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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Fresh off a heart break Olivia needs to clear her mind and she thinks going to a festival will solve clear her head. She has a great idea go spend some time away from her hometown by going to a music festival for 3 days. She finds a way to drag her best friend along but she has one stipulation. Olivia cannot dive into a new relationship during their 3 days trip. Olivia agrees and then we are taken on a ride through their adventure.
✨What I liked✨
I haven’t read many books that focused on friendship themes so this was a breath of fresh air. It was good to learn about how these young women dealt with the loss of a parent, nonconsensual image sharing, bullying and romantic relationship struggles. The part I loved most was the bit in the book about how some teens are not really sure what they want to do after Highschool but are sometimes forced into what their parents think is the right path for them. I think the author shed light on how it’s okay to not know and to pursue your passion.
✨What I liked✨
I haven’t read many books that focused on friendship themes so this was a breath of fresh air. It was good to learn about how these young women dealt with the loss of a parent, nonconsensual image sharing, bullying and romantic relationship struggles. The part I loved most was the bit in the book about how some teens are not really sure what they want to do after Highschool but are sometimes forced into what their parents think is the right path for them. I think the author shed light on how it’s okay to not know and to pursue your passion.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
another leah johnson w
This is a contemporary YA about friendship and trauma and learning about yourself and building confidence in that person. The setting of a fictional music festival in Georgia feels both familiar and fresh. It’s funny and heartfelt, touches on important topics like gun violence and social media, and still maintains a positive mood.
reflective
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
TWS: Shooting, revenge porn
I don’t know how I feel about rise to the sun, I really like it, but also dislike a couple things? I cannot say I was disappointed or anything like that because I really knew nothing about this book before reading. All I knew it was queer… I read you should see me in the crown by this author and really liked, so I just went into this one blindly.
The story is told from two povs, Olivia and Toni. The book takes place in 3 days and at a music festival. I loved the setting. The whole music festival vibe was immaculate. Leah Johnson managed to capture the atmosphere of a music festival amazingly. The human connections and the power of life music were written incredibly.
The characters on the other hand, I don’t really know what to think of them. Toni and Peter, I absolutely adored, but Imani and Olivia just kind of icked me. However I did enjoy Toni and Olivia together. They just clicked, I do feel like their relationship seemed a bit rushed, considering all this happens within 3 days and I don’t believe someone can form that good of a connection with another person so quickly, I’d be happy to be proven wrong. (;
The pacing of the book was really good up until the end, I loved the happy, big gesture, ending but leading up to the last scene every thing happened so fast I could barely keep up.
All the negative things aside I still really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
I listened to the audiobook.
3.5* A lovely f/f contemporary about love, friendship and the magic of live music.
Although I didn't adore this quite as much as Leah Johnson's debut, I'm still so excited about her writing and story telling. She writes in a way that makes you instantly care about what she has to say and fly through her books with comfort and ease.
TW: gun violence
Although I didn't adore this quite as much as Leah Johnson's debut, I'm still so excited about her writing and story telling. She writes in a way that makes you instantly care about what she has to say and fly through her books with comfort and ease.
TW: gun violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Minor: Mass/school shootings
They think there is a shooting but it turns out to be a false alarm
3.5 stars. This didn't quite have the humor I enjoyed in You Should See Me in a Crown, but I still enjoyed the setting and the romance was cute, even if Olivia's character is kind of oblivious and infuriating at times. :)