jaraka's review against another edition
4.0
Follows a pretty typical YA storyline. Interesting enough to be readable but not especially captivating. I found Emmy and Oliver's relationship to be a little cliché toward the end. I mean, once Oliver's back and before his dad returns there really is not much of a plot.
But some how it still earns 4 stars... It's cute and sentimental.
But some how it still earns 4 stars... It's cute and sentimental.
a_ab's review against another edition
4.0
2022 reread. This is a surprisingly sensitive and thoughtful exploration of the toxic ripple effects of bad decisions, especially where children are involved.
I also appreciate that the romantic line(s) here is(are) secondary and very matter of fact. I enjoyed the friendships and the way this group of friends supported each other a whole lot more.
I also appreciate that the romantic line(s) here is(are) secondary and very matter of fact. I enjoyed the friendships and the way this group of friends supported each other a whole lot more.
alienor's review against another edition
4.0
All in all, here's an heartfelt story about family, friendship and what it means to belong somewhere, to grow up, without never hiding the hard truths and sore trials real life holds.
What is it that creates a family? A friendship? Are labels enough? Does calling someone a friend makes one?
"I looked up at my dad. "Tonight, when Oliver and I were talking, I said I'd still love you, even if you kidnapped me. I really would. I get how he feels."
My dad smiled. "That's the nicest and most sociopathic thing anyone's ever said to me."
[b:Emmy & Oliver|13132816|Emmy & Oliver|Robin Benway|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414589813l/13132816._SX50_.jpg|18309264] isn't my first book by [a:Robin Benway|753097|Robin Benway|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1359394916p2/753097.jpg], therefore it doesn't come as a surprise that her writing flows smoothly and hides several funny and thoughtful gems, making it really quotable, to put it simply. If the snarky monologues I adored in [b:Also Known As|13132661|Also Known As (Also Known As, #1)|Robin Benway|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354665105l/13132661._SY75_.jpg|18309079] are more discreet here, it remains that the characters' interactions shared the smile-inducing quality that made me fall for her writing in the first place.
One might say that nothing really happens, but for me it can't be seen as a flaw here : indeed it's in the quietness that lie the most powerful scenes, don't you think? Whose lives revolve around blowing things off and apocalyptic worlds, huh? To capture the essence of real life, sometimes we need to slow down, and in my opinion [a:Robin Benway|753097|Robin Benway|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1359394916p2/753097.jpg] did it perfectly, even if I admit, it took quite a while for the story to completely hook me. Who cares, when in the end I'm smiling big and treasuring every moment I spent reading?
As for the characters, I can't genuinely find a single one I didn't like or understood, one way or another. They all show weaknesses without never crossing the line between what I can understand and what I find annoying.
Shaken to the core after Oliver's kidnapping when he was 7 years old, they all had to find ways to cope, whether in being overprotective like Emmy's parents or in creating a whole hidden life as Emmy did. All of them, while flawed, stay so supportive, realistic and heartwarming that I want to hug the hell out of them. Really. With a special mention for Emmy's dad (thanks for the hooking up line, buddy) and her best-friend Drew (your driving skills didn't go unnoticed, and I'm totally stealing your 'The signs says STOP! Not GIVE UP!' cry).
We recognize a great book when none of the characters is useless : family stands out in their lives (as it should be the case way more often in Young Adult), friends are well-developed characters (and don't act as if they want to shred each others in pieces for once, thank you very much), boyfriends are supportive, kind, without any of the abusive and invasive traits that make me so, so angry. Not to mention that if romance there is, it stays light, slow, devoid of all this instalove crap authors love to feed us these days (or, to be fair, for ever - Romeo & Juliet, anyone?)
Life is messed-up and complicated, and I love nothing more than leaving a book without knowing how I would have reacted. This is what being a complex human is about, I guess, and I'm never denying that part of me, whatever that means.
► If you're looking for a realistic, heartwarming coming of age story, don't be fooled by that misleading cover and try it out, you won't be disappointed.
Ps. THAT FUCKING ACOUSTIC GUITAR. GUYS. I know right??!
*high-fives Drew & Caro*
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lovelyowlsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fantastic. I'm sad it has to end because I want to read more. Everything about this book flowed really well and I loved the characters. Full review to come soon.
pixelski's review against another edition
5.0
"But sometimes happiness means different things to different people."
HOLYYYYYYYY I HAVEN'T READ SUCH A GOOD CONTEMPORARY IN SO LONG.
I just want to hug this book and Emmy and Oliver and Caro and Drew. This book is friendship goals. It's growing up. It's seeing both sides of a story. It's understanding a parent's worry for their child and not wanting to let go. It is sweet and swoony and so beautifully written filled with life lessons.
WHERE CAN I GET ANOTHER?
HOLYYYYYYYY I HAVEN'T READ SUCH A GOOD CONTEMPORARY IN SO LONG.
I just want to hug this book and Emmy and Oliver and Caro and Drew. This book is friendship goals. It's growing up. It's seeing both sides of a story. It's understanding a parent's worry for their child and not wanting to let go. It is sweet and swoony and so beautifully written filled with life lessons.
WHERE CAN I GET ANOTHER?
charmaineac's review against another edition
5.0
So freaking tragic and beautiful. I've never read a book quite like this one before. My heart could break from any person's perspective. Emmy, Oliver, Emmy's parents, Maureen, Caro, Drew, Drew's brother, Drew's parents, Oliver's Dad, heck, even Rick or the twins. Every character was so well developed.
Emmy was such a TEENAGER, and it was amazing. Robin Benway captured those teen years and moments so perfectly. Seriously, it smelled like teen spirit. There was one scene in particular that had me nodding and laughing at the same time: Emmy was scrambling on a Sunday night, trying to cram all her homework in for the week. Her mom kept interrupting her to say that she wouldn't have been in this situation if she had worked throughout the week. True. Emmy then told her mother that she would've been much more productive without the constant interruptions. Very true. Such a simple, mundane occurrence (seriously, that does not warrant a spoiler tag or anything), yet it was so true-to-life.
Emmy is so freaking strong. I am PROUD of that girl. She's been through a lot, but she knows how to stand up for herself and her dreams!! You go girl!
I loved the way this story ended. It made me feel hopeful and nostalgic all at once. There's an omniscient voice in this story (every now and then), which I usually find so annoying. In this case, I loved it! It was such a nice touch. I enjoyed reading such simple statements that represented more complicated thoughts and feelings behind their little minds.
All in all, Emmy & Oliver was a unique and unexpected surprise. This one is a must-read from 2015.
Emmy was such a TEENAGER, and it was amazing. Robin Benway captured those teen years and moments so perfectly. Seriously, it smelled like teen spirit. There was one scene in particular that had me nodding and laughing at the same time: Emmy was scrambling on a Sunday night, trying to cram all her homework in for the week. Her mom kept interrupting her to say that she wouldn't have been in this situation if she had worked throughout the week. True. Emmy then told her mother that she would've been much more productive without the constant interruptions. Very true. Such a simple, mundane occurrence (seriously, that does not warrant a spoiler tag or anything), yet it was so true-to-life.
Emmy is so freaking strong. I am PROUD of that girl. She's been through a lot, but she knows how to stand up for herself and her dreams!! You go girl!
I loved the way this story ended. It made me feel hopeful and nostalgic all at once. There's an omniscient voice in this story (every now and then), which I usually find so annoying. In this case, I loved it! It was such a nice touch. I enjoyed reading such simple statements that represented more complicated thoughts and feelings behind their little minds.
All in all, Emmy & Oliver was a unique and unexpected surprise. This one is a must-read from 2015.
jhahn's review against another edition
4.0
Would probably give this more of a 3.5 I liked the book and cared about the characters. A little different story line for a change of pace
kathhh's review against another edition
5.0
I totally ship Emmy & Oliver!!!
This book is a boy next door cliche. Like, they all have this secret code or something so they could talk and do whatever since the window in their rooms are facing each other and all that. Theeeen, they are both enrolled in the same school then they will fall in love. But, dang! This book gave those cliches a different angle and you would even want for more! <3
This book is a boy next door cliche. Like, they all have this secret code or something so they could talk and do whatever since the window in their rooms are facing each other and all that. Theeeen, they are both enrolled in the same school then they will fall in love. But, dang! This book gave those cliches a different angle and you would even want for more! <3
laurenc18's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute YA book! Decided to read this after it being on my TBR for years and wanted to see if the sentiment of wanting to read it still fit. The book was super engaging and a quick read. A lot of the problems the kids were facing were very juvenile but still sweet regardless. Really enjoyed how natural Emmy and Oliver fit together as friends.