dlberglund's review
4.0
Bittersweet story of Cleo and the mourning of her friendship with Layla. There were other complications, too, including her parents' divorce and a new cute boy, but it is mostly about finding people who like you and stick with you, or losing them. It's about someone who you think will always have your back, until you each find there are knives there instead.
At first, I sadly really related. I thought about intense friendships I had had that fizzled, or turned bitter. I thought of one particular high school friendship that soured and got nasty for no good reason that I can remember. I still feel vaguely guilty about it, and confused by how people can change and make assumptions and end up using all that precious friendship knowledge against each other. Cleo and Layla, who both seemed like decent people, were suddenly responsible for terrible rumor spreading. Is it really possible for teens to somehow text everyone in their whole school? How does one even do that?
Ultimately, Cleo has to reckon with her choices and decide how to communicate with and trust the people around her. She's a likable character, and I was with her. This book tells a good story that puts the importance of female friendship (and the devastation that can go with it) at the forefront. Both refreshing and sad.
At first, I sadly really related. I thought about intense friendships I had had that fizzled, or turned bitter. I thought of one particular high school friendship that soured and got nasty for no good reason that I can remember. I still feel vaguely guilty about it, and confused by how people can change and make assumptions and end up using all that precious friendship knowledge against each other. Cleo and Layla, who both seemed like decent people, were suddenly responsible for terrible rumor spreading. Is it really possible for teens to somehow text everyone in their whole school? How does one even do that?
Ultimately, Cleo has to reckon with her choices and decide how to communicate with and trust the people around her. She's a likable character, and I was with her. This book tells a good story that puts the importance of female friendship (and the devastation that can go with it) at the forefront. Both refreshing and sad.
starbucksandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
levje's review
5.0
This book is so important to me. It perfectly grasped the longing for a already broken friendship and I recommend everyone that lost a friend they didn’t know they COULD lose to read this book it was so good and the last few lines actually killed me so yea
carmen_gliga's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
grace_378's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
laurieisreading's review
3.0
Review posted on https://lauriesbookshelf.comC: 6, A: 6, W: 7.5, P: 5, I: 6.5, L: 7, E: 7 = 43 / 7 = 6,1 --> 3 starsThis review was originally posted on Laurie's Bookshelf
wombat_88's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.0
dejaune20's review
5.0
If you have ever lost a friend...please read this book. It made me think back to any friendship I had that may have just ‘fallen apart’ or we simply outgrew each other. A good read for sure.
biblioemily's review
4.0
I am here for friendship-focused YA. What I found most compelling is that as I read I found myself angry with Cleo for how selfish she was being, but I also saw a lot of my own tendencies toward jealousy and self-isolation in her. I think a lot of readers will find themselves bristling at Cleo's actions because they feel familiar. Will recommend to 8th grade & up. (probably also fine for 7th grade readers who are aware of the swearing and mild mentions of sex and drinking...)
stormcloud82's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0