sahaar's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting read for me. Everything was pretty fast paced, which in the beginning seemed to be fitting but after a while it proved to be more of a con than anything. While I do appreciate the author's portrayal of depression as far as the lack of hygeine goes, that was about all that I appreciated.
I really wish Penny would have consulted help regarding Jude's condition, especially considering she felt like that's all her life had to revolve around. I don't like how Jude looked at Penny as her "lifeline" - as it is both unhealthy and pressuring. I also didn't understand the story behind Jack's gender. I may have missed something but he came out as trans and yet for some reason Penny still addressed him using he/him pronouns.
This had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell short for me. It left me with nothing but questions.
This was an interesting read for me. Everything was pretty fast paced, which in the beginning seemed to be fitting but after a while it proved to be more of a con than anything. While I do appreciate the author's portrayal of depression as far as the lack of hygeine goes, that was about all that I appreciated.
I really wish Penny would have consulted help regarding Jude's condition, especially considering she felt like that's all her life had to revolve around. I don't like how Jude looked at Penny as her "lifeline" - as it is both unhealthy and pressuring. I also didn't understand the story behind Jack's gender. I may have missed something but he came out as trans and yet for some reason Penny still addressed him using he/him pronouns.
This had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell short for me. It left me with nothing but questions.
chellseed's review against another edition
**I would like to thank NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
This was a novella length story that provides a look into what it is like for family to live with mental illness. For 17 year old Penny her life revolves around the wellbeing of her younger sister Jude. This book has a pretty accurate depiction of depression, and I was surprised how much was able to be presented in such a short book. By the time we meet Jack I felt like I was already stressing with Penny over if she had time to understand her feelings for Jack when she was so busy monitoring the well being of her sister.
I feel like this could have made an amazing full length novel, and I would have loved to read it, but I am still impressed that for the short amount of pages it was there was topics including suicide and mental health, a transgender character, family love and loss, and kids with adult responsibility. I truly hope the author considers expanding on the characters one day.
This was a novella length story that provides a look into what it is like for family to live with mental illness. For 17 year old Penny her life revolves around the wellbeing of her younger sister Jude. This book has a pretty accurate depiction of depression, and I was surprised how much was able to be presented in such a short book. By the time we meet Jack I felt like I was already stressing with Penny over if she had time to understand her feelings for Jack when she was so busy monitoring the well being of her sister.
I feel like this could have made an amazing full length novel, and I would have loved to read it, but I am still impressed that for the short amount of pages it was there was topics including suicide and mental health, a transgender character, family love and loss, and kids with adult responsibility. I truly hope the author considers expanding on the characters one day.
lpineo's review against another edition
5.0
Review by Lisa Pineo
*I received this eARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My ratings: * I hated it ** It was okay *** I liked it **** Really good ***** Great
TW (trigger warnings): severe depression, suicide attempt, self-harm
"Hey, Jude" by Star Spider is a short but not so sweet YA novel about family, mental illness, new love and responsibility taken too far. 4½ stars
Description from the publisher:
Seventeen-year-old Penny is struggling to balance caring for Jude, her sister with mental health challenges, working part-time to help her mother with money issues and facing her final year of high school. She does not need any distractions. But then she meets Jack. The two of them click immediately. But as quickly as things heat up, they then cool down, and Penny isn't sure why. Does she have room for her feelings for Jack alongside her worries that her sister is crashing into suicidal depression again?
I really liked this book. Jude and Penny Lane (yes, those are names from Beatles songs) are sisters in a very co-dependent relationship. Penny has taken on a mother role looking after her younger sister with mental illness. She has made a pact with Jude that as long as Jude participates in life Penny will keep the severeness of Jude's current level of depression from their mother. Taking this secret on along with constant care of Jude, working at a crappy job, keeping her grades up and now meeting a potential boyfriend are taking their toll on Penny. She knows she's taking on too much responsibility but doesn't see a way out of it. Will she be able to keep juggling all these obligations or will they all come crashing down around her?
The author did a great job making the reader feel the extent of Penny's stress and the pain of Jude's mental state. I also loved the inclusion of an LGBTQ character that wasn't made a big deal of. My only complaint (the reason for the loss of that half star) is that the book seemed a bit too short. I had just gotten to know the characters when I finished the book and wanted to keep reading. I get why the author wanted to stop the story there but still wanted more. Definitely recommended.
*I received this eARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My ratings: * I hated it ** It was okay *** I liked it **** Really good ***** Great
TW (trigger warnings): severe depression, suicide attempt, self-harm
"Hey, Jude" by Star Spider is a short but not so sweet YA novel about family, mental illness, new love and responsibility taken too far. 4½ stars
Description from the publisher:
Seventeen-year-old Penny is struggling to balance caring for Jude, her sister with mental health challenges, working part-time to help her mother with money issues and facing her final year of high school. She does not need any distractions. But then she meets Jack. The two of them click immediately. But as quickly as things heat up, they then cool down, and Penny isn't sure why. Does she have room for her feelings for Jack alongside her worries that her sister is crashing into suicidal depression again?
I really liked this book. Jude and Penny Lane (yes, those are names from Beatles songs) are sisters in a very co-dependent relationship. Penny has taken on a mother role looking after her younger sister with mental illness. She has made a pact with Jude that as long as Jude participates in life Penny will keep the severeness of Jude's current level of depression from their mother. Taking this secret on along with constant care of Jude, working at a crappy job, keeping her grades up and now meeting a potential boyfriend are taking their toll on Penny. She knows she's taking on too much responsibility but doesn't see a way out of it. Will she be able to keep juggling all these obligations or will they all come crashing down around her?
The author did a great job making the reader feel the extent of Penny's stress and the pain of Jude's mental state. I also loved the inclusion of an LGBTQ character that wasn't made a big deal of. My only complaint (the reason for the loss of that half star) is that the book seemed a bit too short. I had just gotten to know the characters when I finished the book and wanted to keep reading. I get why the author wanted to stop the story there but still wanted more. Definitely recommended.
thecraftyreader's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Orca Books for providing me with an eARC in return for my honest review of this book.
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but felt it was a bit too fast paced. I understand it's made for those that struggle with reading/aren't too interested in reading, but some more details may have provided some much needed information.
Things I liked:
- I had a love/hate with the pace. I liked how it moved quickly and kept rolling. (see below for the cons).
- I appreciated the attempt at portraying mental illness. It was a good look for what a lot of people deal with, especially teenagers and it may be relatable (though some parts are tougher topics).
- I liked seeing how mental illness looked from a family member's eyes.
Things I disliked:
- the pace - Because it went so quickly, I found myself wanting to know more about the characters, the mental illness, and the relationships.
- I wanted to see more through Jude's eyes. Since she was the one going through depression, I wanted to see more into her brain and her thought process.
Overall, this book was quick and easy to read. It attempted to cover tough topics and covered the surface of them. More information and details could have filled in some holes I was left with. Maybe a sequel?
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but felt it was a bit too fast paced. I understand it's made for those that struggle with reading/aren't too interested in reading, but some more details may have provided some much needed information.
Things I liked:
- I had a love/hate with the pace. I liked how it moved quickly and kept rolling. (see below for the cons).
- I appreciated the attempt at portraying mental illness. It was a good look for what a lot of people deal with, especially teenagers and it may be relatable (though some parts are tougher topics).
- I liked seeing how mental illness looked from a family member's eyes.
Things I disliked:
- the pace - Because it went so quickly, I found myself wanting to know more about the characters, the mental illness, and the relationships.
- I wanted to see more through Jude's eyes. Since she was the one going through depression, I wanted to see more into her brain and her thought process.
Overall, this book was quick and easy to read. It attempted to cover tough topics and covered the surface of them. More information and details could have filled in some holes I was left with. Maybe a sequel?
microwev_'s review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Should be a full book, literally took me 36 mins to read, Beatles thing is a little too convenient
Penny looks after her younger sister Jude who has depression and meets jack
Penny looks after her younger sister Jude who has depression and meets jack
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt
lunasxi's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting read for me. Everything was pretty fast paced, which in the beginning seemed to be fitting but after a while it proved to be more of a con than anything. While I do appreciate the author's portrayal of depression as far as the lack of hygeine goes, that was about all that I appreciated.
I really wish Penny would have consulted help regarding Jude's condition, especially considering she felt like that's all her life had to revolve around. I don't like how Jude looked at Penny as her "lifeline" - as it is both unhealthy and pressuring. I also didn't understand the story behind Jack's gender. I may have missed something but he came out as trans and yet for some reason Penny still addressed him using he/him pronouns.
This had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell short for me. It left me with nothing but questions.
This was an interesting read for me. Everything was pretty fast paced, which in the beginning seemed to be fitting but after a while it proved to be more of a con than anything. While I do appreciate the author's portrayal of depression as far as the lack of hygeine goes, that was about all that I appreciated.
I really wish Penny would have consulted help regarding Jude's condition, especially considering she felt like that's all her life had to revolve around. I don't like how Jude looked at Penny as her "lifeline" - as it is both unhealthy and pressuring. I also didn't understand the story behind Jack's gender. I may have missed something but he came out as trans and yet for some reason Penny still addressed him using he/him pronouns.
This had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell short for me. It left me with nothing but questions.
halliedb's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. The mental health representation is great, and I enjoyed the main character Penny's journey. However, it felt too short to get everything across. I didn't really get to know anyone, and by the time I started to do so, it was over. Still, there was more good than bad and I would still recommend this book to certain people.
For full review check out The More We Read!
***Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review***
For full review check out The More We Read!
***Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review***
wondermajica's review against another edition
2.0
Hey Jude is a short novella about a seventeen-year-old girl, Penny, who feels she must take care of her younger sister Jude, who suffers from depression and suicidal ideation. The book covers the start of a new school year for the girls.
I can not decide if I liked this book or not. I was able to finish it but was left feeling nothing. I wasn't sad it had ended, nor did I find myself wondering what happened next. The book has two large character reveals. The first was predictable and the second felt forced. The ending was also predictable. Many of the interactions between the characters felt forced and unnatural.
I feel like I should also mention that while the book is just barely over 100 pages long, it took me almost a month to finish it. I would pick up, read a chapter...then put it back down out of boredom. Overall, it felt like notes for a poorly written Freeform drama in the making that was accidentally published as a book.
However, I do appreciate the representation of LGBTQ...even if it felt like a last-minute addition. I also really like the way that Jude's red flags were presented. Instead of using the stereotypical symptoms of someone being suicidal, it brings up some of the lesser-known, yet more common ones. The relationship between the sisters, Jude and Penny, was the most believable and well-written part of this book.
I can not decide if I liked this book or not. I was able to finish it but was left feeling nothing. I wasn't sad it had ended, nor did I find myself wondering what happened next. The book has two large character reveals. The first was predictable and the second felt forced. The ending was also predictable. Many of the interactions between the characters felt forced and unnatural.
I feel like I should also mention that while the book is just barely over 100 pages long, it took me almost a month to finish it. I would pick up, read a chapter...then put it back down out of boredom. Overall, it felt like notes for a poorly written Freeform drama in the making that was accidentally published as a book.
However, I do appreciate the representation of LGBTQ...even if it felt like a last-minute addition. I also really like the way that Jude's red flags were presented. Instead of using the stereotypical symptoms of someone being suicidal, it brings up some of the lesser-known, yet more common ones. The relationship between the sisters, Jude and Penny, was the most believable and well-written part of this book.
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