and I felt as if I was really being taken on this journey with her.
My only point of criticism is that the storyline felt a little disjointed at times and the language a little too simplified even for a YA audience. Obviously this is only my opinion and I don't belong to the target age group.
Nevertheless this is a very good book, full of good advice,emotion and goes a long way to expose biased views on this subject matter.

This was an engaging read, even if it's jarringly caught in two time zones. This world is fully accepting of diversity in gender and sexuality, yet it's attitudes to HIV are rooted in 1990? It was nice to see a story about an adopted character that didn't focus on finding their "real" family and I did find it informative. Sick of books about theatre kids though!

A powerful book that left me reeling for days. I loved the writing style the story theme was so relevant and it has taken the spot of my 2nd favourite book
Keep on writing such amazing works of fiction please.

Simone is, in so many ways, your typical teen. And in others, she’s not. In ‘Full Disclosure’ we get what is best describe as a ‘warts-and-all’ insight into her life.
Early on we’re told Simone has HIV. We get a lot of information about the practicalities of living with this, but we also get to look at the emotional support offered to teens in this situation. Simone is also a black girl, adopted by two gay men, who is exploring her sexuality. There’s a lot to take in.
Although raising awareness of our attitudes to HIV seems to be high on the agenda, the main story focuses us on Simone trying to work out how she feels about Miles and her directing a school production.
There’s a lot going on in this story. Simone and her friends are refreshingly frank in their discussions about sex and relationships, and the focus on her growing feelings for Miles is probably what many readers will empathise with. I felt the way the narrator showed Simone getting on with her life was such a positive message, and yet the prejudice shown by many of the characters highlights just how necessary this story is.
Thanks to NetGalley for granting me access to this in exchange for my thoughts.

FULL REVIEW: https://wordsunfilteredbys.com/2019/12/24/full-disclosure/

well, FULL DISCLOSURE wasn’t entirely what i expected.

it was like a storm brewing with the sun crawling up, followed by a pretty rainbow at the end. this book was slightly reminiscent of LOVE, SIMON in some ways — including a kinda shitty person forcing a character to come out. like, why do some people just love to assume another person’s sexuality or think they know everything?

at first, i wasn’t a huge fan of the book, it was great and all, but i could feel myself getting a little bored and found some of it a little repetitive. Simone, as much as i like her as a character, felt a little bit annoying. but towards the latter half of the novel, i actually began to enjoy it

Just wow!! Loved this book. Different to what I have read before but an excellent and well written and thought out book. Great storyline with characters to really fall for. Life really is like this for some people. Most enjoyable, serious but quite lighthearted at the same time.

Full Disclosure is a likeable YA with great queer representation. It's also the first fiction book I've ever read with a HIV-positive protagonist which is fab. The romance is cute and the characters really feel like teens. I love the concept, and whilst the some of the plot lines didn't feel fully developed or interesting to me, I'm glad this book exists!

I absolutely loved this book. It's so important, and while the fact that the main character is HIV positive is a huge theme, it's not the only thing the book is about - which is exactly the opening this book will fill in a collection.