Secrets and New Beginnings

Coley, reeling from her mother's suicide, is uprooted from San Diego and sent to live with her estranged father, Curtis, in rural Oregon. She's haunted by secrets—her mother's, her own, and the ones she can't yet name. The move is not just geographical but emotional, as Coley is forced to confront her grief, her sense of not belonging, and the gnawing feeling that she's fundamentally different from everyone around her. The story opens with Coley's internal monologue about secrets and the pain of pretending to be "fine." She's thrust into a new life with a father she barely knows, in a town that feels alien, and with a heart full of questions about who she is and whether happiness is even possible for someone like her.

Out of Place

Coley's discomfort in her new home is palpable. The Oregon wilderness is a stark contrast to the city life she knew, and her relationship with Curtis is awkward and distant. She's angry, lonely, and resentful, feeling abandoned by both parents—one by death, the other by absence. Curtis tries, in his clumsy way, to encourage her to make friends, but Coley is resistant, convinced she'll never fit in. The house is full of reminders of her mother, and every attempt at normalcy feels forced. Coley's grief is raw, and her sense of isolation is deepened by the unfamiliarity of her surroundings and the emotional distance between her and her father.

Collision at the Arcade

A chance encounter changes everything: Coley is nearly run over by a minivan driven by Trenton, with Sonya and friends inside. The incident is chaotic but electric—especially when Coley locks eyes with Sonya, a magnetic, beautiful girl who immediately stands out. The group invites Coley to join them at the lake, and despite her reluctance, she's drawn in by Sonya's energy. This moment is the catalyst for the summer's events, as Coley is pulled into a new social circle and, more importantly, into Sonya's orbit. The chemistry between the girls is immediate, but so is the tension—Coley is guarded, Sonya is bold, and both are hiding more than they reveal.

Lake Day Initiations

Coley's introduction to Sonya's friend group is both exhilarating and humiliating. At the lake, Trenton's toxic masculinity is on full display as he throws Coley into the water, testing her boundaries and the group's dynamics. Sonya, meanwhile, oscillates between inclusion and distance, her attention both a balm and a source of confusion for Coley. The day is a microcosm of small-town life: cliques, casual cruelty, and the desperate need to belong. Coley's outsider status is reinforced, but so is her fascination with Sonya, who seems to be at the center of everything yet somehow apart from it all.

Unpacking Grief

Back home, Coley is confronted by the physical and emotional remnants of her mother. Unpacking boxes becomes an act of mourning, each object a trigger for memories and regrets. The tension with Curtis simmers—he's trying to connect, but the gulf between them is wide. Coley's grief is complicated by guilt and anger, and her mother's absence is a constant ache. The discovery of her mother's old jacket becomes a symbol of both comfort and pain, a tangible link to a past that feels irretrievably lost. Coley's struggle is not just with her new environment, but with the question of how to move forward when the past is so present.

Making and Breaking Connections

Coley and Sonya's relationship deepens through a series of shared experiences—shoplifting, biking, confessions, and late-night conversations. Yet, every step forward is met with setbacks: misunderstandings, jealousy, and the ever-present specter of Sonya's on-again, off-again relationship with Trenton. The girls' connection is electric but fraught, as both are navigating their own fears and insecurities. Sonya is charismatic but evasive, Coley is vulnerable but guarded. The push-pull relationship dynamics intensify, with moments of intimacy quickly followed by withdrawal or denial. The group's social politics—especially Trenton's possessiveness and Brooke's jealousy—further complicate matters.

Shoplifting and Train Tracks

A shoplifting escapade at 7-Eleven cements Coley and Sonya's bond, leading to a private moment on the train tracks where vulnerability and attraction surface. The girls share secrets, play truth or dare, and begin to lower their defenses. The train tracks become a recurring symbol—a place of danger, transition, and possibility. Here, the girls can be themselves, away from the prying eyes and expectations of their peers. The risk of being caught, both literally and metaphorically, heightens the intensity of their connection. It's a space where the rules are suspended, and the possibility of something more is tantalizingly close.

Family Portraits and Fractures

Coley's relationship with Curtis is tested as they confront the realities of their fractured family. Old photographs and mementos force both to reckon with the past—Curtis's absence, her mother's struggles, and the ways they've both failed and been failed. The process is painful but necessary, as they begin to tentatively rebuild trust. Meanwhile, Sonya's own family dynamics are revealed: a demanding mother, a distant father, and a younger sister she adores. Both girls are products of broken homes, and their attempts to find belonging with each other are shadowed by the fear of repeating old patterns of abandonment and disappointment.

Dance, Desire, and Denial

Sonya's world of competitive dance is both a source of pride and pressure. She performs for her mother's approval, but her true self is hidden behind routines and trophies. As her relationship with Coley intensifies, so do her fears—of being outed, of losing her family, of not being "normal." Their physical closeness—dancing, sleepovers, tentative touches—brings both joy and anxiety. Sonya's denial of her feelings, and her insistence that what's happening is "just friendship," becomes a source of pain for Coley. The tension between desire and denial is palpable, and the threat of exposure looms large.

Poison Oak and Sleepovers

A misadventure with poison oak leads to an intimate night—literally and figuratively—between Coley and Sonya. Forced to help each other with treatment and then sharing a bed, the girls' physical and emotional boundaries blur. The night is charged with longing and fear, as both are acutely aware of what's at stake. The next morning, the aftermath is awkward, with unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air. The sleepover becomes a turning point: a moment of closeness that makes subsequent distance and denial even more painful. It's clear that what's between them is more than friendship, but neither is ready to fully admit it.

Summer Parties and Absinthe

A barn party with the group escalates tensions. Trenton's possessiveness and aggression come to a head, and Sonya's inability to stand up to him frustrates Coley. The introduction of Faith, an older, openly queer girl, serves as both a warning and a mirror—showing what's possible, but also what's at risk. The party ends in chaos, with the group fleeing the police and suffering the consequences (poison oak, again). The night exposes the fault lines in the group and in Coley and Sonya's relationship. The pressure to conform, the fear of being different, and the desire for acceptance all collide.

Truth or Dare

A game of truth or dare on the train tracks becomes a moment of raw honesty. Coley admits her greatest fear—dying alone—while Sonya is forced to confront her own inability to be vulnerable. The game strips away pretense, revealing the depth of their connection and the pain they both carry. It's a moment of possibility, but also of risk: the more they reveal, the more they have to lose. The truth is both liberating and terrifying, and the dare—to be honest, to be brave—lingers long after the game ends.

Betrayal and Distance

The fragile trust between Coley and Sonya shatters when Coley learns that Sonya has shared her most painful secret—her mother's suicide—with others. The betrayal is devastating, compounding Coley's sense of isolation and confirming her fear that she can't trust anyone. Sonya, wracked with guilt but unable to fully own her actions, retreats further into denial and self-loathing. The girls drift apart, each trying to cope in their own way—Coley through work and tentative new friendships, Sonya through dance and distraction. The distance is both a relief and a wound, as both struggle to move on.

Healing and Self-Discovery

Coley finds solace and purpose in her job at Makoto's, where she's welcomed into a found family of coworkers. The restaurant becomes a place of healing, where she can be herself without fear or shame. She begins to rebuild her relationship with Curtis, and small acts of kindness and understanding help mend old wounds. Through new experiences—piercings, music, shared meals—Coley starts to rediscover joy and a sense of self-worth. The process is slow and nonlinear, but it's a crucial step toward healing. She learns that love—of self, of others—requires honesty, boundaries, and the courage to let go.

Facing the Past

Coley and Curtis confront their shared history, acknowledging the pain and failures that have shaped them. Honest conversations replace avoidance, and both begin to forgive—not just each other, but themselves. Coley realizes that her mother's love, though imperfect, was real, and that her own worth is not defined by abandonment or loss. Curtis, in turn, commits to being present and supportive, making up for lost time. The past can't be changed, but it can be understood, and the possibility of a new kind of family emerges. Forgiveness becomes an act of self-preservation as much as reconciliation.

Reunion and Reckoning

Sonya's return from dance camp brings the unresolved tension between her and Coley to the surface. A chance encounter at the restaurant forces a confrontation—both with each other and with the truth of their feelings. Sonya, still struggling with internalized shame and fear of rejection, vacillates between declarations of love and retreat into denial. Coley, stronger now, refuses to be pulled back into the cycle of hurt. The reunion is bittersweet, marked by longing, regret, and the recognition that love alone is not enough if it's not accompanied by honesty and courage.

Standing Up, Letting Go

A final party becomes the crucible for change. Trenton's violence toward Sonya is met with Coley's fierce defense—she physically intervenes, standing up for Sonya and, symbolically, for herself. The confrontation is a breaking point: Sonya can no longer deny the truth, and Coley refuses to accept anything less than real love and respect. The aftermath is messy—friendships are tested, wounds are exposed, and the cost of honesty is clear. But it's also a moment of liberation, as both girls are forced to choose: continue the cycle of fear and denial, or step into the light of self-acceptance.

Choosing Love, Choosing Self

In the end, Sonya finds the courage to stop running. She chooses Coley, not in secret or shame, but openly and with conviction. Coley, in turn, chooses herself—refusing to settle for half-measures or hidden love. Their reunion is tender and triumphant, a testament to the power of vulnerability and the necessity of self-love. The story closes with the promise of a new beginning: not a perfect happily-ever-after, but a real, hard-won happiness built on honesty, mutual respect, and the willingness to fight for love—even, and especially, when it's hard.

Characters

Coley

Coley is the novel's protagonist, a biracial (Asian/white) teen uprooted by her mother's suicide and forced to live with her estranged father in rural Oregon. She's introspective, guarded, and deeply wounded by loss and abandonment. Coley's journey is one of self-discovery—navigating grief, sexuality, and the longing for connection. Her relationship with Sonya is both a source of healing and pain, as she learns to set boundaries and demand honesty. Coley's arc is about reclaiming agency: moving from passive suffering to active self-love, and from isolation to chosen family. Her resilience and vulnerability make her a compelling lens through which the story's themes of identity, trust, and healing are explored.

Sonya

Sonya is the magnetic center of her friend group—beautiful, talented, and seemingly confident. Beneath the surface, she's wracked by insecurity, internalized homophobia, and the pressure to perform for her family and peers. Sonya's relationship with Coley is transformative but terrifying; she's drawn to Coley's authenticity but afraid of what it means for her own identity. Her journey is one of painful growth: confronting her fears, owning her mistakes, and ultimately choosing to love herself and Coley openly. Sonya embodies the struggle between desire and denial, and her arc is a nuanced portrayal of the costs and rewards of coming out—not just to others, but to oneself.

Curtis

Curtis is Coley's absentee father, a musician and jeweler who's forced into parenthood by tragedy. Awkward, well-meaning, and haunted by regret, Curtis struggles to connect with his daughter and atone for past failures. His arc is about learning to be present, to listen, and to build trust through consistent action rather than grand gestures. Curtis's relationship with Coley is fraught but ultimately redemptive, as both learn to forgive and accept each other. He represents the possibility of healing old wounds and the importance of chosen family.

Trenton

Trenton is Sonya's on-again, off-again boyfriend—a manipulative, possessive, and often violent presence in the group. He embodies the dangers of unchecked privilege and entitlement, using charm and aggression to control those around him. Trenton's relationship with Sonya is a cautionary tale about the costs of conformity and the insidiousness of abuse. His eventual exposure and rejection by the group mark a turning point, as Sonya and Coley refuse to be defined or limited by his expectations.

SJ

SJ is Sonya's best friend—supportive, perceptive, and quietly resilient. She serves as a confidante and moral compass, offering advice and perspective when others falter. SJ's own experiences with family mental health struggles make her empathetic and trustworthy. She's instrumental in bridging the gap between Coley and Sonya, and her loyalty is a model of healthy friendship.

Brooke

Brooke is a member of Sonya's friend group, often acting as a foil to Coley. Her jealousy and insecurity—especially regarding Trenton—manifest in passive-aggressive behavior and exclusion. Brooke's arc is less developed, but she represents the pressures of fitting in and the ways internalized misogyny can pit girls against each other.

Alex

Alex is the group's laid-back, affable member, often serving as a buffer in conflicts. His own struggles with identity and belonging parallel Coley's, and he becomes an unexpected source of support. Alex's willingness to stand up to Trenton and his acceptance of Coley's sexuality mark him as a positive male presence in a story otherwise dominated by toxic masculinity.

Blake

Blake is a stoner girl who befriends Coley during a period of estrangement from Sonya. She's brash, unapologetic, and a little dangerous—a foil to Sonya's performative perfection. Blake's own struggles with identity, family, and self-worth mirror Coley's, and their brief, messy connection helps Coley clarify what she truly wants and deserves.

Faith

Faith is an older, out lesbian who serves as both a warning and an inspiration. Her confidence and self-acceptance challenge Sonya's internalized shame, and her presence in the story offers a glimpse of what's possible beyond fear and denial. Faith's history with Sonya is fraught, but her example is ultimately empowering.

Emma

Emma is Sonya's younger sister, a symbol of innocence and the possibility of unconditional love. Her presence grounds Sonya and serves as a reminder of what's at stake—not just for Sonya, but for all the girls navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence and identity.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Online Journals

The novel employs a mix of first-person narration (primarily Coley's) and interspersed LiveJournal entries from Sonya. This dual structure allows readers to see both the external events and the internal emotional landscapes of the protagonists. The online journals serve as confessional spaces—places where secrets are revealed, desires are articulated, and the gap between public persona and private self is exposed. This device deepens the psychological realism of the story and highlights the generational context of early-2000s queer adolescence.

Symbolism of Water, Train Tracks, and Jewelry

Water (lakes, showers, rain) recurs as a symbol of cleansing, rebirth, and emotional vulnerability. The train tracks represent risk, transition, and the possibility of escape or transformation. Jewelry—especially the tiger's-eye pendant and choker—serves as a tangible link to family, memory, and identity. These symbols are woven throughout the narrative, reinforcing themes of change, connection, and the search for belonging.

Push-Pull Relationship Dynamics

The central romance is structured around cycles of attraction, intimacy, denial, and reconciliation. Each moment of closeness is followed by retreat, mirroring the real-life process of coming out and the fear of rejection. This dynamic creates narrative tension and emotional stakes, making the eventual resolution hard-won and deeply satisfying.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

Early references to secrets, loss, and the dangers of conformity foreshadow later conflicts and revelations. The parallel journeys of Coley and Sonya—both dealing with fractured families, internalized shame, and the longing for acceptance—underscore the universality of their struggles. Secondary characters (Faith, Blake, Curtis) serve as mirrors and warnings, offering alternative paths and outcomes.

Found Family and Community

The motif of found family—at the restaurant, among friends, with Curtis—contrasts with the failures of biological family and traditional social structures. The narrative structure emphasizes the importance of community, support, and the courage to seek out and create spaces where one can be fully seen and loved.

Analysis

Girls Like Girls is a raw, heartfelt exploration of queer adolescence, grief, and the search for belonging. Hayley Kiyoko's novel transcends the typical coming-of-age romance by grounding its love story in the messy realities of loss, trauma, and the courage required to be authentic in a world that often punishes difference. Through Coley and Sonya's intertwined journeys, the book examines the costs of secrecy and denial, the pain of betrayal, and the transformative power of vulnerability and self-acceptance. The narrative's use of dual perspectives, digital confessions, and potent symbolism creates a deeply immersive emotional experience. Ultimately, the novel's message is one of hope: that healing is possible, that love—of self and others—can be both a risk and a refuge, and that everyone deserves to find a place where they are seen, valued, and loved for exactly who they are.

Last updated: July 29, 2025