bellaspiller's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? No
3.5
Word for the day: Heartfelt.
This is a hearfelt novel about an adopted child finding his mindset in the middle of life-altering events. This comming of age novel beautifully addresses anticipatory grief, and sudden life altering tragedies between friends, and explains how father figures (biological or not) are involved in the personality of the children.
The most beautiful aspect of this book was the friendship that was just a friendship, there was no friends to lovers which was refreshing. There was beautful representation of the LGBT+ community throught the novel.
The one thing that I found challenging throughout is that I though the thought process of the main character Salvador had a thought process that didn't match his age, however I felt by the end of the novel this was done intentionally by the author of a way to symbolise the child becoming a "man".
This is a hearfelt novel about an adopted child finding his mindset in the middle of life-altering events. This comming of age novel beautifully addresses anticipatory grief, and sudden life altering tragedies between friends, and explains how father figures (biological or not) are involved in the personality of the children.
The most beautiful aspect of this book was the friendship that was just a friendship, there was no friends to lovers which was refreshing. There was beautful representation of the LGBT+ community throught the novel.
The one thing that I found challenging throughout is that I though the thought process of the main character Salvador had a thought process that didn't match his age, however I felt by the end of the novel this was done intentionally by the author of a way to symbolise the child becoming a "man".
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
I love his writing, his descriptions, and his interesting characters. But the characters here were all a little too *good*. They have quirks, and faults, but they are all ultimately a step away from sainthood- the adults in particular.
I was also bothered by the fact that all of the matriarchs died. All. Of. Them. Sal's mother is dead before the book begins, but in less than 6 months, three other mothers of important characters die. Three. That's ridiculous, and just a little too much for a family of friends, unless they met at a grief group. It was just too much. And sometimes, honestly, the introspection was a little too much as well. I was glad when characters went a little off the rails, to show that not everyone can take all that death easily.
Still, a good book. Just not my favorite.
I was also bothered by the fact that all of the matriarchs died. All. Of. Them. Sal's mother is dead before the book begins, but in less than 6 months, three other mothers of important characters die. Three. That's ridiculous, and just a little too much for a family of friends, unless they met at a grief group. It was just too much. And sometimes, honestly, the introspection was a little too much as well. I was glad when characters went a little off the rails, to show that not everyone can take all that death easily.
Still, a good book. Just not my favorite.
rltinha's review against another edition
3.0
The teens, and the drama, and the grown ups, and the drama. And bucketloads of love. And drama.
[Loved it 💖]
[Loved it 💖]
hollymaia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
reedalong's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-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
3.75
rtam20559's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
bittersweetreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderful, though heartbreaking, book. I'm so happy there was a good ending though!