kthomas4415's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this book. Plot was rushed a little sometimes, but it fit well with the demographic they were aiming for. Perfect nerd references, awkward romantics and redeeming introverts.
zarahzoe's review against another edition
3.0
As far as teen romances go, I liked this a lot.
It had:
- female friendships!
- healthy long-distance sibling relationship
- A Midsummer Nights dream (which took me back to my own school production of the play wayyyyy back when(I feel so old))
- queer characters
- boys being platonically intimate
Its obviously not written for me, but i'm in full support of books for teens that don't promote unhealthy shit.
It had:
- female friendships!
- healthy long-distance sibling relationship
- A Midsummer Nights dream (which took me back to my own school production of the play wayyyyy back when(I feel so old))
- queer characters
- boys being platonically intimate
Its obviously not written for me, but i'm in full support of books for teens that don't promote unhealthy shit.
pocketgrandpa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
seekerxr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't really know what to expect of this book going in but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
it had short chapters, which helped with my abysmal attention span to get through it faster, and the story was all around heartwarming. Seeing all the characters connect and grow closer to each other, while also not having the relationships grow in a seamless transition made it feel real. There were hiccups and stutters involved, but I think it made the payoff worth it in the end.
Gideon and Claudia ended up being my favorite part of this book, even though arguably I think they got the least screen time, as it were. Their interactions were just so pure and genuine, and you could tell they clicked from the get-go. I was really psyched for them to get together. Gideon is so sweet and deserves the world.
The section where Claudia is talking about how she shouldn't be with Gideon because "she's the type of person people only feel 'regular' about" broke my entire heart. I can relate to those feelings a little bit and I was relating heavily to her this entire book, so it hit extra hard.
Claudia and Isis's friendship was absolutely adorable, and Gideon and Noah's whole relationship was so heartwarming. This book has a lot of soul.
it had short chapters, which helped with my abysmal attention span to get through it faster, and the story was all around heartwarming. Seeing all the characters connect and grow closer to each other, while also not having the relationships grow in a seamless transition made it feel real. There were hiccups and stutters involved, but I think it made the payoff worth it in the end.
Gideon and Claudia ended up being my favorite part of this book, even though arguably I think they got the least screen time, as it were. Their interactions were just so pure and genuine, and you could tell they clicked from the get-go. I was really psyched for them to get together. Gideon is so sweet and deserves the world.
Claudia and Isis's friendship was absolutely adorable, and Gideon and Noah's whole relationship was so heartwarming. This book has a lot of soul.
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
4.0
After Claudia unwittingly over hears the dramatic break-up of her high-school's "It" couple, Iris and Paige, she finds herself in the line of fire of Iris, one of the meanest girls at school. Things become even more tense after they must work together on their highschool production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." However, as they spend more time together, they begin to find common ground and begin to bond over a popular boy band. Soon Iris begins to shed her gruff and steely demeanor and Claudia's world opens to new friends and even, possibly, a new love.
Now, before I get into my overall thoughts on the book, I wanted to address what seem to be common complaints regarding this story that I have seen on Goodreads.
I have seen reviews grumbling about the "girl drama" depicted throughout the story and I can't help but wonder why they picked up this book when that was legitimately the synopsis on the back? This whole book was meant to center around Claudia and the gruff Iris and how they build a friendship after a shaky start. Girl drama was essentially the foundation on which the plot was built.
Also, I am not quite sure I understand reviewers calling Claudia "awful". If anything, she is very bland. She had very little personality but she was not overtly cruel or mean. In fact, she befriended Iris when she didn't have to and stood up for her against unnecessary girl hate. Now, there was a portion of this book where Claudia reacted poorly to some situations which caused her to take out her hurt and confusion out in the wrong way, but it all worked itself out in the end.
If anything, it was Iris that was blatantly unpleasant for no reason, and even that was necessary for the redemption arc of the story.
If nothing else, this book is totally worthwhile just for the character of Gideon who was beyond precious. He was the handsome, charming, popular boy but one who genuinly cared about those around him. He always listened to those that spoke to him, providing them with undivded attention, and intervened whenever he thought his friends were in danger. He was so stinkin' cute and I legitmiately smiled or laughed out loud several times because of him. He has definitely made book boyfriend status.
All-in-all this was certainly not a ground-breaking contemporary. In fact, I would say it was quite average, but it was a light, easy read that I feel is beneficial for slump-breaking or if you are in the mood for a feel-good story and I look forward to reading Mills' other work.
Now, before I get into my overall thoughts on the book, I wanted to address what seem to be common complaints regarding this story that I have seen on Goodreads.
I have seen reviews grumbling about the "girl drama" depicted throughout the story and I can't help but wonder why they picked up this book when that was legitimately the synopsis on the back? This whole book was meant to center around Claudia and the gruff Iris and how they build a friendship after a shaky start. Girl drama was essentially the foundation on which the plot was built.
Also, I am not quite sure I understand reviewers calling Claudia "awful". If anything, she is very bland. She had very little personality but she was not overtly cruel or mean. In fact, she befriended Iris when she didn't have to and stood up for her against unnecessary girl hate. Now, there was a portion of this book where Claudia reacted poorly to some situations which caused her to take out her hurt and confusion out in the wrong way, but it all worked itself out in the end.
If anything, it was Iris that was blatantly unpleasant for no reason, and even that was necessary for the redemption arc of the story.
If nothing else, this book is totally worthwhile just for the character of Gideon who was beyond precious. He was the handsome, charming, popular boy but one who genuinly cared about those around him. He always listened to those that spoke to him, providing them with undivded attention, and intervened whenever he thought his friends were in danger. He was so stinkin' cute and I legitmiately smiled or laughed out loud several times because of him. He has definitely made book boyfriend status.
All-in-all this was certainly not a ground-breaking contemporary. In fact, I would say it was quite average, but it was a light, easy read that I feel is beneficial for slump-breaking or if you are in the mood for a feel-good story and I look forward to reading Mills' other work.
tatumoshea's review against another edition
5.0
literally so cute. also i love when the love interests are fun. like they are just genuinely happy people. yasss gideon
laceydbell's review against another edition
4.0
Reread, November 2019: Staying at the 4-4.5 range! Absolutely LOVE the friendships in this book. Emma does friendship WONDERFULLY. This served its purpose which is that I needed something light and airy!
Original ARC review, November 2017: 4.5* I received an ARC from Emma herself, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This was an adorable contemporary about friendship, love, and family. Emma Mills is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Original ARC review, November 2017: 4.5* I received an ARC from Emma herself, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This was an adorable contemporary about friendship, love, and family. Emma Mills is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
romanirism's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Definitivamente amé mucho a los personajes pero siento que me faltó algo al final, no sé si es simplemente el estilo de la autora pero me dejó queriendo más
Definitivamente amé mucho a los personajes pero siento que me faltó algo al final, no sé si es simplemente el estilo de la autora pero me dejó queriendo más