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booklov3r__'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
antjes_reads08's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
rais_smile's review against another edition
Listened to the audio book. A good portrayal of mental health in teens in a funny family story.
kmp30's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
meghaha's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how I should rate this book. In some ways, I feel like this as a book-object is 3 stars for me, but the portrayal of Audrey as a realistic character who suffers from social anxiety, general anxiety, and depression, as well as the positive and accurate take on therapy deserves 5 stars, since this is not something I have ever gotten to see represented in a book before. I'll admit I felt a lot of apprehensiveness reading the synopsis because I wasn't sure if I could trust Kinsella. Would she ruin mainstream perceptions of social anxiety with an inaccurate account? But luckily I didn't have to worry. It's quite clear that in creating Audrey, Kinsella either did loads of research and interviews, or that she is writing from her own personal experience.
I really like that Kinsella pointed out that recovery is a crooked, not straight, process with many setbacks a long the way, but a general trend towards feeling better. Also I wanted to say, unlike some reviewers, I have no issue with the light, comedic tone. Just because the story is about mental illness doesn't mean there can't also be humor or laughter. I think the reason I'm not like FIVE STARS MOST IMPORTANT BOOK EVER though, is that there wasn't enough depth, or something. Kinsella didn't delve as deep as she could've or describe the emotional landscape as fully or viscerally as she could've. But I think it was in the interest of keeping the story more light and allowing a lot of focus on family relationships as well, so the book would appeal to younger teens. If you're looking for a light, short YA novel that also accurately portrays SAD, GAD, and depression, then this is your book. If you're looking for a completely serious in-depth representation of these illnesses that makes you feel like you've just joined the main character in hell, this is not your book.
I really like that Kinsella pointed out that recovery is a crooked, not straight, process with many setbacks a long the way, but a general trend towards feeling better. Also I wanted to say, unlike some reviewers, I have no issue with the light, comedic tone. Just because the story is about mental illness doesn't mean there can't also be humor or laughter. I think the reason I'm not like FIVE STARS MOST IMPORTANT BOOK EVER though, is that there wasn't enough depth, or something. Kinsella didn't delve as deep as she could've or describe the emotional landscape as fully or viscerally as she could've. But I think it was in the interest of keeping the story more light and allowing a lot of focus on family relationships as well, so the book would appeal to younger teens. If you're looking for a light, short YA novel that also accurately portrays SAD, GAD, and depression, then this is your book. If you're looking for a completely serious in-depth representation of these illnesses that makes you feel like you've just joined the main character in hell, this is not your book.
cwright43's review against another edition
3.0
Really cute and clever, but wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. But I read it all in a day so that says something
marcosbedbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars?
I'm a bit conflicted when it comes to this book. While I did enjoy my time reading it and thought it was a good book, looking back on it I see that there are a few issues I have with it after all. First of all, I feel like we don't really know what happened to Audrey during the high school incident; it's a huge plot point of the novel that is mentioned countless times, but no one ever specifies on what actually happened. Not only that but this book is extremely slow when it comes to the plot. Way too much of it focuses on the brother in my opinion. I loved the family aspects and found the romance to be really cute though.
I'm a bit conflicted when it comes to this book. While I did enjoy my time reading it and thought it was a good book, looking back on it I see that there are a few issues I have with it after all. First of all, I feel like we don't really know what happened to Audrey during the high school incident; it's a huge plot point of the novel that is mentioned countless times, but no one ever specifies on what actually happened. Not only that but this book is extremely slow when it comes to the plot. Way too much of it focuses on the brother in my opinion. I loved the family aspects and found the romance to be really cute though.
svreads's review against another edition
5.0
A heart-felt YA story that is one of the most well-represented fictional accounts of living with generalized anxiety disorder.
liareadsx's review against another edition
4.0
it's been so long since i read this book but i just vividly remember absolutely loving it and relating to it so much.