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jassymac23's review against another edition
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 loved this book more than I thought. It was concise and developed both main and supporting characters without being too wordy. It provided just enough background information to help advance the plot without slowing down the pace. I adore the main characters and how the author handled their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death
meg_sm's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, and Infidelity
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
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
morgancvtherine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I absolutely adore this book and romance is entirely out of my realm of enjoyed genres.
The characters were relatable and all the conflict was written very will.
The characters were also very fun and written like they were they age.
A sincere thank you to Nic Stone for this.
The characters were relatable and all the conflict was written very will.
The characters were also very fun and written like they were they age.
A sincere thank you to Nic Stone for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, and Abortion
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
maddymaddy9's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
I was a bit worried about if this would be triggering on depressive thoughts, but the care in the writing is clear & for me I feel like was a hopeful and positive read. Like I did cry, but it made me feel better rather than worse. I honestly could have done with it being more friendship less romantic relationship but the relationship was really comforting and beautiful. I would definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, and Abortion
Minor: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
thebookguru's review against another edition
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.thebookkeepers's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
A wonderful and complex young adult story which focuses on the friendship and relationships of two teenagers both dealing with their own grievances of life, family drama, and mental health struggles. I love how this author aims to overcome the mental health stigma with this story while also educating the reader about how varied those struggles can look. This book covered heavy topics & I’d recommend checking triggers if you have any that you avoid. Even with the heavy content, this book is about hope and empowerment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abortion
nbreezy17's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bethany6788's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Nic Stone is one of the best YA lit writers out there. Y’all, she is changing the game. I found her with Dear Martin and I’ve loved her since. This book ripped my heart out and broke it, and put it back together. That authors note in between the end and epilogue had me crying.
Alcoholism is real. I’m sober just over 16 months and some of the things Andy (Walter) says and does in this book gave me shivers. Drinking alone, drinking to escape, drinking because he can’t deal with what’s going on. It’s extremely relatable. And Shelbi! My girl. Dealing with so much of her mental health struggles and doing her best to keep and set boundaries.
I implore you to read this book. And then go read Nic’s other books.
Thank you Nic Stone for writing this one. It hit home in the toughest ways, but it’s what I needed tonight.
Alcoholism is real. I’m sober just over 16 months and some of the things Andy (Walter) says and does in this book gave me shivers. Drinking alone, drinking to escape, drinking because he can’t deal with what’s going on. It’s extremely relatable. And Shelbi! My girl. Dealing with so much of her mental health struggles and doing her best to keep and set boundaries.
I implore you to read this book. And then go read Nic’s other books.
Thank you Nic Stone for writing this one. It hit home in the toughest ways, but it’s what I needed tonight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Child death, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Medical content