beautifully_broken's review
3.0
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Despite the title and cover this is not a love story, this is a story of discovery, loss and forgiveness.
Whenever I'm with You is a drama filled book that follows a broken girl and an even more broken set of boys as they all begin to heal.
I liked this book but honestly Gabi's character for me was annoying, trivial and very selfish. Thankfully she didn't constantly say every thing out loud, but mentally she was always talking about herself and her issues. I know she cared about the boys and their need to handle the loss of their father but with her constantly whining internally about her own issues I had a hard time seeing her as anything but shallow.
I did like that it wasn't a love story as I originally thought it was going to be. I liked that each of the main characters was able to discover things about themselves and their relationships and then use those discoveries to begin to forgive themselves and those in their lives. The ridiculous number of obstacles they ran into on their journey made it very unrealistic, but it was interesting.
While I did like that Gabi changed for the better I wasn't really a fan of her instant forgiveness of her mother. We never learn exactly what Gabi said to her mom at the airport and I understand not wanting whatever it was to be the last things she ever said to her mom but her mom most certainly did not deserve her to reach out with open arms. Gabi's mom has alot a issues and not coming when her daughter is missing in the Alaskan wilderness is at the top of the list, so what if she was the one to alert them of an issue any caring parent would be there regardless of their current relationship with their child.
Overall its a quick enjoyable read.
Despite the title and cover this is not a love story, this is a story of discovery, loss and forgiveness.
Whenever I'm with You is a drama filled book that follows a broken girl and an even more broken set of boys as they all begin to heal.
I liked this book but honestly Gabi's character for me was annoying, trivial and very selfish. Thankfully she didn't constantly say every thing out loud, but mentally she was always talking about herself and her issues. I know she cared about the boys and their need to handle the loss of their father but with her constantly whining internally about her own issues I had a hard time seeing her as anything but shallow.
I did like that it wasn't a love story as I originally thought it was going to be. I liked that each of the main characters was able to discover things about themselves and their relationships and then use those discoveries to begin to forgive themselves and those in their lives. The ridiculous number of obstacles they ran into on their journey made it very unrealistic, but it was interesting.
While I did like that Gabi changed for the better I wasn't really a fan of her instant forgiveness of her mother. We never learn exactly what Gabi said to her mom at the airport and I understand not wanting whatever it was to be the last things she ever said to her mom but her mom most certainly did not deserve her to reach out with open arms. Gabi's mom has alot a issues and not coming when her daughter is missing in the Alaskan wilderness is at the top of the list, so what if she was the one to alert them of an issue any caring parent would be there regardless of their current relationship with their child.
Overall its a quick enjoyable read.
iwiric523's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
samanthaeatonwrites's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book because the premise really appealed to me. A YA compared to Into The Wild (my all time favorite), sign me up.
That said, I was terribly disappointed in this book for so many reasons.
For starters, I would have loved for Kai and Hunter's Tlingit heritage to be more than just a quick line in the book. If not for that one sentence, I would have never guessed they were native. Their heritage seemed more like a "fun quirk" than a full bodied culture, and it was disappointing to not explore further.
And the brotherly drama between the two was weird.
Then there's Gabi. She was just basic minus her occasional use of Spanish. That could have been explored more too. Add that to the fact that her decisions were based solely on Kai, I didn't really relate to her.
The entire plot felt forced too. Everything that could go wrong, did, and I was exhausted by everything that kept happening. Nobody grew after these experiences and just kept on going.
Finally, the ending bothered me. They found the answers Kai wanted but he didn't really react much to what he found. It was just over. Then they went home and whatever.
That said, I was terribly disappointed in this book for so many reasons.
For starters, I would have loved for Kai and Hunter's Tlingit heritage to be more than just a quick line in the book. If not for that one sentence, I would have never guessed they were native. Their heritage seemed more like a "fun quirk" than a full bodied culture, and it was disappointing to not explore further.
And the brotherly drama between the two was weird.
Then there's Gabi. She was just basic minus her occasional use of Spanish. That could have been explored more too. Add that to the fact that her decisions were based solely on Kai, I didn't really relate to her.
The entire plot felt forced too. Everything that could go wrong, did, and I was exhausted by everything that kept happening. Nobody grew after these experiences and just kept on going.
Finally, the ending bothered me. They found the answers Kai wanted but he didn't really react much to what he found. It was just over. Then they went home and whatever.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. As a born-and-raised Alaskan, there are definitely aspects of the book that are inaccurate. Weather, temperature, wilderness survival, wild animals, etc...a lot of their depictions gave me good reasons to roll my eyes. I also really didn’t like the main character. I appreciate that she gained maturity over the course of the story, but there was still too much rich bratty personality overall for me. I wonder if the author intentionally did this though: set her up as someone we as the readers aren’t supposed to like at first. Even if that’s the case, Gabi referring to a bear as her spirit animal went too far. That is extremely disrespectful to the Alaska Native peoples.
silunii's review against another edition
2.0
I really am not sure what to say about this book. while reading, there were some points where I was like wow and there were some points where I was second-guessing my decision to read it. before reading it I looked through the reviews on this book. there was one review that stood out a lot to me.
It was about how the author used some references to the natives in Alaska and how it was offensive. and then the review talked about how the Gabi sounded very snobby and that was not a good thing. I usually read reviews to get an overview of the book. this review gave me second thoughts about the book. I agree partially with the person who wrote the review (i don't remember who exactly). Gabi's background was supposed to be like that since she grew up in that sort of environment. The rest of the characters were great.
There were some downsides to it. First of all, the book cover. The cover is great but it doesn't match the story at all. tihs tory was more full of adventure than romance. The second thing is in pg 5 to pg 6.
Not that I am enjoying the view of his lean, muscled body-all those square inches of bare skin a shade that more closely resembles his Canadian mother than his Tlingit father- but this is not the scenario in which I imagined seeing him next to naked the first time.
The bold paragraph above is an excerpt from the book on pg.5 to pg.6. this got me very confused. I didn't even know what the skin color of a Tlingit person is supposed to look like. the author should have given at least a more detailed description.
Well, these are my opinions on the book. Do not make my opinions stop you from reading this book. You may have a different or better opinion of this book than mine.
It was about how the author used some references to the natives in Alaska and how it was offensive. and then the review talked about how the Gabi sounded very snobby and that was not a good thing. I usually read reviews to get an overview of the book. this review gave me second thoughts about the book. I agree partially with the person who wrote the review (i don't remember who exactly). Gabi's background was supposed to be like that since she grew up in that sort of environment. The rest of the characters were great.
There were some downsides to it. First of all, the book cover. The cover is great but it doesn't match the story at all. tihs tory was more full of adventure than romance. The second thing is in pg 5 to pg 6.
Not that I am enjoying the view of his lean, muscled body-all those square inches of bare skin a shade that more closely resembles his Canadian mother than his Tlingit father- but this is not the scenario in which I imagined seeing him next to naked the first time.
The bold paragraph above is an excerpt from the book on pg.5 to pg.6. this got me very confused. I didn't even know what the skin color of a Tlingit person is supposed to look like. the author should have given at least a more detailed description.
Well, these are my opinions on the book. Do not make my opinions stop you from reading this book. You may have a different or better opinion of this book than mine.
jenilyn's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps I was just looking for a different sort of story, but nothing really happened in this one. Relationships basically stayed the same, as did the people. Sure, there was adventure and the revealing of some (low-key) secrets, but there wasn't enough to the story to keep me interested. This would have made a great short story.
allie_schick's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
book_tangled's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 .... The review is going to short , just like the book...
First of all the thing that is revolving around the mind constantly and the main reason for this rating..
The thing that the reader would be attracted to.... will be the cover, then the blurb and the great title. But after that when they'll finally read it, one can be disappointed like me.
I don't want to give to much away, the book is already too short... I'm pretty sure one can sense my Tense tone but of course, It has some sweet moments too. Plus, I think it would be nice for the one's who are starting with the chick/lit, romance genre. It's not to much and even children can read it, well at least Middle grade!
First of all the thing that is revolving around the mind constantly and the main reason for this rating..
Spoiler
who else thought Hunter was the lead? For the people who haven't read it yet, It's the person who is on the cover! The twin brother of the actual Male protagonist, Kai. I'm sure it was not just me!The thing that the reader would be attracted to.... will be the cover, then the blurb and the great title. But after that when they'll finally read it, one can be disappointed like me.
I don't want to give to much away, the book is already too short... I'm pretty sure one can sense my Tense tone but of course, It has some sweet moments too. Plus, I think it would be nice for the one's who are starting with the chick/lit, romance genre. It's not to much and even children can read it, well at least Middle grade!
mx_baysinger's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fun and adventurous read!
I don’t typically read contemporary fiction, but this book sucked me in from the first page. I read the whole thing in a couple days, and as I sat wrapped up in my blanket late at night, I could almost feel like I was in the Alaskan wilderness by the detailed descriptions alone. The relationship between Gabi and Kai was believable and adorable, and the family issues they both dealt with are very relatable to teens. Filled with adventure, raw relationships, and clean romance, I give this story 5 stars. I seriously can’t wait to see what else Lydia Sharp has in store for us!
I don’t typically read contemporary fiction, but this book sucked me in from the first page. I read the whole thing in a couple days, and as I sat wrapped up in my blanket late at night, I could almost feel like I was in the Alaskan wilderness by the detailed descriptions alone. The relationship between Gabi and Kai was believable and adorable, and the family issues they both dealt with are very relatable to teens. Filled with adventure, raw relationships, and clean romance, I give this story 5 stars. I seriously can’t wait to see what else Lydia Sharp has in store for us!