Juliet Takes a Breath

There are discussions of sexual assault and a scene of young men sexually harassing a young woman in a grocery store.

Detailed scenes of kissing and lovemaking between two women, sexual fantasies, masturbation, and periods, as well as extensive discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. There is an excellent example of a consent conversation.

The words "f--k," "s--t," "d--k," the C-word, and "damn" are used. A book called Raging Flower: Empowering Your P---y by Empowering Your Mind is featured heavily in the story; "p---y" is used frequently, beginning on Page 1.

Adults from college age up drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and smoke pot in numerous scenes, all presented in a positive, casual light. Several characters use pot as a remedy for menstrual symptoms. (The story is set in 2003, so this pot use is illegal.)

Parents need to know that Juliet Takes a Breath tells the story of a Puerto Rican American lesbian college student from the Bronx who comes out to her family and moves to Portland, Oregon, for an internship with a feminist author. There are detailed descriptions of kissing and lovemaking between women, sexual fantasies, sexual arousal, masturbation, and periods, as well as extensive discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity and an excellent example of a consent conversation. Adults from college age up drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and smoke pot in numerous scenes, all presented in a positive, casual light. Several characters use pot as a remedy for menstrual symptoms. The story is set in 2003, so this pot use is illegal. There is discussion of sexual assault and a scene where young men sexually harass a young woman in a grocery store. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "d--k," "c--t," and "damn," "p---y."