mcreasman's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I’m so bummed by this book. It was pretty anticlimactic. I know this is Hayley’s first book, but it was so obvious while reading it. It was also read by Hayley and I just wish it was read by a pro because there was definitely a lack of emotion? Idk I know I couldn’t be a professional at this. I think a different narrator would’ve made it sound less cringey. I didn’t like the characters. The main girl, Coley, had just gone through a serious trauma and is also 17 so I’ll give her some slack, but the other characters were all just huge jerks. The main love interest, Sonya, is awful to Coley and yet Coley still idolizes her?? Also the main conflict at the end was incredibly problematic and was brushed over so quickly???? The whole story just really didn’t sit right with me…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Death, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
briannasilveira's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Suicide
shelbyeallen13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
eschorrlesnick's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Alcohol, Drug use, Death of parent, and Suicide
slayergirl3281's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
2.25
Thank you Wednesday books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This books really couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. It felt torn between a live story and hard hitting family issues. But it honestly didn’t do either well. The book is set in 2006 and is trying to, but doesn’t capture the nostalgia of the 00’s. I found most of not all the characters toxic towards each other, and yes I know they are teens but it was really really bad. The writing was extremely juvenile and could use a few more rounds of editing or rewrites before it goes to the public. Overall I had to push myself to finish this one. I hope others find joy in it though!
Cw
Suicide
Homophobia
Domestic violence
Emotional abuse
Underage drinking
Toxic relationship
Toxic friendship
Gaslighting
Violence
This books really couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. It felt torn between a live story and hard hitting family issues. But it honestly didn’t do either well. The book is set in 2006 and is trying to, but doesn’t capture the nostalgia of the 00’s. I found most of not all the characters toxic towards each other, and yes I know they are teens but it was really really bad. The writing was extremely juvenile and could use a few more rounds of editing or rewrites before it goes to the public. Overall I had to push myself to finish this one. I hope others find joy in it though!
Cw
Suicide
Homophobia
Domestic violence
Emotional abuse
Underage drinking
Toxic relationship
Toxic friendship
Gaslighting
Violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Physical abuse
goatsrsexy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
have complicated feelings about this book tbh. First of all, am not the target demographic so get that out of the way first. feel the target demographic are people who really connected to the song/music video when it came out, and do feel this book will be super meaningful to those people. While certainly do like girls like boys do, that's not an aspect of my identity ever had to struggle with. I was privileged to have been raised by very liberal and open minded parents in a community that felt the same.
This book takes place in the mid-late 2000s which was the time of my childhood. Coley is a little older than would've been but definitely relate a lot to the time and the culture which is a lot of fun. It also feels more like the YA that was coming out around that time. YA romance these days often feels more like it's written for adults but this book feels kind of like a middle grade book except with swearing and more mature scenes. I don't know if that was the intention or if it comes down to a lack of skill in writing. It's certainly not a super amazingly written book, but I think that teenagers will enjoy it and do think that would have liked it a lot if read this book 10-15 years ago.
l'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's ever felt like the song it's based on really spoke to them. I also think it would be a fantastic book for girls who are coming of age and questioning their identity.
This book takes place in the mid-late 2000s which was the time of my childhood. Coley is a little older than would've been but definitely relate a lot to the time and the culture which is a lot of fun. It also feels more like the YA that was coming out around that time. YA romance these days often feels more like it's written for adults but this book feels kind of like a middle grade book except with swearing and more mature scenes. I don't know if that was the intention or if it comes down to a lack of skill in writing. It's certainly not a super amazingly written book, but I think that teenagers will enjoy it and do think that would have liked it a lot if read this book 10-15 years ago.
l'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's ever felt like the song it's based on really spoke to them. I also think it would be a fantastic book for girls who are coming of age and questioning their identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Domestic abuse
_kayreads_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It was cute and expected.
A bit dramatic but aren’t all first loves? I feel like in some regards plot points are important but when you are scared to go against the grain it makes sense.
I didn’t feel overwhelming connection to these characters but I did understand when you realize you are different.
It was nice and good book.
Thank you so much for an arc copy.
I do appreciate it.
A bit dramatic but aren’t all first loves? I feel like in some regards plot points are important but when you are scared to go against the grain it makes sense.
I didn’t feel overwhelming connection to these characters but I did understand when you realize you are different.
It was nice and good book.
Thank you so much for an arc copy.
I do appreciate it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
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