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deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
A book brimful of strong characters who know their minds & how to speak them.
I really liked the message of understanding yourself before committing to a relationship with someone else.
I really liked the message of understanding yourself before committing to a relationship with someone else.
elomaraaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
matmatmatty's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This is the story of Nala, who compared to her young-activist cousin, just wants to chill this summer and have fun. When she meets Tye, another young-activist and her cousin's friend, she falls for him and in an attempt to impress him, tells a few...un-truths.
This story is about Nala and Tye and their relationship, but also about Nala and her relationship with herself, and her family.
I thought this was a nice story - I think I would have loved reading this when I was 15ish, so absolutely would recommend this for young teens.
The writing was a little young for me, which meant I didn't love it but I liked the structure of the writing and how you could get a lot of Nala's personality from that. I did like some of the commentary, and the message of the book is something I can get behind.
Overall, this was a little too young for me, but I really liked the messaging and think this would be a good story for a young teen to read.
Finally: kids, don't lie just to impress someone you have a crush on! It never works out!
This story is about Nala and Tye and their relationship, but also about Nala and her relationship with herself, and her family.
I thought this was a nice story - I think I would have loved reading this when I was 15ish, so absolutely would recommend this for young teens.
The writing was a little young for me, which meant I didn't love it but I liked the structure of the writing and how you could get a lot of Nala's personality from that. I did like some of the commentary, and the message of the book is something I can get behind.
Overall, this was a little too young for me, but I really liked the messaging and think this would be a good story for a young teen to read.
Finally: kids, don't lie just to impress someone you have a crush on! It never works out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
frinsreads's review against another edition
3.0
This was such a fun, YA contemporary about self discovery, self acceptance, and also wanting to chill and watch films all summer
Nala is off school for the summer and all she wants to do is hang out with her friends, sleep late, and work through the list of movies she wants to watch with her cousin, Imani. Everyone around her, including Imani, is more focussed on fighting injustices, environmental issues, and raising funds for their community. When Nala meets dreamy Tye at one of Imani's meetings she's caught between pretending to be someone she's not to entice Tye and being herself
I really enjoyed this book, and I felt Nala's was a unique experience that I haven't read from before. She obviously cares about the social issues that her friends are speaking out about, but she also thinks that should just be one element of their lives, rather than taking all their time and energy. She wants them to have a fun afternoon skating without seeing it as an opportunity to distribute flyers
I also loved the message of self acceptance, and embracing natural Black beauty and hair, in this book. Nala goes on a real journey. She begins the book as a confident Black girl, but she ends it having truly begun to accept and know herself. At first, she alters her appearance for the wrong reasons, comparing herself to others and what she thinks she should be, rather than for herself and her happiness
It did bother me that Nala is quite immature and acts quite young (she's about to become a senior, I'm not sure what age that is), and that she feels the need to lie about pretty fundamental things to get a boy to like her. I get that this contributes to her journey of growth, but I'm always frustrated by miscommunication and outright lies in books
This book reminded me a lot of With the Fire on High and I think if you liked that one you'd really enjoy this one too
~An earc of this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~
Nala is off school for the summer and all she wants to do is hang out with her friends, sleep late, and work through the list of movies she wants to watch with her cousin, Imani. Everyone around her, including Imani, is more focussed on fighting injustices, environmental issues, and raising funds for their community. When Nala meets dreamy Tye at one of Imani's meetings she's caught between pretending to be someone she's not to entice Tye and being herself
I really enjoyed this book, and I felt Nala's was a unique experience that I haven't read from before. She obviously cares about the social issues that her friends are speaking out about, but she also thinks that should just be one element of their lives, rather than taking all their time and energy. She wants them to have a fun afternoon skating without seeing it as an opportunity to distribute flyers
I also loved the message of self acceptance, and embracing natural Black beauty and hair, in this book. Nala goes on a real journey. She begins the book as a confident Black girl, but she ends it having truly begun to accept and know herself. At first, she alters her appearance for the wrong reasons, comparing herself to others and what she thinks she should be, rather than for herself and her happiness
It did bother me that Nala is quite immature and acts quite young (she's about to become a senior, I'm not sure what age that is), and that she feels the need to lie about pretty fundamental things to get a boy to like her. I get that this contributes to her journey of growth, but I'm always frustrated by miscommunication and outright lies in books
This book reminded me a lot of With the Fire on High and I think if you liked that one you'd really enjoy this one too
~An earc of this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~
wardo2700's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well written book that I'm glad I read it but overall didn't really grab my interest. There is too much emphasis on what a typical teenage girl does with her time; make up, hair, clothes and what food to eat. The intriguing portion of the story is her self awareness that grows as the story moves forward. I am guessing younger readers and most likely those that are female will enjoy this book more than I did. I would still recommend it to readers 12 and older.
simplicitea_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.5
Really wanted to like this book, but the writing felt really young to me and the whole storyline kinda made me want to die of secondhand embarrassment. I couldn’t stand the main character sometimes. I almost wish I’d read this book in my teens, maybe I’d feel differently about it.
ellethefantasyqueen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this spin on a romcom. Some romcoms can be quite bland and follow the exact same story with just different names but I enjoyed the themes and the rep in this one!
To start with our main character is Nala who is a plus sized black woman which is already brilliant to see and we need more of that rep please and thank you. I also liked how the theme of activism is portrayed in this book and I have never read a romcom with this theme which is always nice to see.
I think my main issue with this book is the main character is infuriating. And I appreciate it is part of her character, its part of her flaws. But for the love of anything you believe in please stop LYING NALA.
I would recommend this for someone who enjoys romcoms as it was an enjoyable read!
To start with our main character is Nala who is a plus sized black woman which is already brilliant to see and we need more of that rep please and thank you. I also liked how the theme of activism is portrayed in this book and I have never read a romcom with this theme which is always nice to see.
I think my main issue with this book is the main character is infuriating. And I appreciate it is part of her character, its part of her flaws. But for the love of anything you believe in please stop LYING NALA.
I would recommend this for someone who enjoys romcoms as it was an enjoyable read!
ree_anna's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5