A review by dbooknerd
Somebody That I Used to Know by Dana L. Davis
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Possible spoilers. Tried not to have them.
I love, LOVE this book! Wooh! I am a woman of a certain age who literally broke out in tears two or three times while reading this! I don’t know where to start!
First, I’m so excited to have read a book that was just pure. No cussing (if there was any, it was very little), not graphic in content, not trauma focused, but just a good well-told story.
Second, it is an awesome coming of age story. You have Dylan, the main character, grappling with trying to fit in as a young black woman in predominately white spaces; questioning her beauty; feeling insecure; trying to juggle school, work, friendships, and trying to get into Juilliard. Sometimes I got slightly irritated with her self-doubt, however, I had to remember she is a teen. I’ve experienced the same things and to be honest, experience them now! Then there was Legend, not the main character but still the author does an excellent job of us seeing him come into his own as a young man. Sometimes I felt he was rude but again, it showed his youth and room for growth.
Third, it is a tear jerking love story. This story has my heart something fierce! <The chemistry between Dylan and Legend and the not so perfectness of it just resonated. The ups and downs and twists in this were amazing. >
Fourth, I love the books uniqueness. The author does a brilliant job of showing the diversity of black people. I love that the characters had interests that some might not see as what black people would really like (when in reality we are multifaceted). The classical music, the pastimes, the diverse friendships, etc. were awesome.
This is hands down one of the best, if not the best, book I’ve read this year!
I love, LOVE this book! Wooh! I am a woman of a certain age who literally broke out in tears two or three times while reading this! I don’t know where to start!
First, I’m so excited to have read a book that was just pure. No cussing (if there was any, it was very little), not graphic in content, not trauma focused, but just a good well-told story.
Second, it is an awesome coming of age story. You have Dylan, the main character, grappling with trying to fit in as a young black woman in predominately white spaces; questioning her beauty; feeling insecure; trying to juggle school, work, friendships, and trying to get into Juilliard. Sometimes I got slightly irritated with her self-doubt, however, I had to remember she is a teen. I’ve experienced the same things and to be honest, experience them now! Then there was Legend, not the main character but still the author does an excellent job of us seeing him come into his own as a young man. Sometimes I felt he was rude but again, it showed his youth and room for growth.
Third, it is a tear jerking love story. This story has my heart something fierce! <The chemistry between Dylan and Legend and the not so perfectness of it just resonated. The ups and downs and twists in this were amazing. >
Fourth, I love the books uniqueness. The author does a brilliant job of showing the diversity of black people. I love that the characters had interests that some might not see as what black people would really like (when in reality we are multifaceted). The classical music, the pastimes, the diverse friendships, etc. were awesome.
This is hands down one of the best, if not the best, book I’ve read this year!