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12dejamoo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I clearly didn't read the blurb because I would have never picked up a book that contained the trope where the MC tells the LI a lie when they first meet and you just have to spend the whole book waiting for it to come out. And then of course when I realised that would be the case with this one, I decided to keep going because I liked the vibe of the rest of the story. So I did do this to myself.
Slightly spoilery review:
To start with things I liked: I liked Nala's family a lot. Her Grandma and the people in her accomodation especially, but all the scenes of her family hanging out and eating and chatting were really nice. I liked the setting. I feel like the book really set itself in Harlem and New York in general and took advantage of being there. I liked the lists interspersed throughout the book; they changed up the pace and really made clear Nala's narrative voice. I liked the whole main vibe of this book as a journey of self discovery and the tension between Imani's activism and Nala's unwillingness to partake.
The things I didn't like: I don't think the relationship was all that interesting. Because it was built on a lie that was quite foundational to how Tye viewed Nala, it meant that the whole time I was wondering if he actually liked her. There are very few moments where we just see them talk that aren't him asking about her made up projects and her stressing in her head and trying to get him away from the subject. So I don't really believe they like each other all that much on a fundamental level.I was pleasantly surprised when she broke up with him and I was foolishly hopeful for a moment that they wouldn't end up together. But of course, it's a YA romance book, so they do.
My biggest issue is probably one of poor communication. I was so frustrated with these characters for never properly talking through things. I think Nala was right to be upset that the Inspire Harlem group were judgemental and high-and-mighty, even if their activism was fighting for the right thing. Which then leads to me being annoyed that Toya was being nice at the end? It came from nowhere. And I think Nala should have better explained her position to Imani about living in the house. Not that Imani was wrong to feel what she was feeling, but I think they resolve quite a fundamental issue with little to no actual productive conversation. With Tye and Nala, the same point can be made. They never really seem to talk through things properly. I think it was shitty of him to continue the argument at the film in front of everyone, and she never really tells him that. Instead, his flaw was apparently asking after what she was up to and getting enthusiastic about a project that he believed she was passionate about.
I kept getting annoyed at Nala for insisting that she and Tye just have fun. Okay, yes, she was trying to avoid the topic of her falsified volunteering, but I also think Tye should have been more annoyed about her just shutting down his conversation with insisting that they just 'have fun' and not chat.
Also just a small note but I don't like song lyrics in books. I just skipped all the songs, maybe reading the chorus once to get a sense of the meaning.
In conclusion. I don't believe that Nala and Tye really like each other all that much. They don't have that much in common and they shouldn't have ended up together. But I did love all the scenes with Nala's family, so maybe it was worth reading for that.
Slightly spoilery review:
To start with things I liked: I liked Nala's family a lot. Her Grandma and the people in her accomodation especially, but all the scenes of her family hanging out and eating and chatting were really nice. I liked the setting. I feel like the book really set itself in Harlem and New York in general and took advantage of being there. I liked the lists interspersed throughout the book; they changed up the pace and really made clear Nala's narrative voice. I liked the whole main vibe of this book as a journey of self discovery and the tension between Imani's activism and Nala's unwillingness to partake.
The things I didn't like: I don't think the relationship was all that interesting. Because it was built on a lie that was quite foundational to how Tye viewed Nala, it meant that the whole time I was wondering if he actually liked her. There are very few moments where we just see them talk that aren't him asking about her made up projects and her stressing in her head and trying to get him away from the subject. So I don't really believe they like each other all that much on a fundamental level.
My biggest issue is probably one of poor communication. I was so frustrated with these characters for never properly talking through things. I think Nala was right to be upset that the Inspire Harlem group were judgemental and high-and-mighty, even if their activism was fighting for the right thing. Which then leads to me being annoyed that Toya was being nice at the end? It came from nowhere. And I think Nala should have better explained her position to Imani about living in the house. Not that Imani was wrong to feel what she was feeling, but I think they resolve quite a fundamental issue with little to no actual productive conversation. With Tye and Nala, the same point can be made. They never really seem to talk through things properly. I think it was shitty of him to continue the argument at the film in front of everyone, and she never really tells him that. Instead, his flaw was apparently asking after what she was up to and getting enthusiastic about a project that he believed she was passionate about.
I kept getting annoyed at Nala for insisting that she and Tye just have fun. Okay, yes, she was trying to avoid the topic of her falsified volunteering, but I also think Tye should have been more annoyed about her just shutting down his conversation with insisting that they just 'have fun' and not chat.
Also just a small note but I don't like song lyrics in books. I just skipped all the songs, maybe reading the chorus once to get a sense of the meaning.
In conclusion. I don't believe that Nala and Tye really like each other all that much. They don't have that much in common and they shouldn't have ended up together. But I did love all the scenes with Nala's family, so maybe it was worth reading for that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
lynnlovegreen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Really enjoyed the family and romance in this one! When Nana meets Tye at her sister-cousin-friend's activism group, she tells a few lies to impress him. That's fine until he shows interest in her, and she has to keep pretending to be a vegetarian activist. How is she going to sort it all out and figure out how to show herself some love?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
yeojinqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Abandonment