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millibee's review
5.0
Anything But Fine was honestly EVERYTHING I needed when I picked it up. I devoured this book in one sitting which is something I really never do. It's so strange sometimes, the way that I love books in general so much but then pick up an Australian YA and it immediately feels like I've come home. Our main character, Luca, is special in a way that is completely out of this world. His voice is so real and unique, I knew who he was instantly. His journey through seeing his dreams of being a professional ballet dancer shatter, moving schools and navigating friendships and relationships is something that I could read over and over. Luca's friendship with Amina is something I cherished. I loved how well she was written, that her ethnicity and faith was treated by Tobias Madden with such care and that her interests involved teaching, studying, and One Direction. I would like to dedicate a specific shout out to the term 'old-mate Styles' in reference to the one-and-only Harry Styles. Thank you, Luca, I will never call him anything but this ever again.
Update:
I have also received and listened to the audiobook ARC of the US release thanks to NetGalley!
I was so excited to experience this wonderful book in a new format and the narrator, Matthew Backer, absolutely nailed Luca’s voice! Listening to Luca’s story was so lively and I enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like I connected to Luca’s struggles with letting his dreams go even more and his feelings towards his friends truly hit home when I heard it all out loud. Kudos to both Tobias and Matthew for bringing such a beautiful and, at times, hilarious story into my life.
Update:
I have also received and listened to the audiobook ARC of the US release thanks to NetGalley!
I was so excited to experience this wonderful book in a new format and the narrator, Matthew Backer, absolutely nailed Luca’s voice! Listening to Luca’s story was so lively and I enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like I connected to Luca’s struggles with letting his dreams go even more and his feelings towards his friends truly hit home when I heard it all out loud. Kudos to both Tobias and Matthew for bringing such a beautiful and, at times, hilarious story into my life.
cinnamooney's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
It's just Heartstopper in Ballarat. Which is somehow adorable. I never thought anything in Ballarat could could be adorable.
takingoverthesun's review against another edition
3.75
Trying to review this 2-3 weeks after I finished it wasn’t a good idea because this book was not memorable to me at all. I think my favorite part was the Australian accent in the narration and learning a little bit more about Australia. Also I’m very confused by the cover? To me it doesn’t match physical description of MC at all?
gameboygizmo's review
funny
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? No
4.0
kalliste's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty much what every other review has said: This book is saved only by Amina.
If only the book had been about her and her struggles and not about Luca.
If only the book had been about her and her struggles and not about Luca.
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
Tobias Madden is the king of making books that are compulsively readable. If given the chance, I'd have read this book in one sitting. I read Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell earlier this year and absolutely adored it. I read it in 24 hours -- I simply could not put it down, needing to know what would happen. Anything But Fine managed to take a hold of me the same way.
Luca's story was beautiful. One of redemption, growth, and courage. Heartbreaking, yes -- but also heartwarming. Watching Luca's journey was a delight. Seeing him develop further and further as a human as he found his place in a new life that he did not ask for was touching. And along the way, we had amazing characters like Amanda, Jordan, and Luca's father. Watching his individual relationships with the 3 of them was a true delight.
Despite Luca seeing himself as a horrible human during the third act when everything that could possibly go wrong goes wrong, my heart had so much love for him -- because when all was said and done, he was trying his best and was being so hard on himself. He had an enormous heart, which is what I loved the most about him. When you connect with a protagonist this way, it makes for a different reading experience. And it's the same reason I loved Noah in Tobias' next book -- because you care about what happens to them.
I am such a fan of Tobias' writing and will be eagerly awaiting his 2024 release. If you are looking for a read with both light-heartedness / levity and a healthy dose of emotional impact -- this is your book. Cannot recommend both Anything But Fine AND Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell enough.
"I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror. / It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero."
- Taylor Swift
Luca's story was beautiful. One of redemption, growth, and courage. Heartbreaking, yes -- but also heartwarming. Watching Luca's journey was a delight. Seeing him develop further and further as a human as he found his place in a new life that he did not ask for was touching. And along the way, we had amazing characters like Amanda, Jordan, and Luca's father. Watching his individual relationships with the 3 of them was a true delight.
Despite Luca seeing himself as a horrible human during the third act when everything that could possibly go wrong goes wrong, my heart had so much love for him -- because when all was said and done, he was trying his best and was being so hard on himself. He had an enormous heart, which is what I loved the most about him. When you connect with a protagonist this way, it makes for a different reading experience. And it's the same reason I loved Noah in Tobias' next book -- because you care about what happens to them.
I am such a fan of Tobias' writing and will be eagerly awaiting his 2024 release. If you are looking for a read with both light-heartedness / levity and a healthy dose of emotional impact -- this is your book. Cannot recommend both Anything But Fine AND Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell enough.
"I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror. / It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero."
- Taylor Swift
gullwings's review
emotional
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
3.75