mairimav's review
4.0
Thank the universe for Jenny Han and young teens in love fake dating variants. Screaming!
dogoodwithbooks's review
3.0
Book Rating: 3.5/5
Audiobook/Narration Rating: 2/5
Final Verdict: 3/5
CW: bullying, racism, physical injury/hospitalization
After being swayed by all the hype surrounding [a:Ann Liang|16624571|Ann Liang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612345931p2/16624571.jpg]'s second novel, This Time It's Real on GoodReads, I was able to check out an audiobook version of this title through my local library. While this book does meet some of the hype that several people on here have acclaimed, that hype was not translated into the audiobook version.
For the audiobook version, I was not impressed. I didn't particularly cared for the narrator and she simply just read the book in an almost monotone voice. There were times that I got lost in the book because there was no way to differentiate each of the characters when she's reading for them since she just reads it all the same. The end result is that you have a monotone narration that seems to drag out the over 9.5 hour length of the audiobook.
I feel that if the narrator was able to provide some distinction between the characters she reads for or if there was another narrator to help offset the distinction between each characters' voice, I feel like this would have been better listening experience for me.
Now, the actual content of the book I didn't had an issue with. Liang is able to write a sweet romance that provides a sort of escapism for readers and I did like Eliza and Caz's relationship. You can tell that Liang is talented as a writer and is able to connect with readers throughout the book.
Overall, while I did like This Time It's Real and feel that it's perfect for any hopeless romantic out there, I believe that you're better off reading the print/e-book version instead of listening on audio if given the choice.
Audiobook/Narration Rating: 2/5
Final Verdict: 3/5
CW: bullying, racism, physical injury/hospitalization
After being swayed by all the hype surrounding [a:Ann Liang|16624571|Ann Liang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612345931p2/16624571.jpg]'s second novel, This Time It's Real on GoodReads, I was able to check out an audiobook version of this title through my local library. While this book does meet some of the hype that several people on here have acclaimed, that hype was not translated into the audiobook version.
For the audiobook version, I was not impressed. I didn't particularly cared for the narrator and she simply just read the book in an almost monotone voice. There were times that I got lost in the book because there was no way to differentiate each of the characters when she's reading for them since she just reads it all the same. The end result is that you have a monotone narration that seems to drag out the over 9.5 hour length of the audiobook.
I feel that if the narrator was able to provide some distinction between the characters she reads for or if there was another narrator to help offset the distinction between each characters' voice, I feel like this would have been better listening experience for me.
Now, the actual content of the book I didn't had an issue with. Liang is able to write a sweet romance that provides a sort of escapism for readers and I did like Eliza and Caz's relationship. You can tell that Liang is talented as a writer and is able to connect with readers throughout the book.
Overall, while I did like This Time It's Real and feel that it's perfect for any hopeless romantic out there, I believe that you're better off reading the print/e-book version instead of listening on audio if given the choice.
znamta's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
skyereads13_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
asmodeuce's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
kthlyyn's review
3.0
The ending felt rushed to me :(
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Buddy read with aya
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Buddy read with aya
larainsidebooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ethannku's review
5.0
ANN LIANG EATS WITH NO CRUMBS EVERY SINGLE TIME!!
somehow every main character ann liang writes is painfully relatable while also being unique and well-rounded. as someone who moved around a lot as a kid and still struggles with keeping in touch with people, eliza's fear of losing touch with her friends hit painfully close to home. caz's character was a little cliche as far as celebrity characters go, but he was so sweet to eliza and her sister that i didn't even care.
the book's premise, as with if you could see the sun , was so unique and intriguing; a viral essay based on a fake relationship leads to fake dating so eliza can keep writing about the fake relationship?? sign me up. fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, but it's also so hard to write fake dating in a way that doesn't feel contrived, and ann liang sold it to me so well.
tldr i'll read anything ann liang writes and i'll love it every time.
thank you to the publisher for a finished copy of this book, all opinions are my own
somehow every main character ann liang writes is painfully relatable while also being unique and well-rounded. as someone who moved around a lot as a kid and still struggles with keeping in touch with people, eliza's fear of losing touch with her friends hit painfully close to home. caz's character was a little cliche as far as celebrity characters go, but he was so sweet to eliza and her sister that i didn't even care.
the book's premise, as with if you could see the sun , was so unique and intriguing; a viral essay based on a fake relationship leads to fake dating so eliza can keep writing about the fake relationship?? sign me up. fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, but it's also so hard to write fake dating in a way that doesn't feel contrived, and ann liang sold it to me so well.
tldr i'll read anything ann liang writes and i'll love it every time.
thank you to the publisher for a finished copy of this book, all opinions are my own