Scan barcode
A review by bookishberry
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Weather Girl + Sports Boy 4ever <3
I laughed, I sobbed, I swooned…I can’t believe this is rated so low on GR (relatively speaking). It took a little bit to really get going but once it did - I was locked in.
Rachel Lynn Solomon keeps creating these intensely honest, funny, and lovable characters and I might have to sue for emotional distress because the fact that they don’t exist in real life is heartbreaking. The day her incredibly clever and adorable banter doesn’t squeeze my heart in the most lovely way is the day I hang up my lovergirl hat.
Two things that really shocked and delighted me about Weather Girl:
1. For the most part, Ari and Russell actually talk about things like adults. There are multiple opportunities for one of them to storm off after an awkward situation or unintentionally hurtful comment but they always come back to “Hey, that thing that just happened seemed to upset you. Can we talk about it?” Which I LOVED so much.
The loathed miscommunication/misunderstanding trope is used but it’s not done in the typical way so while it’s frustrating to see them struggling, you can actually sympathize with them.
2. Russell’s ex-girlfriend, her husband and his daughter weren’t villainized at all. Such a breath of fresh air! Elodie, Liv, and Perry were all genuinely sweet and funny. No “You’ll never be my stepmom!” antics or jealous, abusive ex-girlfriends. Also, all of the kids struck the perfect balance between precocious and endearing. It was wonderful.
I pity everyone that didn’t fall in love with all of these characters as much as I did.
I laughed, I sobbed, I swooned…I can’t believe this is rated so low on GR (relatively speaking). It took a little bit to really get going but once it did - I was locked in.
Rachel Lynn Solomon keeps creating these intensely honest, funny, and lovable characters and I might have to sue for emotional distress because the fact that they don’t exist in real life is heartbreaking. The day her incredibly clever and adorable banter doesn’t squeeze my heart in the most lovely way is the day I hang up my lovergirl hat.
Two things that really shocked and delighted me about Weather Girl:
1. For the most part, Ari and Russell actually talk about things like adults. There are multiple opportunities for one of them to storm off after an awkward situation or unintentionally hurtful comment but they always come back to “Hey, that thing that just happened seemed to upset you. Can we talk about it?” Which I LOVED so much.
The loathed miscommunication/misunderstanding trope is used but it’s not done in the typical way so while it’s frustrating to see them struggling, you can actually sympathize with them.
2. Russell’s ex-girlfriend, her husband and his daughter weren’t villainized at all. Such a breath of fresh air! Elodie, Liv, and Perry were all genuinely sweet and funny. No “You’ll never be my stepmom!” antics or jealous, abusive ex-girlfriends. Also, all of the kids struck the perfect balance between precocious and endearing. It was wonderful.
I pity everyone that didn’t fall in love with all of these characters as much as I did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Fatphobia
Ari and her mother are both diagnosed with depression and it is mentioned fairly often in Ari's inner monologue and discussed a few times between Ari and other people, like her brother.
Minor mentions of Russell's weight, insecurities around weight, and a fatphobic comment made by Russell's former employer.