gsheff's review against another edition
5.0
Julia Whelan has become a favorite author. Her writing is so incredibly witty, bold, honest, raw…I’m left rather speechless. I do hope she has more in the works!
natalie_eighmey's review against another edition
4.0
this book had me reminiscing about summer euro adventures & feeling all the feels. i wish Ella was able to have it all, but that’s rarely the case in life i fear.
“the act of making a choice, of choosing a path, doesn’t mean the other path disappears. it just means that it will forever run parallel to the one you’re on. it means you have to live with knowing what you gave up.” (316) i’m spiraling tbh Whelan’s got me questioning every post grad option
“the act of making a choice, of choosing a path, doesn’t mean the other path disappears. it just means that it will forever run parallel to the one you’re on. it means you have to live with knowing what you gave up.” (316) i’m spiraling tbh Whelan’s got me questioning every post grad option
sjsjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 stars. I enjoyed reading this book - especially since it was based in England. The characters and story kept me coming back for more. It was thought provoking and entertaining. Just what I needed after reading some heavier stuff - that said it wasn’t as fluffy as I thought it would be.
Update: I can’t stop thinking about the characters and themes of this book. So, I guess I need to up it to 4 stars. :)
Update: I can’t stop thinking about the characters and themes of this book. So, I guess I need to up it to 4 stars. :)
annejupena's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
julianne89's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable - if mostly predictable - book, especially when you listen to the audiobook version narrated by the author (who is THE voice in audiobooks these days!). The setup is rather predictable rom-com, with a reliably cliche cast of characters: the bookish girl sidekick, the Oscar-Wilde wannabe, the bumbling bloke, the dashing professor. The book takes more of a turn for "real" towards the latter half, which clicks it up a notch in my estimation. A good beach read.
clairemacf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Spoiler
I found the characters to be annoying and the main character to be really annoying. I didn’t understand how Ella could be 25 but also somehow asked to advise the political campaign for the next president? Did not make sense and I felt like that just took away from the study abroad experience that I thought the book would be about. I didn’t believe the romance or love story between her and Jamie, it was too full of tropes and just seemed like they moved extremely quickly. I think it also was trying to be too British and in the end just made the British characters annoying and awkward and made me feel uncomfortable reading those scenes. I think Julia Whelan did a great job with the narration and voices for the audiobook. This book was just not what I expected.avs429's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0