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spiderwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars. This book was so cute and a good break from the heavier books I've been reading. I was so engrossed and desperately wanted to know what Addie was secretly keeping from everyone. I predicted what it was pretty quick, but that's okay.
Addie's story is every girl's worst nightmare, and I don't just mean heartache. I mean putting your utmost trust in someone only to have them tear it to shreds and burns the pieces right in front of you. I love the sibling relationship in this story and our good friend Rowan. They really helped our protagonist move forward.
This story was about Addie, loving every part of her, forgiving herself, and how to come back from betrayal. I recommend this book to anyone with a broken heart and wants to escape to Ireland and feel the cold wind pass through their soul.
Addie's story is every girl's worst nightmare, and I don't just mean heartache. I mean putting your utmost trust in someone only to have them tear it to shreds and burns the pieces right in front of you. I love the sibling relationship in this story and our good friend Rowan. They really helped our protagonist move forward.
This story was about Addie, loving every part of her, forgiving herself, and how to come back from betrayal. I recommend this book to anyone with a broken heart and wants to escape to Ireland and feel the cold wind pass through their soul.
ashction's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Good, but no Love & Gelato.
I really, really loved L&G - it had the romance, the mystery, the lessons and learning and fluff that made the book not only work, but sing. I guess I expected L&L to do the same, and it does - sometimes! - but it's definitely a different kind of story. L&L is not romantic, per say; it is about heartbreak and rebuilding. While that's really nice, that's not the kind of book I expected to read, so I think that detracted from my experience a bit. If you read it and expect rebuilding and a sibling-centric story, you're probably going to enjoy it a lot more!
Spoilers ahead, but to conclude: Overall, this was a hard read at first but it finally became interesting and good somewhere between the third/halfway points. Read at your own risk; there's not a lot of love or luck, but there's a lot of family love, self-love, and new beginnings.
The Good: I love that I realized midway through the book that this was a companion novel to L&G; you didn't need to read either to fully understand one by itself, but the experience is definitely richer having read both books. I also actually really liked how Addie grows, and the Queen Maeve bit is stellar. The last third of the novel, actually, is pretty awesome, and it definitely improved my overall opinion of the book! There's a really lovely moment once the get to the musical festival that I won't spoil but totally made me tear up, and I loved it. I also liked the sibling dynamics between not only Addie and Ian, but Walter and Archie too. I actually wish there had been a little more of that, especially since the novel is selling that familial relationship so heavily. And, naturally, who doesn't enjoy a good road trip book? There were enough shenanigans and cool characters along the way to really sell that theme/technique, so I applaud that (and the subtle ways it fleshes Addie out as this boss mechanic/tech girl, a characteristic I was a little envious of myself!)
The Bad (or, at least, Not So Good): The introduction is actually terrible. I had no idea for three chapters whether these characters were Irish or American, and - honestly - even Rowan, the only Irish person in the book, could have easily been American if not otherwise specified. On a craft-level, more attention could have been paid to subtly developing the scene since we jump straight into the action and Ian and Addie's brawl. I also kind of hate and love that there's not romance in this? There's hints by the end, but they're still fragile beginnings of a crush rather than anything solid. I dislike that there's not romance because I think the title is a bit misleading; that love is definitely self-love more than anything. But I love it, too, because it goes with the story and really develops the characters. I also wish the Cubby thing was better introduced, less mysterious, and better finalized. I spent too long wondering if this was about to swerve into a rape-y situation, and actual lines insinuated this a lot (intentionally or not). I also really disliked the way Cubby is just "maybe going to be kicked off the team" but we don't talk about it again; the entire novel actually ends way too abruptly, and could have used a little more time to mediate. And even though this is Addie's book, she spent so much time worrying about Lina, her new boyfriend, and their relationship that there was too few girl-to-girl conversations to go around.
I really, really loved L&G - it had the romance, the mystery, the lessons and learning and fluff that made the book not only work, but sing. I guess I expected L&L to do the same, and it does - sometimes! - but it's definitely a different kind of story. L&L is not romantic, per say; it is about heartbreak and rebuilding. While that's really nice, that's not the kind of book I expected to read, so I think that detracted from my experience a bit. If you read it and expect rebuilding and a sibling-centric story, you're probably going to enjoy it a lot more!
Spoilers ahead, but to conclude: Overall, this was a hard read at first but it finally became interesting and good somewhere between the third/halfway points. Read at your own risk; there's not a lot of love or luck, but there's a lot of family love, self-love, and new beginnings.
The Good: I love that I realized midway through the book that this was a companion novel to L&G; you didn't need to read either to fully understand one by itself, but the experience is definitely richer having read both books. I also actually really liked how Addie grows, and the Queen Maeve bit is stellar. The last third of the novel, actually, is pretty awesome, and it definitely improved my overall opinion of the book! There's a really lovely moment once the get to the musical festival that I won't spoil but totally made me tear up, and I loved it. I also liked the sibling dynamics between not only Addie and Ian, but Walter and Archie too. I actually wish there had been a little more of that, especially since the novel is selling that familial relationship so heavily. And, naturally, who doesn't enjoy a good road trip book? There were enough shenanigans and cool characters along the way to really sell that theme/technique, so I applaud that (and the subtle ways it fleshes Addie out as this boss mechanic/tech girl, a characteristic I was a little envious of myself!)
The Bad (or, at least, Not So Good): The introduction is actually terrible. I had no idea for three chapters whether these characters were Irish or American, and - honestly - even Rowan, the only Irish person in the book, could have easily been American if not otherwise specified. On a craft-level, more attention could have been paid to subtly developing the scene since we jump straight into the action and Ian and Addie's brawl. I also kind of hate and love that there's not romance in this? There's hints by the end, but they're still fragile beginnings of a crush rather than anything solid. I dislike that there's not romance because I think the title is a bit misleading; that love is definitely self-love more than anything. But I love it, too, because it goes with the story and really develops the characters. I also wish the Cubby thing was better introduced, less mysterious, and better finalized. I spent too long wondering if this was about to swerve into a rape-y situation, and actual lines insinuated this a lot (intentionally or not). I also really disliked the way Cubby is just "maybe going to be kicked off the team" but we don't talk about it again; the entire novel actually ends way too abruptly, and could have used a little more time to mediate. And even though this is Addie's book, she spent so much time worrying about Lina, her new boyfriend, and their relationship that there was too few girl-to-girl conversations to go around.
kakashimmy's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. It was cute and I really want to visit Ireland now, even more so.
hannahinlibraryland's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know this was a book I needed, but I am so glad I found it.
auburnedge's review against another edition
5.0
When I first started this book I wasn't a fan, put it down and came back a week later. I am so glad I did. The book was moving, magical, and healing. The story was absolutely heartbreaking in the beginning but the way the author moved through the story you took you along with the healing process.
I would buy the guide book used by Addie because it was hilarious, believable, and the homework worked with the story. The fact that they follow the map and grow as individuals and friends just brings you in and makes you part of the story. I cried, I laughed, and in the end I felt resolved. The ending didn't leave you hanging or try to do a fix all. Instead it was very believable.
I would buy the guide book used by Addie because it was hilarious, believable, and the homework worked with the story. The fact that they follow the map and grow as individuals and friends just brings you in and makes you part of the story. I cried, I laughed, and in the end I felt resolved. The ending didn't leave you hanging or try to do a fix all. Instead it was very believable.
mollycharlie_18's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
seventhchariot's review against another edition
3.0
Reread: Aug. 2022
Not my fav in the series but it's still a solid YA contemporary
Rating: 3 stars
Not my fav in the series but it's still a solid YA contemporary
Rating: 3 stars