lazygal's review against another edition
1.0
DNF - this started as a book about a girl dealing with her recent break-up by possibly watching another couple, but by 20% she was simply unlikable.
readingnookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I appreciate a good love story and a well-written YA novel, but this one just didn’t do it for me. I was bored from the beginning and couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes. The characters weren’t really enjoyable either and I wasn’t connected to the story at all. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review.
auburnedge's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you for allowing me to read an egalley of this book.
When I saw the cover for this book and then read the synopsis I figured it would be perfect for me. Who doesn't want to read about heartbreak and maybe what comes afterwards. It seemed light, fluffy, and uplifting. Sadly it wasn't. The MC Lu just complains about how awful it was to be broken up with and then continues to bring it up the whole book. I know it's tough but in the book it becomes almost annoying.
I wanted Cal and Iris to be together, more so there was a happy ending. It didn't seem right for Lu to be with him, that just feels forced.
Overall I think a plot idea was there the MC just got in the way with all the whining.
When I saw the cover for this book and then read the synopsis I figured it would be perfect for me. Who doesn't want to read about heartbreak and maybe what comes afterwards. It seemed light, fluffy, and uplifting. Sadly it wasn't. The MC Lu just complains about how awful it was to be broken up with and then continues to bring it up the whole book. I know it's tough but in the book it becomes almost annoying.
I wanted Cal and Iris to be together, more so there was a happy ending. It didn't seem right for Lu to be with him, that just feels forced.
Overall I think a plot idea was there the MC just got in the way with all the whining.
booklovewithmelanie's review against another edition
3.0
I received an e-ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about heartbreak but I just couldn't get into the main character. I loved the interactions with Starla and Pete, they were the voices of reason, but when it was just Lu I was taken out of the story. Her mind just had a singular focus when there was so much more that could have been explored. I did like the way that it ended and the article that Lu eventually ends up writing.
This is a story about heartbreak but I just couldn't get into the main character. I loved the interactions with Starla and Pete, they were the voices of reason, but when it was just Lu I was taken out of the story. Her mind just had a singular focus when there was so much more that could have been explored. I did like the way that it ended and the article that Lu eventually ends up writing.
cobiestandfield's review against another edition
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
3.0
rhappe13's review against another edition
2.0
I think this book could have been a lot better if the main character was more likeable. I got annoyed with her lack of motivation and her obsession with Cal and Iris. The concept was interesting but Lu (and most of the other characters, if I'm being honest) irritated me too much.
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/brief-chronicle-of-another-stupid-heartbreak/
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/brief-chronicle-of-another-stupid-heartbreak/
bookishtiffany's review against another edition
1.0
I wasn't able to get into this book within the first couple pages. I didn't really like the characters and didn't feel the need to read on further to find out what happens. The cover is very pretty but I didn't like how long the title of the book was nor the name. I suggest this book for a younger audience than older teens. The book might get better but I rather spend my time reading books in enjoying. This one however I was not.
tweetyandy's review
3.0
This one is very hard for me to pin down. I just didn't like the main character. She was whiny and super disrespectful to her new friends...and her old friends. I also just didn't get the relationship with her and Leo...I think if this was a second book...where we knew more about the characters and had developed a feeling for them at some point it would have went over better but really it was difficult to want anyone (other than Cal and Pete) to have a good life. Eh, 2.5 maybe 3
annakat's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Feeling a little conflicted over the rating on this one. Mostly I think it's well crafted, but I have one major complaint that is bringing my rating down (see the end of this review).
This book is good for writers and people who like writing, since the main character, Lu, is a writer and thinks like one.
Not a cute or fun read, exactly. First, it's about teenage heartbreak. Second, Lu makes lots and lots of bad decisions, repeatedly, and is very unlikable for a lot of the book. This is the point of the book, so it makes sense, but if you need to be able to like the main character, this is not your book. (Also I got MAJOR secondhand panic from reading about this girl procrastinating.)
Writing is forgettable in a good way. I've enjoyed Adi Alsaid's writing in the past. I appreciate that it doesn't distract from the story at all.
Having the best friend, Pete, be aro ace (I think) was a fun surprise since I didn't even seek out the aspec rep this time! It was kind of a weird choice, though, because the amatonormativity in this book is extreme (and really frustrating). I wish it had been talked about more because, being a book about love, there was this constant assumption that everyone experiences the same thing. Seriously, it was EVERYWHERE. Despite there being a character that supposedly doesn't experience all of this the same way, that perspective isn't explored at all, and that really hurts this book a lot imo. There were lots of interesting musings on love that would have been greatly enriched (and less grating) if aspec experiences were considered.
This book is good for writers and people who like writing, since the main character, Lu, is a writer and thinks like one.
Not a cute or fun read, exactly. First, it's about teenage heartbreak. Second, Lu makes lots and lots of bad decisions, repeatedly, and is very unlikable for a lot of the book. This is the point of the book, so it makes sense, but if you need to be able to like the main character, this is not your book. (Also I got MAJOR secondhand panic from reading about this girl procrastinating.)
Writing is forgettable in a good way. I've enjoyed Adi Alsaid's writing in the past. I appreciate that it doesn't distract from the story at all.
Having the best friend, Pete, be aro ace (I think) was a fun surprise since I didn't even seek out the aspec rep this time! It was kind of a weird choice, though, because the amatonormativity in this book is extreme (and really frustrating). I wish it had been talked about more because, being a book about love, there was this constant assumption that everyone experiences the same thing. Seriously, it was EVERYWHERE. Despite there being a character that supposedly doesn't experience all of this the same way, that perspective isn't explored at all, and that really hurts this book a lot imo. There were lots of interesting musings on love that would have been greatly enriched (and less grating) if aspec experiences were considered.