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johnny92m's review against another edition
3.0
A perfectly fine YA meet cute romcom. I didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Simply kind of existed for me. I think my thrills and excitement were burnt out by the last book I finished previously, but this one was simply fine.
bookishgirl23's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.5
jpdunday's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lovelykd's review
3.0
Two socially awkward teens bond over an upcoming election, in which both have a personal stake, and find more than a tendency towards activism in common.
Every time I see Becky Albertalli’s name on a book cover, I immediately want to read that book. This was no exception.
After absolutely adoring her last collab, with Adam Silvera for What If It’s Us, reading this book was an easy decision.
While it wasn’t as good as What If It’s Us, it was still a good story, with likable characters.
Albertalli has a gift for writing boys you can’t help but adore. Flaws and all.
Jamie was no exception.
Jamie is a 17-year old Jewish (a very important part of the plot) boy, that lives in Atlanta, with his mom and sister.
He hopes to change the world, by running for office someday but, for now, he’ll be happy if he overcomes his fear of public speaking before his sister’s bat mitzvah—an event in which he’s been chosen to make a toast.
When Jamie is paired up with Maya—written by Aisha Saeed—to help drum up support for the fictional Jordan Rossum, the two find themselves connecting on multiple levels.
As much as this is a story about teenage love, it is also about social activism and getting involved in your community, no matter your age.
None of the political speak digs too deep but there are some pointed looks at racism, white separatism, the alt-right movement, Muslim culture, Jewish culture, and gaslighting.
Still, there’s enough of a love story to keep the needle from moving too far to one end or the other.
As a result, the story never feels too overwhelming or “heavy”.
My one complaint is how long key characters disappeared. For instance, much of Maya’s angst is centered around the absence of best friend Sara.
Sara is a year ahead of Maya in school and starts college soon. As such, she was absent for much of the book—despite being an overwhelming point of conflict for Maya.
By the time the two interacted, in one major plot turn, it felt forced and unrealistic. I simply had a hard time buying into them as friends.
Overall, though, this is another solid offering by Albertalli and it made me interested in checking out more of Saeed’s work as well.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the advanced e-Galley. Opinion was not influenced.
Every time I see Becky Albertalli’s name on a book cover, I immediately want to read that book. This was no exception.
After absolutely adoring her last collab, with Adam Silvera for What If It’s Us, reading this book was an easy decision.
While it wasn’t as good as What If It’s Us, it was still a good story, with likable characters.
Albertalli has a gift for writing boys you can’t help but adore. Flaws and all.
Jamie was no exception.
Jamie is a 17-year old Jewish (a very important part of the plot) boy, that lives in Atlanta, with his mom and sister.
He hopes to change the world, by running for office someday but, for now, he’ll be happy if he overcomes his fear of public speaking before his sister’s bat mitzvah—an event in which he’s been chosen to make a toast.
When Jamie is paired up with Maya—written by Aisha Saeed—to help drum up support for the fictional Jordan Rossum, the two find themselves connecting on multiple levels.
As much as this is a story about teenage love, it is also about social activism and getting involved in your community, no matter your age.
None of the political speak digs too deep but there are some pointed looks at racism, white separatism, the alt-right movement, Muslim culture, Jewish culture, and gaslighting.
Still, there’s enough of a love story to keep the needle from moving too far to one end or the other.
As a result, the story never feels too overwhelming or “heavy”.
My one complaint is how long key characters disappeared. For instance, much of Maya’s angst is centered around the absence of best friend Sara.
Sara is a year ahead of Maya in school and starts college soon. As such, she was absent for much of the book—despite being an overwhelming point of conflict for Maya.
By the time the two interacted, in one major plot turn, it felt forced and unrealistic. I simply had a hard time buying into them as friends.
Overall, though, this is another solid offering by Albertalli and it made me interested in checking out more of Saeed’s work as well.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the advanced e-Galley. Opinion was not influenced.
s4pling's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hmorgz11's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
neesonk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book sets us up for a happy ending but does not deliver. I loved it right up until the end.
vianadear's review against another edition
3.0
ok i liked it, it was pretty cute! but i feel it could have done without the typical misrepresentation. why do ppl keep falling into the “muslim girl who is liberated from her beliefs” plot?? saw it first in élite and then in whatever the hell that “cuties” mess from netflix was. let’s not keep pushing the narrative that islam is an oppressive religion, k? thanks x