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anisiaguerrero's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
adriannasophiabookss's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book to review! The premise sounded really unique and heart wrenching so I wanted to pick it up.
This is a YA romance novel with a hint of magical realism. Ruby and Hart have been best friends and soulmates since they were kids and when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident Ruby is absolutely devastated. However, Hart has been given a second chance. The catch? His soul is transferred to the body of the local bad boy Jameson Romanelli who Ruby can’t stand. When he returns to town as Jameson his goal is to get Ruby back but forbidden to tell the truth about his situation, it may be harder than he thought. Ruby however is immediately drawn to Jameson when he emerges from his coma and the two develop a tentative friendship. Will Ruby work out the truth or is Hart destined to be lost to her forever?
This was heart wrenching. Although Hart dies within the first few chapters, through his inner monologue as Jameson you really get to see the depth of his love for Ruby and you get a sense of how their relationship was which causes you to root for them. The fact that nothing was simple in terms of Hart’s situation also made the plot more interesting and there were multiple times where I thought he had finally succeeded but then the moment would slip away. The whole thing with Josie is what really got me, I love my dog with my whole heart and it just made me think about how she would know me if I was in this situation and what that would be like.
The magical realism elements were really interesting. Lourdes was a really fun character and the added consequences for her made the stakes even higher. I’m really attached to these characters. The whole time I just fell a rollercoaster of emotions, there would be happy scenes and then tense scenes and sad scenes. This book is compared to You’ve Reached Sam which I haven’t read yet but from what I’ve heard I would say this packs the same emotional punch.
If you’re looking for a good angsty and emotional YA romance then this is for you. Also the cover is stunning which is a bonus. This came out on 6th June so you can pick it up now. Grab the tissues though.
This is a YA romance novel with a hint of magical realism. Ruby and Hart have been best friends and soulmates since they were kids and when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident Ruby is absolutely devastated. However, Hart has been given a second chance. The catch? His soul is transferred to the body of the local bad boy Jameson Romanelli who Ruby can’t stand. When he returns to town as Jameson his goal is to get Ruby back but forbidden to tell the truth about his situation, it may be harder than he thought. Ruby however is immediately drawn to Jameson when he emerges from his coma and the two develop a tentative friendship. Will Ruby work out the truth or is Hart destined to be lost to her forever?
This was heart wrenching. Although Hart dies within the first few chapters, through his inner monologue as Jameson you really get to see the depth of his love for Ruby and you get a sense of how their relationship was which causes you to root for them. The fact that nothing was simple in terms of Hart’s situation also made the plot more interesting and there were multiple times where I thought he had finally succeeded but then the moment would slip away. The whole thing with Josie is what really got me, I love my dog with my whole heart and it just made me think about how she would know me if I was in this situation and what that would be like.
The magical realism elements were really interesting. Lourdes was a really fun character and the added consequences for her made the stakes even higher. I’m really attached to these characters. The whole time I just fell a rollercoaster of emotions, there would be happy scenes and then tense scenes and sad scenes. This book is compared to You’ve Reached Sam which I haven’t read yet but from what I’ve heard I would say this packs the same emotional punch.
If you’re looking for a good angsty and emotional YA romance then this is for you. Also the cover is stunning which is a bonus. This came out on 6th June so you can pick it up now. Grab the tissues though.
lesik_c's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kumomikureads's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP/ Penguin Young Readers Group/ Razorbill for sharing this amazing book's eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Do you believe in the power of love? I do.
This book is emotional, romantic, magical, and heartwarming. Also, that cover? So beautiful and amazing. This book is easy to read despite of its sensitive topics (grief and death), chapters are short, and fast pace. This book also gives mysteries and surprising twists that makes me keep reading because I really want to know what will happen to Hart and Ruby.
There's also a touch of fantasy like angels and tarot reading.
Hart and Ruby are both lovable individuals and I love their relationships. Other characters are strong too.
I love it and I can't recommend this book enough.
Do you believe in the power of love? I do.
This book is emotional, romantic, magical, and heartwarming. Also, that cover? So beautiful and amazing. This book is easy to read despite of its sensitive topics (grief and death), chapters are short, and fast pace. This book also gives mysteries and surprising twists that makes me keep reading because I really want to know what will happen to Hart and Ruby.
There's also a touch of fantasy like angels and tarot reading.
Hart and Ruby are both lovable individuals and I love their relationships. Other characters are strong too.
I love it and I can't recommend this book enough.
kumomikureads's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP/ Penguin Young Readers Group/ Razorbill for sharing this amazing book's eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Do you believe in the power of love? I do.
This book is emotional, romantic, magical, and heartwarming. Also, that cover? So beautiful and amazing. This book is easy to read despite of its sensitive topics (grief and death), chapters are short, and fast pace. This book also gives mysteries and surprising twists that makes me keep reading because I really want to know what will happen to Hart and Ruby.
There's also a touch of fantasy like angels and tarot reading.
Hart and Ruby are both lovable individuals and I love their relationships. Other characters are strong too.
I love it and I can't recommend this book enough.
Do you believe in the power of love? I do.
This book is emotional, romantic, magical, and heartwarming. Also, that cover? So beautiful and amazing. This book is easy to read despite of its sensitive topics (grief and death), chapters are short, and fast pace. This book also gives mysteries and surprising twists that makes me keep reading because I really want to know what will happen to Hart and Ruby.
There's also a touch of fantasy like angels and tarot reading.
Hart and Ruby are both lovable individuals and I love their relationships. Other characters are strong too.
I love it and I can't recommend this book enough.
dellereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
4.5
sofieinthestacks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved the characters, and the atmosphere of the story was so sweet. I went into the story knowing romance isn't my usual genre, and I recognize that likely attributed to my enjoyment of the story.
I really liked how Cervantes wrote Ruby's grief(though it did sometimes feel like Ruby was using Jameson to cope with her grief, which made me a little uncomfortable)
I really liked how Cervantes wrote Ruby's grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
alfabbulous's review against another edition
This had me feeling for the straights
therese_nook68's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars
This book was such a great interpretation and discussion around grief and how it’s like to lose someone who was your whole world and who you loved and wanted to have an entire future with. It’s also a beautiful story about love and how strong that can be, especially as a young adult where it’s all encompassing.
I loved seeing Hart and Ruby’s love transcended reality and the how it carried the entire book. My heart hurt the entire time, trying to see them come back to one another and to see them fall in love with each other all over again. I absolutely loved following their journey and I will be picking up more from this author in the future.
This book was such a great interpretation and discussion around grief and how it’s like to lose someone who was your whole world and who you loved and wanted to have an entire future with. It’s also a beautiful story about love and how strong that can be, especially as a young adult where it’s all encompassing.
I loved seeing Hart and Ruby’s love transcended reality and the how it carried the entire book. My heart hurt the entire time, trying to see them come back to one another and to see them fall in love with each other all over again. I absolutely loved following their journey and I will be picking up more from this author in the future.