Reviews

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

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I think of LaCour as a commercial but within a very certain niche author which probably helps me to enjoy her writing as much as I do. There is something so grounded about it; it is very clear and focused and I admire the restraint with which she writes. A lesser author would have been tempted, in my view, to pad such a novel out with a lot more that may be a slump to get through (e.g. Sara's becoming a famous bartender - on one hand, it might have helped the realism of this particular plotpoint; on another, does it really matter to what the novel wants to say?) However, LaCour never seems to lose focus of the story she wants to tell.

In "Yerba Buena", I loved the way she took time to explain where each of the characters come from, where their emotional baggage comes from. It really helped to root for them to not just get together but also get the healing they deserve. I do feel that some of the outcomes were not very realistic but at the same time, LaCour wrote them with such conviction that I only considered this upon finishing the novel.

jenntucci2's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars - Great writing, love the intricacies and details. Pacing was good, never found myself skimming. Loved the characters, however, they could’ve been better carved out instead of being defined by their traumas. Too many subtleties.

crousecm's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a sweeping story of two people coming together and people and life getting in the way.

alprnt's review against another edition

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It seems like this is my year of dnfing.

guavagal's review against another edition

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5.0

this was such a deep and intense read, i devoured it in a day. I saw parts of myself in both characters, but I imagine anyone can feel seen with this.