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mehsi's review
5.0
Hamsters, trips, skiing, popstars, romance, awkward and hilarious situations! This book was just so much fun and I laughed so many times.
I read these 2 authors first book (Lobsters) last year and while it did have some bumps in the road, it was a good book, and so I just had to check out this book to see if the duo made yet another laugh-out-loud book. And they did! This one was even better than Lobsters. It still had some things that I didn't entirely like, but those faded away in the background of the book.
Like Lobsters this book is once again split up in two POVs, and like with the other book I am happy they choose this kind of POV. This way we can see what both the characters are thinking, and also see their stupid mistakes (well, mostly Jack's stupid mistakes). Both characters had their good and bad sides.
Mouse, our dancer, who just got kicked out of balletschool and is back at normal school, is an interesting character, who is sweet, nice, friendly, and who made me laugh so hard so many times.
I loved her with Keira and Connie, they made quite a nice group of friends and she fitted in with them perfectly. She didn't have to pretend, she just could be herself, and that way I could see a whole fun character.
I also loved her dance background.
But she also had a side I didn't like. Yes, I can imagine why she did the things she did, the lying, but I wish she would have been honest from the start. Yes, it might be hard to face reality, but isn't it better to be honest to people? They will find out sooner or later, and it won't be so much fun if they do. The mean girls are already on your case, do you really need them to be more on your case? :|
Jack, an interesting, but also clueless guy who apparently doesn't get why a girl who get mad at him. But a guy who also isn't afraid to pursue a girl if he really likes her. I didn't particularly like his group of friends. One was just too mousey and silent and disappeared in the background and I totally forgot about him, the other was obnoxious and selfish.
Luckily, he was the one who generally had his head on right.
Sadly, just like Mouse, he had a side I didn't like. Since it will be a spoiler I will post it under spoiler tags.
Then we also have Roland, our hot popstar boy, who had a really nice side to him, and I really loved all the parts which featured him.
We also have lots of skiing (and snowboarding and skating), and I could just imagine myself at that place and having a great time (and probably also getting muscle ache due to never having skied or gone snowboarding). Then drinking hot chocolate until I explode (because what is better than drinking hot chocolate after a lovely trip in the snow-covered mountains).
I also loved the hamster, it just gave the book something extra. Plus I just adore hamsters!
There are also the typical mean girls (it seems you barely can have a book about schools without them). I just wanted to put a snowball into those girls' clothes. :|
This book just flies by and believe me you will laugh your butt off a lot of times. I would definitely recommend this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
I read these 2 authors first book (Lobsters) last year and while it did have some bumps in the road, it was a good book, and so I just had to check out this book to see if the duo made yet another laugh-out-loud book. And they did! This one was even better than Lobsters. It still had some things that I didn't entirely like, but those faded away in the background of the book.
Like Lobsters this book is once again split up in two POVs, and like with the other book I am happy they choose this kind of POV. This way we can see what both the characters are thinking, and also see their stupid mistakes (well, mostly Jack's stupid mistakes). Both characters had their good and bad sides.
Mouse, our dancer, who just got kicked out of balletschool and is back at normal school, is an interesting character, who is sweet, nice, friendly, and who made me laugh so hard so many times.
I loved her with Keira and Connie, they made quite a nice group of friends and she fitted in with them perfectly. She didn't have to pretend, she just could be herself, and that way I could see a whole fun character.
I also loved her dance background.
But she also had a side I didn't like. Yes, I can imagine why she did the things she did, the lying, but I wish she would have been honest from the start. Yes, it might be hard to face reality, but isn't it better to be honest to people? They will find out sooner or later, and it won't be so much fun if they do. The mean girls are already on your case, do you really need them to be more on your case? :|
Jack, an interesting, but also clueless guy who apparently doesn't get why a girl who get mad at him. But a guy who also isn't afraid to pursue a girl if he really likes her. I didn't particularly like his group of friends. One was just too mousey and silent and disappeared in the background and I totally forgot about him, the other was obnoxious and selfish.
Luckily, he was the one who generally had his head on right.
Sadly, just like Mouse, he had a side I didn't like. Since it will be a spoiler I will post it under spoiler tags.
Spoiler
I got quite pissed at him for two-timing girls. He is flirting, and making moves on Lauren/Laura (sorry, she was just so horrible I forgot her name), but he is also flirting and making moves on Mouse. You can't have both girls, you will have to pick. Seriously, I just wanted to smack his head, especially when he kept wondering why Mouse was so angry with him. Gee, I wonder?Then we also have Roland, our hot popstar boy, who had a really nice side to him, and I really loved all the parts which featured him.
We also have lots of skiing (and snowboarding and skating), and I could just imagine myself at that place and having a great time (and probably also getting muscle ache due to never having skied or gone snowboarding). Then drinking hot chocolate until I explode (because what is better than drinking hot chocolate after a lovely trip in the snow-covered mountains).
I also loved the hamster, it just gave the book something extra. Plus I just adore hamsters!
There are also the typical mean girls (it seems you barely can have a book about schools without them). I just wanted to put a snowball into those girls' clothes. :|
This book just flies by and believe me you will laugh your butt off a lot of times. I would definitely recommend this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
elena_georgiana04's review against another edition
3.0
3,5⭐
Not the worst book I've read this year, maybe if I was a little younger I would have enjoyed more.
Not the worst book I've read this year, maybe if I was a little younger I would have enjoyed more.
scoutfinch75's review
5.0
Told from the points of view of Mouse and Jack, this is a story of friendship, first kisses, and dealing with the unexpected curves life throws at us.
Mouse's life is not working out as she planned. She's been kicked out of ballet school for failing to improve and dreams shattered is back at her old school just in time for the ski trip. With old friendships broken, her ex best friend now a mean girl queen bee, complete with giggling, hair tossing, bitchy entourage in tow; Mouse feels more alone than ever.
Jack is feeling miserable, lead singer in a band but having never done a gig due to stage fright; he's fourteen years old and is more terrified of kissing a girl than getting on stage!
This book made me giggle, laugh out loud, and cringe with the recollection of just how awkward teenage behaviour can sometimes be. Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison have perfectly captured the heartache and friendships, the hopes and joys, the emotional rollercoaster the teenage years bring.
I loved every page of this story and can't wait to read more from these authors.
I won this book in a maximum pop books giveaway.
mini_v3rse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
michalice's review
2.0
I really enjoyed Lobsters, a book that this duo have previously written together, so when I saw they had a new book coming out I knew I had to read it. Knowing what to expect from these two authors, I could not wait to dive in when Never Evers arrived, but once I began reading I somewhat disappointed.
Never Evers was a book that made me laugh, and made me want to slap Lauren and her followers in the face, but it didn't blow me away like I expected it to. The story begins very vague, with Mouse (Matilda) not wanting to go on a school ski trip, and having to go with friends, Connie and Kiera, who she doesn't particularly like. I thought this was mean of her, The friends she went with accepted her back into the group like she hadn't been gone, they picked up the friendship fast and included Mouse in everything, but because Mouse initially didn't like how they acted she was very moody about it all.
Jack is going with his friends, Max and Toddy. They go to a different school and meet the girls upon their arrival at the resort. If I'm being honest I did like Jack and Toddy, but Max really annoyed me, wanting to be the best, wanting to be someone who he wasn't, in any way, shape or form. He acted more like a child than the age he was meant to be. I could have happily stood him next to Lauren and slapped them both.
The idea behind Never Evers was nice, I liked the whole mistaken identity with a pop star, and the very reluctant girl being spotted, but overall the story itself didn't really do much for me. Most of the secondary characters were easy to forget, with me only really remembering the ones I liked or wanted to slap. A lot of time was spent making plans, or wondering in the snow, or skiing, and the plot eventually got lost on me.
Final Verdict
Overall Never Evers was an OK read while it lasted, I liked the snow and some of the characters. But looking back now, I really don't think I could tell you what happened or pinpoint the characters.
Never Evers was a book that made me laugh, and made me want to slap Lauren and her followers in the face, but it didn't blow me away like I expected it to. The story begins very vague, with Mouse (Matilda) not wanting to go on a school ski trip, and having to go with friends, Connie and Kiera, who she doesn't particularly like. I thought this was mean of her, The friends she went with accepted her back into the group like she hadn't been gone, they picked up the friendship fast and included Mouse in everything, but because Mouse initially didn't like how they acted she was very moody about it all.
Jack is going with his friends, Max and Toddy. They go to a different school and meet the girls upon their arrival at the resort. If I'm being honest I did like Jack and Toddy, but Max really annoyed me, wanting to be the best, wanting to be someone who he wasn't, in any way, shape or form. He acted more like a child than the age he was meant to be. I could have happily stood him next to Lauren and slapped them both.
The idea behind Never Evers was nice, I liked the whole mistaken identity with a pop star, and the very reluctant girl being spotted, but overall the story itself didn't really do much for me. Most of the secondary characters were easy to forget, with me only really remembering the ones I liked or wanted to slap. A lot of time was spent making plans, or wondering in the snow, or skiing, and the plot eventually got lost on me.
Final Verdict
Overall Never Evers was an OK read while it lasted, I liked the snow and some of the characters. But looking back now, I really don't think I could tell you what happened or pinpoint the characters.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
4.0
There was enough in this book to make it seem true to life. Except there would have been more chaperones and definite consequences for some of the actions.
But it was light-hearted, fun and hopeful.
But it was light-hearted, fun and hopeful.
qdbibliophile's review against another edition
Cute but truly meant for middle grade readers; the middle school drama was a bit too much for me.
queenoflexis's review
4.0
Reviewed at: http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/
We follow the story from the POV of both Jack and Mouse, two high school pupils on a school trip to the Alps. Mouse is having a rather rough time of it. She’s been forced out of her ballet school and now has to return to her old school after the trip, with her former best friend Lauren. Mouse meets up with two girls she could remember from her time at her previous school, Connie and Keira, and they warmly welcome her, the three of them fast becoming friends.
Jack is on the trip with his two best friends, Max and Toddy, from their all-boys school. Max has one clear goal for their time in the Alps: get off with girls. He no longer wants them to be on zero whilst other guys in their class parade around having kissed plenty of girls before.
Let me start by saying that this book is SO. MUCH. FUN. Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much during a story. I loved the typical British humour of these teens, something I often miss and forget about when reading a lot of US high school-based stories. This book is just another reminder as to why everyone should be delving into some glorious UKYA.
The friendship that formed between Mouse, Connie and Keira was heart-warming, and their scenes together were so adorable. Connie is wild and I loved every bit of her dialogue. I like that Mouse was able to find such friends and have fun whilst she was in a personal turmoil over the ballet school and her sudden chance of plans.
Jack’s scenes were totally different, but I loved reading things from his point of view just as much. Again, he had a strong bond with his two friends, despite their endless banter and bickering. Max made this story that extra bit special for me. Everything he said was pure gold. I found myself laughing over many of the scenes he was in because I remembered boys like him back in my own high school. I can imagine that a lot of the characters in this book are utterly relatable for readers of their age, and that makes them so very believable to read about.
The romance between Jack and Mouse was sweet and also filled with humour. Everything kept going wrong for the two of them, despite them both being crazy about each other. The addition of Roland into the story was fun, and it added extra drama for all of the characters.
I fell in love with this story not just because of the fantastic characters within it, but also because it reminded me of how much I miss this genre of early teen contemporaries. I lived through my teenager years reading stories like this one and I still very much adore them to this day, but I do often forget to pick them up. Never Evers has definitely encouraged me to reintroduce myself to these type of stories, because their innocence and their humour and how everything seems like the end of the world at that age is timeless to read.
We follow the story from the POV of both Jack and Mouse, two high school pupils on a school trip to the Alps. Mouse is having a rather rough time of it. She’s been forced out of her ballet school and now has to return to her old school after the trip, with her former best friend Lauren. Mouse meets up with two girls she could remember from her time at her previous school, Connie and Keira, and they warmly welcome her, the three of them fast becoming friends.
Jack is on the trip with his two best friends, Max and Toddy, from their all-boys school. Max has one clear goal for their time in the Alps: get off with girls. He no longer wants them to be on zero whilst other guys in their class parade around having kissed plenty of girls before.
Let me start by saying that this book is SO. MUCH. FUN. Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much during a story. I loved the typical British humour of these teens, something I often miss and forget about when reading a lot of US high school-based stories. This book is just another reminder as to why everyone should be delving into some glorious UKYA.
The friendship that formed between Mouse, Connie and Keira was heart-warming, and their scenes together were so adorable. Connie is wild and I loved every bit of her dialogue. I like that Mouse was able to find such friends and have fun whilst she was in a personal turmoil over the ballet school and her sudden chance of plans.
Jack’s scenes were totally different, but I loved reading things from his point of view just as much. Again, he had a strong bond with his two friends, despite their endless banter and bickering. Max made this story that extra bit special for me. Everything he said was pure gold. I found myself laughing over many of the scenes he was in because I remembered boys like him back in my own high school. I can imagine that a lot of the characters in this book are utterly relatable for readers of their age, and that makes them so very believable to read about.
The romance between Jack and Mouse was sweet and also filled with humour. Everything kept going wrong for the two of them, despite them both being crazy about each other. The addition of Roland into the story was fun, and it added extra drama for all of the characters.
I fell in love with this story not just because of the fantastic characters within it, but also because it reminded me of how much I miss this genre of early teen contemporaries. I lived through my teenager years reading stories like this one and I still very much adore them to this day, but I do often forget to pick them up. Never Evers has definitely encouraged me to reintroduce myself to these type of stories, because their innocence and their humour and how everything seems like the end of the world at that age is timeless to read.
maryhannawilson's review
3.0
Thirteen-year-old Matilda, known to her friends as Mouse, has been kicked out of ballet school and has to return to her former school friends. Her return is the week of the big school ski trip and her mother is making her go. She knows the trip will be tricky as she navigates a return to former friendships, but what she doesn't expect is Jack. Jack is a student from another school on the same ski trip with his buddies. They are all determined to experience their first kiss on this trip and Jack thinks that Mouse might be the girl. But no one is prepared for all of the middle school adventures and drama that lie ahead.
Honestly, after a few chapters of this book I didn't really expect to enjoy it. It is 100% written for young teens and the focus is most definitely on "who likes who" and how to get someone to kiss you. But about halfway into the book, I realized that I was actually enjoying it. The characters were fun and the friendship and boy/girl drama was pretty typical of what I remember when teaching middle school. The look-alike pop-star twist was unexpected and added another dimension to the story.
Some parents might not be looking for a book that is so focused on boy/girl drama and getting a kiss, but if that doesn't bother you then this one is fairly harmless in terms of content. There is nothing beyond this focus on kissing and only one kiss actually happens in the story and it is seen from afar. The boys do sneak out one night to visit some girls but it all remains silly as they get the wrong room.
Beyond the basics of the story, there are a lot of kids processing different relatable tween emotions and situations. Mouse is embarrassed that she has been kicked out of ballet school and lies about her situation, which comes back to haunt her. Jack is being pressured by friends to go after a girl who seems into him even though he is interested in someone else, so he is trying to navigate his feelings. Lauren, Mouse's former best friend, is definitely the "mean girl" and some friendship struggles occur as a result.
Overall it is a cute read with a focus on a first kiss and different aspects of middle school drama. I would have allowed my own 12-14 year old to read it, but it might not be the best choice for your own family.
Honestly, after a few chapters of this book I didn't really expect to enjoy it. It is 100% written for young teens and the focus is most definitely on "who likes who" and how to get someone to kiss you. But about halfway into the book, I realized that I was actually enjoying it. The characters were fun and the friendship and boy/girl drama was pretty typical of what I remember when teaching middle school. The look-alike pop-star twist was unexpected and added another dimension to the story.
Some parents might not be looking for a book that is so focused on boy/girl drama and getting a kiss, but if that doesn't bother you then this one is fairly harmless in terms of content. There is nothing beyond this focus on kissing and only one kiss actually happens in the story and it is seen from afar. The boys do sneak out one night to visit some girls but it all remains silly as they get the wrong room.
Beyond the basics of the story, there are a lot of kids processing different relatable tween emotions and situations. Mouse is embarrassed that she has been kicked out of ballet school and lies about her situation, which comes back to haunt her. Jack is being pressured by friends to go after a girl who seems into him even though he is interested in someone else, so he is trying to navigate his feelings. Lauren, Mouse's former best friend, is definitely the "mean girl" and some friendship struggles occur as a result.
Overall it is a cute read with a focus on a first kiss and different aspects of middle school drama. I would have allowed my own 12-14 year old to read it, but it might not be the best choice for your own family.