bericson13's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly loved this. Tal's relationships are so well constructed! So stinking good. I loved the past story combined with the present story. It was fantastic.
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
ok I have not read My Heart and Other Black Holes so maybe I went into the book without any set expectations, unlike other ppl whose less favorable reviews I've scrolled past...but I loved it.
I'll admit I'm a sucker for stories about parent-child relationships and will cry over them more than I do romantic ones (oops), but yeah, this book hit the right notes for me in terms of depicting complex intergenerational feelings, and the arc with Taliah's mom definitely resonated with me as the child of immigrants. I teared up multiple times and it's relatively rare for a book to do that. It might have to do with the depictions of the deaths of 2 of Taliah's grandparents and how Taliah's parents cope with that loss since I'm still grieving my mom's passing, but yeah, it was emotional experience reading about the expectations and fears and hopes and love that form the bonds between parents and children.
CWs: death, ableist language
I'll admit I'm a sucker for stories about parent-child relationships and will cry over them more than I do romantic ones (oops), but yeah, this book hit the right notes for me in terms of depicting complex intergenerational feelings, and the arc with Taliah's mom definitely resonated with me as the child of immigrants. I teared up multiple times and it's relatively rare for a book to do that. It might have to do with the depictions of the deaths of 2 of Taliah's grandparents and how Taliah's parents cope with that loss since I'm still grieving my mom's passing, but yeah, it was emotional experience reading about the expectations and fears and hopes and love that form the bonds between parents and children.
CWs: death, ableist language
readsbyross's review against another edition
4.0
I'd never heard of Here We Are Now before I saw it on Netgalley but I'm glad it was one of the first books I was approved for on Netgalley because I really enjoyed it!
It tells the story of Taliah, who's recently found out that her absent father is actually Julian Oliver - the lead singer of a well known music band. And when her mother is in Paris and Julian shows up on Taliah's doorstep after her letters to him, she is taken by surprise. Julian tells her that her paternal grandfather is dying and wants to make up the lost time with his daughter - but first Taliah must be able to trust his intentions and Julian will have to break down the wall Taliah has built around herself.
I love the strong sense of family and relationships in this book. It's such a strong theme in this book that's explored through Lena and Julian's relationship, Julian and his father's, Harlow and Taliah's and of course Taliah's and Julian's. A heartwarming story of family and love.
I also love how much diversity was in this book and it just felt so right. We had a biracial main character, with Muslim ancestry on one side. The MC's best friend was gay and in a relationship and the will-they, won't-they romance between Toby and Taliah didn't feel forced at all and I really liked the outcome of it.
The writing style flowed really well and I could tell the author had a really unique voice. I love how it was both witty but really deep too; it made you think of the bigger picture of fate and love - and I really liked the character Debra's theory on how everyone has multiple versions of themselves.
Overall, I think this was a great read but my one critique is that I felt the ending was slightly rushed - I don't feel the author really wrapped up Harlow and Taliah's ending or gave them any real redemption. It was like they acknowledged the fault that was beginning in their relationship but didn't have the chance to do anything about it.
It tells the story of Taliah, who's recently found out that her absent father is actually Julian Oliver - the lead singer of a well known music band. And when her mother is in Paris and Julian shows up on Taliah's doorstep after her letters to him, she is taken by surprise. Julian tells her that her paternal grandfather is dying and wants to make up the lost time with his daughter - but first Taliah must be able to trust his intentions and Julian will have to break down the wall Taliah has built around herself.
I love the strong sense of family and relationships in this book. It's such a strong theme in this book that's explored through Lena and Julian's relationship, Julian and his father's, Harlow and Taliah's and of course Taliah's and Julian's. A heartwarming story of family and love.
I also love how much diversity was in this book and it just felt so right. We had a biracial main character, with Muslim ancestry on one side. The MC's best friend was gay and in a relationship and the will-they, won't-they romance between Toby and Taliah didn't feel forced at all and I really liked the outcome of it.
The writing style flowed really well and I could tell the author had a really unique voice. I love how it was both witty but really deep too; it made you think of the bigger picture of fate and love - and I really liked the character Debra's theory on how everyone has multiple versions of themselves.
Overall, I think this was a great read but my one critique is that I felt the ending was slightly rushed - I don't feel the author really wrapped up Harlow and Taliah's ending or gave them any real redemption. It was like they acknowledged the fault that was beginning in their relationship but didn't have the chance to do anything about it.
mycatcricket17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brazenbookbabe's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.75
A lovely, quick read that explores the depths and dualities of the characters extremely well. The author did a lovely job and I very much enjoyed this story.
mimi_mouse's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
toomuchtime592's review against another edition
2.0
I should stop listening to tik tok with books. 2.5 stars
worldpastmyeyes's review against another edition
4.0
“I love the way music hold and enhances our memories. Certain songs can always transport me right back to particular moments in my life. It’s like magic”
It was heartwarming to read how Julian and Taliah’s relationship developed. I realized that when she said “Thanks Dad”. Two words, but has more depth and meaning to it.
It’s a simple, heartening novel about music, secrets and most important- family.
It ended the way it was supposed to end. It ended with a beginning of many relationships.
It was heartwarming to read how Julian and Taliah’s relationship developed. I realized that when she said “Thanks Dad”. Two words, but has more depth and meaning to it.
It’s a simple, heartening novel about music, secrets and most important- family.
It ended the way it was supposed to end. It ended with a beginning of many relationships.
tefftoo's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
whimsicallymeghan's review
3.5
Taliah has never met or known who her father is, but she’s had a suspicion rock-star, Julian Oliver, is her father ever since she found a shoebox in her mother’s room. Cut to three years later and Julian Oliver shows up on her doorstep claiming that not only is he her father, but that his own father, her grandfather, is dying. This is her one chance to meet him and so on a very on the spot decision she takes off to meet and learn about her new family. This novel was good with a lot of heart, but it didn’t completely wow the reader, in fact there were elements that had them questioning the believability of the story and the way it was told felt off. First off, this novel was captivating and it had many quotable moments and really talked about love in such a way that’s not always seen; that’s what the reader really liked about this. But as for the actual plot, it felt very unbelievable in the way everything played out. For a character who we’re led to believe never let in a single person but her mother and her best friend, it made no sense that she would travel miles with a dad she’s never met to go and meet his family. It felt very out of character; the more we got to meet and understand the main character the more none of the plot made sense, it felt like reading a contradiction. Then the way this was told felt a little too out of convenience to the plot, because our main character would be finding out about her parents from her father, but then the flashback would be in her mother’s point of view, it was just strange. The reader understood it was to get her side, but the reader felt like if he was telling the story, then the flashbacks should have been in his point of view. It just didn’t read right. The romance side plot that was thrown in also didn’t do a lot for this reader; we understand why it was added, but there was already so much going on for such a short novel that this just felt added to the mix and didn’t get the true development it deserved. The characters were good though because they were deeply developed and we really got a sense of who they were; their flaws; how they wanted to change and be better. This wasn’t a bad novel at all, there were just parts that didn’t hit quite right for this reader. This is still a recommended read for great characters and lovely writing.