Scan barcode
eriley's review
4.0
I was a fan of this. It was deep in a not-deep way, and I appreciate that. If you start reading this book and are like, "What kind of absolute bullshit..." then you are not alone, the main character is right there with you, haha. By the end of this book, things make sense. Sort of. I mean, this book is pretty much about death. So there's no way that it can make sense. But I really like the way that Ormsbee takes a big idea and includes it in a YA novel and by the end you don't feel like you've been through hell and you don't feel like you have an answer, because that's life. Honestly, I feel like this is the sort of book I would want to write?? It's not life changing or anything, but it's enjoyable and heartfelt and real. Super super good. Looking forward to her next one.
cameesreads's review
4.0
This book started out great. Plenty of diversity - homeschooled characters, a narrator with Type I diabetes, a disfigured love interest, and even a pair of lesbian moms. The writing was fresh and witty, and I flew through the book in a weekend. It still fell prey to plenty of YA tropes though, and the ending was just OK. There was so much stuff going on throughout the story, so maybe that was why the last few chapters left much to be desired. I still love how the author wrote and will be on the look out for anymore of her books in the future.
samwlabb's review
4.0
"Stevie, Max, and Sanger: keeping Austin weird."
I always associate Austin with being this quirky place, and so, I feel it was the perfect backdrop for this lovely story of friendship, first love, and accepting that some things are out of our control, while we can fight for others.
As I said, this story covers quite a few things, but for me, the heart of this book was the friendship between Stevie and Sanger. They were super tight, ride-or-die friends, and their affection and dedication to each other was a beautiful thing.
You know I was all over the sweet and endearing romance that was in play, but I also loved the dynamic between all the characters. I found them funny and interesting and couldn't wait to see what they would do next. I also found them very real and honest, and their interactions were always worth witnessing.
Overall: a fun, interesting, and thought provoking story filled with great characters, which both warmed and broke my heart.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
I always associate Austin with being this quirky place, and so, I feel it was the perfect backdrop for this lovely story of friendship, first love, and accepting that some things are out of our control, while we can fight for others.
As I said, this story covers quite a few things, but for me, the heart of this book was the friendship between Stevie and Sanger. They were super tight, ride-or-die friends, and their affection and dedication to each other was a beautiful thing.
You know I was all over the sweet and endearing romance that was in play, but I also loved the dynamic between all the characters. I found them funny and interesting and couldn't wait to see what they would do next. I also found them very real and honest, and their interactions were always worth witnessing.
Overall: a fun, interesting, and thought provoking story filled with great characters, which both warmed and broke my heart.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
bookwormmichelle's review
5.0
This was a delightful and funny story of two homeschooled girls who befriend a young man who wants to stage his death 23 times as therapy for a near-death experience. I couldn't help loving Stevie and Sanger. Read this out loud with my 16yo to the enjoyment of all. :-)
serendipitysbooks's review
3.0
This was okay for a quick, light entertaining read. Perhaps if I was in the intendend age range I would have appreciated it more. I'm probably getting jaded but these characters seemed indistinguishable from any others I've recently read in realistic YA. Its almost like people are writing to the same formula. This book isn't bad - but I doubt I'll remember it in a few week. It did get major points for portraying a realistic diversity within the homeschooling community.
astarlia's review
This book is just completely solid. I really enjoy all the characters and their interactions. Very much a friendship focussed book which is my fav <3
kellyhager's review
5.0
This book was exactly what I needed. I knew immediately that it would become a new favorite of mine, and it did.
Okay, first, as you may be able to glean from the synopsis, this is a dark comedy. It's not super dark, but there are a lot of fake deaths. (And a few real emergencies---not a spoiler; it's in the synopsis.)
I love Stevie (and the fact that her best friend Sanger calls her "Nicks"). Actually, Nicks and Sanger are my favorite part of this book. They're pop culture savvy (especially Sanger, who has a love of cinema that rivals my own) and their friendship is the actual definition of #squadgoals (at least for me).
And of course there's Stevie and Max. I love their relationship, too; it's sweet and also incredibly funny. It's the definition of "imperfect people who are perfect together."
I loved every single thing---literally---about this book. Highly recommended.
Okay, first, as you may be able to glean from the synopsis, this is a dark comedy. It's not super dark, but there are a lot of fake deaths. (And a few real emergencies---not a spoiler; it's in the synopsis.)
I love Stevie (and the fact that her best friend Sanger calls her "Nicks"). Actually, Nicks and Sanger are my favorite part of this book. They're pop culture savvy (especially Sanger, who has a love of cinema that rivals my own) and their friendship is the actual definition of #squadgoals (at least for me).
And of course there's Stevie and Max. I love their relationship, too; it's sweet and also incredibly funny. It's the definition of "imperfect people who are perfect together."
I loved every single thing---literally---about this book. Highly recommended.
More...