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onlylonelystars's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The inevitable reveal wasn't as drastic as I'd hoped, though Weisenberg delivered on the drama. I think I'd have preferred if the ending wasn't as open. Overall it's pretty good. The narrator did a good job with all the voices.
cinder00239's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bibliosteph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thebookberrie's review
I'm not saying I could have made up a more interesting backstory but I'm not NOT saying that...
This Golden State is about a girl named Poppy who has always been on the run with her family. They have a strict set of rules to stay under the radar that they have managed to follow Poppy's entire life. She has no idea why they are running only that this is her life and her future is uncertain. When a move to California exposes a crack in her parents' planning, Poppy is determined to find out the truth. She mails in a home DNA test and just as she starts to settle in her new life, the results come in and crash her back to reality.
This was okay, I guess. I only vibed for a little bit because it reminded me of Black Widow's family in her solo movie so my brain said yeah lets make this more interesting but the actual answer wasn't that good lol. The reason they are on the run is left open for so long that the entire time I was just thinking of the most wild, crazy reasons so when we get the actual reason I was just like, oh well okay. I'm not gonna spoil but just think of the most interesting reason they could be on the run and throw it away because it isn't the reason.
This is probably blending with the last book I read that had a similar romance as in... (mostly) basic nice boy is helpful and they fall in love. Like that's cool and all but I literally cannot remember his name and I just finished the book oops.
Poppy was pretty dumb for a smart girl and her parents were the same. The entire book is just based around this mystery and it was frustrating in how long it took only to be completely unsatisfying. Audiobook was quick though!!
This Golden State is about a girl named Poppy who has always been on the run with her family. They have a strict set of rules to stay under the radar that they have managed to follow Poppy's entire life. She has no idea why they are running only that this is her life and her future is uncertain. When a move to California exposes a crack in her parents' planning, Poppy is determined to find out the truth. She mails in a home DNA test and just as she starts to settle in her new life, the results come in and crash her back to reality.
This was okay, I guess. I only vibed for a little bit because it reminded me of Black Widow's family in her solo movie so my brain said yeah lets make this more interesting but the actual answer wasn't that good lol. The reason they are on the run is left open for so long that the entire time I was just thinking of the most wild, crazy reasons so when we get the actual reason I was just like, oh well okay. I'm not gonna spoil but just think of the most interesting reason they could be on the run and throw it away because it isn't the reason.
This is probably blending with the last book I read that had a similar romance as in... (mostly) basic nice boy is helpful and they fall in love. Like that's cool and all but I literally cannot remember his name and I just finished the book oops.
Poppy was pretty dumb for a smart girl and her parents were the same. The entire book is just based around this mystery and it was frustrating in how long it took only to be completely unsatisfying. Audiobook was quick though!!
shabbyisreading's review
2.0
I started this book wanting to read a mystery/thriller, and what did I get? A whole ton of romance with a hint of mystery. I feel like the author took a very interesting plot and ruined it by adding way too much romance.
Also, the ending was not satisfying whatsoever. It left me with a lot of questions and it felt super rushed. I was also expecting some major plot twist but never got it. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dot about who her parents really were.
My major problem with books that I give a bad rating to is that they don’t have good character description. This doesn’t help me visualize the scene or the characters. This book didn’t have any good character description and I had to imagine blank faces.
I also didn’t like how the setting never changed. We were given three settings and that was it.
I was really dissatisfied and disappointed.
Also, the ending was not satisfying whatsoever. It left me with a lot of questions and it felt super rushed. I was also expecting some major plot twist but never got it. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dot about who her parents really were.
My major problem with books that I give a bad rating to is that they don’t have good character description. This doesn’t help me visualize the scene or the characters. This book didn’t have any good character description and I had to imagine blank faces.
I also didn’t like how the setting never changed. We were given three settings and that was it.
I was really dissatisfied and disappointed.
orangeowl55's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment
jsmith1's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readingrobin's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sets up a great mystery that, while you may see the ending coming, it still builds up a good amount of intrigue and suspense for teen readers.
I was really feeling for Poppy the whole dang book. The fact that her parents had TWO children that were forced to lives as fugitives because THEY messed up big time really kept me from sympathizing with them. Sure, they tried to protect their kids, but ultimately it is so dang selfish to keep your kids in squalor half the time, deny them chances to make any attachments or relationships, or give them ways to grow emotionally or socially outside their family because of your mistakes. That legit messes kids up! I know we're talking about a work of fiction here, but it just heats me up. Good on Poppy for finally doing things for herself by the end.
The romance was sweet, but I think the mystery element was stronger and interested me more. It would have been nice to see Poppy make more friendly relationships with people other than the boy she's crushing on.
The ending was a little too open for me. It makes for some great drama, but I would have liked for things to wrap up more neatly.
I was really feeling for Poppy the whole dang book. The fact that her parents had TWO children that were forced to lives as fugitives because THEY messed up big time really kept me from sympathizing with them. Sure, they tried to protect their kids, but ultimately it is so dang selfish to keep your kids in squalor half the time, deny them chances to make any attachments or relationships, or give them ways to grow emotionally or socially outside their family because of your mistakes. That legit messes kids up! I know we're talking about a work of fiction here, but it just heats me up. Good on Poppy for finally doing things for herself by the end.
The romance was sweet, but I think the mystery element was stronger and interested me more. It would have been nice to see Poppy make more friendly relationships with people other than the boy she's crushing on.
The ending was a little too open for me. It makes for some great drama, but I would have liked for things to wrap up more neatly.
chloo_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25