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sharonsm_28's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Sharon J for recommending this book to me. This was an amazing read. I really love how Samantha Young wrote the story. It dealt with a lot of issues that teens face today. This book tells the story of love and friendship as India moves to Boston to live with her future stepfather and stepsister. As the story progresses, India’s character gets more developed and I started to understand her more. Finn is another fabulous character. I thought he was strong for the things that he had been through. Also, Eloise turned out to be a fantastic character as well. She proved to me that popular kids can be vulnerable and nice as well as popular. She has to deal with some of her own issues, but I think her character was brave at the end when she revealed her issues. I thought the romance was pure and real. Although, it is a hidden romance for most of the story, I thought the chemistry between Finn and India was undeniable. I was shocked by the ending, but I think it was the best ending for the book because India discovers that she is worth being loved. I can’t wait to read more Samantha Young books. Overall, an incredible read.
booklovershangout's review against another edition
5.0
I was completely addicted to this story. The characters, the writing, the twists. They all come together perfectly for a completely intriguing YA novel.
I love YA. It's definitely a guilty pleasure if mine and this is going at the top of my list as one of my favorites.
Nothing is as it seems in this story. There are so many secrets and depths to this story to uncover, you will never be able to guess them all. That is what kept me on the edge of my seat dying for more.
I am so beyond in love with this story and with Samantha Young's writing. I can't wait to see what she will write next.
I love YA. It's definitely a guilty pleasure if mine and this is going at the top of my list as one of my favorites.
Nothing is as it seems in this story. There are so many secrets and depths to this story to uncover, you will never be able to guess them all. That is what kept me on the edge of my seat dying for more.
I am so beyond in love with this story and with Samantha Young's writing. I can't wait to see what she will write next.
imjustaboat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This could’ve been handled SO much better. The plot was decent, if a bit unrealistic at times, but the writing was amateur. It was giving “adult writing what they think teens talk like” 💀 There was a lot of telling instead of showing, so a lot of it came across as preachy. In the beginning to middle, a lot of the time skips were written weirdly. I liked almost every character except for the main character, b/c at times it was like her trauma was just a plot point? Instead of it adding to her character, it was just brought up (multiple times, if I may add, and it was the same sob story to diff people. The readers remember this important part of India, no need to repeat it 10 different times!) to make a specific point. There’s a lot I want to say about the other characters, but my main point would be that everything they did was to further develop the author’s themes but NOT in a good way. Sometimes the decisions they made didn’t make any sense like?? And most of them were very flat, underdeveloped, and (in my case) unrelatable. All of the character development (for India, at least) was stated directly, like the reader wouldn’t understand if they weren’t told over and over again. And there were so many unnecessary, crammed in plot devices like holy shit. The author definitely wanted to make some statements! but learn the art of subtlety bc GIRL. Like I said, the book had potential, but it was just so preachy with the most obvious and basic themes ever. It was a quick and easy read though! Which is another reason why the book didn’t have to treat readers like they’re dumb and bad at remembering things. And the ending of the book just pissed me off. Would not recommend.
Stuff I liked (after careful deliberation):Finn and India’s chemistry. And I’m ngl, the book is more complex than I thought it would be, mostly because of how the relationships between India and Hayley, Eloise, Finn, and Theo developed.
Stuff I liked (after careful deliberation):
tl;dr: the writing was preachy and sucked
bigdaddyreads's review against another edition
4.0
I started out very skeptical because I was afraid there would be a lot of rich people whining. But the book was so much more complexed than I expected. The issues it deals with are truly heartbreaking, entrapping them in a shroud of shame and secrecy.
The story is beautifully written with really eloquent character developments all around. I especially loved the development of the relationship between Hayley and India.
I love India - she grapples with her demons with class. She is full of love and that love transforms those closest to her. Her love gives them strength and hope. Above all, she understood that to sacrifice her own desires for love is the greatest profession of love.
The story is beautifully written with really eloquent character developments all around. I especially loved the development of the relationship between Hayley and India.
I love India - she grapples with her demons with class. She is full of love and that love transforms those closest to her. Her love gives them strength and hope. Above all, she understood that to sacrifice her own desires for love is the greatest profession of love.
firefly8041's review against another edition
2.0
Read a third. Found it very boring and didn't care about the characters at all. Giving up!
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know if this opinion will hold, but for right now, I really, really loved this.
If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminded most of The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout, but it's mostly just due to the fact that they're both books about kids suffering through the repercussions of abuse.
One thing that gave this book a big edge on The Problem With Forever, though, was the chemistry between Finn and India. They were so good together, even during the earlier parts when they weren't necessarily supposed to be together. I truly delighted in every interaction they had, as well as their relationship with Eloise, and it made this whole book achingly sweet because I just wanted to wrap all three of these poor kids up in security blankets, hand them each a cup of hot cocoa, and tell them it was all going to be okay.
I really enjoyed this one and it was a really fun and interesting time, watching how everything came crashing together over and over and over again. The last couple of months, I've been really wanting something that would make me feel like I was reading a new Colleen Hoover book because I've read her whole bibliography and no longer have any saved away for a rainy day, and this is definitely one of the few that has gotten incredibly close to being So Colleen™ without feeling too contrived, stupid, or insta-lovey.
This was exactly my cup of tea. The end, full stop, next book.
If I had to compare it to something, I would say it reminded most of The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout, but it's mostly just due to the fact that they're both books about kids suffering through the repercussions of abuse.
One thing that gave this book a big edge on The Problem With Forever, though, was the chemistry between Finn and India. They were so good together, even during the earlier parts when they weren't necessarily supposed to be together. I truly delighted in every interaction they had, as well as their relationship with Eloise, and it made this whole book achingly sweet because I just wanted to wrap all three of these poor kids up in security blankets, hand them each a cup of hot cocoa, and tell them it was all going to be okay.
I really enjoyed this one and it was a really fun and interesting time, watching how everything came crashing together over and over and over again. The last couple of months, I've been really wanting something that would make me feel like I was reading a new Colleen Hoover book because I've read her whole bibliography and no longer have any saved away for a rainy day, and this is definitely one of the few that has gotten incredibly close to being So Colleen™ without feeling too contrived, stupid, or insta-lovey.
This was exactly my cup of tea. The end, full stop, next book.
mckeyla's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jackiemcee's review against another edition
5.0
"Samantha Young wrote a YA Novel!" I've read this in every reviews of this book, and honestly, I wasn't surprised. Because if I remember it correctly, Samantha Young showed snippets of YA from 'Fall From India Place', an 'On Dublin' series that told the story of Hannah and Alessandro's past when they were in high school, and trust me that was good. I'd like to think that India's name was from there and that inspired her to pursue a fully YA novel. After all, it isn't about the genre but her writing style that keeps you captivated throughout the story.
India is a strong woman.
Finn needs love to fend for himself.
Eloise needs acceptance.
Hayley is a mother trying her best to be one.
Theo is a proof that there are good fathers out there.
It may seem a typical YA but what got me hooked was how Samantha wrote the story perfectly. I kept on thinking that it was too predictable until I was proven wrong. The story has a slow build-up but it will make you understand the characters better and how their choices affected them.
YA wouldn't be a powerhouse without high school issues, family dramas, and young love. I don't often read YA because I like my HEA. Most YA novels don't have that and it makes me ask for more until they settle down. Until now...
I was 90% into the book when I discovered that this won't end pretty well. I knew it. I knew that I won't get my HEA. Then there's this line from the book uttered by Hayley, India's mother: "If you look closely enough you'll see the right ending is the happy ending." And finally, I get it. Samantha Young left her characters in all their righteous glory. It may not be the happy ending I was expecting but she gave me a chance to create my own HEA for them and somehow that was everything.
India is a strong woman.
Finn needs love to fend for himself.
Eloise needs acceptance.
Hayley is a mother trying her best to be one.
Theo is a proof that there are good fathers out there.
It may seem a typical YA but what got me hooked was how Samantha wrote the story perfectly. I kept on thinking that it was too predictable until I was proven wrong. The story has a slow build-up but it will make you understand the characters better and how their choices affected them.
YA wouldn't be a powerhouse without high school issues, family dramas, and young love. I don't often read YA because I like my HEA. Most YA novels don't have that and it makes me ask for more until they settle down. Until now...
I was 90% into the book when I discovered that this won't end pretty well. I knew it. I knew that I won't get my HEA. Then there's this line from the book uttered by Hayley, India's mother: "If you look closely enough you'll see the right ending is the happy ending." And finally, I get it. Samantha Young left her characters in all their righteous glory. It may not be the happy ending I was expecting but she gave me a chance to create my own HEA for them and somehow that was everything.
mguid55's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved The Impossible Vastness of Us. It was a beautiful story of finding not only your happy ending, but your right ending. About figuring out who you are and going down that path. My only sadness is that it’s now over.
Full review at : https://dreamingofalba.com/2017/06/28/the-impossible-vastness-of-us-review/#more-772
Full review at : https://dreamingofalba.com/2017/06/28/the-impossible-vastness-of-us-review/#more-772
_camk_'s review against another edition
You would think when you read this book, it is written by a very novice and somewhat juvenile writer. However, Young has actually written many books.
The story is boring and the characters are bland. Nothing grips you to continue the book. I DNF'ed after 60% in.
The story is boring and the characters are bland. Nothing grips you to continue the book. I DNF'ed after 60% in.