Whew. Where do I begin? I thought over this and I couldn't help but be very bothered with how this game mishandled sexuality. I'm bisexual and I'm trans (I used to identify as Non-binary, and now I'm Bigender). I'm also a bipoc (specifically Black and ethnically mixed with Indigenous Latine Caribbean, Pacific islander, North African Arab, and European). This isn't specifically an issue I have with the developers, as they made a great game with being inclusive first and foremost.

Let me start with the things I really adored. I really think this game stands out from other romance games with the abundance of choice. I didn't feel the need to buy DLC because, I mean, wow--- there's a lot that's on offer here. I play a lot of rpgs and go "oh my god, why can't I say or do x choice!" It was electrifying seeing the choice appear before me. For it to be free, really blew me away! I really do look forward to buying the Dex and Bax routes (+ their perspective wedding dlcs) when they're available.

 I also thought Cove's Autism was handled well. He felt like a real person. Sometimes he'd get on your nerves, but he was worth waiting on. Whether you're looking for a slow burn, a friends to lovers, or beautiful friendship--- it's up for you to decide, and the game encourages it.

I also really loved how the game approached being trans. While it's getting better in the triple AAA space, I don't have to wait for people to catch up to speed in the indie space. A lot of people forget that trans bodies are very varied, and there is no one-size-fits all to be trans. I can't express how much it meant to be seen, and also see my other trans siblings be represented.

The other characters are also wonderful too. There wasn't anyone I didn't connect with. Liz, Lee, Ma, Mom, Cliff, Kyra, Dex, Baxter, Miranda, Terry, and Shiloh were all special to me in one way or another. The experiences would not be the same without them. I'm nearing 30 in 4 years. I understand there are going to be people younger than me playing this game. If you weren't blessed with people like them in your childhood, they were someone to aspire to be.

Now... for the really bad.

 There's a point in the game that soured my experience for the remainder of the game. It's... that "Split model attraction." It just. Sexuality is about attraction to gender not attraction to sex. So many people misunderstand that you do not need to fixate on how you experience sex. You also do not need a special sexuality to be attracted to a trans person. You just don't and people still continue to misunderstand how trans people factor in LGB sexualities, when we were always included in them since the beginning. Cove's behavior toward Baxter was extremely biphobic. It was a grim reminder of my actual experiences online and in real life. People generally rewrote Bisexual history and even the meaning of the sexuality in favor of just avoiding being called bisexual.

I found it extremely upsetting that you can be a "Bi lesbian"--- a phenomenon that genuinely hurts both bisexuals and lesbians due to biphobia, homophobia, and transphobia ---and still date Cove. "Demisexuality" started on a roleplaying form, and is something the majority of people experience. While I get that it is a response to hyper-sexualized western culture--- which, has it's own issues with racism, sexism, etc. ---there are a lot of underlying LGBT phobic implications found in that line of thought from the Ace community. Simply put, it was extremely off-putting from an inclusive developer.

I immediately felt extreme discomfort in wanting to continue a romantic relationship with Cove. It was too late to end the relationship. I tried to push the thought aside, as Cove is still a young adult, but his behavior crops up again in the wedding DLC. I can't bring myself to look past that.

My only real solution for a complex topic is to please listen, and please read into LGBT history and research. Also, for future titles and DLC routes, it would be beneficial to just give players the option of stating that they're either a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Straight, or Aromantic and then inform our potential love interest if we're Ace or not. Give players an option to fill in whatever. Of course continue giving us the option on if it changes or not later in life.

My time with the game ended with bitter taste in my mouth, hence the 3 star rating. It's disappointing, as I discovered this game during a difficult point in my life. However, I don't want to end my review on a sour note.

I don't regret the first hours I spent on the game, and I don't regret buying Cove's wedding. I look forward to replaying summers with new experiences. Thank you for your hard work. This game is special as it's unlike anything else I've ever played. This will always be a memorable part of my own summer.

Thank you.