sc104906's review
4.0
Maude was adopted when she was a baby, but a family project in her photography class sets her on a course to learn more about her birth mother. Using the little information she has about her birth mother (who conviently went to college where her best friend is now going to college), Maude goes to visit her best friend for spring break with the intention of finding her birth mother. Treena, Maude's best friend, has the intention of helping her, but things have changed at college and Treena begins ditching her for a new romantic prospect. After being sexiled (basically), Maude meets Bennett in the hall. Maude begins have her own romantic entanglement, who actually helps her look for answers.
This was an interesting story, with realistic and cute love stories. I felt that certain aspects seemed almost too convenient, but I did enjoy the experience.
This was an interesting story, with realistic and cute love stories. I felt that certain aspects seemed almost too convenient, but I did enjoy the experience.
thebookishlibrarian's review
Maude’s senior project for her photography class is to do a portfolio that shows the meaning of family. This is a tough assignment for her, because her birth mother died when she was born. In order to find out the truth about her, Maude makes the trip to visit her best friend Treena, who dorms at college in Tallahassee, the same town that Maude’s mother once lived. However, Treena is busy with school, boys and her social life, and can’t find time to help her friend. Then she meets, Bennett, a cute boy who lives in Treena’s dorm, who agrees to help her in her search. She’s excited but nervous to find out what her mother’s past holds.
ciaralo's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Read during a reading slump which made it hard to connect to. Some really great themes of growing up and finding out who you are. Definitely put Lauren Gibaldi on your radar if she isn't already
sarahs_reading_again's review
4.0
Good read
Being a photographer in Orlando, it was quite interesting to read this as if I was connected to Maude. I thought some of the writing was too ... mmm, cliché/typical, but overall I enjoyed the message it gave. It’s not just family by blood that makes you family. You get to choose who is your family when the others leave you behind.
Being a photographer in Orlando, it was quite interesting to read this as if I was connected to Maude. I thought some of the writing was too ... mmm, cliché/typical, but overall I enjoyed the message it gave. It’s not just family by blood that makes you family. You get to choose who is your family when the others leave you behind.
charmaineac's review
4.0
Look guys. Growing up isn't easy, and it's even less so when you don't even really know yourself or your family. Luckily, Maude got a little help on both fronts in this book. Actually, she proactively went out and got the information that she wanted. You go girl.
Bennett was a sweetheart, but I felt like that one-week romance was so unnecessary. I'd believe it more if Maude visited FSU every weekend for a few months or something. Or I'd like it better if she began this quest after starting university there. I just felt like the quick fling was so unsustainable (but I guess they realized that too, and never committed to anything!). Actually, in general, I would've liked to see where Maude went after this journey. Did she pick a future at FSU too, happily ever after with Treena and Bennett? Or maybe she went all the way across the country; forging her own path. I think that would've been a nice touch!
Photography played a key part in Maude's life. But I felt like her interest in photography was a little disconcerting/creepy at times with the candid pictures of people. It would've been nice to see Maude quickly editing pictures before posting them or something, not just haphazardly uploading phone photos. But regardless, the photography felt like a key part of the story.
I wish Chad and Claire's mom had more to offer. But sometimes people in this world will disappoint you, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Bennett was a sweetheart, but I felt like that one-week romance was so unnecessary. I'd believe it more if Maude visited FSU every weekend for a few months or something. Or I'd like it better if she began this quest after starting university there. I just felt like the quick fling was so unsustainable (but I guess they realized that too, and never committed to anything!). Actually, in general, I would've liked to see where Maude went after this journey. Did she pick a future at FSU too, happily ever after with Treena and Bennett? Or maybe she went all the way across the country; forging her own path. I think that would've been a nice touch!
Photography played a key part in Maude's life. But I felt like her interest in photography was a little disconcerting/creepy at times with the candid pictures of people. It would've been nice to see Maude quickly editing pictures before posting them or something, not just haphazardly uploading phone photos. But regardless, the photography felt like a key part of the story.
I wish Chad and Claire's mom had more to offer. But sometimes people in this world will disappoint you, and there's nothing you can do about it.
booksandpops4000's review
5.0
This was a great book. I loved everything about this book. I loved the references to her first book and it just was a fast pace read that really focused on self discovery and family. The romance was sweet and and the family based mystery made this such a good book to read as well. If you love the night we said yes check out this book as well.
hazelstaybookish's review
4.0
Actual rating: 3.75-4
Slow start for me but the lovely writing was what did it. Full review tk.
Slow start for me but the lovely writing was what did it. Full review tk.
bookmarklit's review
2.0
2.5 stars. Maybe I had a chip on my shoulder the whole time I read this and never gave it a fair shot, but I just really did not like this. The main character annoyed me so much from the very first page, the writing felt nothing like Gibaldi's first book that I loved, the romance was meh, and so much felt forced and cheesy. I have a lot of thoughts on this actually. More later.
---------------
There are a lot of things I didn’t like about this book, but I don’t think I can necessarily say that it’s a bad book. I don’t know if I read this with a chip on my shoulder or something – like I didn’t give it a fair shot. I was annoyed within the first chapter and that feeling was unshakeable throughout the book. I really am putting this one firmly in the middle of the road (technically, since 2.5 is half of 5). I’m tired of being nice and rounding up my ratings because I feel like I should have liked a book. Some highlights of things I enjoyed and didn’t…
--- Things I enjoyed:
Adoption
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where adoption was the main storyline. I used to be fascinated by this process and thought it would be fun to get inside someone’s head in this situation. Overall, a cool concept that did make me want to keep reading. More on that later…
Photography
Her main hobby and potential future college major/career was photography. I’ve always enjoyed it but have never been good at it, so that was pretty fun to read about for me. I liked what it added to the story for sure.
--- Meh things:
Some relatable friend / college feels
This book did make feel nostalgic for college a little bit. The parties and drinking and shenanigans on each floor of the dorm. So classic. I also think the friend feels about Treena were simultaneously realistic and annoying. She was extremely jealous about everything, but there was at least a reason for her to be that way. I could put myself in her shoes (as well as Treena’s) but just wish she spoke up. This is your BEST FRIEND that you love sooo much apparently; you can’t tell her how you feel at that point? For something that feels huge to you? Ugh.
Romance
The romance was fine. It didn’t make me swoon and I wouldn’t add them to my “ship so hard” Goodreads shelf. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but I almost didn’t care about it. Essentially no feels. However, I did appreciate somewhat how it ended up.
--- Things I didn't enjoy:
Writing style and dialogue
After reading Gibaldi’s debut, I was extremely excited for this one to see how they compared. I enjoyed her first book but it didn’t blow me away like I had hoped. This book honestly felt like it was written by a completely different author. The writing was weird. It felt awkward and forced – like it was trying way too hard. Every single chapter or chapter break ended with a cheesy metaphor. She was never just walking on a path, she was walking ~ to her future ~ or something like that. I get the idea of adding some extra meaning here and there, but it didn’t work. This was one of the biggest things that made me grumble with each page.
Maude, the main character
Ugh, Maude. Within the first page or two, she was already comparing herself to Celine: her hair, her photography skills, etc. Again, somewhat realistic. Everyone is jealous and self-conscious right? But Celine gave her no reason to feel inferior like that. They’re friends and have shared interests. I think the first chapter of self-doubt is supposed to show how much Maude grows by the end of the book. She “finds herself” and figures out who she wants to be, instead of comparing herself to others. It just felt really overdone and heavy-handed instead of like natural character development.
Like I mentioned before, some of the friend feels of jealousy were normal and expected. I hate when I dislike characters like this because it makes me feel mean. I was never a perfect teenager but I always had fun / did things my parents wouldn’t like if they found out. Maude was essentially a wet blanket. I know she’s used to Treena-with-strict-Indian-parents and instead she got college-Treena, but I don’t know. She went on and on about the Treena she knew, her BEST FRIEND EVER and NO ONE WILL EVER compare to her SO DON’T EVEN TRY IT, CELINE!!!!! She was incredibly possessive over her right off the bat and I knew I wasn’t going to like where things were headed.
Something stupid that bothered me? They told her about a building shaped like a penis and she didn’t think it was funny. I mean, come on. That’s classic. Loosen up!
Some of the other adoption stuff
It felt cheesy at times – every time she walked A N Y W H E R E on campus, she made comments about how her mom walked through the same area. I really, truly get it. It’s actually a huge deal and I think anyone would have those thoughts constantly. But it seems like the kind of thing that we wouldn’t see repeated every other page – just because this is a novel, not an actual stream of consciousness in someone’s head. Does that make any sense? I also thought it was unrealistic that she expected so much from her mother, especially based on what she already knew. She got pregnant at 18 and gave the baby up for adoption; she could be like ANYTHING! She could be mean, nice, smart, dumb, party-crazy, or a book nerd. I feel like in that situation you might get your hopes up about what the parent is like – of course! – but wouldn’t there be some level of realism? I don’t know. I think I’m being too harsh, but it’s just the impression I got and it frustrated me. I would think “cautious optimism” is the way to go in this situation.
Overall feelings
When you roll your eyes and get annoyed with every page, you know it wasn’t really worth reading. I’m sorry. I don’t know if I’ll bother with Gibaldi’s future books. The first didn’t wow me too much and this one didn’t even come close. Overall, I generally liked the feels about adoption. That stuff kept me going while the college/friend stuff made me want to quit.
---------------
There are a lot of things I didn’t like about this book, but I don’t think I can necessarily say that it’s a bad book. I don’t know if I read this with a chip on my shoulder or something – like I didn’t give it a fair shot. I was annoyed within the first chapter and that feeling was unshakeable throughout the book. I really am putting this one firmly in the middle of the road (technically, since 2.5 is half of 5). I’m tired of being nice and rounding up my ratings because I feel like I should have liked a book. Some highlights of things I enjoyed and didn’t…
--- Things I enjoyed:
Adoption
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where adoption was the main storyline. I used to be fascinated by this process and thought it would be fun to get inside someone’s head in this situation. Overall, a cool concept that did make me want to keep reading. More on that later…
Photography
Her main hobby and potential future college major/career was photography. I’ve always enjoyed it but have never been good at it, so that was pretty fun to read about for me. I liked what it added to the story for sure.
--- Meh things:
Some relatable friend / college feels
This book did make feel nostalgic for college a little bit. The parties and drinking and shenanigans on each floor of the dorm. So classic. I also think the friend feels about Treena were simultaneously realistic and annoying. She was extremely jealous about everything, but there was at least a reason for her to be that way. I could put myself in her shoes (as well as Treena’s) but just wish she spoke up. This is your BEST FRIEND that you love sooo much apparently; you can’t tell her how you feel at that point? For something that feels huge to you? Ugh.
Romance
The romance was fine. It didn’t make me swoon and I wouldn’t add them to my “ship so hard” Goodreads shelf. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but I almost didn’t care about it. Essentially no feels. However, I did appreciate somewhat how it ended up.
Spoiler
Things were realistically left open-ended. She would be headed home and they’d keep in contact, but she had a smart attitude (for the first time in the whole book) about what their relationship could be. There were major hints she’d end up there for college, but nothing set in stone. This is not really an ending for the hardcore romantics out there because it wasn’t EXACTLY a HEA.--- Things I didn't enjoy:
Writing style and dialogue
After reading Gibaldi’s debut, I was extremely excited for this one to see how they compared. I enjoyed her first book but it didn’t blow me away like I had hoped. This book honestly felt like it was written by a completely different author. The writing was weird. It felt awkward and forced – like it was trying way too hard. Every single chapter or chapter break ended with a cheesy metaphor. She was never just walking on a path, she was walking ~ to her future ~ or something like that. I get the idea of adding some extra meaning here and there, but it didn’t work. This was one of the biggest things that made me grumble with each page.
Maude, the main character
Ugh, Maude. Within the first page or two, she was already comparing herself to Celine: her hair, her photography skills, etc. Again, somewhat realistic. Everyone is jealous and self-conscious right? But Celine gave her no reason to feel inferior like that. They’re friends and have shared interests. I think the first chapter of self-doubt is supposed to show how much Maude grows by the end of the book. She “finds herself” and figures out who she wants to be, instead of comparing herself to others. It just felt really overdone and heavy-handed instead of like natural character development.
Like I mentioned before, some of the friend feels of jealousy were normal and expected. I hate when I dislike characters like this because it makes me feel mean. I was never a perfect teenager but I always had fun / did things my parents wouldn’t like if they found out. Maude was essentially a wet blanket. I know she’s used to Treena-with-strict-Indian-parents and instead she got college-Treena, but I don’t know. She went on and on about the Treena she knew, her BEST FRIEND EVER and NO ONE WILL EVER compare to her SO DON’T EVEN TRY IT, CELINE!!!!! She was incredibly possessive over her right off the bat and I knew I wasn’t going to like where things were headed.
Something stupid that bothered me? They told her about a building shaped like a penis and she didn’t think it was funny. I mean, come on. That’s classic. Loosen up!
Some of the other adoption stuff
It felt cheesy at times – every time she walked A N Y W H E R E on campus, she made comments about how her mom walked through the same area. I really, truly get it. It’s actually a huge deal and I think anyone would have those thoughts constantly. But it seems like the kind of thing that we wouldn’t see repeated every other page – just because this is a novel, not an actual stream of consciousness in someone’s head. Does that make any sense? I also thought it was unrealistic that she expected so much from her mother, especially based on what she already knew. She got pregnant at 18 and gave the baby up for adoption; she could be like ANYTHING! She could be mean, nice, smart, dumb, party-crazy, or a book nerd. I feel like in that situation you might get your hopes up about what the parent is like – of course! – but wouldn’t there be some level of realism? I don’t know. I think I’m being too harsh, but it’s just the impression I got and it frustrated me. I would think “cautious optimism” is the way to go in this situation.
Overall feelings
When you roll your eyes and get annoyed with every page, you know it wasn’t really worth reading. I’m sorry. I don’t know if I’ll bother with Gibaldi’s future books. The first didn’t wow me too much and this one didn’t even come close. Overall, I generally liked the feels about adoption. That stuff kept me going while the college/friend stuff made me want to quit.
bethanymiller415's review
3.0
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic
Grades: 9-12
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Optional Purchase
When her art teacher assigns a project on family, teen photographer Maude visits her best friend Treena at college and goes in search of information about her birth mother who died during childbirth. Maude discovers new information about her mother and finds that her best friend has changed in the few months that she has been away at college. These revelations lead her to question who she really is and how she will change when she goes off to college.
This novel focuses on the transition from high school to college, a pivotal moment in the lives of many teens and a time when dramatic changes can take place in a short amount of time. Treena has taken the opportunity to reinvent herself from a girl who follows all the rules to a girl who will do anything to impress a hot boy. Maude is shocked by the changes in her friend and disgusted by the way she will do anything to impress a guy who is clearly a jerk. She is also hurt by her friend’s lack of interest in helping her in her quest to learn more about her mother. Luckily, Bennett, the cute boy who lives down the hall from Treena, is there to help her out.
The conflicts explored in Autofocus are realistic and relevant. Teens who have had friends go off to college or who have made that transition themselves will find a lot to relate to. Maude’s attempt to find more information about her mother yields realistic results. There are no huge surprises or overly dramatic twists. This is a serviceable novel about the changes and challenges of becoming a young adult. For a more compelling take on this topic, try Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.
Grades: 9-12
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommendation: Optional Purchase
When her art teacher assigns a project on family, teen photographer Maude visits her best friend Treena at college and goes in search of information about her birth mother who died during childbirth. Maude discovers new information about her mother and finds that her best friend has changed in the few months that she has been away at college. These revelations lead her to question who she really is and how she will change when she goes off to college.
This novel focuses on the transition from high school to college, a pivotal moment in the lives of many teens and a time when dramatic changes can take place in a short amount of time. Treena has taken the opportunity to reinvent herself from a girl who follows all the rules to a girl who will do anything to impress a hot boy. Maude is shocked by the changes in her friend and disgusted by the way she will do anything to impress a guy who is clearly a jerk. She is also hurt by her friend’s lack of interest in helping her in her quest to learn more about her mother. Luckily, Bennett, the cute boy who lives down the hall from Treena, is there to help her out.
The conflicts explored in Autofocus are realistic and relevant. Teens who have had friends go off to college or who have made that transition themselves will find a lot to relate to. Maude’s attempt to find more information about her mother yields realistic results. There are no huge surprises or overly dramatic twists. This is a serviceable novel about the changes and challenges of becoming a young adult. For a more compelling take on this topic, try Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.