nayeshaazi's review against another edition
5.0
okay. i saw this at the imported books section at my local bookstore. i had zero clue of what this book is about. i check the synopsis and it turns out the female main character was muslim. and ofc i had to grab this book. its about cross cultural relationship. a jewish boy who fell in love wis a muslim girl. and its about politics too. both of them are in this politics community in their hometown in georgia and apparently there will be an election soon. both of them got paired for canvassing together to campaign for the candidate jordan rossum. and they e=involved this sort of relationshsip. first as bestfriends and then jamie confessed his feelings to maya then they kissed. boom. the best 5/5 amazing.
museofnightmares's review against another edition
3.0
Popsugar Reading Challenge (2020) prompt: The first book that you touch on a shelf with your eyes closed.
brimclala's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
I appreciate that this is a story in a post 2016 election world. I resonated with the often overwhelming anger and frustration felt by both Jamie and Maya. The timeliness of this book is perfect for young people 2020, especially those who can't vote. I'm trying to think of another YA book centered around a political election, and I can't think of one. I'm hoping this is the beginning of YA explicitly placing its diverse characters in the political world that effects them. It was refreshing!
I also loved that Jamie felt like a character very much like Simon from Simon Vs. The Homosapien's Agenda. He was so earnest and awkward, and the perfect complement to Maya's fiery personality.
The downside, for me, was the last 1/4 of the book. I felt that a lot of the drama was rushed and pretty immature. Some really important moments regarding sexuality and culture (no spoilers) that I would have loved to spend more time with did not get more than a few pages.
I appreciate that this is a story in a post 2016 election world. I resonated with the often overwhelming anger and frustration felt by both Jamie and Maya. The timeliness of this book is perfect for young people 2020, especially those who can't vote. I'm trying to think of another YA book centered around a political election, and I can't think of one. I'm hoping this is the beginning of YA explicitly placing its diverse characters in the political world that effects them. It was refreshing!
I also loved that Jamie felt like a character very much like Simon from Simon Vs. The Homosapien's Agenda. He was so earnest and awkward, and the perfect complement to Maya's fiery personality.
The downside, for me, was the last 1/4 of the book. I felt that a lot of the drama was rushed and pretty immature. Some really important moments regarding sexuality and culture (no spoilers) that I would have loved to spend more time with did not get more than a few pages.
roxiefox4's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
iffles's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite part about this book was that it was a romance with conflict from actual human emotions and differences as opposed to something that could have been resolved if the two characters just didn't lie to each other. It was just refreshing, since that whole lies/misunderstand to create conflict between two main characters seems to be used way too often in the books I've been reading.
Jamie Goldberg and Maya Rehman used to be friends when they were just 6 years old, but they haven't seen each other since. Now, in the summer before their senior year of high school, they meet again for the first time, and through a series of events, end up canvassing for a local state senate candidate.
Jamie is awkward, hates talking in front of people, and prefers being behind the scenes. But also can't believe his luck in reconnecting with Maya. He does everything he can to befriend her again, but his attempts are sometimes awkward and backfire. On top of that, he's incredibly nervous about being asked to give a toast at his sister's bat mitzvah.
What he doesn't realize is Maya is currently going through the worst Ramadan, as her parents - completely out of the blue for Maya - have decided to do a trial separation, and her BFF is suddenly MIA. Maya is going back and forth between two houses at a time that usually brings her small family closer together, and feels she has no one to talk to about it.
Somehow the unlikely pair start bonding over the issues at stake in the election, particularly a racist bill that's likely to pass if their opponent gets elected.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this five stars was I thought the political stuff was a bit heavy-handed. Listen, clearly the book is going to have some political content because it's a major plot point! And the characters all fall on the same side of the issues that I would, so it wasn't offensive... I just... politics is one of those things that I read books to escape from. But I genuinely liked both Jamie and Maya. Jamie reminded me a lot of me as a teenager, actually, and I liked watching him mature throughout the summer. Maya was more the girl that I kind of always wished I was.
I recommend giving this book a Yes (and not a No or Maybe So!)
Jamie Goldberg and Maya Rehman used to be friends when they were just 6 years old, but they haven't seen each other since. Now, in the summer before their senior year of high school, they meet again for the first time, and through a series of events, end up canvassing for a local state senate candidate.
Jamie is awkward, hates talking in front of people, and prefers being behind the scenes. But also can't believe his luck in reconnecting with Maya. He does everything he can to befriend her again, but his attempts are sometimes awkward and backfire. On top of that, he's incredibly nervous about being asked to give a toast at his sister's bat mitzvah.
What he doesn't realize is Maya is currently going through the worst Ramadan, as her parents - completely out of the blue for Maya - have decided to do a trial separation, and her BFF is suddenly MIA. Maya is going back and forth between two houses at a time that usually brings her small family closer together, and feels she has no one to talk to about it.
Somehow the unlikely pair start bonding over the issues at stake in the election, particularly a racist bill that's likely to pass if their opponent gets elected.
The only thing that prevented me from giving this five stars was I thought the political stuff was a bit heavy-handed. Listen, clearly the book is going to have some political content because it's a major plot point! And the characters all fall on the same side of the issues that I would, so it wasn't offensive... I just... politics is one of those things that I read books to escape from. But I genuinely liked both Jamie and Maya. Jamie reminded me a lot of me as a teenager, actually, and I liked watching him mature throughout the summer. Maya was more the girl that I kind of always wished I was.
I recommend giving this book a Yes (and not a No or Maybe So!)
carolinacosta's review against another edition
Okay, The Good Place AND You references??? Thank you Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed.
This was cute and fun and really easy to read. Everyone that is on a reading slump should read this!
This was cute and fun and really easy to read. Everyone that is on a reading slump should read this!
jaqofmosttrades's review against another edition
5.0
A lil heavy handed, but cute. Will be gifting to the teens.
sannareads's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book at my local bookstore some weeks back. I’d heard about it and thought that I would give it a try, after all I really loved “Simon vs the homosapiens agenda”.
“Yes no maybe so” did not let me down! I really enjoyed the writing take Albertalli & Saeed used and them writing together was simply amazing. I enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters Jamie & Maya and the side characters were all lovable, well described and didn’t disappear the moment Jamie and Maya started hanging out. Which I’ve noticed is a thing that happens a lot in YA romance.
Even though I might not have understood all the politic stuff to 100% I find it educational and important as the election in this book had some Trump vibes going on. Seeing people come together to support each other and stand up for people of color and LGTB+ people is so important and beautiful.
I give “Yes no maybe so” by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed 4/5 stars
“Yes no maybe so” did not let me down! I really enjoyed the writing take Albertalli & Saeed used and them writing together was simply amazing. I enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters Jamie & Maya and the side characters were all lovable, well described and didn’t disappear the moment Jamie and Maya started hanging out. Which I’ve noticed is a thing that happens a lot in YA romance.
Even though I might not have understood all the politic stuff to 100% I find it educational and important as the election in this book had some Trump vibes going on. Seeing people come together to support each other and stand up for people of color and LGTB+ people is so important and beautiful.
I give “Yes no maybe so” by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed 4/5 stars