REVIEW: Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Storytide

Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, LGBT

Release Date: May 20th 2025

TW: homophobia, conversion therapy

Sully is ready to get out of Hearst, Pennsylvania. With a fashion internship secured, the gender-nonconforming eighteen-year-old is trading in their stifling small town for the big city. Sully even sells their beloved car, to Bread—er, Brad—the most boring (and maybe only other) gay kid in town. 

When Sully’s internship goes up in smoke, they’re trapped in Hearst with no cash—and no car. Desperate, they go to the thrift store, their personal sanctuary. There, they discover a vintage bag—like "put this baby in an airtight case at the MET" vintage. If Sully can authenticate it, the resale value would be enough for a new life in the city. 

But when they begin to investigate, Sully finds themself haunted. Literally. With the ghost of Rufus, a drag performer from the fifties with no memory of how he died standing—no, floating—in their bedroom, Sully’s summer has a new 1) help this ghostly honey unlock his past and move on and 2) make bank—after all, the Real Real doesn’t take poltergeist purses. 

With Rufus in tow, and Brad—who’s looking pretty scrumptious these days—playing chauffeur, Sully delves into the history of the town they’re so desperate to escape. Only to discover that there might be more to Hearst than they ever knew.

I’m someone who loves a good magical realism story, so a ghost popping out of a handbag was always going to be my cup of tea. Whilst I adored how perfectly bizarre this story was, the heart of it was a beautiful message about acknowledging the struggles of the queer people who came before us and learning to continue the fight to make things better for those who come after us. 

This story is also a perfect example of how quickly plans can change in life. That confusion we feel if something gets switched up and we have to reorganise our plans for the future is so daunting, especially after graduating. I love how the story dealt with the dreaded ‘not knowing what comes next’ stage in our lives. 

Sully is my ideal type of main character: hilarious, adorable, and figuring out life. They’re valid in their feelings over how they are treated in their hometown, but they also go on a journey to accepting their owns flaws along the way. (Though, personally, I think Sully had every right to be mad at everyone and I support them in letting out their rage.) 

Is my favourite character the ghost? Absolutely. I love Rufus with ever fibre of my being. My heart ached for him and the life he deserved but never got to have. The bond between him and Sully is just adorable and they did make me cry some very real tears in the end. 

• The sweetest romance. Who doesn’t love a couple who bond over figuring out the mystery of a handbag ghost inhabitant? 

• Tea spilling. You never know when some absolutely shocking info is about to be dropped. ☕

• Learning to love the place you came from. I was one of those people who was desperate to get out of my hometown as quickly as I could, yearning for a place more accepting. But the older I got, the more I came to appreciate it’s layers. I adored getting to see Sully experience that feeling. 

This is such a sweet, funny, and heart-warming read with an ending that will leave you blubbing happy tears. It’s a perfect addition to your shelves if you’re looking to pick up some new books for Pride Month too!

Royal Rating: