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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
2.5
I would like to thank NetGalley and Skyscape for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
All Dylan Woods wants to do is practice and get ready for the biggest audition of her life for a spot at Julliard. However, Dylan gets a flashback to the past after her family finds out that the world famous R & B artist and Dylan’s former best friend, Langston (Legendary), is staying with them for a couple of weeks. But Langston, who brings up the bucket list he and Dylan created before he left for Los Angeles, Dylan considers if it’s worth giving him another chance.
From when I was reading the book description for Somebody That I Used to Know, I was fascinated to read this book. However, after reading this title, I didn’t really meet my expectations for what this book could be and I was only able to read a little over 50% before skimming the rest of the book.
When I first read this book, I didn’t feel sucked in. It kind of felt like I was just there watching in the background and not like I was with them (if that makes any sense). Additionally, reading into the plot more, it almost sounded like something I read before but they changed the circumstances around the characters’ backstories and the book’s plot. Yes, I know that it’s part of how tropes work, but there wasn’t anything new added to it. I just wished that there was something in the book that would make it more original and not so trope-y or cookie cutter.
I also didn’t like how Dylan’s parents were portrayed in the book. They seemed so weirdly obsessed with Legendary, even though they knew him for years before he got big, and wanted the entire family to spend time with him while he was living with them. Even if it meant making Dylan compromise her dreams of meeting world-famous violinists who could help her get into Juilliard. That being said, it was definitely something that irked me about the book.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some parts that I liked about this book. I loved having Dylan as a main character for this book. It was comfortable getting to know her and reading her perspective as you go throughout the book. I also felt some of the side characters were good and helped balance out the cast of characters for Somebody That I Used to Know.
I just don’t think that this was the book for me. Maybe if you’re an avid classical musician who likes to go on adventures you might like this book, but it’s not something I would recommend and there are probably other reviewers who have much better insights about the book than me.
All Dylan Woods wants to do is practice and get ready for the biggest audition of her life for a spot at Julliard. However, Dylan gets a flashback to the past after her family finds out that the world famous R & B artist and Dylan’s former best friend, Langston (Legendary), is staying with them for a couple of weeks. But Langston, who brings up the bucket list he and Dylan created before he left for Los Angeles, Dylan considers if it’s worth giving him another chance.
From when I was reading the book description for Somebody That I Used to Know, I was fascinated to read this book. However, after reading this title, I didn’t really meet my expectations for what this book could be and I was only able to read a little over 50% before skimming the rest of the book.
When I first read this book, I didn’t feel sucked in. It kind of felt like I was just there watching in the background and not like I was with them (if that makes any sense). Additionally, reading into the plot more, it almost sounded like something I read before but they changed the circumstances around the characters’ backstories and the book’s plot. Yes, I know that it’s part of how tropes work, but there wasn’t anything new added to it. I just wished that there was something in the book that would make it more original and not so trope-y or cookie cutter.
I also didn’t like how Dylan’s parents were portrayed in the book. They seemed so weirdly obsessed with Legendary, even though they knew him for years before he got big, and wanted the entire family to spend time with him while he was living with them. Even if it meant making Dylan compromise her dreams of meeting world-famous violinists who could help her get into Juilliard. That being said, it was definitely something that irked me about the book.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some parts that I liked about this book. I loved having Dylan as a main character for this book. It was comfortable getting to know her and reading her perspective as you go throughout the book. I also felt some of the side characters were good and helped balance out the cast of characters for Somebody That I Used to Know.
I just don’t think that this was the book for me. Maybe if you’re an avid classical musician who likes to go on adventures you might like this book, but it’s not something I would recommend and there are probably other reviewers who have much better insights about the book than me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Car accident
jkneebone's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What a fun YA romance! Somebody That I Used To Know follows violinist Dylan, an adopted Black teen who lives in Iowa. Dylan's dream is to go to Julliard - it's the only school she's applied to - and to prepare she plays first chair in her high school orchestra, takes private lessons, and practices three hours (!) a day. But her life is thrown into chaos when her childhood best friend comes for an unexpected visit - the childhood best friend she hasn't spoken to in six years, because he ghosted her completely when he moved from Iowa to LA. Oh, and also? That childhood best friend is now teen music sensation Legendary. His stay in Iowa is just a short stopover before he departs on his first world tour.
Dylan's family and friends are thrilled with Legend's visit, but Dylan is decidedly not - she's still hurting from the way their friendship fell apart years ago. When it turns out that Legend misses their friendship too, they agree to tackle the "friendship commandments" they signed as kids. In the process, Dylan learns to re-love music and trust her own skills and creativity - and realizes that her feelings for Legend might go beyond friendship.
I really enjoyed this book! Dylan was a fun and funny narrator. The book touched on some more serious topics, such as Dylan's feelings as a transracial adoptee, but did not dwell on them. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dylan and Legend, as well as Dylan's relationships with her other friends. It was also interesting to be in the perspective of such a serious musician, although as I am not a musician of that caliber, I can't speak to how accurate the portrayal was. There were some minor plot holes and a few things I had to suspend my disbelief for (why did Legend move to LA in the first place? How is this small city in Iowa producing so many high-level string instrument players?) but overall, this was a really solid and enjoyable read. I'd definitely recommend, especially to those who are fans of YA romance and/or enjoy classical music.
Dylan's family and friends are thrilled with Legend's visit, but Dylan is decidedly not - she's still hurting from the way their friendship fell apart years ago. When it turns out that Legend misses their friendship too, they agree to tackle the "friendship commandments" they signed as kids. In the process, Dylan learns to re-love music and trust her own skills and creativity - and realizes that her feelings for Legend might go beyond friendship.
I really enjoyed this book! Dylan was a fun and funny narrator. The book touched on some more serious topics, such as Dylan's feelings as a transracial adoptee, but did not dwell on them. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dylan and Legend, as well as Dylan's relationships with her other friends. It was also interesting to be in the perspective of such a serious musician, although as I am not a musician of that caliber, I can't speak to how accurate the portrayal was. There were some minor plot holes and a few things I had to suspend my disbelief for (why did Legend move to LA in the first place? How is this small city in Iowa producing so many high-level string instrument players?) but overall, this was a really solid and enjoyable read. I'd definitely recommend, especially to those who are fans of YA romance and/or enjoy classical music.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
roshanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Skyscape for the eARC! This review will contain some spoilers.
When I saw Dana L. Davis had written a new book, I was super excited. I read Roman and Jewel earlier this year and I knew that a new novel from the same author would be a great read. I was right, and I ended up enjoying Somebody That I Used to Know even more than Roman and Jewel. This book was always going to get a high rating, and I ended up giving it five stars.
Dylan was great as a main character. I spent the entire book wanting her to succeed so much that I started getting mad at any characters that hurt her. I was rooting for her the entire time. Dylan going from trying to fit in with her adoptive white family by changing her hair and eye colour to learning how to style her natural hair and wearing clear contacts again was really nice. Seeing her learn to love herself and her appearance, find her place in the world, and realise the impact she had on other people was so heart-warming. I think the inclusion of a younger Black girl that Dylan saw was influenced by her was so important for her character and her arc, and I’m glad that Dana L. Davis added the mentor plotline.
I was also really happy that Dylan set boundaries with Legendary. She considered everything that would come with a relationship with him, the problems that they had already faced, and made the decision that was best for her.
I don’t have a lot more to say about this book because I don’t want to spoil too much, and I think it’s a book that people should experience for themselves. This book is definitely one I will be rereading, and it’s earned it’s place on my list of comfort books. Now that it’s out, I’ll be recommending it a bunch because I adore this book.
Additionally, if Abigail was a real person, it would be on sight. What do you mean ‘racism’? You’re white and not as good at violin as you think it is, get a grip. That’s all I have to say about her, she got on every single one of my nerves.
All in all, this book is amazing. I read most of it in one day and had a great time watching Dylan grow as a character, become more confident in her violin talents, and decide what she wants from her relationships with the people around her. If you’re looking for a YA contemporary novel that talks about expectations about yourself and others, appearance and fitting in, and the pressure to achieve at a high level like Julliard, Somebody That I Used to Know is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Chronic illness
kimisaboss123's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a Black woman who plays piano, I also have a strong connection to music that was beautifully shown through the main character in this book, Dylan. The author did a great job of incorporating various cultures and genres of music into the story. I will say that there were moments where it was kinda obvious that the author was trying to talk like "kids these days" and it was a little bit cringy to me. However, if you look over those parts, this story was really cute!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
jesslaurenbooks's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
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