tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/5 stars.
This book and I didn't really get along that well. However, before I get into that part of the review, I wanted to say that even though I'm not giving Goose an excellent rating, it did keep me entertained in that I wanted to find out what happened next. Also, although I could somewhat tell what the climactic portion was going to involve, the actual severity of what occurred took me by surprise -- which is a good thing.
I had three main problems with Goose.
First: This entire book is full of telling, rather than showing. The first half of the book I kept hoping that it would change the further I went, but no luck.
Second: Although the problems encountered by Flo and Renee are likely enough (I guess?) to actually happen in the real world, I hated the preachiness and heavy-handed use of "life lessons." For example:
And here's another example of preachiness (as well as stereotyping, which I'll get to in point number 3):
Third: Stereotyping. Flo starts attending church about halfway through the book and what Flo says and does (as well as how Renee responds) is very stereotypical. Flo gets involved with some other Christian teens/young adults from her church, which are basically fanatical, almost cult-like. One of the Christian guys has a rock band, and Flo is blown away by the concept of there being Christian rock bands!!11!!. Umm... okay? This was supposed to take place in 1997... and there have been Christian rock bands since the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s Christian rock music was really taking off. Anyway, tangent. I don't know -- as a Christian myself, it's hard for me to be objective about this -- but take the above quote (where Flo doesn't like Renee using words like "slut" in church). Flo objects to that, yet she wants to get laid ASAP and doesn't want to wait for marriage (and thinks that those who do are crazy)? I... don't understand the logic. But then again, that might be my own personal bias getting in the way.
However, all of my complaints aside, I noticed that this is the second in a series, and that the first book seemed to be much better liked than this one. I may pick up the first book, and keep Dawn O'Porter on my radar for other books, since there was enough in this book that I liked to make me be willing to give her books another chance.
2.5/5 stars.
This book and I didn't really get along that well. However, before I get into that part of the review, I wanted to say that even though I'm not giving Goose an excellent rating, it did keep me entertained in that I wanted to find out what happened next. Also, although I could somewhat tell what the climactic portion was going to involve, the actual severity of what occurred took me by surprise -- which is a good thing.
I had three main problems with Goose.
First: This entire book is full of telling, rather than showing. The first half of the book I kept hoping that it would change the further I went, but no luck.
Second: Although the problems encountered by Flo and Renee are likely enough (I guess?) to actually happen in the real world, I hated the preachiness and heavy-handed use of "life lessons." For example:
"...I'm beginning to learn that being an adult is hard work and full of tough decisions, and that you don't always make the right ones. The most important thing is that you learn from your mistakes, and make up for them as best as you can when you get the chance." - Renee (91%).
And here's another example of preachiness (as well as stereotyping, which I'll get to in point number 3):
I swallow the urge to ask her not to use words like "slut" in church, but I'm sure God will forgive her loose tongue considering the circumstances." - Flo (89%).
Third: Stereotyping. Flo starts attending church about halfway through the book and what Flo says and does (as well as how Renee responds) is very stereotypical. Flo gets involved with some other Christian teens/young adults from her church, which are basically fanatical, almost cult-like. One of the Christian guys has a rock band, and Flo is blown away by the concept of there being Christian rock bands!!11!!. Umm... okay? This was supposed to take place in 1997... and there have been Christian rock bands since the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s Christian rock music was really taking off. Anyway, tangent. I don't know -- as a Christian myself, it's hard for me to be objective about this -- but take the above quote (where Flo doesn't like Renee using words like "slut" in church). Flo objects to that, yet she wants to get laid ASAP and doesn't want to wait for marriage (and thinks that those who do are crazy)? I... don't understand the logic. But then again, that might be my own personal bias getting in the way.
However, all of my complaints aside, I noticed that this is the second in a series, and that the first book seemed to be much better liked than this one. I may pick up the first book, and keep Dawn O'Porter on my radar for other books, since there was enough in this book that I liked to make me be willing to give her books another chance.
yellowhighwaylines's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. I found it clunky and a little frustrating at times, and thought the pacing wasn't quite there. However. I love how realistically flawed both Flo and Renee are, and their friendship, as with Paper Aeroplanes is what carries the book.
ladykillller's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
myevergrowingbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing sequel to Paper Aeroplanes! Even though it's been a whole since I read Paper Aeroplanes I still felt like I knew renee and flo. Loved the story and how everything fitted in place. I love Dawn O'Porter and her writing, hope she does some more soon!
wrenlee's review against another edition
2.0
NOTE: I got this book off NetGalley.
The Big Picture:
I wasn't sure about this book. To be completely honest, I requested it because it had a cool cover. I skimmed over the description. Barely. Apparently, it's a sequel. I don't think you need to read the first book, though. This book is fine without it.
The characters were pretty good. I liked them the most.
The interesting points the author tried to make were a bit lacking. I did appreciate the effort, though.
The plot was slow and boring. It had a lot of relationship drama. Blah blah blah.
And the information dump! Don't get me started. I didn't like information dumps before, and I don't like them now.
The romance was completely terrible. The girls got boyfriends just because. They didn't need boyfriends. They didn't need the hassle that comes with boyfriends. This could have been a great friendship book, but we got an obnoxious soap opera instead. Thanks but no thanks.
The Dirty Details:
I liked the characters. This was the only thing I liked about this book. I thought they had interesting personalities. The brash and out-there Renee. And the shy and quiet Flo. Two opposites. I liked that. I typically like relationships (including friendships) where opposites attract. And they were pretty good friends. Their friendship was overshadowed by the dramatic romance, though. I would have been interested in a friendship book much better.
Their backstories were interesting. A dead father. A standoffish mother. A father who left. And a cool aunt. I was interested in their backstories. Their pasts made them who they were. The deaths they experienced. The sorrow and pain. The joy and bliss. It changed them.
There were some interesting points in this book. How people cope with loss through religion. Innocent first love. Teen pregnancy. It was interesting to see these points being weaved throughout the book. I didn't enjoy it completely, but I appreciated the author's meaning. She was trying to make it seem darker and more meaningful. It didn't succeed because I felt like it fell a little flat, but I appreciated the effort.
The plot was slow. The beginning especially. Nothing really happened. Boring relationship nonsense. It didn't have action or drama. It was two doomed romances. And it's not like the romances were interesting.
The tension came near the end, but it was too late. The plot had bored me. I was ready to move on to my next book.
And the information dump. I didn't read book one, but I didn't need it. I didn't even realize it was book two until I checked Goodreads. (Yeah...NetGalley doesn't tell you everything.) I didn't need the information dump. I could figure things out. It was quite simple. This book could be a standalone honestly. (But I've never read book one.)
The romance was tedious. I felt like there was no need for it. Both girls didn't need a guy. Why did they want one anyways? Why did they want THOSE guys anyways? What was so attractive about them? I don't get it! The girls didn't need anyone. The boys were obnoxious. Add those two together and you get romance! Woohoo!
On top of that, there was no chemistry. There was no spark. It was just hormones talking. I felt like the romance was unnecessary and was only there for some minor drama.
The Big Picture:
I wasn't sure about this book. To be completely honest, I requested it because it had a cool cover. I skimmed over the description. Barely. Apparently, it's a sequel. I don't think you need to read the first book, though. This book is fine without it.
The characters were pretty good. I liked them the most.
The interesting points the author tried to make were a bit lacking. I did appreciate the effort, though.
The plot was slow and boring. It had a lot of relationship drama. Blah blah blah.
And the information dump! Don't get me started. I didn't like information dumps before, and I don't like them now.
The romance was completely terrible. The girls got boyfriends just because. They didn't need boyfriends. They didn't need the hassle that comes with boyfriends. This could have been a great friendship book, but we got an obnoxious soap opera instead. Thanks but no thanks.
The Dirty Details:
I liked the characters. This was the only thing I liked about this book. I thought they had interesting personalities. The brash and out-there Renee. And the shy and quiet Flo. Two opposites. I liked that. I typically like relationships (including friendships) where opposites attract. And they were pretty good friends. Their friendship was overshadowed by the dramatic romance, though. I would have been interested in a friendship book much better.
Their backstories were interesting. A dead father. A standoffish mother. A father who left. And a cool aunt. I was interested in their backstories. Their pasts made them who they were. The deaths they experienced. The sorrow and pain. The joy and bliss. It changed them.
There were some interesting points in this book. How people cope with loss through religion. Innocent first love. Teen pregnancy. It was interesting to see these points being weaved throughout the book. I didn't enjoy it completely, but I appreciated the author's meaning. She was trying to make it seem darker and more meaningful. It didn't succeed because I felt like it fell a little flat, but I appreciated the effort.
The plot was slow. The beginning especially. Nothing really happened. Boring relationship nonsense. It didn't have action or drama. It was two doomed romances. And it's not like the romances were interesting.
The tension came near the end, but it was too late. The plot had bored me. I was ready to move on to my next book.
And the information dump. I didn't read book one, but I didn't need it. I didn't even realize it was book two until I checked Goodreads. (Yeah...NetGalley doesn't tell you everything.) I didn't need the information dump. I could figure things out. It was quite simple. This book could be a standalone honestly. (But I've never read book one.)
The romance was tedious. I felt like there was no need for it. Both girls didn't need a guy. Why did they want one anyways? Why did they want THOSE guys anyways? What was so attractive about them? I don't get it! The girls didn't need anyone. The boys were obnoxious. Add those two together and you get romance! Woohoo!
On top of that, there was no chemistry. There was no spark. It was just hormones talking. I felt like the romance was unnecessary and was only there for some minor drama.
lozkp's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't love it as much as I have her other books. I thought some of the dialogue was unnecessarily clunky and a little unnatural. I also hadn't read the first novel as I didn't realise it was a sequel before reading.
kimberleyjay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-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
4.0
emsbooks92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
allthingsbooks20's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5