brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up
I had high hopes going into this book. I know that Emergency Contact has really polarizing reviews, but from what I had seen of the early reviews of this I was expecting to enjoy it.
yeah... no such luck.
Things I liked about the book
1) His family. In fact, Pablo's father was probably my favorite character of the book. He was full of nonsensical Yoda wisdom which was highly quotable.
2) His friend group and roommates. They really seemed to care about him in their own ways. They were all so quirky and fun, but all really loved each other.
3) The ethnic diversity was great. Both main characters were mixed race and really tried to celebrate their multiple heritages.
The things I didn't like
1) I 100% did not buy the relationship. It was way too insta lovey (a trope I really do not get along with). I'm sorry, you're 20 years old you don't just hop on a plane with someone you've spent less than 24 hours with before that time and confess your love to them...
2) His relationship with his mother. There wasn't really a reason as to why he never went to his mother with his problems prior to this. She's a doctor... She makes good money... I don't know, as someone who has struggled with finances in the past and hasn't had a safety net to fall back on,
3) I found both of the main characters rather annoying. They both really complained about their life situations, which neither one could relate to because they were on such opposite ends of the spectrum, but for literally 90% of the book it was just complaining and not fixing their situations, and it made them both sound bitchy.
I had high hopes going into this book. I know that Emergency Contact has really polarizing reviews, but from what I had seen of the early reviews of this I was expecting to enjoy it.
yeah... no such luck.
Things I liked about the book
1) His family. In fact, Pablo's father was probably my favorite character of the book. He was full of nonsensical Yoda wisdom which was highly quotable.
2) His friend group and roommates. They really seemed to care about him in their own ways. They were all so quirky and fun, but all really loved each other.
3) The ethnic diversity was great. Both main characters were mixed race and really tried to celebrate their multiple heritages.
The things I didn't like
1) I 100% did not buy the relationship. It was way too insta lovey (a trope I really do not get along with). I'm sorry, you're 20 years old you don't just hop on a plane with someone you've spent less than 24 hours with before that time and confess your love to them...
2) His relationship with his mother. There wasn't really a reason as to why he never went to his mother with his problems prior to this. She's a doctor... She makes good money... I don't know, as someone who has struggled with finances in the past and hasn't had a safety net to fall back on,
Spoiler
I found it all just a little convenient at the end.3) I found both of the main characters rather annoying. They both really complained about their life situations, which neither one could relate to because they were on such opposite ends of the spectrum, but for literally 90% of the book it was just complaining and not fixing their situations, and it made them both sound bitchy.
lucysmom828's review against another edition
4.0
Pablo is working at a bodega to pay off his student loans and figure out what's next, while Leanna is an international star. After meeting, they embark on a whirlwind romance and learn about each other (and themselves) in the process.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. We learn about Pablo's first year at college, how he bit off more than he could chew in terms of loans, and how he's trying to recover financially. It feels real, and is likely a common experience: getting accepted into a top-notch school and trying to make it work financially because of the prestige, while forgetting (or not knowing) that other schools can also provide a quality education (at a more affordable cost). We learn about his relationship with his mother, specifically how he tries hard to please her and is having difficulty meeting her expectations. There are so many relevant issues discussed and they're handled well and realistically.
We also learn about Leanna's life and how being a star can be incredibly difficult. Sure, money isn't a concern, but you need it to ensure you're able to stay safe and keep things low-key during mundane tasks. While this isn't something most people can relate to, it's an excellent nod to "careful what you wish for." Later on Pablo faces a choice: run off into the sunset with Leanna, or handle what's happening in his life and face the consequences of his actions.
This book explores how our actions have consequences and how the best of intentions aren't fool-proof. it also explores the relationship between parents and children, especially when parents have expectations for the child that don't line up with what their child wants. Finally, it brilliantly showcases how we're all doing our best when we're in our twenties, mistakes and all.
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. We learn about Pablo's first year at college, how he bit off more than he could chew in terms of loans, and how he's trying to recover financially. It feels real, and is likely a common experience: getting accepted into a top-notch school and trying to make it work financially because of the prestige, while forgetting (or not knowing) that other schools can also provide a quality education (at a more affordable cost). We learn about his relationship with his mother, specifically how he tries hard to please her and is having difficulty meeting her expectations. There are so many relevant issues discussed and they're handled well and realistically.
We also learn about Leanna's life and how being a star can be incredibly difficult. Sure, money isn't a concern, but you need it to ensure you're able to stay safe and keep things low-key during mundane tasks. While this isn't something most people can relate to, it's an excellent nod to "careful what you wish for." Later on Pablo faces a choice: run off into the sunset with Leanna, or handle what's happening in his life and face the consequences of his actions.
This book explores how our actions have consequences and how the best of intentions aren't fool-proof. it also explores the relationship between parents and children, especially when parents have expectations for the child that don't line up with what their child wants. Finally, it brilliantly showcases how we're all doing our best when we're in our twenties, mistakes and all.
minty's review against another edition
2.0
I suppose it's nice to read, for a change, a book with a male protagonist who makes stupid decisions, generally seems like an idiot about life, but for whom it all comes together in the end, a small sendup of the standard rubric for YA fiction. This was YA chick lit with a boy MC. Easy to read, not going to be particularly memorable.
amor_j_daino_600390's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
vinterthunder's review against another edition
5.0
This book is: Empowering, current, and heart-warming
Genre: YA contemporary
I went into this book thinking it would a cute romantic story. Wrong! It still has that romantic component but it deals with a much bigger and universal issue permeating young adults today.
“What’re you going to do with your life?”
Yeah, it’s about trying to figure out how to be an adult in this confusing world.
The book starts a little bit too slow for me. If I hadn’t read Choi’s first book, I might have DNFed this one. I’m glad I kept reading!
Choi’s writing really touches on so many important contemporary issues most young adults and adults have to navigate through, like student loan, credit card, moving out, parental expectation and so on. It was done so tactful (and entertaining) that it didn’t feel preachy like some other book on similar topics.
If you feel like you don’t know what to do with your life, what career to choose, or just hate ‘adulting’, read this book.
Genre: YA contemporary
I went into this book thinking it would a cute romantic story. Wrong! It still has that romantic component but it deals with a much bigger and universal issue permeating young adults today.
“What’re you going to do with your life?”
Yeah, it’s about trying to figure out how to be an adult in this confusing world.
The book starts a little bit too slow for me. If I hadn’t read Choi’s first book, I might have DNFed this one. I’m glad I kept reading!
Choi’s writing really touches on so many important contemporary issues most young adults and adults have to navigate through, like student loan, credit card, moving out, parental expectation and so on. It was done so tactful (and entertaining) that it didn’t feel preachy like some other book on similar topics.
If you feel like you don’t know what to do with your life, what career to choose, or just hate ‘adulting’, read this book.
ashlingo93's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
sarahmariaq's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
xread_write_repeatx's review against another edition
2.0
Much like with "Emergency Contact", I just couldn't urge myself hard enough to finish this. At least, I got further than the first page with this book, but it still wasn't enough to keep me captivated. It's got great vocabulary and an interesting backdrop, and I loved all the realistic additions of the desi community, but it just wasn't enough to keep me invested in the story.