conknee0728's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tammytxt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. It was a cute read. Black romance is rarely seen in mainstream media (movies, books). It was nice to read stories about young black love.
olawunmi's review
3.0
The concept of this book is fun but the execution was just not there.
The execution for almost every story was pretty lacking and I have to chuck it up to these authors not being well versed in writing short stories. It all just felt off. I did, however, like the weaving of the stories and how connected they all were. I also enjoyed the format of the little stories intertwining around this main story of Kareem and Tammi. For example, Tammi seeing her dad’s bus speed by and the next chapter being No Sleep Till Brooklyn focusing on the kids on that very bus. Or in All The Great Love Stories…and Dust, the story starting with Lana watching Kareem and Tami outside the library from the previous chapter.
Ranking from liked it to did-not-enjoy:
The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson:
I think I enjoyed this the most because it had the most real estate and so the characters and stories were fleshed out more. I didn’t enjoy the resolution at the end much because Kareem deserved better.
All The Great Love Stories...and Dust by Dhonielle Clayton:
I really enjoyed the writing. The footnotes were also a unique treat that set it apart from other stories. And to be honest, I’m just a complete sucker for a best-friends-to-lovers trope.
Mask Off by Nic Stone:
Both characters were dynamic enough for a story that was this short. I enjoyed reading about them. Again, I think the fact that there were more pages to digest these characters and their stories made me enjoy it so much more than others.
Seymour and Grace by Nicola Yoon:
A little bit too far-fetched. And Seymour was very unlikable in the beginning but I grew to enjoy it for what it was. Also just really loved the Lana-Tristan cameo.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Angie Thomas:
This started out pretty strong for me because it was much different from the rest of what I’d been reading thus far but Kayla’s self-reflection happened too quickly and unnaturally. The end was also so far-fetched and Disney Channel Original Movie-esque, I genuinely rolled my eyes (and I live for Disney movies!)
Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk:
My least favorite because I hated the writing. I hated Nella as a character, and the romance specifically felt so uncomfortable and unrealistic compared to every other story. I also can’t stand dogs so that just sealed the deal on its ranking.
All in all, I appreciate the purpose and all the representation but utterly mediocre read.
The execution for almost every story was pretty lacking and I have to chuck it up to these authors not being well versed in writing short stories. It all just felt off. I did, however, like the weaving of the stories and how connected they all were. I also enjoyed the format of the little stories intertwining around this main story of Kareem and Tammi. For example, Tammi seeing her dad’s bus speed by and the next chapter being No Sleep Till Brooklyn focusing on the kids on that very bus. Or in All The Great Love Stories…and Dust, the story starting with Lana watching Kareem and Tami outside the library from the previous chapter.
Ranking from liked it to did-not-enjoy:
The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson:
I think I enjoyed this the most because it had the most real estate and so the characters and stories were fleshed out more. I didn’t enjoy the resolution at the end much because Kareem deserved better.
All The Great Love Stories...and Dust by Dhonielle Clayton:
I really enjoyed the writing. The footnotes were also a unique treat that set it apart from other stories. And to be honest, I’m just a complete sucker for a best-friends-to-lovers trope.
Mask Off by Nic Stone:
Both characters were dynamic enough for a story that was this short. I enjoyed reading about them. Again, I think the fact that there were more pages to digest these characters and their stories made me enjoy it so much more than others.
Seymour and Grace by Nicola Yoon:
A little bit too far-fetched. And Seymour was very unlikable in the beginning but I grew to enjoy it for what it was. Also just really loved the Lana-Tristan cameo.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Angie Thomas:
This started out pretty strong for me because it was much different from the rest of what I’d been reading thus far but Kayla’s self-reflection happened too quickly and unnaturally. The end was also so far-fetched and Disney Channel Original Movie-esque, I genuinely rolled my eyes (and I live for Disney movies!)
Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk:
My least favorite because I hated the writing. I hated Nella as a character, and the romance specifically felt so uncomfortable and unrealistic compared to every other story. I also can’t stand dogs so that just sealed the deal on its ranking.
All in all, I appreciate the purpose and all the representation but utterly mediocre read.
kkaur23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What a beautiful read! These black characters have their own beautiful love stories. Each is unique, yet tied together through the blackout in NYC. After finishing a chapter, I found myself wanting more of that story. I appreciate that it weaves the stories throughout the book, rather than placing them in succession. This novel is beautifully written by some of my favorite authors!
samanthamurk's review against another edition
5.0
Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ
OMG looooved this book! this book is so cute I love how all the short stories tie together I love that everyone fell in love I love it all!!!!!
OMG looooved this book! this book is so cute I love how all the short stories tie together I love that everyone fell in love I love it all!!!!!
solaclara's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
unicornreader's review against another edition
2.0
Why o why did Tiffany D Jackson get to write such a huge part of this novel. Why. That’s all I’m asking. I loved everything else about the book and I even found some authors I’ve never heard about that I need to check out. I couldn’t get enough of Nic Stones writing style and character building. It was absolutely magnificent. But instead of spending more time with her characters we need to go through chapter after chapter of whine baby Tammie and her ‘I love him, but I shouldn’t love him, but I love him’. I also really adored the last chapter written by Nicola Yoon. Those two authors I would love to read more from, and I can safely say that I will never voluntarily read Tiffany D Jackson ever again... this would’ve been a 5 star if it wasn’t for Jackson. Just saying. I’m that bitter about it.
rospose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75
readconisa's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The idea 💡 of these stories is incredible, but the execution was incorrect.
I can't believe it took me 5 months to finish a book with only 243 pages. Each story had a good start but little by little they became boring and with predictable endings. It was a good idea but very badly executed, to be honest.
I can't believe it took me 5 months to finish a book with only 243 pages. Each story had a good start but little by little they became boring and with predictable endings. It was a good idea but very badly executed, to be honest.