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joncon's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nruth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
abbeyrush's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
1kelsey_jw's review against another edition
I’m over halfway down and I’m disappointed in the direction of the book compared to the book jacket description. In a story about women being able to swap bodies and discussing being able to do astral projection, I thought it might have more supernatural elements to it. Unfortunately, it was just a story of a bad friendship between two women.
tigger89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
This is a heartbreaking story about the wonders and horrors of deep friendship. I'm not really sure how much I can say about it without spoiling the plot, only that the relationship between Nina and Jess felt so horribly authentic to me. The instinctive pulling together, the constant blurring of boundaries(should you have them? can you?), the hurt recoil as you go too far again, and again and...it almost hit too close to home. For those of us who've had the experience of being on one side of an ampersand, one half of a pair that can only be considered as a unit, this novel is familiar and the final confrontation inevitable.
Neither character is likeable. Both are flawed and behave badly, repeatedly. But none of it is pointless cruelty. Everything comes from a need, whether it's fallout from childhood trauma, a desire to be loved, or even just a misguided attempt to love another. Check content warnings before reading, because this goes to some dark places.
I liked the way the story followed two timelines, one when they were 9-17 and another when they were around 25-30. I also appreciated Schubach's exploration of Nina's Jewish culture, while at the same time being disappointed that we didn't get anything of the same for Jess's Mexican culture. I did notice that Nina never experienced any on-page racism while inhabiting Jess's body, only noting that Nina-as-Jess was seen as beautiful and desirable. Maybe the author wasn't comfortable with the subject matter(fair), but it stuck out to me as a notable omission to not acknowledge it being a thing at all, especially given context around the sexualization of latinas.
The other thing that bothered me was that I sometimes found myself struggling to follow the narrative when the two were body-swapped. But the fault lies not with the book(it was consistent in using the name corresponding to the consciousness, rather than the physical body), but rather with my own reading attention. I also believe it was deliberate in a way, throwing the reader off-kilter and blurring the line between the two characters. So, read carefully!
I can't quite bring myself to give this one four stars. I think this might be a fault on my end rather than the book's, part of the visceral reaction I had to the subject matter. Elevating it from an "it was alright"+ to an "it was good" is a mental step that I just can't take right now. This book makes me need a therapist.
Neither character is likeable. Both are flawed and behave badly, repeatedly. But none of it is pointless cruelty. Everything comes from a need, whether it's fallout from childhood trauma, a desire to be loved, or even just a misguided attempt to love another. Check content warnings before reading, because this goes to some dark places.
I liked the way the story followed two timelines, one when they were 9-17 and another when they were around 25-30. I also appreciated Schubach's exploration of Nina's Jewish culture, while at the same time being disappointed that we didn't get anything of the same for Jess's Mexican culture. I did notice that Nina never experienced any on-page racism while inhabiting Jess's body, only noting that Nina-as-Jess was seen as beautiful and desirable. Maybe the author wasn't comfortable with the subject matter(fair), but it stuck out to me as a notable omission to not acknowledge it being a thing at all, especially given context around the sexualization of latinas.
The other thing that bothered me was that I sometimes found myself struggling to follow the narrative when the two were body-swapped. But the fault lies not with the book(it was consistent in using the name corresponding to the consciousness, rather than the physical body), but rather with my own reading attention. I also believe it was deliberate in a way, throwing the reader off-kilter and blurring the line between the two characters. So, read carefully!
I can't quite bring myself to give this one four stars. I think this might be a fault on my end rather than the book's, part of the visceral reaction I had to the subject matter. Elevating it from an "it was alright"+ to an "it was good" is a mental step that I just can't take right now. This book makes me need a therapist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Rape, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use
Note on rape: it happens off-screen, and the context iseddienewreads's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, sad, and completely realistic tale about two friends who can't help but love and harm each other. A stunning, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful novel. Do yourself a favor and purchase this book when it comes out on June 21st. Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advanced copy.
allykhat328's review against another edition
3.0
RELEASE DATE 21 June 2022
Thank you to netgalley and blackstone publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review
n this book we are following two girls/women, Nina and Jess. Both extremely different people, living very different lives. They meet at a very young age and connect straight away and have that instant typical bestie bond. Their connection however goes slightly deeper than the norm, because they can swap bodies.
It follows them through from childhood through to teens until they fall and then they reconnect again when they are older.
The premise of this book had me so intrigued. It sounded so unique and original and I love a great book about female friendships.
First off I reckon this would actually make a great movie because in all honesty I found if super confusing at times because your following both perspectives and then they are also swapping bodies so I was often thinking wait who is this speaking? Obviously if adapted to screen that wouldn't be an issue, because for me it actually did hinder my experience quite a bit because I was getting confused and having to reread parts again to figure out who was doing what.
Negatives aside this book was very interesting and also very hard to read at times. I felt it was a pretty accurate representation of young female relationships, especially toxic ones. I found Jess very unlikeable, not sure if that was the intention and I'd love to know what others who have read it felt about the characters. She came across as a user and very manipulative.
I also enjoyed the family and other relationship dynamics with each individual character and their own families/relationships. Both severely different which obviously made it all the more interesting to read about when they would swap.
I did enjoy the multiple timelines but maybe wish it was more defined by maybe a new chapter? I usually have a preference to one particular timeline but found them both very fascinating. I felt a lot with this book, I could relate to some of it, found some parts super cringe but probably rather realistic, I got annoyed, felt sympathy, felt uncomfortable and shocked by some parts.
I would love to have a look at a finished copy to see how it is laid out because I really feel like that could make or break an experience for someone reading this book and how confusing it can get! However I would recommend this book still, Maybe people who love a quirky book that's a bit weird.
Thank you to netgalley and blackstone publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review
n this book we are following two girls/women, Nina and Jess. Both extremely different people, living very different lives. They meet at a very young age and connect straight away and have that instant typical bestie bond. Their connection however goes slightly deeper than the norm, because they can swap bodies.
It follows them through from childhood through to teens until they fall and then they reconnect again when they are older.
The premise of this book had me so intrigued. It sounded so unique and original and I love a great book about female friendships.
First off I reckon this would actually make a great movie because in all honesty I found if super confusing at times because your following both perspectives and then they are also swapping bodies so I was often thinking wait who is this speaking? Obviously if adapted to screen that wouldn't be an issue, because for me it actually did hinder my experience quite a bit because I was getting confused and having to reread parts again to figure out who was doing what.
Negatives aside this book was very interesting and also very hard to read at times. I felt it was a pretty accurate representation of young female relationships, especially toxic ones. I found Jess very unlikeable, not sure if that was the intention and I'd love to know what others who have read it felt about the characters. She came across as a user and very manipulative.
I also enjoyed the family and other relationship dynamics with each individual character and their own families/relationships. Both severely different which obviously made it all the more interesting to read about when they would swap.
I did enjoy the multiple timelines but maybe wish it was more defined by maybe a new chapter? I usually have a preference to one particular timeline but found them both very fascinating. I felt a lot with this book, I could relate to some of it, found some parts super cringe but probably rather realistic, I got annoyed, felt sympathy, felt uncomfortable and shocked by some parts.
I would love to have a look at a finished copy to see how it is laid out because I really feel like that could make or break an experience for someone reading this book and how confusing it can get! However I would recommend this book still, Maybe people who love a quirky book that's a bit weird.
hannahleanne's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not going to lie, I was a little bored when reading. I enjoyed some bits and pieces but overall it wasn’t what I would typically pick up.
This story is so thought-provoking. Imagine if you and your childhood best friend are able to trade bodies by touching your foreheads together. I’m not sure what exactly I expected going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The book follows Nina and Jess, two girls with different personalities. They find out they are able to switch bodies and live inside the other to experience life from the other’s perspective. I enjoyed how this book followed Jess and Nina into adulthood as well and touched on several real topics including domestic abuse, relationships, and grief.
This story is so thought-provoking. Imagine if you and your childhood best friend are able to trade bodies by touching your foreheads together. I’m not sure what exactly I expected going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The book follows Nina and Jess, two girls with different personalities. They find out they are able to switch bodies and live inside the other to experience life from the other’s perspective. I enjoyed how this book followed Jess and Nina into adulthood as well and touched on several real topics including domestic abuse, relationships, and grief.
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