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beckyyreadss's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed Nic Stone’s previous work. This year, I have been trying to read more books from authors I previously enjoyed. I love the Dear Martin series and saw this book in Waterstones and decided to read more of her work.
This book is based on two points of view. The first is Shelbi and since she has enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won’t be there very long, she hasn’t bothered making friends. What her classmates don’t know about her can’t be used to hurt her, you know like it did at her last school. The second point of view is Andy and he is not okay. At all. He's had far too much to drink. Again, which is bad. And things are about to get worse. When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn’t resist reaching out. And there’s no doubt their connection has them both seeing stars, but the closer they get, the more the past threatens to pull their universes apart.
Everyone should read this book, I don’t care if you are a child, a young adult, a new adult or in your fifties or sixties. Read this book. It is such a good book based on bipolar disorder, mental health, grief of a sibling and alcoholism within young adults. I love how this book is a young adult book, but Nic doesn’t talk down about the importance of mental health. I loved Shelby and Andy, I wanted to hug them both throughout the book and wanted to let them know they are both important and loved. I am also really glad this book didn’t end with suicide, like I thought it was going to.
It took me a while to get into this book mainly because I wanted to smack the shit out of the parents. Also, I would have loved for them to have a happy ending. A fully-blown reunion rather than the text message epilogue.
Also, thank God, for having a character after my name that isn’t a complete tool like Becky Bloomwood, because I never thought I would read about a character named Becky that I liked and didn’t want to punch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, and Abortion
Minor: Miscarriage, Car accident, and Pregnancy
thebookguru's review
challenging
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
It’s been a while since I sat and read a good book so I’m really proud of myself 🤓
Also, I have been wanting to read this book since I found out the characters deal with mental health…and the author herself deals with her own brain stuff as she calls it instead of ‘mental illness’.
Anyhew, it is a YA book but I did enjoy it. Romance was cute but they DID say ‘I love you’ waaay too quickly.
I felt the book was way too short for all the issues it discussed. From alcoholism and bipolar to grief and abortion and self harm and parental neglect…it’s A Lot.
I love the text convos between them but you couldn’t see the emojis clearly!!!
I have a lot of thoughts about this book but I did like the representation of mental illnesses aka brain stuff and how shelbi dealt with her bipolar and had coping skills and plans in place etc since it is a serious one that needs managing carefully.
I just felt the book was too short and Andy’s story was resolved too quickly. And yes his dad should have helped him sooner but yeah…can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped or acknowledges they are suffering and NEED help.
But anyhew, overall I enjoyed the book as it was a cute INTERRACIAL relationship and honesty and communication are important which they tried to be. Shelbi was as transparent as she could be.
I did like how they gave each other space…well…due to certain circumstances but they decided they were ready to try again!
I think it was important for the author to show that you can love someone but you might not be READY for an actual romantic relationship and that is OKAY coz yeah if it’s meant to be it will be.
Becky is probs my fave character and we didn’t get to see enough of her. A double date would have been so funny!!!
I wish this book was longer 🥲
Defo would recommend it and interested to see what the students think of it.
8/10
Also, I have been wanting to read this book since I found out the characters deal with mental health…and the author herself deals with her own brain stuff as she calls it instead of ‘mental illness’.
I felt the book was way too short for all the issues it discussed. From alcoholism and bipolar to grief and abortion and self harm and parental neglect…it’s A Lot.
I love the text convos between them but you couldn’t see the emojis clearly!!!
I have a lot of thoughts about this book but I did like the representation of mental illnesses aka brain stuff and how shelbi dealt with her bipolar and had coping skills and plans in place etc since it is a serious one that needs managing carefully.
I just felt the book was too short and Andy’s story was resolved too quickly. And yes his dad should have helped him sooner but yeah…can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped or acknowledges they are suffering and NEED help.
But anyhew, overall I enjoyed the book as it was a cute INTERRACIAL relationship and honesty and communication are important which they tried to be. Shelbi was as transparent as she could be.
I think it was important for the author to show that you can love someone but you might not be READY for an actual romantic relationship and that is OKAY coz yeah if it’s meant to be it will be.
Becky is probs my fave character and we didn’t get to see enough of her. A double date would have been so funny!!!
I wish this book was longer 🥲
Defo would recommend it and interested to see what the students think of it.
8/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Car accident, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
This book is about mental health and comes with many trigger warnings. The author doesn’t like the term ‘mental illness’ which I totally get.metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, and Pregnancy
jaz_gets_literary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity and Vomit
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Pregnancy
nocturnalgunner's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Car accident
jupitersuns's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Amazing book! It talks about mental health that a lot of people should take time to understand. I could have read it in one sitting if I had had the chance but I work a lot so I couldn't :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Self harm, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Car accident, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
jennneely82's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Another good one written by Nic Stone. In this book she tackles mental illness and alcoholism and how it affects a relationship between two recent high school graduates. Open your heart and mind to people struggling with illnesses and diseases you may not understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Self harm, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Car accident and Pregnancy
mamaofperfectpayton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
lauding_42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Abortion
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Car accident
mayy_y's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love books that are entertaining and equally educational.
This book really touches on the topic of mental illness (even though the author hates describing it that way) and how it is for the people that experience it, and how it might affect their relationships with others.
Right from the author’s note at thr beginning, I knew I would like this book.
I’m also a fan of text messages in books, and this had a lot of it🤌🏼
So yes, you should def read this book. Be careful of the content warnings tho.
This book really touches on the topic of mental illness (even though the author hates describing it that way) and how it is for the people that experience it, and how it might affect their relationships with others.
Right from the author’s note at thr beginning, I knew I would like this book.
I’m also a fan of text messages in books, and this had a lot of it🤌🏼
So yes, you should def read this book. Be careful of the content warnings tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage