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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
*3.5
The romance and characters of this book were a-ok and exactly what I was looking for in this type of novel, but some things really rubbed me the wrong way and I haven’t seen anybody talk about them so here we go:
1. Elle’s dad, the governor of Kentucky, is someone who gives a voice to the voiceless (supposedly) but also takes huge sums of money from billionaire donors? Ha.
2. The school-to-prison pipeline concept was seemingly thrown in for woke points without a real relevance/significance to the plot. There was never any attempt to dismantle this structure or do anything about it other than point out it’s existence. Also, Drix is white, and there was NO discussion or even mention of how the school-to-prison pipeline disproportionally affects Black and Latinx youth. Overall, a superficial read of the situation that was lacking nuance.
3. Elle’s cousin Henry is in the US Army (and engages in combat), and since this book is contemporary, he must be fighting in the Middle East. Elle thinks he’s “fighting to protect her freedom", but I'm confused about how engaging in proxy wars that have killed and continue to kill thousands of Middle Eastern civilians for oil and profit has anything to do with Americans' "freedom". That's just a cover Americans are fed so the US government has a continued reason to meddle in business that doesn't involve it.
Ultimately, this book missed the mark politically and socially, and would have been better off as a straight up sweet rich girl/reformed bad boy romance.
The romance and characters of this book were a-ok and exactly what I was looking for in this type of novel, but some things really rubbed me the wrong way and I haven’t seen anybody talk about them so here we go:
1. Elle’s dad, the governor of Kentucky, is someone who gives a voice to the voiceless (supposedly) but also takes huge sums of money from billionaire donors? Ha.
2. The school-to-prison pipeline concept was seemingly thrown in for woke points without a real relevance/significance to the plot. There was never any attempt to dismantle this structure or do anything about it other than point out it’s existence. Also, Drix is white, and there was NO discussion or even mention of how the school-to-prison pipeline disproportionally affects Black and Latinx youth. Overall, a superficial read of the situation that was lacking nuance.
3. Elle’s cousin Henry is in the US Army (and engages in combat), and since this book is contemporary, he must be fighting in the Middle East. Elle thinks he’s “fighting to protect her freedom", but I'm confused about how engaging in proxy wars that have killed and continue to kill thousands of Middle Eastern civilians for oil and profit has anything to do with Americans' "freedom". That's just a cover Americans are fed so the US government has a continued reason to meddle in business that doesn't involve it.
Ultimately, this book missed the mark politically and socially, and would have been better off as a straight up sweet rich girl/reformed bad boy romance.
I’m always excited for a new Katie McGarry book and this one does not disappoint. Bonus, we’re finally out of the motorcycle club - definitely not my favorite culture. This book is still in Kentucky, of course but it’s back in the city. After having read so many of McGarry’s stories, they now give me the most pleasant sense of nostalgia. She writes the struggling, misunderstood boy without a lot of money but who has a close found family, paired with the wealthy girl who has difficult parents, so well. I loved Drix and Elle so much. Their connection is obvious and the way they support and encourage each other’s strengths was so sweet to see. I couldn’t stand Elle’s parents, but I loved watching her stand up for herself and become her own person. And I just wanted all the best things for Drix. The ending of this book is sweet and happy without perfecting fixing everything , and I wouldn’t mind companions from these characters.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: stand-alone (companions?)
Spoiler
oh, Thor *sobs*Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: stand-alone (companions?)
3 1/2 stars. I don't typically read YA, but when I do, it's a Katie McGarry book. Say You'll Remember Me was as compulsively readable as her other books, but I didn't enjoy it as much. I won't nitpick too much because I enjoy Katie McGarry's books, but it didn't have the same magic as the Thunder Road series. I didn't lose track of time while reading this book, and the story didn't leap off the pages like her other novels.
After thinking on my review and rating for a couple of days and recently finishing 'Crash Into You' I definitely think this is a 4 Star rating book.
I'm left absolutely floored by Say You'll Remember Me. Katie McGarry has written a novel that strips back characteristics of a person so they can truly see who they're meant to be. Elle and Drix are lost souls who find solace together, their love empowering them to make change.
I'm left absolutely floored by Say You'll Remember Me. Katie McGarry has written a novel that strips back characteristics of a person so they can truly see who they're meant to be. Elle and Drix are lost souls who find solace together, their love empowering them to make change.
3.5 stars
The themes of this novel were excellent, I just wish the characters were just as excellent.
(school-to-prison pipeline, there are no good politicians, moral dilemmas, making your own decisions and not letting others rule your life, etc.)
Also if I had to hear ONE MORE TIME about how Elle was "wearing her fake smile and those contacts that made her eyes a little bluer" I WAS GOING TO L-O-S-E LOSE IT.
The themes of this novel were excellent, I just wish the characters were just as excellent.
(school-to-prison pipeline, there are no good politicians, moral dilemmas, making your own decisions and not letting others rule your life, etc.)
Also if I had to hear ONE MORE TIME about how Elle was "wearing her fake smile and those contacts that made her eyes a little bluer" I WAS GOING TO L-O-S-E LOSE IT.
I should probably just make it official and tell you McGarry is my favorite contemporary teen writer. I haven't read a book by her I didn't like, couldn't put down. So why should this one have been different? It wasn't!
No shocker she fleshes out her characters so well you feel they are your friends or family. No surprise her writing flows so well you can't find a decent stopping point when you're Kindle is hitting you in the face in bed! No surprise you cry some, laugh some, and have those totally sighing moments and none of them make you want to stop reading.
Drix and Elle are great characters. Drix is this tough exterior with that squishy interior. And Elle is what looks like a push over exterior that turns into a tougher personality than you thought (just listen to the words that cross her lips). But mostly they are just a great mesh together. His hard to her soft. Her snarky to his serious. So much harbored emotion and raw courage from both.
The story itself is tragic: young boy does time for a crime he didn't commit and falls for the privileged girl he doesn't think he deserves; young girl wants to be independent but is ruled by a dominating set of parents and wants to be with a boy she knows they will never accept. This has teen angst written all over it. And, yet, McGarry doesn't do angst. She does emotion and heart wrenching twists. She does characters who look deep into their souls but don't always feel they have what it takes to take what they want. And she does teens who come to grips with becoming independent and standing up for what they feel is right and what they want.
Will I say this is my favorite book by McGarry? No, I cannot betray West and Haley. But I can say McGarry has no issue with sucking me into her stories and keeping me there. With making me feel like I cannot possibly stop reading because I just have to know what happens next. I look forward to more stories that pull me into the trenches, throw me around a bit, and have some sunshine on the other side.
I want to thank InkSlinger and Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
No shocker she fleshes out her characters so well you feel they are your friends or family. No surprise her writing flows so well you can't find a decent stopping point when you're Kindle is hitting you in the face in bed! No surprise you cry some, laugh some, and have those totally sighing moments and none of them make you want to stop reading.
Drix and Elle are great characters. Drix is this tough exterior with that squishy interior. And Elle is what looks like a push over exterior that turns into a tougher personality than you thought (just listen to the words that cross her lips). But mostly they are just a great mesh together. His hard to her soft. Her snarky to his serious. So much harbored emotion and raw courage from both.
The story itself is tragic: young boy does time for a crime he didn't commit and falls for the privileged girl he doesn't think he deserves; young girl wants to be independent but is ruled by a dominating set of parents and wants to be with a boy she knows they will never accept. This has teen angst written all over it. And, yet, McGarry doesn't do angst. She does emotion and heart wrenching twists. She does characters who look deep into their souls but don't always feel they have what it takes to take what they want. And she does teens who come to grips with becoming independent and standing up for what they feel is right and what they want.
Will I say this is my favorite book by McGarry? No, I cannot betray West and Haley. But I can say McGarry has no issue with sucking me into her stories and keeping me there. With making me feel like I cannot possibly stop reading because I just have to know what happens next. I look forward to more stories that pull me into the trenches, throw me around a bit, and have some sunshine on the other side.
I want to thank InkSlinger and Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
Say You'll Remember Me is a gut wrenching raw tale of second chances. Let me just say that this would have been a 4.5 or 5 star read for me but there is an incident in the plot that is one of those subjects that as a reader I avoid because it is something I can't take. Besides for this incident, I loved everything about this book. Seeing Hendrix rise above the life he was born into. That just because you are born into a certain situation doesn't mean you have to let it become you and that you can fight to overcome it. The growth in both Hendrix, learning that he isn't his father and he can veer from the path of destruction he was on before going to jail, and Elle coming out of pretty much the dictatorship that is her parents, was beautiful.
Katie McGarry does her romances so well. this was exactly what i wanted from it.
Absolutely stunning and breathtaking novel! I couldn't put it down until I've read the last page! I can relate the feelings of main characters, the writing of Katiee McGarry is sooo good!! First of all I thought this book would be a little bit cliche, but honestly, I adored it and would reread it soon.