immycookie's review against another edition
4.0
Wowzers. I am at a loss for words. This book is truly amazing. It showed me a side to love that isn’t usually shown in the books I read, the innocent and steady kind of love. It was a nice refreshing change. But I tell you Jenifer doesn’t half know how to build up a character in your mind and in your heart then rip it out and stomp on it. I like reading her books because they are a realistic but in an optimistic way rather than a shit way. She highlights the importance of independence and finding yourself. This book was truly amazing.
eems_madeline's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
jodie_123's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hnowak95's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected - everything was articulated so well and the relatable parts really resonated with me. Definitely not as “young adult” as I expected (I sort of forgot the main characters were 18, they acted much older). I need a second book to know the rest of the story!!
charmaineac's review
4.0
Oh, what a journey.
At first, I had trouble connecting with Claude. She felt melodramatic and naive. But in true coming-of-age fashion, this book lets us in bit by bit, until we're right there in it with her.
The Georgia sun beats down, the dramas come in like a cyclone, and the love leaves you breathless. It is so incredibly romantic. In a way, I'm almost jealous — I've never felt lows so acutely as Jennifer Niven or her characters, probably, but I've also never felt such epic highs. Have I even really lived?
The acknowledgements made so much sense to me. I loved knowing that this story was deeply personal for the author. It is so incredibly romantic and sweet. I want to reach through the pages and shake Jennifer Niven into explaining all these things that can't be put into words: how can you ever find the one and just know that this is it? How do you live in the moment and come alive because of someone else? How can I be so lucky to find this for myself; and what do I do if it never happens?
This story makes you feel deeply introspective, nostalgic, and empathetic for multifaceted people. Maybe it's a bit of a preachy Forever for a new generation, but even just the way it confronts young emotions makes me feel like this is a book that some young people today will truly need. Interestingly, even though my teenage years are behind me, I feel like it resonated with me more at 24, with my first relationship behind me, than it would've when I were younger. I have a sneaking suspicion that it would resonate with me even more if I ever felt a love so great. Even then, like sweet, troubled Jeremiah Crew mentions, the timing might not be right (and you might find a person years before you're supposed to). The romantic in me wants to see these two souls find each other again; the realist in me wants to believe that they'll be better off if they keep moving forward and find happiness without ever looking back.
I don't really know where I'm going with this. It was a bit slow to start, and had a couple after-school special / inclusivity moments that felt unnecessary, but overall, I'm glad I read it. And with a heavy heart, I'm ready to keep moving forward and loving things more than words.
At first, I had trouble connecting with Claude. She felt melodramatic and naive. But in true coming-of-age fashion, this book lets us in bit by bit, until we're right there in it with her.
The Georgia sun beats down, the dramas come in like a cyclone, and the love leaves you breathless. It is so incredibly romantic. In a way, I'm almost jealous — I've never felt lows so acutely as Jennifer Niven or her characters, probably, but I've also never felt such epic highs. Have I even really lived?
The acknowledgements made so much sense to me. I loved knowing that this story was deeply personal for the author. It is so incredibly romantic and sweet. I want to reach through the pages and shake Jennifer Niven into explaining all these things that can't be put into words: how can you ever find the one and just know that this is it? How do you live in the moment and come alive because of someone else? How can I be so lucky to find this for myself; and what do I do if it never happens?
This story makes you feel deeply introspective, nostalgic, and empathetic for multifaceted people. Maybe it's a bit of a preachy Forever for a new generation, but even just the way it confronts young emotions makes me feel like this is a book that some young people today will truly need. Interestingly, even though my teenage years are behind me, I feel like it resonated with me more at 24, with my first relationship behind me, than it would've when I were younger. I have a sneaking suspicion that it would resonate with me even more if I ever felt a love so great. Even then, like sweet, troubled Jeremiah Crew mentions, the timing might not be right (and you might find a person years before you're supposed to). The romantic in me wants to see these two souls find each other again; the realist in me wants to believe that they'll be better off if they keep moving forward and find happiness without ever looking back.
I don't really know where I'm going with this. It was a bit slow to start, and had a couple after-school special / inclusivity moments that felt unnecessary, but overall, I'm glad I read it. And with a heavy heart, I'm ready to keep moving forward and loving things more than words.
ivulikkivulik's review against another edition
0.5
Yikes. Very unlikeable character(s). I am sorry to say that I hated this story so much when it is so personal to the author but the character was just not for me. Or the lovestory.
The audiobook of the narrator was also not the best.
The audiobook of the narrator was also not the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide
Divorceemsiewemsie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0