katierosecrane's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'll be honest I read this book years ago and vaguely remember the plot (so take this with a grain of salt). However, I am mainly basing this review on the rememberbility of it. I love the dark beginning of her grief, it sets up a great plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
aimeeerickson's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
thetomatowriter's review
4.0
4.5, This was surprisingly good. From the cover, I mostly expected something cutesy and fluffy for a light read, a 3 star book at best. While it succeeded in that it made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, this book ended up being more than that. It was also a very real portrayal of friendships, of the complicated feelings of grief, and even of anxiety. And it was a smart read, too. The characters are smart and proudly nerdy. One of Paige's best friends is a Christian, a feminist, and a hopeless romantic all in equal measure, and the word misogyny is used in casual conversation between the girls.
In one of my favorite parts, one of Paige's friends is in an unhealthy relationship and she tells Paige, "The highs (of being in love) are so high, but the lows are even lower. It's like he can make or break my day." That's a narrative we've heard about first loves in teen romances over and over. But instead of accepting that love must be this intense, all-consuming thing that devastates as much as it edifies, Paige thinks to herself, "But it shouldn't be like that." The boys she's interested in are never fussy about their masculinity. Her favorite thing about her first boyfriend was his unabashed eagerness for the things he liked. The thing she likes about the next boy she has a crush on is his sweetness, his ability to be joyful in the midst of sorrow. Her love interest is Quizbowl captain who hides away from parties to read and references books like Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, unbothered that those are considered "girly" books. This book completely tears apart the narrative that girls only like bad boys, and I love it.
The female friendships were excellent. Her best friends were all so well-rounded and her relationships with each of them were key to the book. Her friendships with the two cousins, Ryan and Max, are also terrifically written and just warm my heart. In fact, I'd say it's a book about friendship as much as it's a book about romance, and above all else, it's a book about becoming okay again. And it executes that theme so excellently. I mean, yeah, it's a cutesy, cliche book. There was nothing that happened in this book that shocked me (though that's a theme here, too) and there were a few scenes that were so tropey, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. But overall, it was such a good, wholesome read, and I'd read it again easily.
In one of my favorite parts, one of Paige's friends is in an unhealthy relationship and she tells Paige, "The highs (of being in love) are so high, but the lows are even lower. It's like he can make or break my day." That's a narrative we've heard about first loves in teen romances over and over. But instead of accepting that love must be this intense, all-consuming thing that devastates as much as it edifies, Paige thinks to herself, "But it shouldn't be like that." The boys she's interested in are never fussy about their masculinity. Her favorite thing about her first boyfriend was his unabashed eagerness for the things he liked. The thing she likes about the next boy she has a crush on is his sweetness, his ability to be joyful in the midst of sorrow. Her love interest is Quizbowl captain who hides away from parties to read and references books like Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, unbothered that those are considered "girly" books. This book completely tears apart the narrative that girls only like bad boys, and I love it.
The female friendships were excellent. Her best friends were all so well-rounded and her relationships with each of them were key to the book. Her friendships with the two cousins, Ryan and Max, are also terrifically written and just warm my heart. In fact, I'd say it's a book about friendship as much as it's a book about romance, and above all else, it's a book about becoming okay again. And it executes that theme so excellently. I mean, yeah, it's a cutesy, cliche book. There was nothing that happened in this book that shocked me (though that's a theme here, too) and there were a few scenes that were so tropey, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. But overall, it was such a good, wholesome read, and I'd read it again easily.
by_emilymarie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missprint_'s review
5.0
For the past two years Paige has been defined by the unexpected death or her first boyfriend. While Paige's grief is real, she also often feels like an impostor being lumped together with others who knew her boyfriend so much better and miss him much more keenly.
When Paige decides she's ready to make the most of her time left in high school, she knows she has to start dating again. Who better than her long-time crush Ryan Chase to help Paige convince everyone she is back to normal? They don't have a lot in common but Paige is certain they could become friends. Especially when Ryan's smart (nice, cute, totally nerdy) cousin convinces Paige to join the school's Quiz Bowl team (number two: re-join an extracurricular activity).
With help from her friends Tessa, Kayleigh and Morgan--and even Ryan and Max--Paige is certain to have an unforgettable year filled with quiz competitions, nerdy discussions, TV shows and healing. As Paige and Max get to know each other, she has to decide if she needs to stick to her plan or take a leap to discover something completely unexpected in The Start of Me and You (2015) by Emery Lord.
The Start of Me and You is Lord's sophomore novel, coming after her debut Open Road Summer made a splash in 2014.
While it's easy to focus on the romantic aspects of this story since Max is adorable (as is Ryan to a lesser extent), it's also not entirely accurate. Yes, there is a romance plot here. Yes, the cover and title make that overtly clear. At the time time, The Start of Me and You is a lot more than that.
Lord delivers a fully-realized world in this novel as readers are immediately drawn into Paige's life in her small and sometimes stifling town. This novel also boasts a charming ensemble cast filled with characters who compliment Paige and add their own elements to the story. In addition to Paige moving through her grief, Lord also includes plot threads about dealing with divorce, dating someone who is maybe not right, the push and pull between close friends to name just a few.
At its core The Start of Me and You is a true slice-of-life novel as it follows Paige over the course of her junior year. At times it feels like Lord might have taken on too much but she brings everything together by the end in a way that is both authentic and satisfying.
Paige and Max are a great pair who work well together even as they challenge each other to be their best selves. It would be a spoiler to discuss how their relationship ends, but rest assured that not matter what follows it starts with a rock solid friendship.
Happily, friendship is a common theme throughout the novel as, even in the midst of romantic troubles, Paige returns to her friends Tessa, Kayleigh and Morgan. The girls are a great support system for each other and have unconditional love and trust between each other--something that is sadly not seen enough in YA novels. Paige's family is also a great source of support though often in unconventional ways.
The Start of Me and You is a book that truly has it all including a smart heroine, an adorable male lead, a great story and even some allusions to Jane Austen thrown in. A delight. Highly recommended.
You can also check out my review with Emery about the book starting on March 3 at: missprint.wordpress.com
Possible Pairings: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo, A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg, To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, A Map of the Known World by Lisa Sandell
*An advance copy of this book was acquired for review consideration from the publisher*
When Paige decides she's ready to make the most of her time left in high school, she knows she has to start dating again. Who better than her long-time crush Ryan Chase to help Paige convince everyone she is back to normal? They don't have a lot in common but Paige is certain they could become friends. Especially when Ryan's smart (nice, cute, totally nerdy) cousin convinces Paige to join the school's Quiz Bowl team (number two: re-join an extracurricular activity).
With help from her friends Tessa, Kayleigh and Morgan--and even Ryan and Max--Paige is certain to have an unforgettable year filled with quiz competitions, nerdy discussions, TV shows and healing. As Paige and Max get to know each other, she has to decide if she needs to stick to her plan or take a leap to discover something completely unexpected in The Start of Me and You (2015) by Emery Lord.
The Start of Me and You is Lord's sophomore novel, coming after her debut Open Road Summer made a splash in 2014.
While it's easy to focus on the romantic aspects of this story since Max is adorable (as is Ryan to a lesser extent), it's also not entirely accurate. Yes, there is a romance plot here. Yes, the cover and title make that overtly clear. At the time time, The Start of Me and You is a lot more than that.
Lord delivers a fully-realized world in this novel as readers are immediately drawn into Paige's life in her small and sometimes stifling town. This novel also boasts a charming ensemble cast filled with characters who compliment Paige and add their own elements to the story. In addition to Paige moving through her grief, Lord also includes plot threads about dealing with divorce, dating someone who is maybe not right, the push and pull between close friends to name just a few.
At its core The Start of Me and You is a true slice-of-life novel as it follows Paige over the course of her junior year. At times it feels like Lord might have taken on too much but she brings everything together by the end in a way that is both authentic and satisfying.
Paige and Max are a great pair who work well together even as they challenge each other to be their best selves. It would be a spoiler to discuss how their relationship ends, but rest assured that not matter what follows it starts with a rock solid friendship.
Happily, friendship is a common theme throughout the novel as, even in the midst of romantic troubles, Paige returns to her friends Tessa, Kayleigh and Morgan. The girls are a great support system for each other and have unconditional love and trust between each other--something that is sadly not seen enough in YA novels. Paige's family is also a great source of support though often in unconventional ways.
The Start of Me and You is a book that truly has it all including a smart heroine, an adorable male lead, a great story and even some allusions to Jane Austen thrown in. A delight. Highly recommended.
You can also check out my review with Emery about the book starting on March 3 at: missprint.wordpress.com
Possible Pairings: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo, A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg, To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta, A Map of the Known World by Lisa Sandell
*An advance copy of this book was acquired for review consideration from the publisher*
sydneyisabellar's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
penguin_20's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0