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story_sanctuary's review
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this book, but by the end, I had laughed and cried right along with the characters.
Tori is kind of grumpy. Sometimes it can be cute, but especially at the beginning, she just seemed to complain about everything. I love her relationship with her mom, who’s a police officer. The things they talk about and their text message exchanges felt authentic and really endeared Tori to me.
I also love Marigold. She’s classy and sharp and really brings out the best in Tori. That relationship and its effect on Tori really made the whole book, for me. When I was in high school, I visited and befriended a woman in a nursing home, so in some ways, it reminded me of that, and made me miss her all over again.
There were a couple things I found problematic, though. One is that at one point, Tori and Marigold discuss the Japanese Internment camps in the US during World War II, which is where many of Marigold’s family members died. Tori makes a comment, like, “how horrible,” and Marigold responds with something like, “not really, no,” and goes on to defend the US for imprisoning Japanese citizens– it was a time of fear, Japanese soldiers had killed Americans, etc. I felt shocked, if I’m honest. It’s the only time anything like that happens (which doesn’t make it okay), and later when Tori learns more about the internment camps, she’s horrified and disturbed about it.
Later in the story, Tori’s love interest does something really out of character and then basically chalks it up to being inexperienced with girls, and she immediately forgives him. I had a hard time buying into that– both his misstep and the speed with which she forgives him. She’s got a history of men betraying her, so it seemed like this would take a lot more to get past.
On the whole, I enjoyed some things about the book, especially Tori’s relationships with her mom and Marigold, and the way her relationship with Marigold impacts her life.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Tori is kind of grumpy. Sometimes it can be cute, but especially at the beginning, she just seemed to complain about everything. I love her relationship with her mom, who’s a police officer. The things they talk about and their text message exchanges felt authentic and really endeared Tori to me.
I also love Marigold. She’s classy and sharp and really brings out the best in Tori. That relationship and its effect on Tori really made the whole book, for me. When I was in high school, I visited and befriended a woman in a nursing home, so in some ways, it reminded me of that, and made me miss her all over again.
There were a couple things I found problematic, though. One is that at one point, Tori and Marigold discuss the Japanese Internment camps in the US during World War II, which is where many of Marigold’s family members died. Tori makes a comment, like, “how horrible,” and Marigold responds with something like, “not really, no,” and goes on to defend the US for imprisoning Japanese citizens– it was a time of fear, Japanese soldiers had killed Americans, etc. I felt shocked, if I’m honest. It’s the only time anything like that happens (which doesn’t make it okay), and later when Tori learns more about the internment camps, she’s horrified and disturbed about it.
Later in the story, Tori’s love interest does something really out of character and then basically chalks it up to being inexperienced with girls, and she immediately forgives him. I had a hard time buying into that– both his misstep and the speed with which she forgives him. She’s got a history of men betraying her, so it seemed like this would take a lot more to get past.
On the whole, I enjoyed some things about the book, especially Tori’s relationships with her mom and Marigold, and the way her relationship with Marigold impacts her life.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
milceymoo's review
5.0
I loved absolutely everything about this book! It was a joy to watch Tori’s character grow from her awkward and sarcastic self to a more caring and responsible version. The relationship between Tori and Mamabear was so so sweet and really captured the essence of a single mom raising her daughter to be the best she can be. My favorite character would have to be Marigold. There are just no words to describe how much I loved her! The texting aspect really made the story. I cried and I laughed all throughout and it’s definitely going into my “read again” pile!
*Disclaimer - I received free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Disclaimer - I received free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
marikirst's review
5.0
I loved, loved, loved this book. Teenage Tori is volunteering at a care center for a youth group project and is paired with Marigold, a 93 year old delightful woman. Throughout the story we see Tori grow in her acceptance of older folks as well as navigating those teenage years with her single mom. She likes that she's being taken care of, but doesn't always want to share her personal life. There is a lot of playful banter between Tori and her mom as well as Tori and her new guy friend. Her personality just shines which made this story so fun to read.
booksforchristiangirls's review
3.0
I'm going to have to give this book 3 stars because of some content, but I did like many other aspects of this Contemporary YA.
{{Full Content Review on BFCG on 5/15/2020}}
{{Full Content Review on BFCG on 5/15/2020}}
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