Scan barcode
nklosty's review
5.0
Wow! Talk about an awkward or difficult situation. The generosity of individuals amaze me. The wonders of those people. The story hooked me and had me both liking and hating the characters. The relationships carry this book.
ktedder91's review against another edition
3.0
This book started off really sweet and I thought I was in line for a good cry. Instead it left me feeling very frustrated. When I realized that nobody was dying I wanted a happy ending for the two main characters that never came.
ennitsud's review
5.0
i really admire the way rachel lynn solomon crafts a story about growth. with friendships, siblings, parents, and love. growing apart and bonding together and then interweaving religion—it’s all so well meshed.
reading about sophie and peter was utterly bittersweet. it reminded me a bit of my high school crush. the pain of seeing them with someone else, of being happy. but there was more to it. the bits of envy seeing people together and wanting so much to be a part of that group, trying to find your place in a group somewhere separate from what’s been familiar. seeing old friends go closer to others and feeling like they’re leaving you behind. getting close to someone new, someone you didn’t think you’d have much in common with. and realizing that sometimes we remember things as if we edited the parts that justify how we feel.
it was so so soft and even in college i still feel that way sometimes. the way rachel lynn solomon captures it makes me have hope—even though i’d be doing things four years later and with other people, but it makes me have hope.
i do have one question: sophie never did go to her monday appointment. was she okay?
reading about sophie and peter was utterly bittersweet. it reminded me a bit of my high school crush. the pain of seeing them with someone else, of being happy. but there was more to it. the bits of envy seeing people together and wanting so much to be a part of that group, trying to find your place in a group somewhere separate from what’s been familiar. seeing old friends go closer to others and feeling like they’re leaving you behind. getting close to someone new, someone you didn’t think you’d have much in common with. and realizing that sometimes we remember things as if we edited the parts that justify how we feel.
it was so so soft and even in college i still feel that way sometimes. the way rachel lynn solomon captures it makes me have hope—even though i’d be doing things four years later and with other people, but it makes me have hope.
i do have one question: sophie never did go to her monday appointment. was she okay?
bookishcat's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mckinlay's review
5.0
Listen, this book perfectly captured unrequited love for me. How it can be all encompassing, and also incredibly toxic. Wow, just wow. This book hit me hard!
*also Peter is bi. Sophie is dyslexic.
*also Peter is bi. Sophie is dyslexic.
colorfulleo92's review
2.0
2.5 stars. It did what it supposed to do well. Showing a friendship that didn't work whatsoever and the friends trying to make it work. However it wasn't my thing and I didn't enjoy the characters enough to get invested. Was about to DNF it a few times
tiffanycase's review
5.0
Rachel has done it again in her second book. Simply put, words cannot describe how realistic this felt. The character arcs are flawless. The portrayal of the LGBT and Jewish community: perfection in a bottle. The pacing, purple prose, and distinct voice of each character: ALL FANTASTIC.
If I could give it 100 stars, I would. Really well-written, Rachel!
If I could give it 100 stars, I would. Really well-written, Rachel!
sarahlopod's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This review can also be found on my blog.
I had honestly expected this to be a more emotionally piercing book than it ended up being. The themes here are so deep, and complicated. This book follows Sophie and Peter over the course of a year, starting just before Sophie donates her kidney to Peter, who was born with failing organs. The relationship between the two is complicated to begin with, so this exchange only serves to muddy the waters further.
There is a lot to love about this book, and plenty of rep: more than a handful of lgbtq characters, two Jewish protagonists, and a biracial love interest. Sophie’s sister is a teen mom, and she herself is dyslexic. The story is an important one and encompasses a plethora of issues; there’s really something for everyone. At its base, it’s a story about the relationships between people and how they change, which I think anyone can relate to.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe super well with it. It was well-written, the premise was interesting, and I appreciated a lot of the things it discussed. It just didn’t reach to a deeper level. I didn’t get that spark I feel with other books. As I said to begin with, I was expecting much more of an emotional connection that I just didn’t get. I felt sort of distanced from the characters, through no fault of the author. This book just wasn’t for me, for whatever reason.
Regardless, I highly recommend it if it’s of interest to you! I think this is yet another book that’s important for young adults and I’m glad it was written. I’m certain there are readers who will just adore this, I just wasn’t one of them.
This review can also be found on my blog.
I had honestly expected this to be a more emotionally piercing book than it ended up being. The themes here are so deep, and complicated. This book follows Sophie and Peter over the course of a year, starting just before Sophie donates her kidney to Peter, who was born with failing organs. The relationship between the two is complicated to begin with, so this exchange only serves to muddy the waters further.
There is a lot to love about this book, and plenty of rep: more than a handful of lgbtq characters, two Jewish protagonists, and a biracial love interest. Sophie’s sister is a teen mom, and she herself is dyslexic. The story is an important one and encompasses a plethora of issues; there’s really something for everyone. At its base, it’s a story about the relationships between people and how they change, which I think anyone can relate to.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe super well with it. It was well-written, the premise was interesting, and I appreciated a lot of the things it discussed. It just didn’t reach to a deeper level. I didn’t get that spark I feel with other books. As I said to begin with, I was expecting much more of an emotional connection that I just didn’t get. I felt sort of distanced from the characters, through no fault of the author. This book just wasn’t for me, for whatever reason.
Regardless, I highly recommend it if it’s of interest to you! I think this is yet another book that’s important for young adults and I’m glad it was written. I’m certain there are readers who will just adore this, I just wasn’t one of them.
rachelwrites007's review
5.0
04/16/2018: That description is perfect. Sophie and Peter and Chase and Tabitha and Luna and Josh and the entire cast will steal your heart. This book, like Rachel's debut, deals with intense love, debts, and high school dramallama. It will be perfect for fans of her debut (DUH), but also for fans of [a:Siobhan Vivian|800187|Siobhan Vivian|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447441386p2/800187.jpg] and [a:Corey Ann Haydu|5414574|Corey Ann Haydu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1462801584p2/5414574.jpg].
01/06/2018: What a book. Rach's characters never cease to amaze me. <3
I am lucky enough to be Rachel's critique partner and have read many drafts of this book.
It is also dual point of view (I'm sensing a trend here, Rach...) about two best friends, obsession, love, and a kidney transplant. It is ALSO LGBTQIA+!!!! And diverse! The points of view are Alex, a Jewish redhead who is on her school's dance team, who gives her kidney to her BFF/long time crush, Peter (the other POV in this book). This book deals with family and Seattle (again, sensing a theme here), and love. Also bad decisions. SUPER BAD DECISIONS. You should read it in 2019.
01/06/2018: What a book. Rach's characters never cease to amaze me. <3
I am lucky enough to be Rachel's critique partner and have read many drafts of this book.
It is also dual point of view (I'm sensing a trend here, Rach...) about two best friends, obsession, love, and a kidney transplant. It is ALSO LGBTQIA+!!!! And diverse! The points of view are Alex, a Jewish redhead who is on her school's dance team, who gives her kidney to her BFF/long time crush, Peter (the other POV in this book). This book deals with family and Seattle (again, sensing a theme here), and love. Also bad decisions. SUPER BAD DECISIONS. You should read it in 2019.