teafueledcat's review
1.0
If this book had a face, I wouldn't hesitate to punch it.
It has a few pros, like a POC character and not only that, a queer POC character. Another pro is the active seeking out of safe queer sex with the final pro is how sweet Aki's Dad handled Aki coming out to him as bisexual.
Other than that? There's a boatload of petty drama such as the characters constantly lying to each other and Aki even dumps her best friend because of her budding romantic relationship with Christa. WHO THE HELL EVEN DOES THAT? Your friendships can very well coexist along side your romantic relationships.
If they're not lying to each other, they're off screwing each other, or at least thinking about it. They even go as far to break into their host family's guest house in order to screw just because the power was terrible there and there wasn't much of a risk of being caught. There's quite a few non-explicit sex scenes, but they're worth mentioning if you're not looking for sex in your romance reads.
All in all I wanted to throw this book across the room on several occasions and I'm honestly so glad I persevered and as such it is DONE AND OUT OF MY LIFE.
It has a few pros, like a POC character and not only that, a queer POC character. Another pro is the active seeking out of safe queer sex with the final pro is how sweet Aki's Dad handled Aki coming out to him as bisexual.
Other than that? There's a boatload of petty drama such as the characters constantly lying to each other and Aki even dumps her best friend because of her budding romantic relationship with Christa. WHO THE HELL EVEN DOES THAT? Your friendships can very well coexist along side your romantic relationships.
If they're not lying to each other, they're off screwing each other, or at least thinking about it. They even go as far to break into their host family's guest house in order to screw just because the power was terrible there and there wasn't much of a risk of being caught. There's quite a few non-explicit sex scenes, but they're worth mentioning if you're not looking for sex in your romance reads.
All in all I wanted to throw this book across the room on several occasions and I'm honestly so glad I persevered and as such it is DONE AND OUT OF MY LIFE.
finalefile's review
5.0
This was such a good story!!! One of the best YA books I've read (and quite possibly the first f/f YA romance I've read)! I loved the realistic setting, the range of topics discussed (including music, church politics, and social justice) and the diverse cast of characters. I especially liked that the setting is a youth group mission trip to Mexico, which gave the story some religious undertones without seeming preachy. There are lots of plot twists and a happy ending. :)
reyes_sf's review
ARC provided by Harlequin UK Limited via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to both!
DNF @ 25%
I feel horrible about not finishing an ARC, but I've been trying to get a move on this for two weeks now and sadly I have zero interest in the story. I love the diversity in this book and the writing is ok, and I liked that Aki and Christa just liked each other, no insta-love involved, but their arrangement screams DRAMA to me and I really don't understand why Aki is lying about her music. My main problem is that the story has failed to hook me up in any way - no connection with the characters, no interest in what's going on or what will happen at all. I usually enjoy YA books but I feel like this is too naïve, too YA for me right now.
I'm afraid I have to say I wouldn't recommend this book, but of course this is only my opinion and I still think everyone interested should read it to see if they agree or not.
DNF @ 25%
I feel horrible about not finishing an ARC, but I've been trying to get a move on this for two weeks now and sadly I have zero interest in the story. I love the diversity in this book and the writing is ok, and I liked that Aki and Christa just liked each other, no insta-love involved, but their arrangement screams DRAMA to me and I really don't understand why Aki is lying about her music. My main problem is that the story has failed to hook me up in any way - no connection with the characters, no interest in what's going on or what will happen at all. I usually enjoy YA books but I feel like this is too naïve, too YA for me right now.
I'm afraid I have to say I wouldn't recommend this book, but of course this is only my opinion and I still think everyone interested should read it to see if they agree or not.
claraofjall's review against another edition
2.0
Soo where to even start with this one… I was really looking forward to this story and it ended up flopping so hard for me. The romance was in my opinion the worst part of the story because I hated the love interest and I honestly thought she was the worst person in the entire story. This story was so much at the same time and it ended up being too much for me. However I liked the nature and the fact that they were In Mexico
But last but definitely not least. I LOVED Aki’s father so so so much!!! He was the absolute sweetest
But last but definitely not least. I LOVED Aki’s father so so so much!!! He was the absolute sweetest
ocylou's review against another edition
5.0
This book is sooooo freaking amazing. I need a sequel!! I need to know what happens with them and whether everything works out. And what happens with her brother.
cld_bs's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
2.0
emdowd's review
3.0
I didn’t get overly emotional on an airplane reading this. I didn’t tear up reading about queer girls falling in love and learning about what safe sex means for two girls and I sure didn’t have feelings about the honest, real discussions of bisexuality/pansexuality/multi-gender attraction. I would never.
scorpiodonut's review
4.0
A cute story of two queer teens falling in love and all the mess that goes along with it. A wonderful light read that touched on deeper issues. Give me all the bi girl stories!