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_bobatea_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Grief, Bullying, Addiction, Violence, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Death, Classism, and Adult/minor relationship
dasia's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Violence, and Alcoholism
gissellellamas's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think this is the only time I've ever liked a film adaptation more than the book it's based on. Maybe it's just the cast, but the characters are so much more likable in the show. Belly and Conrad were both mostly just annoying in this book. That being said, it's a very quick and mostly enjoyable read, so I would still recommend it. I'm not sure I would rave about it, though. Unfortunately, there were a couple of problematic moments within the writing. One thing I noticed a couple times was the use of the word "gay" as an insult. The first time, Taylor wants to play truth or dare and when Conrad rejects the idea she says, "Don't be so gay." Jeremiah does go on to criticize her for using the word in that sense, but it is played off in a flirty, cute way without any actual repercussions to Taylor. Later in the book, Belly wants to go skinny dipping with Cam and when he, too, rejects the idea, Belly says "Are you serious?" and in the narration, follows that with, "What I really wanted to say was, Are you gay?" What's worse is that the author doesn't really address how this is problematic and acts like it's a normal thing for a teen to say as an insult, which it shouldn't be. In the show, Jeremiah is bisexual, but I haven't seen any indications of that in the book, so I cannot defend the author for including this not once, but twice. Also, Belly gets mad and leaves Cameron for not wanting to go skinny dipping, and this is how they ultimately split up. This feels too much like an insinuation of breaking up with someone because they don't consent to sexual activities. And there is nothing to indicate that the author recognizes that this, too, is a problem. If you overlook these things, the book is decent. However, I think these small additions are reflective of Jenny Han as a person, which is unfortunate because I loved her work in the TSITP show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Cancer
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
carleyhall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s been a while since I read YA and I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was such an easy read. I can see why others might not be fond of Belly’s character, but I felt she was a realistic portrayal of a girl in her situation coming of age. She made mistakes and was often petty, but where’s the fun in a perfect main character. I want to root for Conrad but I had trouble connecting with him in this book. I hope he’ll be more developed in the future novels. I enjoy how even Jeremiah and Cam had flaws that are realistic to being a boy their age. I’m also looking forward to a closer look at the relationships between Belly, Steven, and their mother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Chronic illness, and Cancer
Minor: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Adult/minor relationship
gracemullender's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Violence, and Terminal illness
its_van_vulpen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cancer, Bullying, Cursing, and Terminal illness
culzean's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
annanandrean's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
i enjoyed reading it, but belly honestly gets annoying sometimes 😭 hopefully she gets more likable in the future books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic friendship, and Chronic illness
rachelreads2006's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Cancer
arys_library's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really loved this book. I picked it up on a whim, it had been sitting on my bookshelf untouched so I just decided to start it. I went into it blind and I’m really glad I did because I feel like if I had watched a TikTok video or looked more into it there would be a chance I wouldn’t have picked it up. Mainly because I don’t read much y/a where the protagonist/narrator is so young (15) talking about her loves. But it was really good and sweet. It made me think back to my fifteen year old self and the writing style was great, it made me slip into the main characters mind so easily, relating to her thoughts and insecurities and worries like all 15 year olds. It was wholesome and cute, and also very interesting how she recounted her crushes and loves like she was an old woman, interesting and possibly not super accurate or relatable to most, being in love with the same person from 10 years old. But I still loved the book and I’ll probably honestly pick up the second.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Cancer, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Cursing, and Infidelity