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libswagmenter's review against another edition
3.0
I had accurately heard this is very different from her other books. The allegory didn't really work for me, but it did tug at my heart as a fellow member of the Dead Dad Club.
kmdowling90's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Dementia
smsienk's review
5.0
Loved this YA magical realism, instacrush, modern Romeo & Juliet tale. Emily Henry knows how to take a "light" genre and grapple with some really complex, difficult topics.
Henry builds her teen characters adeptly - they feel real and complicated. You feel their coming-of-age angst and the heaviness of intergenerational family trauma handed down through the conceit of a "curse." Shame almost plays a main character here and as a therapist, I am just so impressed with how Henry manages this without feeling preachy. Henry also handles teens learning about their parents' flaws and full humanity through this concept and it works so well - all the bumps, uncertainty, and resentment.
This book also gets bonus points for being the right read at the right time in my life - the powerful, unflinching, unqualified love felt but not always enacted by a complicated father for his daughter who is striving to be enough - it's just what my soul needed.
Also, always bonus points for Julia Whelan narrating. How does she do it? None of her characters are grating and honestly, her "male lead voice" is one of the sexiest I've ever heard. All the accolades to that gift of a human giving us wonderful audiobooks.
Henry builds her teen characters adeptly - they feel real and complicated. You feel their coming-of-age angst and the heaviness of intergenerational family trauma handed down through the conceit of a "curse." Shame almost plays a main character here and as a therapist, I am just so impressed with how Henry manages this without feeling preachy. Henry also handles teens learning about their parents' flaws and full humanity through this concept and it works so well - all the bumps, uncertainty, and resentment.
This book also gets bonus points for being the right read at the right time in my life - the powerful, unflinching, unqualified love felt but not always enacted by a complicated father for his daughter who is striving to be enough - it's just what my soul needed.
Also, always bonus points for Julia Whelan narrating. How does she do it? None of her characters are grating and honestly, her "male lead voice" is one of the sexiest I've ever heard. All the accolades to that gift of a human giving us wonderful audiobooks.
hollyschnicke's review against another edition
2.0
Felt a little too woo woo to me. I wanted to like it more than i did
catherine_reads_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cateasp's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lopezjacqueline55's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
Loved the characters and relationships between them. Emily Henry has a gift for creating such enduring friendships that make you want to go out and find your own Hannah. Didn’t enjoy the pacing and sometimes felt overwhelmed with plot. My least favorite of her books but still enjoyed the journey.
smorelore's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0