skyesbooksh3lf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
americangirlemmie's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, this book is going to make me seem like such a cheesy romance lover but IT WAS CUTE OKAY. So, just be ready for this.
To start, I adored the main character. She was spunky, with a love of vintage style. I adored the descriptions of her clothing and hair–it was right up the alley of my own personal aesthetic goals, and I enjoyed seeing how her vintage love influenced her day to day interactions. She also struggled with some introverted-anxiety which made her, once again, very relatable to me. She was working to put herself out there, and it was a very fulfilling character arc.
Also, the plot itself was very creative and adorable. Of course the whole “we know each other online and in person but not as the same person thing,” is not a new plot. However, the way it was presented here was great. The evolution of their in person relationship and their online one simultaneously was so interesting and a wonderful dynamic.
This was one of the first contemporary fiction novels I have read in years that honestly had me sitting on the edge of my seat, yelling at the characters to stop being so dumb. I cannot recommend it enough! Towards the end of the novel there was some random PG-13 content. It was really out of the blue, and most of the story was very clean. However, I would be careful with younger audiences.
To start, I adored the main character. She was spunky, with a love of vintage style. I adored the descriptions of her clothing and hair–it was right up the alley of my own personal aesthetic goals, and I enjoyed seeing how her vintage love influenced her day to day interactions. She also struggled with some introverted-anxiety which made her, once again, very relatable to me. She was working to put herself out there, and it was a very fulfilling character arc.
Also, the plot itself was very creative and adorable. Of course the whole “we know each other online and in person but not as the same person thing,” is not a new plot. However, the way it was presented here was great. The evolution of their in person relationship and their online one simultaneously was so interesting and a wonderful dynamic.
This was one of the first contemporary fiction novels I have read in years that honestly had me sitting on the edge of my seat, yelling at the characters to stop being so dumb. I cannot recommend it enough! Towards the end of the novel there was some random PG-13 content. It was really out of the blue, and most of the story was very clean. However, I would be careful with younger audiences.
denaiir's review against another edition
3.0
A nice little YA contemporary, nothing special unfortunately, it didn't hit the mark for me. Very typical of the genre and the characters were quite generic
thebookdance's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED THIS
I just thought it was going to be another contemporary romance that I would like but not be that special. But something about it was really sweet, even though we already know the "plot twist" (I mean, it is written in the back of the book for crying out loud) I still think everything was very well done.
The whole surfer aspect of it was cool, I don't think I have read many books involving surfing, or museums so it was a nice change.
A new found favorite for sure. And Jenn Bennet is definitely on my radar now.
I just thought it was going to be another contemporary romance that I would like but not be that special. But something about it was really sweet, even though we already know the "plot twist" (I mean, it is written in the back of the book for crying out loud) I still think everything was very well done.
The whole surfer aspect of it was cool, I don't think I have read many books involving surfing, or museums so it was a nice change.
A new found favorite for sure. And Jenn Bennet is definitely on my radar now.
jadathereader's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
arae9352's review
4.0
While yes it is still spring, this book is an amazing summer read! I love Jenn Bennet, having read her amazing urban fantasy series I was really excited to get an advanced copy of this book.
I enjoyed Bailey, or Mink which is her nickname, and her spunky personality. Before moving to the west coast to be with her dad, Bailey had adopted an avoidance tactic to every aspect of her life due to the fact that she was shot by someone who had a grudge against her divorce lawyer mom. Watching her character unfold was really fun to read, it was also great how true to herself she was. She has this great spunky style that goes with her personality and she isn't afraid to show it or hold it back. Though she does seem to do this with a lot of the heavier emotions; she's not easy with trust and sharing about herself and when she is upset she tends to bottle it up until it explodes. But she learns to harness that by the end of the book through joining the roller derby team. I see a lot of myself in her which made her all the better to read!
Porter was just as enjoyable to read. He's such a sweet, funny, awesome guy, he had me smiling to my e-reader on many occasions throughout the story. And the snarky and flirty banter between Porter and Bailey, it was some of the best and cutest.
The theme of family was really well displayed in the book, what with Porter's family and between Bailey and her dad, even her mom who didn't contact Bailey throughout the book, Bailey accepts this as her mom coping with Bailey being shot, not being able to care for her , and feeling a bit betrayed by Bailey leaving to live with her dad because she as also accepted herself and her own issues and trying to make herself better.
While it was a bit predictable in figuring out who Alex was, I was led a bit astray a time or two. I didn't mind in the least, I still had loads of fun reading it, I couldn't put it down, and will most definitely re-read it multiple times in the future.
***Big thanks to Simon Pulse who provided an advanced copy free of charge via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***
I enjoyed Bailey, or Mink which is her nickname, and her spunky personality. Before moving to the west coast to be with her dad, Bailey had adopted an avoidance tactic to every aspect of her life due to the fact that she was shot by someone who had a grudge against her divorce lawyer mom. Watching her character unfold was really fun to read, it was also great how true to herself she was. She has this great spunky style that goes with her personality and she isn't afraid to show it or hold it back. Though she does seem to do this with a lot of the heavier emotions; she's not easy with trust and sharing about herself and when she is upset she tends to bottle it up until it explodes. But she learns to harness that by the end of the book through joining the roller derby team. I see a lot of myself in her which made her all the better to read!
Porter was just as enjoyable to read. He's such a sweet, funny, awesome guy, he had me smiling to my e-reader on many occasions throughout the story. And the snarky and flirty banter between Porter and Bailey, it was some of the best and cutest.
The theme of family was really well displayed in the book, what with Porter's family and between Bailey and her dad, even her mom who didn't contact Bailey throughout the book, Bailey accepts this as her mom coping with Bailey being shot, not being able to care for her , and feeling a bit betrayed by Bailey leaving to live with her dad because she as also accepted herself and her own issues and trying to make herself better.
While it was a bit predictable in figuring out who Alex was, I was led a bit astray a time or two. I didn't mind in the least, I still had loads of fun reading it, I couldn't put it down, and will most definitely re-read it multiple times in the future.
***Big thanks to Simon Pulse who provided an advanced copy free of charge via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review***
ellafletcher's review against another edition
3.0
I ended up enjoying this book but was definitely a slow burn. It took me a while to get into it (150 pages+) meaning I only really enjoyed it for the second half of the book. So I’ve rated it 3.4 stars rounded down to 3 due to how at the start of the book it put me into a bit of a slump and I had to force myself to pick it up. Still a fast paced easy read but didn’t like how it was more of a young adult novel. But still a cute ending and all came together nicely. Also enjoyed the setting and trope of small town and surfer. Felt like a nice summer beach read (except for the slow start). I think I’m being a bit harsh though as I was kinda finding it extra hard to get into as i just finished “swear on this life” which was amazing and meant I was directly comparing it to that.