racheltrow_'s review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Racism
beebeewin's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
What can I say but this is a very 2012 book in the worst way possible. This book felt like Rainbow Rowell wanted to hit on every hot button topic and make a "diverse" read, but failed to address any of them with any depth. It felt like she wrote about internalized racism, fatphobia, and abuse from a distance and as a way to make this book feel modern and relatable. Instead, it felt so dated and surface level. I know it is a teen romance primarily, but I feel like teens books never need to be this shallow. Even as a teen I think I would have felt conflicting. As a child abuse survivor, it felt like this book would have taught me all the wrong things, to ignore, disconnect, and avoid vulnerability. That being abused makes love impossible. Not to mention she is a White author righting about a mixed race Korean boy with what feels like no really knowledge on and zero effort to really understand what being a Korean American is like. Due to all these facts I could not connect with the characters or story. Not to mention the male narrator in this story did a horrible job voice acting as Eleanor. I was physically pained hearing him do her voice. Would not recommend this book to anyone and feel free to ignore the awards it got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment
copiani's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
carina_dreamer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse, Racism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
rillastone's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Bullying
Moderate: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Racism
alishbaaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨4.5/5
going into this book blindly, i thought that this book would be a cute, light romance. i was soooo wrong. this book was SO addicting like i could NOT put it down. this book taught me a lot…especially to never judge people because u litterally dont know their story. the way that it was written i felt such emotions for each character and became so attached to them. i also felt that this book had a lot of racism in it and i’m not sure if the author did that to show the racism in the past, or because of some other reason..jus confused ab that.
going into this book blindly, i thought that this book would be a cute, light romance. i was soooo wrong. this book was SO addicting like i could NOT put it down. this book taught me a lot…especially to never judge people because u litterally dont know their story. the way that it was written i felt such emotions for each character and became so attached to them. i also felt that this book had a lot of racism in it and i’m not sure if the author did that to show the racism in the past, or because of some other reason..jus confused ab that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Racism, Addiction, Sexual harassment, and Panic attacks/disorders
willowlywillow's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
jordan_noel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a sweet story of friendship between two sort of outsiders.
The transition from hate to love between the two characters felt kind of sudden, but their friendship was so sweet and pure that I think it makes up for it.
Maybe it's just me, but many parts felt overly, almost sickly sentimental. I felt a lot of dialogue and description of their romantic endeavors was a bit excessive. Still, it was a sweet relationship and I can get over these little flaws.
I have very mixed feelings about the ending.
I think the relationship was a chance for Eleanor to appreciate herself more, learn and grow, and become independent. And for Park, it was his first, perhaps naïve, experience in love. I do like the complexity in their different interpretations of the relationship.
These characters were likable and the end was fairly realistic. Overall, this is a sweet, hopeful book, especially for teenagers who know just how brutal high school and adolescent life can be.
The transition from hate to love between the two characters felt kind of sudden, but their friendship was so sweet and pure that I think it makes up for it.
Maybe it's just me, but many parts felt overly, almost sickly sentimental. I felt a lot of dialogue and description of their romantic endeavors was a bit excessive. Still, it was a sweet relationship and I can get over these little flaws.
I have very mixed feelings about the ending.
Spoiler
The characters separate and lose touch, which of course, is normal and fine, but Eleanor began to start acting completely out of character right before this point. She was distant and rude and failed to reach out even with Park's persistent letters. Then at the end, she sends him three words (unknown to us) that somehow make him smile. I don't understand why Park would forgive her after almost a full year of her denying contact.I think the relationship was a chance for Eleanor to appreciate herself more, learn and grow, and become independent. And for Park, it was his first, perhaps naïve, experience in love. I do like the complexity in their different interpretations of the relationship.
These characters were likable and the end was fairly realistic. Overall, this is a sweet, hopeful book, especially for teenagers who know just how brutal high school and adolescent life can be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Spoiler
Eleanor's mom is in a toxic, abusive (physically and emotionally) relationship. Her husband has forces Eleanor out of the house twice. Eleanor's mom does not stick up for her daughter (or the other 4 children). People at school, as well as the husband, intensely body-shame Eleanor.rylin_marie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
this was probably one of the most depressing books i’ve read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, and Drug abuse