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jules0321's review
3.0
2.5 rounded up. The best part about this book was that one of my students loved it, and annotated it for me as a gift on the last day of school. As I read her comments I could “hear” her - the sweetest student gift!
mfumarolo's review against another edition
3.0
*ARC provided by the publisher - thank you! This in no way impacted my opinion of this book.*
Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe were the best of friends in their summers together at camp growing up, but after the summer they were 15, the group drifted apart. Now about to head off to college, the girls are back at camp for reunion night and might as well be strangers. When they take a picture together in an old photo booth, reality rocks, and the girls emerge from the booth to find themselves once again 15 and with a week to re-do if they want to make it back to the future. Trying to recreate the past is challenging, but do they even want to if it means their friendships become fractured again? I thought this was an okay one-time read. I absolutely adored the camp setting and the nostalgia the girls felt for a childhood that wasn't really even so long ago for each of them, but at times I felt the characters and plot were a bit flat or fell into tropes. I'm sure teen girls will adore this, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe were the best of friends in their summers together at camp growing up, but after the summer they were 15, the group drifted apart. Now about to head off to college, the girls are back at camp for reunion night and might as well be strangers. When they take a picture together in an old photo booth, reality rocks, and the girls emerge from the booth to find themselves once again 15 and with a week to re-do if they want to make it back to the future. Trying to recreate the past is challenging, but do they even want to if it means their friendships become fractured again? I thought this was an okay one-time read. I absolutely adored the camp setting and the nostalgia the girls felt for a childhood that wasn't really even so long ago for each of them, but at times I felt the characters and plot were a bit flat or fell into tropes. I'm sure teen girls will adore this, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
dr_logen's review
3.0
This book has a bit of a paranormal aspect to it, but it still reads exactly like a contemporary. It was sweet, if not a little predictable.
The book rotates between 4 POVs. The thing I liked best was how realistically distinct each of the girls are. And I don't mean in a stupid Sporty Spice/Posh Spice kind of way (these are the only Spice Girls I can remember! lol). They are each complex individuals who have their own personalities and interests. They're distinct, but not in a stereotypical ways. A lot of authors have a hard time writing one, let alone four, complex character.
While the characters were interesting, the story was a bit boring. Sweet, but boring and predictable.
The book rotates between 4 POVs. The thing I liked best was how realistically distinct each of the girls are. And I don't mean in a stupid Sporty Spice/Posh Spice kind of way (these are the only Spice Girls I can remember! lol). They are each complex individuals who have their own personalities and interests. They're distinct, but not in a stereotypical ways. A lot of authors have a hard time writing one, let alone four, complex character.
While the characters were interesting, the story was a bit boring. Sweet, but boring and predictable.
zu_reviews's review
3.0
There was parts of this book I really liked and parts that felt a bit contrite. It was overall an enjoyable read, I liked the speculative aspect of going back in time - but a lot of the writing felt very telling. The beginning especially was both over explained and under explained. I didn't really need a reason why they go back in time, I was already ready to suspend my disbelief. But then trying to make them all afraid of ruining the past felt very misplaced and anti-climactic when it ultimately doesn't matter.
I also just had a hard time believing these girls had ever been close friends. I loved watching them become close friends again, but they kept so many secrets and lies in the past when they were supposed to be BFF's that I couldn't buy it. They were all TOO different from each other and barely seemed to know what any of them were doing. Also, the amount of shenanigans they get into at camp... the amount of times they leave and come back hours later without getting caught is baffling. I know what happens at camp stays at camp, but they got away with TOO much.
Over all though, I did like the ending and just how much was going on. There was a lot of story to follow so I never found myself dragging to get through.
I also just had a hard time believing these girls had ever been close friends. I loved watching them become close friends again, but they kept so many secrets and lies in the past when they were supposed to be BFF's that I couldn't buy it. They were all TOO different from each other and barely seemed to know what any of them were doing. Also, the amount of shenanigans they get into at camp... the amount of times they leave and come back hours later without getting caught is baffling. I know what happens at camp stays at camp, but they got away with TOO much.
Over all though, I did like the ending and just how much was going on. There was a lot of story to follow so I never found myself dragging to get through.
shemyshines98's review
5.0
I loved this book! Took some time to finish, and during some point in the book, I wanted to just finish it another time, but I pushed myself to the end, and I'm happy that I did. It's about having another chance to relive, repair a friendship. These friends are given a second chance to be with each other again rather they like it or not. In the end, all of them are grateful for the experience. Especially knowing that in life, sometimes there aren't second chances. I knew the ending was going to be the way it was, but it was perfect. I'm sad, but I'm also happy and grateful for reading this book. It made me appreciate the relationships and friendships I do have, and makes me cherish it a little bit more. Everyone should give this book a read! It's awesome and will definitely get in you in your feelings. <3 <3 <3
ravencourt23's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked the four different perspectives in this book, I would have liked the book a lot more if it had been solely focused on Joy and her journey. I love her story with Ryder, and what happens with them at the end is absolutely heartbreaking. If the book was only Joy's perspective, it would've been this great romance with a heart-wrenching ending that would have made me cry uncontrollably, which is honestly my favourite type of book. I would have loved to have that.
I also really liked Zoe's story. It was very unexpected, and I was really glad that her story ended up like that. It made the book better.
This book was a bit disappointing though because of the time travel aspect. I've read a lot of time travel books, so I guess I expect certain things from them now, like being fast-paced. This book dragged in parts, and that was frustrating. How everything happens in the end was pretty annoying too: The end result of the time travel was just disappointing, and I expected more. There was a lot unresolved too, especially with Luce's and Tali's families. I just expected more out of the ending.
Overall, this is a contemporary book with very little time travel. The girls talk about it frequently, but not much happens involving the time travel. It focuses on the friendship between the four girls and how they can rebuild it, which is great for a contemporary book but doesn't really work as well for a time travel book.
I also really liked Zoe's story. It was very unexpected, and I was really glad that her story ended up like that. It made the book better.
This book was a bit disappointing though because of the time travel aspect. I've read a lot of time travel books, so I guess I expect certain things from them now, like being fast-paced. This book dragged in parts, and that was frustrating. How everything happens in the end was pretty annoying too:
Spoiler
the four girls just hallucinated these events and no else remembered what happened during their "second-chance" summer? Not much of a second chance if no one else remembers it. Yea, it helped their friendship and that was the focus of the book, but everything else was pointless.Overall, this is a contemporary book with very little time travel. The girls talk about it frequently, but not much happens involving the time travel. It focuses on the friendship between the four girls and how they can rebuild it, which is great for a contemporary book but doesn't really work as well for a time travel book.
beths0103's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a good book to give to students who loved the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
4.0
Proof of Forever, Lexa Hillyer’s debut novel, seriously impressed me. It’s a beautifully written novel that perfectly captured the feeling of summer, lost friendships, and first love.
Proof of Forever is the story of four very different girls who happen to be former best friends. Zoe is a quirky nerd who loves everything Dr. Who. Tali is the pretty girl obsessed with money, popularity, and boys. Luce is the golden girl with the perfect boyfriend, perfect family, and perfect life, or so it seems. Then there is Joy, the one who disappeared from their lives two years ago but still manages to bring them all together for their camp reunion. The mix of characters allows for readers to find at least one they can relate to, if not all of them. Of course, each character also had their flaws that might annoy readers. Tali was by far the worst. I had issues with how shallow she was and how selfish. Joy was a bit closed off, Luce was a bit high strung, and Zoe was a bit oblivious but otherwise I liked them. And even Tali grew on me.
The story is extremely fun. These four former friends are sent back in time to their last summer at Camp Okahatchee. To get back to the present they have to recreate the summer but they quickly find out that it might be better for them as friends and individuals if they change some things about their past. The story might be very basic contemporary but there is also a sense of urgency to everything they do which helps speed the story along.
The synopsis mentions a dark secret about the girls but it’s not all that dark or secret to the reader. I was able to guess pretty early on exactly what was going on and what was probably going to happen. Nothing regarding this secret ever even came into the story until the end of the book. The ending was quite rushed and that was honestly my only issue with Proof of Forever.
A big plus about Proof of Forever were the types of relationships represented. Tali was kind of typical, going for the popular guy but there was someone else in her life that challenged everything she knew. Zoe is a bit clueless about relationships and sexuality but she learns a lot that one summer. Luce has the perfect relationship but there is a chance it’s holding her back. As for Joy, she meets someone new in the past that opens her up to love, something she never expected or hoped for.
Overall, Proof of Forever puts Lexa Hillyer on my radar. I can’t wait to see what she does next. It’ll have to be pretty dang awesome to top this one.
Proof of Forever is the story of four very different girls who happen to be former best friends. Zoe is a quirky nerd who loves everything Dr. Who. Tali is the pretty girl obsessed with money, popularity, and boys. Luce is the golden girl with the perfect boyfriend, perfect family, and perfect life, or so it seems. Then there is Joy, the one who disappeared from their lives two years ago but still manages to bring them all together for their camp reunion. The mix of characters allows for readers to find at least one they can relate to, if not all of them. Of course, each character also had their flaws that might annoy readers. Tali was by far the worst. I had issues with how shallow she was and how selfish. Joy was a bit closed off, Luce was a bit high strung, and Zoe was a bit oblivious but otherwise I liked them. And even Tali grew on me.
The story is extremely fun. These four former friends are sent back in time to their last summer at Camp Okahatchee. To get back to the present they have to recreate the summer but they quickly find out that it might be better for them as friends and individuals if they change some things about their past. The story might be very basic contemporary but there is also a sense of urgency to everything they do which helps speed the story along.
The synopsis mentions a dark secret about the girls but it’s not all that dark or secret to the reader. I was able to guess pretty early on exactly what was going on and what was probably going to happen. Nothing regarding this secret ever even came into the story until the end of the book. The ending was quite rushed and that was honestly my only issue with Proof of Forever.
A big plus about Proof of Forever were the types of relationships represented. Tali was kind of typical, going for the popular guy but there was someone else in her life that challenged everything she knew. Zoe is a bit clueless about relationships and sexuality but she learns a lot that one summer. Luce has the perfect relationship but there is a chance it’s holding her back. As for Joy, she meets someone new in the past that opens her up to love, something she never expected or hoped for.
Overall, Proof of Forever puts Lexa Hillyer on my radar. I can’t wait to see what she does next. It’ll have to be pretty dang awesome to top this one.
luna_rondo's review against another edition
2.0
I'm giving this a two stars because while I didn't enjoy it, I didn't abhor it either.
cheyannr's review against another edition
I was interested by the unique premise of "Proof of Forever" by Lexa Hillyer, which follows four former friends who reunite at their old summer camp and travel back in time. Unfortunately, I didn't get very far into the story before I stop reading. I dnf at 7%.
The book contained an excessive amount of bad language, including multiple instances of the s-word and two f-bombs.
Her guy best friend/ boy friend (not going to get into that drama) comments on the main character's bra, he says it's his favorite and touches her bra strap. This made me extremely uncomfortable.
The main character made assumptions about a guy checking her out, which wasn't even true. She mentions that guys always check her out after her butt grew. We didn't need to know that you had a big butt.
I found it strange that her friend was chatting with her while sitting in a thong and a bra as if it was a normal thing to do. While I may bein my experience, most girls do not sit half-naked in front of their friends.
Overall, I was disappointed that Proof of Forever, wasn't the cute, fluffy summer read I was hoping for.
The book contained an excessive amount of bad language, including multiple instances of the s-word and two f-bombs.
Her guy best friend/ boy friend (not going to get into that drama) comments on the main character's bra, he says it's his favorite and touches her bra strap. This made me extremely uncomfortable.
The main character made assumptions about a guy checking her out, which wasn't even true. She mentions that guys always check her out after her butt grew. We didn't need to know that you had a big butt.
I found it strange that her friend was chatting with her while sitting in a thong and a bra as if it was a normal thing to do. While I may bein my experience, most girls do not sit half-naked in front of their friends.
Overall, I was disappointed that Proof of Forever, wasn't the cute, fluffy summer read I was hoping for.