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bubbledye's review
4.5
This was such a wonderful book! It was a bit grating at times, whenever Stella came up, but it was easy to work through.
For some, the lack of character development may dampen their desire to actually finish the book. All I’m going to say to that is this is their first novel so cut them some slack while reading it.
It’s a classic love story with so many “if only she (or he) had” moments that it may get irritating. Either way, I’d probably read this again just for the experience
For some, the lack of character development may dampen their desire to actually finish the book. All I’m going to say to that is this is their first novel so cut them some slack while reading it.
It’s a classic love story with so many “if only she (or he) had” moments that it may get irritating. Either way, I’d probably read this again just for the experience
lordozai15's review
emotional
funny
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
3.75
kcehelnik's review against another edition
2.0
Bleh. The characters were supposed to be 18 and read more like 14. It all felt very high school drama-y. I liked the secondary characters (Robin & Casper) more than the main characters. There were also parts where it felt like it jumped points of the story and there was nothing there to clarify there was a different event or conversation happening.
jessmy2cents's review
3.0
I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. Let’s be clear, it is an upper YA novel (with sex, drugs, and drinking mind you) and while I love YA, I am a woman in her 40s, so I am not the intended audience. Would I have loved it when I was 18? Maybe.
The Good: I liked the back and forth and the two different authors taking on each voice. I felt that their struggles were real and was convinced by the characters.
The Bad: This is heavily marketed as a romance novel. While I liked the romantic relationship between the two protagonists I felt it was more of a coming of age story than a romance. I think labeling it as romance made me judge it as a romance, which left it lacking. That being said, if it were a coming of age story (which it is) I would be (I am) even more irritated that the book ended with Hannah’s continued best-friendship with someone who is awful to her and ultimately who she is awful to, despite their toxic love hate/relationship. Hannah still has a lot of growing up to do in the friendship department, which overshadows the love story.
The Good: I liked the back and forth and the two different authors taking on each voice. I felt that their struggles were real and was convinced by the characters.
The Bad: This is heavily marketed as a romance novel. While I liked the romantic relationship between the two protagonists I felt it was more of a coming of age story than a romance. I think labeling it as romance made me judge it as a romance, which left it lacking. That being said, if it were a coming of age story (which it is) I would be (I am) even more irritated that the book ended with Hannah’s continued best-friendship with someone who is awful to her and ultimately who she is awful to, despite their toxic love hate/relationship. Hannah still has a lot of growing up to do in the friendship department, which overshadows the love story.
starkiwi's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up on a blind date. Which was good because I would never have picked this book up if I saw it lying on the shelf. The title just wouldn’t appeal to me. It doesn’t seem like that kind of book I would like. But it was. I was really surprised how much I liked it. I am also surprised about why I liked it so much: I don’t know.
When I walked into my library and saw the blind date cart filled with books bound in black paper I was curious and thought that I should try one. I looked at all the summaries placed on the black covers. This one appealed to me the most. And without knowing too much about it, I checked it out.
I was suspicious if I would even like the book when I saw the title, but as I said before, I really liked it at the end. I was a funny, contemporary read. Obviously filled with romance. I don’t think that is why I liked it, however. It was more just there and you can really focus on the storyline. On whatever aspect about the book you wanted to really.
This book is told in two different perspectives. The two authors write for one character each. Girl for girl, boy for boy. That I think very unique. This was the first time I had ever seen a book written like that before. Still not why I liked it so much.
I think it was just the feeling of the book. I thought it was just a good romance. I didn’t fall in love with the characters. I just wanted them to be together and when anything brought them apart, you end up laughing because it is just so ridiculous. It is not one of those hard ship, together or die books. It is a playful book that makes you smile, laugh, and cry in the best ways.
When I walked into my library and saw the blind date cart filled with books bound in black paper I was curious and thought that I should try one. I looked at all the summaries placed on the black covers. This one appealed to me the most. And without knowing too much about it, I checked it out.
I was suspicious if I would even like the book when I saw the title, but as I said before, I really liked it at the end. I was a funny, contemporary read. Obviously filled with romance. I don’t think that is why I liked it, however. It was more just there and you can really focus on the storyline. On whatever aspect about the book you wanted to really.
This book is told in two different perspectives. The two authors write for one character each. Girl for girl, boy for boy. That I think very unique. This was the first time I had ever seen a book written like that before. Still not why I liked it so much.
I think it was just the feeling of the book. I thought it was just a good romance. I didn’t fall in love with the characters. I just wanted them to be together and when anything brought them apart, you end up laughing because it is just so ridiculous. It is not one of those hard ship, together or die books. It is a playful book that makes you smile, laugh, and cry in the best ways.
mowgang's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
mfeibel's review against another edition
4.0
This was great. The characters felt totally relatable. I particularly felt a connection to Hannah. It was funny, sweet, romantic. And I liked the fact that it ended realistically, instead of all "happy ending-y".
alexandriiai'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? No
3.75
librarygrrl's review against another edition
3.0
Think of your favorite raunchy British rom com, and now set that in high school, and you have this book. It's the tale of the quest of love, the intricacies of friendship, and the task of losing one's virginity. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and a bit frustrating at times. I hope they make this one into a movie, it would be awesome.
andrea0301's review against another edition
5.0
Yet another book I have had on my to read list for all eternity and finally got around to reading it and I don't know why I waited so long. I suppose, I wasn't in the mood for a bit of a romance regarding this novel until now.
This novel is written by TWO authors, Sam's parts are written by Tom and Hannah's parts are written by Lucy. It is based partly on their own love story, although they are no longer together, they remain good friends. I am still friends with a few exes, so I can understand this as well.
Sam and Hannah meet at a party in-between high school and university in the UK, while they await test score results to determine where they will go to university. This system alone was interesting to read about, since I grew up in North America. Then, things happen where they don't get together straight away and those adventures on summer break were truly engrossing. I also enjoyed the friend dynamics between Stella and Hannah as well.
A highly recommended summer read for those who like this genre. I especially enjoyed the happy ending at the end!
This novel is written by TWO authors, Sam's parts are written by Tom and Hannah's parts are written by Lucy. It is based partly on their own love story, although they are no longer together, they remain good friends. I am still friends with a few exes, so I can understand this as well.
Sam and Hannah meet at a party in-between high school and university in the UK, while they await test score results to determine where they will go to university. This system alone was interesting to read about, since I grew up in North America. Then, things happen where they don't get together straight away and those adventures on summer break were truly engrossing. I also enjoyed the friend dynamics between Stella and Hannah as well.
A highly recommended summer read for those who like this genre. I especially enjoyed the happy ending at the end!