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rinku's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Kate in Waiting was my first read of 2022 and I’m happy that it was this book. The story centres around the theatre kids Kate, Andy, and Matt. Kate and Andy both fall in love with Matt which threatens to tear their yearlong friendship apart.
The plot itself was really cute but a bit predictable. Around the half, I already had the right intuition who would end up with whom, and I was happy by the results. The school life was written so well too, and it just makes you wanna go back to school honestly. Just seeing your friends every day is a luxury you start to appreciate when it’s gone.
I also appreciated how diverse this book is. In fact, I haven’t read a book before that integrates diverse characters so easily. As a writer myself, I admire the way Albertalli does it, so simplistic and natural but not without mentioning the hardships some people have to suffer because of their identity.
Kate was an amazing main character, and it was easy to connect to her. I felt the emotions she had just as strongly, for example her disappointment that only Andy goes into the advanced drama class or when Matt told her that he was gay, and Andy told her that they’re dating. My heart dropped both times because I could feel Kate’s disappointment so intensely. I was to be honest first mad with Andy as well, but I later started to understand his behaviour and that he didn’t want to out Matt without his consent. The only thing here that I didn’t find too realistic is how fast Kate was over Matt . Furthermore, she grows so much in the course of the story and realizes that her way of putting people in different boxes is not the right way to approach other people, especially concerning her brother and Noah. Her insecurity because she was bullied in the past for her singing was depicted great as well.
But the story introduced too many characters and names that I sadly couldn’t completely keep up with who was who. I say sadly, because the authors describe the behaviour of her characters so vividly that you instantly have a picture of them in your head.
Since this was my first novel of this author, it took me some time to get used to <i>Albertalli’s</i> writing style. At the beginning, it was just too much for me. It’s so full of pop cultural references which felt a bit exhausting and overloaded. I had the same feeling with the humour; I smiled a few times while reading this book, so the book was funny, but it tried at some points too hard to be funny and teenager-like.
Still, this was an enjoyable and cute read and I’m eager to read more by the author!
(On an off-topic sidenote, I just watched Super Eyepatch Wolf’s fantastical video about Garfield where he mentions that Garfield is just everywhere, and wouldn’t you know it: Kate’s last name is Garfield. Not gonna lie, I was a bit freaked out by this lmao.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia
darryn_gray's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! I haven't read a book so fast in so long, I found myself nearly instantly falling for the characters and relating to all of them in different ways. This might be my all-time favorite book by Becky Albertalli! It's a very fluffy book that mos of the time leaves you feeling all warm on the inside. Very well written as I felt like I perfectly understood everything going on in not only Kate's mind but also her best friend Anderson's. The friendships felt real and honest.
The chapters are very short and its a very easy read, easily a book you can read in the span of one day, even if you're a slow reader
The chapters are very short and its a very easy read, easily a book you can read in the span of one day, even if you're a slow reader
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Alcohol, Cursing, and Drug use
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
anniefwrites's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was a really fun read! I can't believe I've never read any theater-themed YA novels before this (since I was a theater kid myself) and this one did not disappoint in the drama department (pun intended). I loved the fast pace and the lighthearted energy, though I wish the characters had a bit more conflict and weren't supportive of each other almost all the time just to bring the stakes up a bit. But in general, this was a perfect beach read and a heartwarming, romance-y book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol
stillreadingat4am's review against another edition
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
4.5
This was a real feel-good book!
While it definitely tackles important and heavier topics like bullying, the overall vibe of theater kids just doing their thing was amazing!
As a former theater kid myself, every description of rehearsals and the performance itself was a big ball of nostalgic hugs.
The closeness you feel by being part of a theater group is something I don't often see displayed in books but here it was so well done!
At first I struggled a bit with the characters, not gonna lie. Kate and Andy are very imperfect teenagers and Matt is just some kind of saint we don't learn a lot about. But as the story progressed, I got to know and love them all better. My favourite characters are definitely Ryan, Noah and the both theater teachers but the whole squad has won my heart.
Oh, and did I mention that it's incredibly funny?
While it definitely tackles important and heavier topics like bullying, the overall vibe of theater kids just doing their thing was amazing!
As a former theater kid myself, every description of rehearsals and the performance itself was a big ball of nostalgic hugs.
The closeness you feel by being part of a theater group is something I don't often see displayed in books but here it was so well done!
At first I struggled a bit with the characters, not gonna lie. Kate and Andy are very imperfect teenagers and Matt is just some kind of saint we don't learn a lot about. But as the story progressed, I got to know and love them all better. My favourite characters are definitely Ryan, Noah and the both theater teachers but the whole squad has won my heart.
Oh, and did I mention that it's incredibly funny?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic friendship
debookgeek's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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: Bullying and Transphobia
lennie_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was so FREAKING CUTE I can't cope 😭😭😭
Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for my ARC!
I adored this book.
I love Kate so so much.
The main POV character in this book is not queer, or at least she doesn't mention anything about being queer in the book. Her best friend Anderson is gay and one of her other best friends is trans, her 4th best friend may be on the asexual spectrum but nothing is confirmed. So I technically wouldn't class this book as queer but that's just me.
This book had that undeniable Albertalli wholesome magic and made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Kate & her best friend Anderson often have the same crushes but never do anything about them so it's just a bit of fun. That is until their summer camp joint crush transfers to their school and becomes attainable.
I feel like a lot of drama in this book could've been resolved with simple communication but Albertalli always does friendship and teen drama well.
I love how it kept you on your toes whilst
also being so funny and sweet.
I also loved the Rapunzel references, the theatre club, the musical references etc. (No HP references unlike in her previous books)
And I am obsessed with Kate and who she ends up with (no spoilers here but the quote 'its so fluffy I'm gonna die' definitely feels appropriate!)
This is now my second favourite Albertalli books after Simon vs and if you love sweet YA contemporary romance then you need to pick this up.
This book has gay rep, black rep, Jewish rep and trans rep, as well as divorced parents.
CW: homophobia, divorce, bullying
Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for my ARC!
I adored this book.
I love Kate so so much.
The main POV character in this book is not queer, or at least she doesn't mention anything about being queer in the book. Her best friend Anderson is gay and one of her other best friends is trans, her 4th best friend may be on the asexual spectrum but nothing is confirmed. So I technically wouldn't class this book as queer but that's just me.
This book had that undeniable Albertalli wholesome magic and made me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Kate & her best friend Anderson often have the same crushes but never do anything about them so it's just a bit of fun. That is until their summer camp joint crush transfers to their school and becomes attainable.
I feel like a lot of drama in this book could've been resolved with simple communication but Albertalli always does friendship and teen drama well.
I love how it kept you on your toes whilst
also being so funny and sweet.
I also loved the Rapunzel references, the theatre club, the musical references etc. (No HP references unlike in her previous books)
And I am obsessed with Kate and who she ends up with (no spoilers here but the quote 'its so fluffy I'm gonna die' definitely feels appropriate!)
This is now my second favourite Albertalli books after Simon vs and if you love sweet YA contemporary romance then you need to pick this up.
This book has gay rep, black rep, Jewish rep and trans rep, as well as divorced parents.
CW: homophobia, divorce, bullying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Bullying
crystalmethany's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Bullying
Minor: Transphobia
cosmicsapphic's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Homophobia
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
This book was absolutely adorable to the point that heart eyes were coming out of my face at the end.
This is a story about Kate, who consistently only develops crushes to the same people that her best friend, Anderson has crushes on. But when a camp crush follows them back to school, it turns into something more for both of them and will test their friendship. With the background of a school musical and an adorable friend squad and cast of supporting characters, I absolutely loved this!
I wasn't in love with this instantly. It took me a little while to really enjoy the characters, but once they started growing and developing I liked them more. I loved Noah and thought he was so adorable. I was a little hesitant about the way the theater kids referred to the jocks, but I honestly think they learned that there was more to people by the end, so that ended up being fine!
Anyway, this book was super cute and I loved it!
This is a story about Kate, who consistently only develops crushes to the same people that her best friend, Anderson has crushes on. But when a camp crush follows them back to school, it turns into something more for both of them and will test their friendship. With the background of a school musical and an adorable friend squad and cast of supporting characters, I absolutely loved this!
I wasn't in love with this instantly. It took me a little while to really enjoy the characters, but once they started growing and developing I liked them more. I loved Noah and thought he was so adorable. I was a little hesitant about the way the theater kids referred to the jocks, but I honestly think they learned that there was more to people by the end, so that ended up being fine!
Anyway, this book was super cute and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Drug use