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forestthing's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
This is a story about healing, forgiving and finding back to one another, and most of all it is a story about friendship and a passion for music. The story is told through 4 perspectives but I feel like it was well balanced. Often books with multiple perspectives lack depth in the characters and even though sometimes I felt like I would've liked more from Dia, Jules and Hanna, the reader still gets to know them well enough.
The writing style felt very natural and I was really immersed in this story, so far as I was actually curious if they'd make it past the first round of the context, completely forgetting I was reading a book and not experiencing real life. I fell in love with the characters and hurt with them. Even though I cried for Hanna the most I felt so sorry for all of them. They all lived through difficult and traumatic experiences at such a young age and to be honest, especially with Dia I just wanted to bring up therapy with her. I think the reason Hanna's story made me cry the most was the frustration I felt on her behalf when it came to her parents.
This book is a safe re-read for future me, and I look forward to hanging out with Wildfire again.
The writing style felt very natural and I was really immersed in this story, so far as I was actually curious if they'd make it past the first round of the context, completely forgetting I was reading a book and not experiencing real life. I fell in love with the characters and hurt with them. Even though I cried for Hanna the most I felt so sorry for all of them. They all lived through difficult and traumatic experiences at such a young age and to be honest, especially with Dia I just wanted to bring up therapy with her. I think the reason Hanna's story made me cry the most was the frustration I felt on her behalf when it came to her parents.
This book is a safe re-read for future me, and I look forward to hanging out with Wildfire again.
mk_pagano's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a fun read! Each of the main characters is incredibly well-drawn--the author was able to capture the unique personalities and struggles of each girl so well. I liked the romances in this book, but the best thing was how the friendships are the most important relationships here -- the romances are really more side plots. Not enough YA does this. I also love how Rebecca is able to take complex, heavy stuff -- death, addiction, heartbreak -- have the characters go through it, and ultimately end up in such hopeful places. (She does this in her last book, too.) And the stuff about the music scene was just plain fun. Read this book for a pick-me-up, it will not disappoint!
jdemarest's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely story of friendship and growth. I really loved how complex each character was. Rebecca really took the time to develop their individual storylines and weave them seamlessly into the primary thread.
elyana's review against another edition
4.0
Spoiler
Le livre se concentre sur 3 jeunes femmes de 18 ans :bookmarvel's review against another edition
5.0
They’re just girls who mess up and try again and try and be better and they’re doing great and I love them so much
meganriner's review against another edition
4.0
All I want to do is fangirl about this book to everyone nearest me. My cat is sick of hearing about it. I LOVED taking this ride with Hanna, Dia, and Jules and I just really want to get an update on their lives. This book was everything - real teenage problems mixed with love and friendship and happiness and music. It just made my heart so light.
lesbrary's review against another edition
4.0
Who doesn’t love a “getting the band back together” book, especially when it’s literal? . . . The three of them have a lot to work through, but I was relieved to see that they do talk about their problems. They air their grievances in a reasonable time frame–this isn’t one of those “Why don’t they just talk??” books where the only conflict is miscommunication. The problem is that they have a lot to work through, and it takes time, and more than just one conversation. They have to keep bumping up against these ghosts from the past and processing it again. I loved the realism of their relationships with each other, which are flawed and difficult, but also are the grounding forces in their lives.
. . . I highly recommend this to anyone. I appreciated how layered and complex the relationships all are here, and I felt like I really got to know Hanna, Jules, and Dia. There’s also, of course, the thread of music running through, which is what they are all passionate about, so there’s another entry point into this story. Also, there’s an adorable toddler who is a fan of a dog named Waffles, so what more could you want? Of course, this whole review is for naught, because you should all be picking it up based on that gorgeous cover alone.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
. . . I highly recommend this to anyone. I appreciated how layered and complex the relationships all are here, and I felt like I really got to know Hanna, Jules, and Dia. There’s also, of course, the thread of music running through, which is what they are all passionate about, so there’s another entry point into this story. Also, there’s an adorable toddler who is a fan of a dog named Waffles, so what more could you want? Of course, this whole review is for naught, because you should all be picking it up based on that gorgeous cover alone.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
menshevixen's review against another edition
5.0
It's not overstating things to say that I'm obsessed with this book. Rebecca Barrow's sophomore offering has more of what we all loved about [b:You Don't Know Me but I Know You|33293040|You Don't Know Me but I Know You|Rebecca Barrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496273591s/33293040.jpg|49250164] (intense female friendships! familial Realness! queer girls of color!), dialed up with creative heartbreak, resilient dreams, and rainbow-haired swooniness. If you love girl bands, this book is for you. If you can't resist resourceful, even-keeled Mom Friends finally getting the big dramatic kiss with a dreamboat, this book is for you. If you're hungry for thoughtful representation of different kinds of teenagehood and different experiences of family, this book is absolutely for you.
Girls kissing girls. Girls kissing boys. Girls loving one another fiercely, in a myriad ways; girls building new relationships out of ash and out of green grass; girls creating themselves and changing their worlds on the way. Rebecca Barrow is one of my favorite voices in YA for a lot of reasons, but a big one is that her books aren't in a hurry. They unfurl like a time-lapse video of flower buds, beautiful and captivating. This Is What It Feels Like is a fantastic entry into the contemporary canon of youth literature, a pensive and humorous slice-of-life story with something for everyone, whether you're here for romance, family ties, or personal growth.
Girls kissing girls. Girls kissing boys. Girls loving one another fiercely, in a myriad ways; girls building new relationships out of ash and out of green grass; girls creating themselves and changing their worlds on the way. Rebecca Barrow is one of my favorite voices in YA for a lot of reasons, but a big one is that her books aren't in a hurry. They unfurl like a time-lapse video of flower buds, beautiful and captivating. This Is What It Feels Like is a fantastic entry into the contemporary canon of youth literature, a pensive and humorous slice-of-life story with something for everyone, whether you're here for romance, family ties, or personal growth.
manaledi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great feel good story about friendship and dreams and overcoming setbacks.
hayli's review
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Death, and Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident, Cursing, and Death