octobertune's review against another edition
3.0
A couple of months ago, I started hearing a lot about Lobsters in the Dutch book blogger's world. I got really curious about it, but - as always - very careful as well, because hyped books aren't always my cup of tea. When I heard that the authors of this book would be coming to YALfest in April next year, I decided I was going to try it out, so at least I'll finally know what the hype is about.
Lobsters is about Hannah and Sam, who are determined to find their 'lobster' (aka lose their virginity) before they go to university - because who goes to uni without losing their virginity? that's right, losers. They meet each other for the first time at Stella's house, and have an instant connection. Then, a lot of stuff happens that makes this story super awkward. This story follows them as they have several almosts (almost having sex at a party, almost having sex with an older American girl, almost almost almost).
As you may have realised - by reading my little summary above - this book is just mainly about two kids trying to get laid before going to university, and honestly I didn't really care about that at all. I'm not one of those people that is desperate to lose their virginity, so I couldn't relate myself to these characters at all. I honestly found it a bit annoying that they were so determined on doing it before university.
As an asexual, I felt rather uncomfortable with the amount of (talk about) sex in this book. It wasn't as detailed as in that one adult book I once read (no it's not fifty shades of grey), but still it was super awkward to be reading about that stuff. I mainly just skimmed through it until it went back to 'normal'. The rest of the story was interesting though, and I really would have rather read about the (straining) friendship between Stella and Hannah instead of the latter wanting to have sex with Freddie or 'toilet boy'.
Like I said, I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and I didn't really like any of them more than the other. I thought Robbie was a bit annoying which his determination to prove he wasn't a fan of Harry Potter (why is that so embarrassing jfc) and yeah, I don't know - I just didn't like any of them that much. My favourite part probably was the scene where Hannah and Sam met, where they had a conversation in the toilet.
The writing was really nice, and though it was written by two authors, I couldn't really detect any difference in writing style, which means that they did a good job. I'm not sure if they'll continue as a duo, or if they will write more books separately, but maybe they have other books that can interest me more.
So yeah, I guess Lobsters just wasn't the book for me. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it as much as the majority of the book world did. I am still looking forward to meeting the authors, but I'll probably be more excited for other authors more. If you really love contemporary books such as Anna and the French Kiss and Paper Towns, but you want it to have a bit more of a new adult vibe - you should try out this book!
My opinion on this book in one gif:
Lobsters is about Hannah and Sam, who are determined to find their 'lobster' (aka lose their virginity) before they go to university - because who goes to uni without losing their virginity? that's right, losers. They meet each other for the first time at Stella's house, and have an instant connection. Then, a lot of stuff happens that makes this story super awkward. This story follows them as they have several almosts (almost having sex at a party, almost having sex with an older American girl, almost almost almost).
As you may have realised - by reading my little summary above - this book is just mainly about two kids trying to get laid before going to university, and honestly I didn't really care about that at all. I'm not one of those people that is desperate to lose their virginity, so I couldn't relate myself to these characters at all. I honestly found it a bit annoying that they were so determined on doing it before university.
As an asexual, I felt rather uncomfortable with the amount of (talk about) sex in this book. It wasn't as detailed as in that one adult book I once read (no it's not fifty shades of grey), but still it was super awkward to be reading about that stuff. I mainly just skimmed through it until it went back to 'normal'. The rest of the story was interesting though, and I really would have rather read about the (straining) friendship between Stella and Hannah instead of the latter wanting to have sex with Freddie or 'toilet boy'.
Like I said, I couldn't relate to any of the characters, and I didn't really like any of them more than the other. I thought Robbie was a bit annoying which his determination to prove he wasn't a fan of Harry Potter (why is that so embarrassing jfc) and yeah, I don't know - I just didn't like any of them that much. My favourite part probably was the scene where Hannah and Sam met, where they had a conversation in the toilet.
The writing was really nice, and though it was written by two authors, I couldn't really detect any difference in writing style, which means that they did a good job. I'm not sure if they'll continue as a duo, or if they will write more books separately, but maybe they have other books that can interest me more.
So yeah, I guess Lobsters just wasn't the book for me. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it as much as the majority of the book world did. I am still looking forward to meeting the authors, but I'll probably be more excited for other authors more. If you really love contemporary books such as Anna and the French Kiss and Paper Towns, but you want it to have a bit more of a new adult vibe - you should try out this book!
My opinion on this book in one gif:
kitty_kat21's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here.
Lobsters was laugh out loud funny, and just brought back such fond and awkward memories of being a teenager. I could have read this is one sitting. I loved it.
Hannah and Sam are predictably a bit concerned about losing their virginities before University, and as teenagers do, they constantly think about what it will be like and who will be the right person. They inadvertently meet one night at a house party and loads of awkwardness and hilarity ensure. Misunderstandings and miscommunication rule as both of them try to navigate the minefields of their feelings and friendships.
I have never read a book that has captured the essence of what it is truly like to be a teenager in Britain so well. The humour was just fantastic, I was crying with laughter at points. I think the 'frenemy' relationship between Hannah and her 'best friend' Stella so relatable. I absolutely detested Stella! But it reminded me of the lack of self confidence as a teen that sometimes results in keeping a toxic friendship, even though all that 'friend' does is make you feel like shit about yourself. It was perfectly done. In fact, all of the friendships in this book were conveyed brilliantly.
I have never read a young adult book before that presented first sexual encounters as realistically as this novel. It was cringe worthy, awkward, hilarious and just really accurate. I thought it was just brilliant, if quite uncomfortable to read because of the cringe factor.
I think this is a great book for older teenagers, the characters in the book are seventeen/eighteen but I think teens that are fifteen and up would really relate to this story. It really reminded me of being that age and I think everybody would get loads of giggles from this book.
Lobsters was laugh out loud funny, and just brought back such fond and awkward memories of being a teenager. I could have read this is one sitting. I loved it.
Hannah and Sam are predictably a bit concerned about losing their virginities before University, and as teenagers do, they constantly think about what it will be like and who will be the right person. They inadvertently meet one night at a house party and loads of awkwardness and hilarity ensure. Misunderstandings and miscommunication rule as both of them try to navigate the minefields of their feelings and friendships.
I have never read a book that has captured the essence of what it is truly like to be a teenager in Britain so well. The humour was just fantastic, I was crying with laughter at points. I think the 'frenemy' relationship between Hannah and her 'best friend' Stella so relatable. I absolutely detested Stella! But it reminded me of the lack of self confidence as a teen that sometimes results in keeping a toxic friendship, even though all that 'friend' does is make you feel like shit about yourself. It was perfectly done. In fact, all of the friendships in this book were conveyed brilliantly.
I have never read a young adult book before that presented first sexual encounters as realistically as this novel. It was cringe worthy, awkward, hilarious and just really accurate. I thought it was just brilliant, if quite uncomfortable to read because of the cringe factor.
I think this is a great book for older teenagers, the characters in the book are seventeen/eighteen but I think teens that are fifteen and up would really relate to this story. It really reminded me of being that age and I think everybody would get loads of giggles from this book.
cityofstarlight_library's review against another edition
5.0
This one is definitely going into my favourite books list!
If you haven't read this book already, you really must. It's only been released just this month and I was lucky enough to find this book when browsing in my local bookshop. The cover enticed me to pick it up and I absolutely loved this book!
It's basically about a girl, Hannah, and a boy, Sam, who are on a mission to find "The One" or their Lobster (which I learnt from Friends what that was about). They don't want to go to university virgins and set out on a mission to find their other half with a few problems thrown in the way of their quest.
Everything about this book was brilliant. First off, this was set in the UK. Oh, how I've missed books that are set in my own country! So it's refreshing to read people use slang words from where I'm from and speak like me, a lot of the situations were similar to when I was around that age too. It's annoying when I'm reading a book set in the USA and I have to google what something means. The characters also went away on holiday and I love books where they're going around to different places, maybe it's the traveller in me that wants to see various places all the time in my stories. This is why I love road trip books.
The characters are very relatable, as a female, I felt I could relate to Hannah a lot with the issues she was having, especially the problems she had with some of her friends. None of them were unrealistic and they were all flawed in their own way. Sam and the boys' side of the story was funny, it's certainly what I expect from boys their age to talk about and the issues they'd facing, seeing as their most important thing was getting laid (and sometimes his odd worry over school)
I have to mention, if you love the Harry Potter series, you'll also love the references in this book. And there's a lot! I was pleasantly surprised to see it get mentioned pretty much every few chapters and you can tell a fan wrote this story.
I can't really write much more without spoiling anything.
It had me doubling over in laughter, it's a great summer read and I highly recommend everyone give this one a go. It's quick to read, a story that kept me hooked and it's a fantastic debut novel from Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison. Everyone can relate in some way and you'll be laughing, crying and cringing along with Hannah and Sam. It's a great coming-of-age story that you can't not love. A new favourite book for me!
*
REVIEW ALSO POSTED AT http://thehonestbookclub.blogspot.co.uk/
If you haven't read this book already, you really must. It's only been released just this month and I was lucky enough to find this book when browsing in my local bookshop. The cover enticed me to pick it up and I absolutely loved this book!
It's basically about a girl, Hannah, and a boy, Sam, who are on a mission to find "The One" or their Lobster (which I learnt from Friends what that was about). They don't want to go to university virgins and set out on a mission to find their other half with a few problems thrown in the way of their quest.
Everything about this book was brilliant. First off, this was set in the UK. Oh, how I've missed books that are set in my own country! So it's refreshing to read people use slang words from where I'm from and speak like me, a lot of the situations were similar to when I was around that age too. It's annoying when I'm reading a book set in the USA and I have to google what something means. The characters also went away on holiday and I love books where they're going around to different places, maybe it's the traveller in me that wants to see various places all the time in my stories. This is why I love road trip books.
The characters are very relatable, as a female, I felt I could relate to Hannah a lot with the issues she was having, especially the problems she had with some of her friends. None of them were unrealistic and they were all flawed in their own way. Sam and the boys' side of the story was funny, it's certainly what I expect from boys their age to talk about and the issues they'd facing, seeing as their most important thing was getting laid (and sometimes his odd worry over school)
I have to mention, if you love the Harry Potter series, you'll also love the references in this book. And there's a lot! I was pleasantly surprised to see it get mentioned pretty much every few chapters and you can tell a fan wrote this story.
I can't really write much more without spoiling anything.
It had me doubling over in laughter, it's a great summer read and I highly recommend everyone give this one a go. It's quick to read, a story that kept me hooked and it's a fantastic debut novel from Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison. Everyone can relate in some way and you'll be laughing, crying and cringing along with Hannah and Sam. It's a great coming-of-age story that you can't not love. A new favourite book for me!
*
REVIEW ALSO POSTED AT http://thehonestbookclub.blogspot.co.uk/
alicia_bentholm's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, the book was good. It had some very weird parts, and I didn't really like the characters.
ohnoflora's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet, funny and frank. I can't speak for the boy bits but the relationships between teenage girls (with their interplay of love, affection, envy and frustration) was captured very well.
biteintobooks's review against another edition
5.0
I would definately buy this book!
You could really feel that the parts about Sam were written by a guy and the parts about Hannah by a woman. Loved the sneek peak into the boys-world and the way the girls are around each other is recognizable.
Already knew the story was gonna have an happy ending, but I did wonder WHEN. Sam and Hannah keep messing it up together.
Hannah and Sam are awesome characters. The other characters in the book fit really well in this story.
There is humor, romance and a fast paced way of writing, witty jokes and sex-humour.
I love this kind of book. Just enjoyed it a lot!
You could really feel that the parts about Sam were written by a guy and the parts about Hannah by a woman. Loved the sneek peak into the boys-world and the way the girls are around each other is recognizable.
Already knew the story was gonna have an happy ending, but I did wonder WHEN. Sam and Hannah keep messing it up together.
Hannah and Sam are awesome characters. The other characters in the book fit really well in this story.
There is humor, romance and a fast paced way of writing, witty jokes and sex-humour.
I love this kind of book. Just enjoyed it a lot!
kba76's review against another edition
5.0
Socially awkward is a fitting phrase for this...I couldn't believe some of the stuff that was happening to Sam and Hannah and their friends.
Our groups of almost eighteen year olds are on the cusp of adulthood, and we watch them in their summer before heading off to university. We get the inevitable post-exam analysis; the drunken fumbles; the changing issues around friendships; a growing sense of needing to become independent and the highlights of summer-holiday and festival.
Throughout this I was laughing out loud at so many moments. I was also groaning, cringing and torn between being thankful I am long past that age and desperately wanting to return to that time, where anything seems possible.
I liked the two characters and their somewhat disastrous attempts to get into any kind of romantic situation. What really made this was the splitting between male and female viewpoints.
Can't wait for Freshers now...
Our groups of almost eighteen year olds are on the cusp of adulthood, and we watch them in their summer before heading off to university. We get the inevitable post-exam analysis; the drunken fumbles; the changing issues around friendships; a growing sense of needing to become independent and the highlights of summer-holiday and festival.
Throughout this I was laughing out loud at so many moments. I was also groaning, cringing and torn between being thankful I am long past that age and desperately wanting to return to that time, where anything seems possible.
I liked the two characters and their somewhat disastrous attempts to get into any kind of romantic situation. What really made this was the splitting between male and female viewpoints.
Can't wait for Freshers now...