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manglitter's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps 3.25 Stars
A really original summery retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set in Tobago. I liked it in general but I have to say that Reyna's character was not my favorite one and I didn't understand the kind of friendship that she had with Olivia. Also, I don't know why but I could not imagine these characters as 17 years old, for me, they seemed more like adults then.
All in all, it was a fun, good book to read this month at the beach or just for fun during the summer, I don't think that you could appreciate it as much in another season. I read it for Jane Austen July readathon.
A really original summery retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set in Tobago. I liked it in general but I have to say that Reyna's character was not my favorite one and I didn't understand the kind of friendship that she had with Olivia. Also, I don't know why but I could not imagine these characters as 17 years old, for me, they seemed more like adults then.
All in all, it was a fun, good book to read this month at the beach or just for fun during the summer, I don't think that you could appreciate it as much in another season. I read it for Jane Austen July readathon.
kmthomas06's review against another edition
3.0
Persuasion is a hard sell for me as a YA novel because the story works best when a lot more time has passed and it's a bit hard for me to buy the happily ever after when it's a 19 and 18 year old but the story was still fun; I liked seeing how the author envisioned a second chance romance for teenagers. Reyna is hard to root for sometimes, she can be her own worst enemy, but she's also very much 18 years old so it all makes perfect sense. I really loved the setting; I never knew much about Tobago and this book is seeped with the island's culture from start to finish. I highly recommend following up on some of the author's playlist recommendations (and yes, heed her warning that you will dance like a fool when you listen to them).
lovelykd's review against another edition
3.0
Imagine being 17, talented, motherless, and afraid to dream for fear you'll opt to follow it as opposed to staying still and being miserable.
That's Reyna. In a nutshell.
Although this is a YA Book, these characters were far too "grown up" to be living the lives they were living; and no, I'm not one of those who believe YA characters can't be layered and have maturity some adults have yet to master, but Reyna's burden was a lot to reconcile. Too much, to be honest.
For one, she's practically running the hotel she works at--despite her father's presence (if you can call it that)--as she appears to be wholly responsible for its daily decisions: vendors, guests, repairs, staff, and the planning of major events all fall to her.
As everyone around her, save one person, is living their best life.
Did I mention Reyna is 17?
Second, her mother's death apparently sealed her to this fate--of what feels like servitude of another name--and no one seems to care that she's still wallowing in a grief so deep she feels guilty even wantingmore for herself.
Again ...17.
Third, the return of her "long, lost, love" Aiden--whose already won a Grammy at 17 (I ...)--complicates Reyna's life because Aiden managed to do what Reyna wasn't allowed to: follow his dreams and see how the cookie crumbles.
Which, for him, meant a Grammy winning song and an affiliation with one of the hottest bands in the world.
At 17.
I just ...whew.
Honestly, this whole story felt like a fairy tale because I spent the better part of my time trying to suspend disbelief at the charmed lives most of these folks were allowed to lead. Reyna's situation, while frustrating, was the only thing that balanced out what was an otherwise "too good to be true" story about a bunch of teenagers with a lot of time and money on their hands.
Perhaps their good fortune was a nod to how easy it is to "become famous" these days. Or maybe it was meant to break away from the overly dreary YA--featuring Black characters--that only highlights the negative impact of white society. Or maybe, and this is wholly possible, I'm too jaded to be the audience this book required.
Whatever the case, I had a hard time swallowing a lot of this and, as a mother, I was mortified by the majority of the "adults" in this book who didn't seem to care that Reyna was saddled by such a ridiculous request before she even had her drivers license.
By the time anyone say's boo about it, and actually makes the move to correct it, I was unimpressed and ready to see the story end.
As for the good, the reunion with Aiden--a young man who actually did manage to follow his dreams and succeed--was as tense as you'd imagine. However, as the story progresses, and you learn their history, you can better appreciate why they weren't able to be in each other's lives and what really tore them apart.
Also, none of the younger characters were annoying or unlikeable. Further, the emphasis on the culture, music, and food of Trinidad and Tobago was a welcome change from most books--and playlist offered at the end was a nice touch.
Overall, this was an entertaining story, however, the realism felt lacking--at least for me--and that made it a bit hard to digest at times.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. Opinion is my own.
That's Reyna. In a nutshell.
Although this is a YA Book, these characters were far too "grown up" to be living the lives they were living; and no, I'm not one of those who believe YA characters can't be layered and have maturity some adults have yet to master, but Reyna's burden was a lot to reconcile. Too much, to be honest.
For one, she's practically running the hotel she works at--despite her father's presence (if you can call it that)--as she appears to be wholly responsible for its daily decisions: vendors, guests, repairs, staff, and the planning of major events all fall to her.
As everyone around her, save one person, is living their best life.
Did I mention Reyna is 17?
Second, her mother's death apparently sealed her to this fate--of what feels like servitude of another name--and no one seems to care that she's still wallowing in a grief so deep she feels guilty even wantingmore for herself.
Again ...17.
Third, the return of her "long, lost, love" Aiden--whose already won a Grammy at 17 (I ...)--complicates Reyna's life because Aiden managed to do what Reyna wasn't allowed to: follow his dreams and see how the cookie crumbles.
Which, for him, meant a Grammy winning song and an affiliation with one of the hottest bands in the world.
At 17.
I just ...whew.
Honestly, this whole story felt like a fairy tale because I spent the better part of my time trying to suspend disbelief at the charmed lives most of these folks were allowed to lead. Reyna's situation, while frustrating, was the only thing that balanced out what was an otherwise "too good to be true" story about a bunch of teenagers with a lot of time and money on their hands.
Perhaps their good fortune was a nod to how easy it is to "become famous" these days. Or maybe it was meant to break away from the overly dreary YA--featuring Black characters--that only highlights the negative impact of white society. Or maybe, and this is wholly possible, I'm too jaded to be the audience this book required.
Whatever the case, I had a hard time swallowing a lot of this and, as a mother, I was mortified by the majority of the "adults" in this book who didn't seem to care that Reyna was saddled by such a ridiculous request before she even had her drivers license.
By the time anyone say's boo about it, and actually makes the move to correct it, I was unimpressed and ready to see the story end.
As for the good, the reunion with Aiden--a young man who actually did manage to follow his dreams and succeed--was as tense as you'd imagine. However, as the story progresses, and you learn their history, you can better appreciate why they weren't able to be in each other's lives and what really tore them apart.
Also, none of the younger characters were annoying or unlikeable. Further, the emphasis on the culture, music, and food of Trinidad and Tobago was a welcome change from most books--and playlist offered at the end was a nice touch.
Overall, this was an entertaining story, however, the realism felt lacking--at least for me--and that made it a bit hard to digest at times.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. Opinion is my own.
kllyfst's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
wisteriamoon's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars, rounded up. Oh my goodness... I'm so torn on how to rate this! It was really sweet, well-written, and I loved the culture and atmosphere! But sadly the romance and characters fell flat for me. I just feel like it could've been better shaped and plotted. But still a fun read which I'd highly recommend to romance fans!
alexandriammans's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Reyna as an individual character more than I liked her as half a couple. Could’ve done without the other half.
bookishcardigan's review against another edition
I can't do teenage romance, sorry