camilacadibe's review against another edition
4.0
More like a 3.5
This is one of my best friend's favorites, and we usually have the same taste, so I had really high expectations. I thought I'd live for this, but... I didn't. I mean, it is FINE. It is cute, the writing is really great, the characters are mostly lovable, there is more of a plot then I'd thought it'd have and I smiled reading it.
So why not 5 stars??
Well, I don't know, It didn't feel real enough for me. I don't know any teenager that is as almost-perfect as Sam and Jase. They don't curse. They're sweet and funny in a "discreet" way. They're absolutely fine with babysitting. They're good kids, work hard, have a good idea of what they want for the future, figure things out with calm and responsibility... What the fuck?? When I was 17, I was a fucking trainwreck. I was confused about everything, couldn't even think about the world "future", relationships felt like such a big deal it hurt, everything my mother said felt like nonsense... And I was a GOOD teenager, compared to any of my friends. So I just can't wrap my head around them. They feel too fake and perfect pixie-dream boy and girl. I still like them (especially Jase The Sweetheart), but I can't love them 'cause I also resent their perfectness (god, I'm awful).
Also, the story didn't feel finished? When I finished the last chapter I was honestly surprised that it was over. So many things felt unresolved. Like, what happened to Tim (definitely my favorite character - the only real fuck up of a teenager)? And Nam? What about Alice and Andy and Mr. Garret and the store and everything?! I might not be the characters nº1 fan, but I'm still invested in the story and curious! I deserve answers, dammit.
Despite those stuff, I really did enjoy this!
I loved the big family aspect of this. How they interacted, their love for one another... Just beautiful! I wish I had a family like that. Of course, it has it's problems, like the money detail, but... I feel like it's worth it.
And I found myself wanting to punch the busybody assholes with their "well-meant" stupid comments and observations. Like, seriously, take your unasked for opinions and stick them up your self-righteous asses, the world thanks the cooperation.
Also, I liked most of the sub-plots. Tim and Nam and the whole right-or-wrong debate. I was all for it. Didn't care much for the political aspects though. I may or may not have skimmed those.
So. Even though the characters did not win me over, there were more than enough things that I loved/liked on the story to make me glad I picked this up. It was a cute and fast read with some serious features to make me interested. And the best family ever.
Garrets = <3
This is one of my best friend's favorites, and we usually have the same taste, so I had really high expectations. I thought I'd live for this, but... I didn't. I mean, it is FINE. It is cute, the writing is really great, the characters are mostly lovable, there is more of a plot then I'd thought it'd have and I smiled reading it.
So why not 5 stars??
Well, I don't know, It didn't feel real enough for me. I don't know any teenager that is as almost-perfect as Sam and Jase. They don't curse. They're sweet and funny in a "discreet" way. They're absolutely fine with babysitting. They're good kids, work hard, have a good idea of what they want for the future, figure things out with calm and responsibility... What the fuck?? When I was 17, I was a fucking trainwreck. I was confused about everything, couldn't even think about the world "future", relationships felt like such a big deal it hurt, everything my mother said felt like nonsense... And I was a GOOD teenager, compared to any of my friends. So I just can't wrap my head around them. They feel too fake and perfect pixie-dream boy and girl. I still like them (especially Jase The Sweetheart), but I can't love them 'cause I also resent their perfectness (god, I'm awful).
Also, the story didn't feel finished? When I finished the last chapter I was honestly surprised that it was over. So many things felt unresolved. Like, what happened to Tim (definitely my favorite character - the only real fuck up of a teenager)? And Nam
Spoiler
[Does their 12-year-old friendship really just end because of jealousy?? I mean, I get it, having a BFF like that can't be easy, but really??]Despite those stuff, I really did enjoy this!
I loved the big family aspect of this. How they interacted, their love for one another... Just beautiful! I wish I had a family like that. Of course, it has it's problems, like the money detail, but... I feel like it's worth it.
And I found myself wanting to punch the busybody assholes with their "well-meant" stupid comments and observations. Like, seriously, take your unasked for opinions and stick them up your self-righteous asses, the world thanks the cooperation.
Also, I liked most of the sub-plots. Tim and Nam and the whole right-or-wrong debate. I was all for it. Didn't care much for the political aspects though. I may or may not have skimmed those.
So. Even though the characters did not win me over, there were more than enough things that I loved/liked on the story to make me glad I picked this up. It was a cute and fast read with some serious features to make me interested. And the best family ever.
Garrets = <3
nannasa16's review against another edition
2.0
Not my thing at all. Just shut Samantha up. She's one of the most annoying character ever. Please girl, take your starbucks skinny macchiato and go back swimming and tanning and don't taunt us with your terrible POV.
But Jase's family was awesome, I love everybody, Alice, Joel, Pansey, Andy, and GEORGE *w*. Love them!.
Full review to come.
But Jase's family was awesome, I love everybody, Alice, Joel, Pansey, Andy, and GEORGE *w*. Love them!.
Full review to come.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
Yes - this one is a true 5 star for me. I loved everything about this book and couldn't stop reading it once I picked it up.
The characters in this book did it for me...I know, I know - that's not unusual but trust me when I say I have a love/hate relationship with some of them. Love = Jase, Sam, Tim, and George..Ok really I love the entire Garrett family. HATE = Nan and Clay. No spoilers on why but I had really strong reactions to both of these characters.
Sam is the rich blond and Jase is one of those Garrett's. Their interactions are wonderful and the first time they meet is perfect. He has the best lines in the story and you will most likely find them on my favorite quotes list.
I recommend this book to just about anyone. It is a good story about life, love and friendship. There is even a "holy crap, no way" moment - seriously...it happened and I said it. Just go read and swoon with the rest of us.
The characters in this book did it for me...I know, I know - that's not unusual but trust me when I say I have a love/hate relationship with some of them. Love = Jase, Sam, Tim
Spoiler
(Yes - he comes through in the end)Sam is the rich blond and Jase is one of those Garrett's. Their interactions are wonderful and the first time they meet is perfect.
Spoiler
I loved how all the time that Sam was watching his family, he was watching her.I recommend this book to just about anyone. It is a good story about life, love and friendship. There is even a "holy crap, no way" moment - seriously...it happened and I said it. Just go read and swoon with the rest of us.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect romance story for the summer. Cute without unnecessary drama. Mature characters with good decisions.
If you are romance fan and don't mind reading a contemporary story about two teenagers falling in love, definitely check it out.
My rating: 4.5 stars
If you are romance fan and don't mind reading a contemporary story about two teenagers falling in love, definitely check it out.
My rating: 4.5 stars
maudd's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
Je ne sais pas pourquoi je n'ai pas autant aimé que ce que j'aurais voulu, malgré des personnages très attachants!
Je ne sais pas pourquoi je n'ai pas autant aimé que ce que j'aurais voulu, malgré des personnages très attachants!
vreadss's review against another edition
2.0
idk what to rate it yet but this book ehh not for me. also why’d the do the whole thing with nan all those years of friend ship and they didn’t have one decent conversation. they just never brought her up after that and i need closure.
7/25/23 2.5/5
7/25/23 2.5/5
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
Samantha Reed has always had everything. She lives in a luxurious house with her politician mother and slightly rebellious sister, she has a trust fund and everything is set perfectly and nicely for her. Yet Sam always pined for the vibrant life of the Garretts, the next door neighbours that her mother disapproved of. The Garretts are lively and chaotic, the opposite to Sam's pristine and immaculate home. Yet, Sam finds herself acquainted with the Garretts on that particular lonely summer, and even finds companionship and love in Jase Garrett, the boy who fixes everything. I preferred this book to What i Thought Was True, as the parallels between Jase and Sam's home lives were a delight to read. Sam is not selfish despite being privileged, and together, the couple overcame moral dilemmas in order to do what is right. Jase and Sam are both selfless and courageous, and it is their strong relationship that makes this a wonderful coming-of-age story, a beautiful testament to first love.
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 I was suprised how much I really liked this because it is an older contempoary but I really enjoyed the story and found it unputdownable, the family dynamics were everything, the love interest was a really sweet guy and this novel just worked for me.
So if you want:
-A sweet love interest.
-Another sweet guy that is also an ass but at the heart of it a friend.
-Massive fun loving family of kids and teens.
-Enjoyable contempoary read set in the summer
-Dark topic of what is right to do when something horrifc happens
-Romance that isn't unhealthy nor is it too on the cute side, has a perfect balance.
Then this is the book that has all of that.
So if you want:
-A sweet love interest.
-Another sweet guy that is also an ass but at the heart of it a friend.
-Massive fun loving family of kids and teens.
-Enjoyable contempoary read set in the summer
-Dark topic of what is right to do when something horrifc happens
-Romance that isn't unhealthy nor is it too on the cute side, has a perfect balance.
Then this is the book that has all of that.