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ashley03dawn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
There is much pain between these pages and many different coping mechanisms. Petula has become a germaphobe, well to an extent because at her house it's a whole other something going on. Her mother who takes in stray cats left and right, can't seem to stop herself. Her father is very distant from them. All of this coming from a broken place in their lives.
Optimists Die First is the beginning of life after a tragedy. When everyone is trying to move past what has happened, but knowing it won't be possible without letting go of the pain. It is not always an easy read as memories surface often and life finds its way back to that time. In all of it, Petula has to get herself out of that sadness and guilt she feels or she'll never be able to fully move forward.
At times it seemed middle grade type of a read, at other times more of a YA feel. And that is fine with me as it had it's cute parts and everyday struggles. Along with a love story that grew in time. Jacob, who is someone that can match Petula and understands to an extent what life has been for her. Whether she wanted him around or not from the start, it didn't matter. They were brought together frequently with class assignments and even a program for troubled teens called Youth Art Therapy (YART).
And when the reader is not in the world of Jacob and Petula, it's at her house with her parents who are trying to keep their family connected. It is not easy to go through, watching as her mother has lost herself within what's going on in her mind. Her dad is gone most of the time and when he is home it is such an unwelcoming sight that Petrula tries her hardest to keep it in any kind of order possible.
It might be a short book, but it holds many emotions. It's honest and packed with sentiment. It does come off a bit on the depressing side, but life tends to be that way. It's not always rainbows and sunshine and it's a view of one side of things, how it can become when life hands us painful moments. We grow from stories like these, we feel for the characters within these pages. And even though it was on the darker side, it helped by showing that good comes out of it, that life doesn't stay this way if we just push through.
***I received this copy from Wendy Lamb Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
Optimists Die First is the beginning of life after a tragedy. When everyone is trying to move past what has happened, but knowing it won't be possible without letting go of the pain. It is not always an easy read as memories surface often and life finds its way back to that time. In all of it, Petula has to get herself out of that sadness and guilt she feels or she'll never be able to fully move forward.
At times it seemed middle grade type of a read, at other times more of a YA feel. And that is fine with me as it had it's cute parts and everyday struggles. Along with a love story that grew in time. Jacob, who is someone that can match Petula and understands to an extent what life has been for her. Whether she wanted him around or not from the start, it didn't matter. They were brought together frequently with class assignments and even a program for troubled teens called Youth Art Therapy (YART).
And when the reader is not in the world of Jacob and Petula, it's at her house with her parents who are trying to keep their family connected. It is not easy to go through, watching as her mother has lost herself within what's going on in her mind. Her dad is gone most of the time and when he is home it is such an unwelcoming sight that Petrula tries her hardest to keep it in any kind of order possible.
It might be a short book, but it holds many emotions. It's honest and packed with sentiment. It does come off a bit on the depressing side, but life tends to be that way. It's not always rainbows and sunshine and it's a view of one side of things, how it can become when life hands us painful moments. We grow from stories like these, we feel for the characters within these pages. And even though it was on the darker side, it helped by showing that good comes out of it, that life doesn't stay this way if we just push through.
***I received this copy from Wendy Lamb Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
A young adult book that follows a teen who has OCD through her art therapy class where she meets a young man who heals so many and then needs help healing himself.
jenigmatic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
yabetsy's review against another edition
4.0
Petula is so much more than a nervous wreck. She has earned every bit of her [hilarious] foibles, as she knows that her little sister's death was her fault. If that could happen on her watch, surely she needs to watch for every possible eventuality? Meeting Jacob only proves that, as he has suffered his own shattering accident. Why doesn't he believe her, and take the same care? Nielsen's latest book provides another cast of absolutely memorable characters, including every member in Petula's art-therapy group, a very long-suffering principal, and both families, who go along with Petula as she navigates her very dangerous world, where every street has cars and construction sites are danger zones.
absofsteel77's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
smitchy's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect for fans of "Fault in Our Stars" or "Everything, Everything" who wanted a happier ending. Petula is grieving and guilt ridden after the accidental death of her sister. She has become obsessed with safety. Her parents are falling apart and her weekly art therapy sessions are a bit of a joke - the teacher would prefer to work with kindergarteners and the art projects reflect that. Petula and the rest of the group are over it until Jacob, a new arrival to their damaged teen group, shakes things up.
Jacob isn't like the others in the group - he is friendly and outgoing. But what is he hiding behind a smiling facade?
This book will give you all the feels. I teared up at one point and snort-laughed a couple of times too.
Themes of grief, forgiveness, anger, family and love make this small novel a great mid-to-older teen read. There are some sexual and drug references but nothing graphic or unwarranted by the story. I'd happily recommend to 13+. Also there's knitting and cats! What's not to like?!
Jacob isn't like the others in the group - he is friendly and outgoing. But what is he hiding behind a smiling facade?
This book will give you all the feels. I teared up at one point and snort-laughed a couple of times too.
Themes of grief, forgiveness, anger, family and love make this small novel a great mid-to-older teen read. There are some sexual and drug references but nothing graphic or unwarranted by the story. I'd happily recommend to 13+. Also there's knitting and cats! What's not to like?!
nightingfae's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good reading; more of an entertainment than a deep story, but it has its things. Itās beautiful, easy, fast, young, funny and simple (in a good way), and Susin Nielsen has a great potential as a writer.
I enjoyed it, even though itās not a masterpiece. Plus the ending was a bit fast and seemed like she wanted to end it now. A bit forced maybe. Although I give it a thumbs up.
Rating: 3.75.
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You can read all my reviews on nightingfae's blog
I enjoyed it, even though itās not a masterpiece. Plus the ending was a bit fast and seemed like she wanted to end it now. A bit forced maybe. Although I give it a thumbs up.
Rating: 3.75.
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You can read all my reviews on nightingfae's blog