mora55's review
I loved the friendship aspect and how there was never a major falling-out between the four POVs! They just... love and care about one another and it's so sweet. There was a bit of romantic subplot, but the vast majority of the relationship focus was just on the four with each other (and, secondarily, their families).
I also loved the characters' journeys with themselves over the course of the book, and how they struggled to know what they wanted but eventually took determined steps towards their dreams, even though they knew they would be hard. Nora and Lee with future schooling, Ryan with his art and figuring out who he is without his ex-boyfriend, and Jess with school and stress. I related to Jess's story a lot, with her anxiety and overwhelming pressure and so many responsibilities while also feeling like she's a burden to those around her and worrying constantly she's not good enough. I, who barely ever cry at books, got a little teary-eyed at
The secondary characters were marvelous as well, especially Ryan's grandma (I love her) and Nora's girlfriend Beth, who's also friends with the rest of the group. I loved how the crew had good relationships with their parents, even if they did argue or get in trouble at times.
I just thought a lot of it dragged and was largely forgettable, and I had no concept of a timeline. Each chapter, for the most part, was just a little snippet from a character's life at some point following the prior snippet from another character's life, giving it less of a fluid, continuous story feel. The writing style was sometimes hard to follow as well.
But overall it was soft and positive with casual representation of Latinx and queer characters!
I also loved the characters' journeys with themselves over the course of the book, and how they struggled to know what they wanted but eventually took determined steps towards their dreams, even though they knew they would be hard. Nora and Lee with future schooling, Ryan with his art and figuring out who he is without his ex-boyfriend, and Jess with school and stress. I related to Jess's story a lot, with her anxiety and overwhelming pressure and so many responsibilities while also feeling like she's a burden to those around her and worrying constantly she's not good enough. I, who barely ever cry at books, got a little teary-eyed at
Spoiler
Jess's conversation about all this with her family where she gives words to her struggles, and some of her earlier chapters leading up to that point also poked me where it hurt.The secondary characters were marvelous as well, especially Ryan's grandma (I love her) and Nora's girlfriend Beth, who's also friends with the rest of the group. I loved how the crew had good relationships with their parents, even if they did argue or get in trouble at times.
I just thought a lot of it dragged and was largely forgettable, and I had no concept of a timeline. Each chapter, for the most part, was just a little snippet from a character's life at some point following the prior snippet from another character's life, giving it less of a fluid, continuous story feel. The writing style was sometimes hard to follow as well.
But overall it was soft and positive with casual representation of Latinx and queer characters!
eedr's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
felix07's review
4.0
OK WAS I THE ONLY ONE WHO NEEDED A RYAN/BLAKE CLOSURE KISS PLEASE-
All of that aside, great book. Can relate to the whole Ryan art-block thing
All of that aside, great book. Can relate to the whole Ryan art-block thing
charmaineac's review
3.0
This book almost made me cry. I definitely liked some storylines more than others (Lee and Nora, but not Jess and Ryan).
The incorporation of other languages is always a bit tough. People don't really repeat themselves in multiple languages in real life, but I see why it's necessary for English readers to understand what is happening. Then again, at times, this book DIDN'T explain what certain Spanish/Chinese phrases meant, and I felt like I was missing out on information that would enhance the story.
The incorporation of other languages is always a bit tough. People don't really repeat themselves in multiple languages in real life, but I see why it's necessary for English readers to understand what is happening. Then again, at times, this book DIDN'T explain what certain Spanish/Chinese phrases meant, and I felt like I was missing out on information that would enhance the story.
luckybydesign's review
4.0
Sometimes your friends know you better than you know yourself. This sweet little concept, where four best friends choose each other’s New Years resolutions becomes something more than that in Mia Garcia’s capable hands. The best part of this book is hands down the characters. Each of the four main characters is unique and never cliched, and even secondary characters are nuanced and complex. This is also an important contribution to Own Voices YA. Each character’s Latinx culture played an important role in their identity, adding to the complexity of the characters. I found myself rooting for all the characters and was happy and satisfied by the way things ended for each of them.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
aprilbethp's review against another edition
3.0
Slow Read
I had high hopes for this book. I just struggled trying to connect to any character. It had a lot potential and tackled some tough subjects but it missed the mark for me.
I had high hopes for this book. I just struggled trying to connect to any character. It had a lot potential and tackled some tough subjects but it missed the mark for me.
booksandpops4000's review
4.0
I found this to be really interesting read. I was really invested in all the characters and felt like the book was well paced. I loved the look into Latina culture and I really loved the characters relationship to their culture. I also really liked how the friendship dynamics were not dramatically effected by romance. I loved the book being set over a year and loved seeing these characters grown and change. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
rhappe13's review
4.0
Though the middle got a bit long, I loved this book for the multiple POVs, diverse characters, and serious themes that were developed in a funny and lighthearted setting.
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/the-resolutions/
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/the-resolutions/
iamlitandwit's review
4.0
We’re so used to the weight of emotions we don’t notice we carry them everywhere.Ya lo terminé! I cried and smiled and felt so connected to Jess, Lee, Nora & Ryan (Jess and Nora specifically).
It did drag in the middle for me, it's was a little too long, but nevertheless, I thought it was a sweet friendship story with amazing representation that felt like home.