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dorothy_shack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Ableism
Saoirse’s mother Liz has early-onset dementia and a big theme of the book is Saoirse’s fear that she will/has already developed it. There’s an incident of ableism when Saoirse and Liz are on an outing and a few descriptions of dementia-related violent outbursts by Liz.midslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Ableism
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It has sharp (at times razor-sharp) writing, believable character development, snarky dialogue, and nicely paced. It also provides real insight into
The best character development award goes to our MC, Saoirse (pronounced Seer-sha, as she makes clear right at the beginning). Her distinctly sarcastic narrative voice engages you immediately, even as you think, this girl has issues (well, that's what I thought, anyway).
The plot is well-paced, and it is in some ways I could see where it was going,
I also really appreciated how everything
Overall, this was a really well-written, feel-good tale with a knockout MC.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
MC Saoirse's mother haslolajh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I just want to say that I am ANGRY. This book right up until literally the last chapter was an absolute five-star read. I hated the ending and feel so underwhelmed.
Now, onto what I liked. So, Saoirse, let me tell you I loved to hate her. Why? Because she’s ME. She is the most relatable character I’ve ever read the perspective of. Her life and character all has such human reason it feels like she really is real. Flawed characters are the best <3
And I FUCKING LOVED RUBY (among other characters like Oliver and Beth and not really Saoirse’s dad) She is a lovable little ball of sunshine that in some parts maybe deserved more than Saoirse and shouldn’t have forgiven her so many times, but that’s okay.
I don’t have much else to say. Maybe if the ending was different I’d be able to appreciate the parts of this book that I loved so much, but I really feel like I can’t. I’m going to be resorting to ao3’s alternate endings to this book immediately to fill the void in my heart that I now have because of that ending.
Graphic: Chronic illness and Dementia
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- Saoirse is prickly and angry, and the book does a good job of showing us how her feelings can be valid, but also a bit overblown where she doesn’t have the full context.
- I also loved how this book was virtually free of homophobia. Maybe a brief mention, but not a central part of the plot at all.
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Let me start of by listing what I didn't like about this book:
- the main character was kind of annoying at times. Also I got really mad at her for the way she treated other people and argumented herself out of every wrong doing.
- the book was really sad and depressing at times (I cried a few times throughout the book)
I really liked Oliver and his dynamic with Saoirse. They had that teasing brother and sister "funny enemies" thing going on which I really like.
I also liked Beth. I get why Saoirse didn't like her but I think she is actually pretty great. I did not however like her father. I get that he's trying his best but I would be so so mad at him for everything he has done.
The ending was fine I guess. I don't have super strong feelings for this book I have to say. I thought it was okay but I doubt it will stick in my mind for long.
I think I'm just kinda disappointed because I wanted to like this book so bad and I also really thought I would..
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Infidelity, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying
stopthesun's review against another edition
- 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
"'See, the thing about the falling in love montage,' she said, her voice horse, 'is that when it's over, the characters have fallen in love.'"
Saoirse's been having a rough go at life lately - she's sworn off love and maybe even planning for the future. But when she meets Ruby, who proposes a summer romance without all the bad stuff that goes along with relationships, Saoirse agrees.
Warnings for
Spoiler
Abelism, Homophobia, Slut Shaming, DementiaWhen I picked up [b:The Falling in Love Montage|53066661|The Falling in Love Montage|Ciara Smyth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570034111l/53066661._SX50_SY75_.jpg|69421272] I expected a fluffy romance... which isn't exactly what I got. I almost feel like it's less of a romance and more of a coming-of-age story.
THE GOOD
Saoire's Growth: I love when characters have clear growth. At the beginning of the book Saoire was a piece of work - stubborn, pessimistic, scared. The world's wronged her and she's not letting anyone in to make it worse.
Over the course of the book you can see her mature though. She slowly (and reluctantly) gets to know Beth. She starts to let Ruby in. She makes up with some people. The only person whose relationship resolution bothered me was with her dad, but more on that later.
Saoirse & Ruby: I saw some people saying that they didn't see the chemistry between Saoirse and Ruby, but I thought they were really cute. And I appreciated their resolution at the end of the book - I thought it was appropriate, realistic, and hopeful.
Characters: Specifically, I really liked Oliver (for his an Saoirse's "rivalry") and Beth ( for how hard she tried).
THE NOT AS GOOD
Miscommunication: Pretty much all of the conflicts in this book are based around Saoirse keeping secrets and not wanting to talk about her feelings.
And here's where I admit that miscommunication doesn't actually bother me. It's only in the this section because I know miscommunication bothers other people. Personally, I feel like it's realistic - some people are like this. And [a:Ciara Smyth|6910324|Ciara Smyth|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1571741138p2/6910324.jpg] handled it well. There are clear consequences to being the way she is and I think Saoirse learns her lessons.
Saoirse & Her Dad: I understand that Saoirse is angry with her dad because she feels like he abandoned her mom. But the book makes it clear that her dad still loves her mom and visits her all the time and I just don't think Saoirse is fair to him. In fact, she's so mean to him that I felt bad.
It seemed like all the things Saoirse was learning was leading her to a healthier relationship with herself and her dad. So I kept waiting for a satisfactory resolution between them but it never came.
Some Favorite Quotes:
"I'm so glad we have this chance to get to know each other," she said. "Your dad talks about you all the time."
"OK," I said flatly.
Dad shot me a look. I shrugged at him. What was I supposed to say to that? I'm familiar with your existence and I disapprove. Seemed rude even for me.
"You want to have meaningful eye contact with me now?"
"Sure."
"Shouldn't it be, I dunno, more natural?"
"You're OK with a list of dates and a prearranged breakup, but we can't schedule meaningful eye contact?"
He stuffed a biscuit in his mouth and got crumbs all over my bed. Was this what being straight was like? A boy in your bedroom making a mess? Not for the first time, I thanked God I was a lesbian.
"What is wrong with you, Saoirse?" Dad hissed.
"I have no impulse control?" I replied, like I really wanted to figure out the answer to this question with him. "No, wait, it's that I don't have any fucks to give? I'm all out of fucks."
Sometimes the best feelings in the world don't last forever. They're explosions in the body or the heart of both at once, and you know that you'll never be the same as before, but it's OK because you can always build something new in the wreckage.
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
corabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Ableism, Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sarah_bess_'s review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism and Dementia
matheo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Car accident, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment