Those who consider YA novels according to the handling and breakthrough value of their messages will give [Happy Endings Are All Alike] a high rating for depicting an unambiguous, freely accepted lesbian relationship, with a brutal rape to muster outrage, a moral battle bravely undertaken, and—except perhaps for the police chief—false stereotypes carefully avoided. (Both girls are pretty, had swell mothers, don't "hate men," etc.) What's more, none of it creaks; Scoppettone is a master of smooth, soapy readability. With all that, it's probably too much to ask that the "mature" subject matter be matched with any depth of observation or genuine literary imagination.
A review of "Happy Endings Are All Alike," in Kirkus Reviews (copyright © 1978 The Kirkus Service, Inc.), Vol. XLVI, No. 18, September 15, 1978, p. 1022.
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