blatiror's review
2.0
I barely understood the storyline in this book. Why was Si a necessary character? It feels like the author could have written the plot in a better way without them writing in a billion charachters who doesn't have an effect on the plot. The way the book is written contributes to the low score. The author tried way too hard to try to be hip and down with the kids - it felt kind of forced. I would have liked the book a lot more if I was like 14, though:) It was cute and an easy read.
dwolfe347's review
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
nolemdaer's review
3.0
It wasn't a pinnacle of YA literature, but it was definitely enjoyable.
The main character was enough of a flawed person to warrant investment in character development but not so annoying as to lead to a DNF. The love interest was appropriately interesting, and their relationship felt believable, if not very detailed.
The first few chapters were a bit of a rushed mess, and I found myself completely confused about what was happening and why. Throughout the book, scenes continued to feel a little too disjointed and short, but it this is (to my knowledge) a debut novel and entirely adequate for a nice read.
I'd appreciate greater development and I think that would truly move the book from "nice" to "great." There were several character and emotional beats that I noticed, like the MC befriending the love interest's friends or the growing friendship between the MC and young Mim, but the scenes were, again, too short to truly show how these characters connected and how their relationships grew. The writing was average—it shows potential but feels /just/ out of reach of being completely polished.
I expect this author to go on to write better books. Goslee shows a great deal of potential and created an enjoyable story, and with experience future novels can only improve.
The main character was enough of a flawed person to warrant investment in character development but not so annoying as to lead to a DNF. The love interest was appropriately interesting, and their relationship felt believable, if not very detailed.
The first few chapters were a bit of a rushed mess, and I found myself completely confused about what was happening and why. Throughout the book, scenes continued to feel a little too disjointed and short, but it this is (to my knowledge) a debut novel and entirely adequate for a nice read.
I'd appreciate greater development and I think that would truly move the book from "nice" to "great." There were several character and emotional beats that I noticed, like the MC befriending the love interest's friends or the growing friendship between the MC and young Mim, but the scenes were, again, too short to truly show how these characters connected and how their relationships grew. The writing was average—it shows potential but feels /just/ out of reach of being completely polished.
I expect this author to go on to write better books. Goslee shows a great deal of potential and created an enjoyable story, and with experience future novels can only improve.
itsmytuberculosis's review
4.0
listen we all love a fake dating trope - that's why AO3 is Hugo Award nominated. More than fake dating, we like bad boys who are more than their parts. and MORE than that we love some mutual pining.
But! We don't want it crammed into the last three pages!! Let it marinate!! it's like a Crockpot!!! Let that shit simmer!!!!
But! We don't want it crammed into the last three pages!! Let it marinate!! it's like a Crockpot!!! Let that shit simmer!!!!
scent_of_the_rain's review
4.0
I was looking for the nice easy read after the high expectations but a little disappointing fantasy session a put myself through before this and I was not disappointed by this book.
This book is a light romance with some relationship drama and some characters growing as people.
I must say that I’m a sucker for “Enemy to Lovers” trope, specially if it’s not a instalove. It also helps when the main couple is sometimes nice to each other and not only insulting each other.
But the one of the best things about this book is the before mentioned character growth. Specially for the main character. I started hating him a lot. He was a pretentious asshole. You know the type. The one that is constantly complaining that everyone is hating him and that he is not invited to participate in the school life but he never even tries to participate and also thinks that he is above all this lame people who are excited about the school events and want help make it better. He thinks that they are stupid and evil. And I get it, I was that person in my teens and now I look at myself and cringe.
But luckily someone call our main character on this and he have enough brains to realize that they are right and he changes. The overall message is that people are generally nice if you give them a chance and not judge them by your perception of them. Which is nice.
In general this book is very sweet and I would definitely read anything else by this author.
This book is a light romance with some relationship drama and some characters growing as people.
I must say that I’m a sucker for “Enemy to Lovers” trope, specially if it’s not a instalove. It also helps when the main couple is sometimes nice to each other and not only insulting each other.
But the one of the best things about this book is the before mentioned character growth. Specially for the main character. I started hating him a lot. He was a pretentious asshole. You know the type. The one that is constantly complaining that everyone is hating him and that he is not invited to participate in the school life but he never even tries to participate and also thinks that he is above all this lame people who are excited about the school events and want help make it better. He thinks that they are stupid and evil. And I get it, I was that person in my teens and now I look at myself and cringe.
But luckily someone call our main character on this and he have enough brains to realize that they are right and he changes. The overall message is that people are generally nice if you give them a chance and not judge them by your perception of them. Which is nice.
In general this book is very sweet and I would definitely read anything else by this author.
rosiethespy's review
3.0
I think really this was just ok, but it gets an extra star to help make the world a little easier for the cute, funny Nolan who very relatably just wants to sit alone in his room and draw sea creatures. The romance was just a touch unsatisfying, but .