Scan barcode
sarahangeline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Adorable, rivals to lovers, ya,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Violence
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
I listened to the audiobook on Libby and loved it - I highly recommend this format. :)
I deeply related to Rowan, because I have a tendency to hyperfixate on things, like reading, writing reviews, or making bookish content, that I essentially have tunnel vision, and lose sight of everything else. Graduating senior, Salutatorian Rowan Roth has this issue during her senior year, in being so laser-focused on competing with her longtime academic rival Neil McNair, that she doesn't make time to meaningfully interact with her best friends and inevitably feels left behind and isolated. She is navigating wistful feelings about the costs to the opportunities that she sought out, and agrees to work alongside Neil for Howl, a senior game which takes place after the last day of school! Forced proximity with a splash of "it's-always-been-you" will have you swooning by the very end!
I love how RLS weaves in such fantastic Jewish representation in her books, and this one is no different. Rowan discusses the microaggressions and overt antisemitism she has experienced, and it's again an example of people claiming they are allies but still missing the mark and fumbling. I loved the magic in Rowan realizing she found a new friend who could relate to her experiences, because there's truly no better feeling than being validated and affirmed that the comments and behaviors others have displayed were egregious.
I also enjoyed the commentary on the internalized misogyny that young women have too! Rowan is so scared of telling her best friends that romance is her favorite genre, and that she wants to go meet her favorite author. This is so wholesome, because I can only imagine being 17 or 18 and loving romance. When I was 17 and 18, I was absolutely & embarrassingly inoculated with "pick me"/"cool girl" syndrome, so I didn't think her friends were villains either -it's a product of being raised in a patriarchy that belittles everything femmes love. Rowan also is weary of telling love interests about this, because she hates dealing with the aftermath of either having to justify/explain herself, and/or realizing this is just another boy who is not worth it. It's disheartening, and I think all romance readers can relate!
One last thing that I appreciated was Rowan highlighting how romance novels helped her to be sex positive, and to be able to communicate about sex and birth control with her parents and her friends. Romance is so powerful yall.
Anyway, the entire premise of the Howl game being the force that allows Rowan and Neil to let their guards down and actually get to know the other was pure genius. I ate it up!!! It sounded like so much fun, and I'd love to join a scavenger hunt like this! RLS has another hit with this one, and I will continue to read anything she writes!
cw: antisemitism, car accident, drug use, mention of incarcerated parent, mention of physical violence, sexual content (fade-to-black/closed door)
I listened to the audiobook on Libby and loved it - I highly recommend this format. :)
I deeply related to Rowan, because I have a tendency to hyperfixate on things, like reading, writing reviews, or making bookish content, that I essentially have tunnel vision, and lose sight of everything else. Graduating senior, Salutatorian Rowan Roth has this issue during her senior year, in being so laser-focused on competing with her longtime academic rival Neil McNair, that she doesn't make time to meaningfully interact with her best friends and inevitably feels left behind and isolated. She is navigating wistful feelings about the costs to the opportunities that she sought out, and agrees to work alongside Neil for Howl, a senior game which takes place after the last day of school! Forced proximity with a splash of "it's-always-been-you" will have you swooning by the very end!
I love how RLS weaves in such fantastic Jewish representation in her books, and this one is no different. Rowan discusses the microaggressions and overt antisemitism she has experienced, and it's again an example of people claiming they are allies but still missing the mark and fumbling. I loved the magic in Rowan realizing she found a new friend who could relate to her experiences, because there's truly no better feeling than being validated and affirmed that the comments and behaviors others have displayed were egregious.
I also enjoyed the commentary on the internalized misogyny that young women have too! Rowan is so scared of telling her best friends that romance is her favorite genre, and that she wants to go meet her favorite author. This is so wholesome, because I can only imagine being 17 or 18 and loving romance. When I was 17 and 18, I was absolutely & embarrassingly inoculated with "pick me"/"cool girl" syndrome, so I didn't think her friends were villains either -it's a product of being raised in a patriarchy that belittles everything femmes love. Rowan also is weary of telling love interests about this, because she hates dealing with the aftermath of either having to justify/explain herself, and/or realizing this is just another boy who is not worth it. It's disheartening, and I think all romance readers can relate!
One last thing that I appreciated was Rowan highlighting how romance novels helped her to be sex positive, and to be able to communicate about sex and birth control with her parents and her friends. Romance is so powerful yall.
Anyway, the entire premise of the Howl game being the force that allows Rowan and Neil to let their guards down and actually get to know the other was pure genius. I ate it up!!! It sounded like so much fun, and I'd love to join a scavenger hunt like this! RLS has another hit with this one, and I will continue to read anything she writes!
cw: antisemitism, car accident, drug use, mention of incarcerated parent, mention of physical violence, sexual content (fade-to-black/closed door)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Antisemitism, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Violence
yumaa's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Violence
Minor: Car accident
m4rtt4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
probably the best contemporary romance novel I've ever read — like Neil, I'm not an avid enjoyer of the genre either, but it does please me to find a good love story every now and then. As someone who has always prioritized her GPA above all else, this book hit a little too close to home.. nevertheless, I enjoyed it, because what is better than enemies to lovers? Enemies to lovers but make it academic <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Violence, and Drug use
torimc's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Violence
abbeyroad1410's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Honestly, this book is fantastic. It's fun and easy to read with dynamic characters and a fun subplot of the game, Howl.
Neil is a fantastically complex character who quickly becomes likeable. The story with his dad is heartbreaking and makes his strive for greatness easier to understand. Honestly, one of my biggest problems with the book is Rowan using this trauma against him. She was forgiven much too fast for saying something like that. Additionally, his friend group is clearly very close, and it is nice to see male friendship depicted in such a vulnerable way.
It was also nice to see Rowan's Jewish and Mexican upbringing explored, especially focusing on how Rowan's life was influenced by others' perceptions of Judaism.
If you have issues with an overused miscommunication trope, I would suggest avoiding this book because the lack of communication between characters is shocking and frustrating. Additionally, I at times struggled keeping track of whose name Rowan had in the game of Howl which drove me nuts towards the end. When the heck did she get Brady's name?
Overall, this is an enjoyable novel and is great if you want a lot of playful banner and a lowkey version of an enemies to lovers romance.
Neil is a fantastically complex character who quickly becomes likeable. The story with his dad is heartbreaking and makes his strive for greatness easier to understand.
It was also nice to see Rowan's Jewish and Mexican upbringing explored, especially focusing on how Rowan's life was influenced by others' perceptions of Judaism.
If you have issues with an overused miscommunication trope, I would suggest avoiding this book because the lack of communication between characters is shocking and frustrating. Additionally, I at times struggled keeping track of whose name Rowan had in the game of Howl which drove me nuts towards the end.
Overall, this is an enjoyable novel and is great if you want a lot of playful banner and a lowkey version of an enemies to lovers romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Violence
martapsalvado's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The middle of the book was almost a 5 star read, the beggining and ending was probably a 3.75/4.
Books that take place in a single day, for me, are a double edged sword, because they are usually very fast paced and keep me interested, but at the same time they don't leave much room for character development and the plot can seem rushed and a little hard to believe.
Nevertheless, I loved the main characters in this book, their chemistry and the discussions about romance (and children's!!) books being real and important like any other genres. The book snobs are shaking.
Books that take place in a single day, for me, are a double edged sword, because they are usually very fast paced and keep me interested, but at the same time they don't leave much room for character development and the plot can seem rushed and a little hard to believe.
Nevertheless, I loved the main characters in this book, their chemistry and the discussions about romance (and children's!!) books being real and important like any other genres. The book snobs are shaking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Misogyny and Violence
phoebees's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Violence, Car accident, and Child abuse
thatswhatmegread's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a really vulnerable read, had great character development, absolutely loved the Jewish representation included, the fact sex was openly discussed (MCs are 18) and treated as a completely normal thing. Loved the focus on friendship, being fearless in talking about what we like/what we want to do, overcoming hardships, and giving ourselves grace when the outcome looks different than expected. Really loved this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Violence, and Bullying