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runningonwords415's review against another edition
2.0
I told myself - no, FORCED myself- to finish this book for the main purpose to see if there was a plot. Good news: there is. It just doesn't come through until 2/3rds way through the novel.
Positives to this piece: it's told from the perspective of a Mid-Western girl in a snooty East Coast environment. Probably the most interesting aspects. But that's about it.
Downsides (the short list): Plot. Too many dangling, unnecessary strings (ghost and flimsy love interest, teacher-student affair [number 1 pet peeve in storylines], surfer boy from Cali?!?!). And also the characters. Unrealistic, non-dynamic and unoriginal. I guess that's what's meant by the title?? - all characters kinda drift off like butterflies? But I only now just thought of that as I write this review. The title played no factor in the novel which I find grossly misleading.
Positives to this piece: it's told from the perspective of a Mid-Western girl in a snooty East Coast environment. Probably the most interesting aspects. But that's about it.
Downsides (the short list): Plot. Too many dangling, unnecessary strings (ghost and flimsy love interest, teacher-student affair [number 1 pet peeve in storylines], surfer boy from Cali?!?!). And also the characters. Unrealistic, non-dynamic and unoriginal. I guess that's what's meant by the title?? - all characters kinda drift off like butterflies? But I only now just thought of that as I write this review. The title played no factor in the novel which I find grossly misleading.
alltoomars's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
nikkitaylor19's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
threeseagrass's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars.
But I also want that nagging desire, that compulsion, to stop. Just stop. Just fucking stop. Stop tugging me, telling me I have to be more, I have to do something or I’m worthless, or I’m nothing or I’m nobody.
Have you ever seen that movie Thirteen? Well this book is basically that, except with sixteen year olds and a convenient boarding school situation. Willa and Remy are two kind of bad ass girls who find one another at boarding school. And they get mixed up in a whole lot of shit.
Here’s the thing. I did like this book even though I think it’s kind of been done before. Both Remy and Willa were interesting characters with interesting backgrounds. I honestly think it was the writing style that ruined it for me. Someone please explain why authors are now using HASHTAGS!? Is this what writing has come to? Even though I liked Willa as a character, there were so many times where I just couldn’t stand being inside her head. That made the difference between a 3- and 4-star read.
This is a depressing book in the way that it is written. But it also shows that there is always a light in dark places. Unfortunately, that light in this story completely blotted out the dark space that I wanted to know more about. Remy’s appearance in Willa’s life resulted in a complete 180, with was out of character for Willa in my opinion since she had just gone on and on about how she wanted to kill herself. And suddenly someone walks into her life and that urge is just gone? I kind of wish the author had played with this a bit more, and Willa could have made up her mind after cultivating this important friendship with Remy.
I have to say though, I really liked the ending. If you’re looking for a happily ever after, look elsewhere. I am SO glad the author didn’t decide that all was merry and well in the end. No, this ending is more reminiscent of real life – something I really appreciated.
Overall, a solid 3 star read.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
But I also want that nagging desire, that compulsion, to stop. Just stop. Just fucking stop. Stop tugging me, telling me I have to be more, I have to do something or I’m worthless, or I’m nothing or I’m nobody.
Have you ever seen that movie Thirteen? Well this book is basically that, except with sixteen year olds and a convenient boarding school situation. Willa and Remy are two kind of bad ass girls who find one another at boarding school. And they get mixed up in a whole lot of shit.
Here’s the thing. I did like this book even though I think it’s kind of been done before. Both Remy and Willa were interesting characters with interesting backgrounds. I honestly think it was the writing style that ruined it for me. Someone please explain why authors are now using HASHTAGS!? Is this what writing has come to? Even though I liked Willa as a character, there were so many times where I just couldn’t stand being inside her head. That made the difference between a 3- and 4-star read.
This is a depressing book in the way that it is written. But it also shows that there is always a light in dark places. Unfortunately, that light in this story completely blotted out the dark space that I wanted to know more about. Remy’s appearance in Willa’s life resulted in a complete 180, with was out of character for Willa in my opinion since she had just gone on and on about how she wanted to kill herself. And suddenly someone walks into her life and that urge is just gone? I kind of wish the author had played with this a bit more, and Willa could have made up her mind after cultivating this important friendship with Remy.
I have to say though, I really liked the ending. If you’re looking for a happily ever after, look elsewhere. I am SO glad the author didn’t decide that all was merry and well in the end. No, this ending is more reminiscent of real life – something I really appreciated.
Overall, a solid 3 star read.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
charmaineac's review against another edition
4.0
This takes the classic Great Gatsby-style tragedy and flips it on its head. I loved how Willa adapted and responded to the world of blue bloods. I loved her snark and cynical outlook on life. At times, she was definitely a bit jaded, but I also found myself nodding along in agreement.
She handles peer pressure, relationships, and friendships in a completely relatable way. Her fear of ghosts is cute. I loved her father and Ms. Ingall. For all intents and purposes, Willa came from a pretty great place with strong adult figures. They taught her values and helped prevent her from selling herself short.
I never expected to feel sorry for Remy, but that's how things ended up. And I thought the Milo plotline would get tied up neatly, but it ended up being a loose thread (severed short).
What's odd is that I started this book with an impending sense of doom. Willa was in such a dark place, and I truly thought this was going to be one of those "suicide-and-the-aftermath" books. I didn't really understand why she was in that frame of mind, or how it magically evaporated. I didn't appreciate the way she described her old classmates, but I came to like her by the end of it. And maybe Remy really did save her, even though she wasn't able to return the favour.
She handles peer pressure, relationships, and friendships in a completely relatable way. Her fear of ghosts is cute. I loved her father and Ms. Ingall. For all intents and purposes, Willa came from a pretty great place with strong adult figures. They taught her values and helped prevent her from selling herself short.
I never expected to feel sorry for Remy, but that's how things ended up. And I thought the Milo plotline would get tied up neatly, but it ended up being a loose thread (severed short).
What's odd is that I started this book with an impending sense of doom. Willa was in such a dark place, and I truly thought this was going to be one of those "suicide-and-the-aftermath" books. I didn't really understand why she was in that frame of mind, or how it magically evaporated. I didn't appreciate the way she described her old classmates, but I came to like her by the end of it. And maybe Remy really did save her, even though she wasn't able to return the favour.
hauntedspider's review against another edition
- 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
ellen's review against another edition
3.0
this was .....kinda yikes
i liked the writing and the story was interesting but ......
it had its problematic moments
so yeah good but also not good
i liked the writing and the story was interesting but ......
it had its problematic moments
Spoiler
i was really hoping willa and remy would date but then she made that comment about wishing she could date willa but shes not a "lesbo" and i was like YIKESso yeah good but also not good
julia_rhys's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for the ending
I read some off the reviews before this book and I was worried, but you guys, it's a young adult novel, of course the main character had to think she's ugly when she's ready probably not and she had to feel out of place and, duh, she had to be suicidal. It's like the recipe. Anyway, the book is ok. It's predictable and weird and Willa's perspective is different, but I liked the ending and how she stayed true to herself. That was nice.
I read some off the reviews before this book and I was worried, but you guys, it's a young adult novel, of course the main character had to think she's ugly when she's ready probably not and she had to feel out of place and, duh, she had to be suicidal. It's like the recipe. Anyway, the book is ok. It's predictable and weird and Willa's perspective is different, but I liked the ending and how she stayed true to herself. That was nice.