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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. It did what it supposed to do well. Showing a friendship that didn't work whatsoever and the friends trying to make it work. However it wasn't my thing and I didn't enjoy the characters enough to get invested. Was about to DNF it a few times
tiffanycase's review against another edition
5.0
Rachel has done it again in her second book. Simply put, words cannot describe how realistic this felt. The character arcs are flawless. The portrayal of the LGBT and Jewish community: perfection in a bottle. The pacing, purple prose, and distinct voice of each character: ALL FANTASTIC.
If I could give it 100 stars, I would. Really well-written, Rachel!
If I could give it 100 stars, I would. Really well-written, Rachel!
sarahlopod's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This review can also be found on my blog.
I had honestly expected this to be a more emotionally piercing book than it ended up being. The themes here are so deep, and complicated. This book follows Sophie and Peter over the course of a year, starting just before Sophie donates her kidney to Peter, who was born with failing organs. The relationship between the two is complicated to begin with, so this exchange only serves to muddy the waters further.
There is a lot to love about this book, and plenty of rep: more than a handful of lgbtq characters, two Jewish protagonists, and a biracial love interest. Sophie’s sister is a teen mom, and she herself is dyslexic. The story is an important one and encompasses a plethora of issues; there’s really something for everyone. At its base, it’s a story about the relationships between people and how they change, which I think anyone can relate to.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe super well with it. It was well-written, the premise was interesting, and I appreciated a lot of the things it discussed. It just didn’t reach to a deeper level. I didn’t get that spark I feel with other books. As I said to begin with, I was expecting much more of an emotional connection that I just didn’t get. I felt sort of distanced from the characters, through no fault of the author. This book just wasn’t for me, for whatever reason.
Regardless, I highly recommend it if it’s of interest to you! I think this is yet another book that’s important for young adults and I’m glad it was written. I’m certain there are readers who will just adore this, I just wasn’t one of them.
This review can also be found on my blog.
I had honestly expected this to be a more emotionally piercing book than it ended up being. The themes here are so deep, and complicated. This book follows Sophie and Peter over the course of a year, starting just before Sophie donates her kidney to Peter, who was born with failing organs. The relationship between the two is complicated to begin with, so this exchange only serves to muddy the waters further.
There is a lot to love about this book, and plenty of rep: more than a handful of lgbtq characters, two Jewish protagonists, and a biracial love interest. Sophie’s sister is a teen mom, and she herself is dyslexic. The story is an important one and encompasses a plethora of issues; there’s really something for everyone. At its base, it’s a story about the relationships between people and how they change, which I think anyone can relate to.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t vibe super well with it. It was well-written, the premise was interesting, and I appreciated a lot of the things it discussed. It just didn’t reach to a deeper level. I didn’t get that spark I feel with other books. As I said to begin with, I was expecting much more of an emotional connection that I just didn’t get. I felt sort of distanced from the characters, through no fault of the author. This book just wasn’t for me, for whatever reason.
Regardless, I highly recommend it if it’s of interest to you! I think this is yet another book that’s important for young adults and I’m glad it was written. I’m certain there are readers who will just adore this, I just wasn’t one of them.
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
5.0
04/16/2018: That description is perfect. Sophie and Peter and Chase and Tabitha and Luna and Josh and the entire cast will steal your heart. This book, like Rachel's debut, deals with intense love, debts, and high school dramallama. It will be perfect for fans of her debut (DUH), but also for fans of [a:Siobhan Vivian|800187|Siobhan Vivian|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447441386p2/800187.jpg] and [a:Corey Ann Haydu|5414574|Corey Ann Haydu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1462801584p2/5414574.jpg].
01/06/2018: What a book. Rach's characters never cease to amaze me. <3
I am lucky enough to be Rachel's critique partner and have read many drafts of this book.
It is also dual point of view (I'm sensing a trend here, Rach...) about two best friends, obsession, love, and a kidney transplant. It is ALSO LGBTQIA+!!!! And diverse! The points of view are Alex, a Jewish redhead who is on her school's dance team, who gives her kidney to her BFF/long time crush, Peter (the other POV in this book). This book deals with family and Seattle (again, sensing a theme here), and love. Also bad decisions. SUPER BAD DECISIONS. You should read it in 2019.
01/06/2018: What a book. Rach's characters never cease to amaze me. <3
I am lucky enough to be Rachel's critique partner and have read many drafts of this book.
It is also dual point of view (I'm sensing a trend here, Rach...) about two best friends, obsession, love, and a kidney transplant. It is ALSO LGBTQIA+!!!! And diverse! The points of view are Alex, a Jewish redhead who is on her school's dance team, who gives her kidney to her BFF/long time crush, Peter (the other POV in this book). This book deals with family and Seattle (again, sensing a theme here), and love. Also bad decisions. SUPER BAD DECISIONS. You should read it in 2019.
becsbookshelf's review
3.0
“Sometimes you hurt, and sometimes you ache, but the worst pain is one you can’t put a name to AJ’s can’t swallow a pill to fix it.”
Sophie has only ever wanted to hang out with her best friend Peter and choreograph. Peter has been on the kidney transplant list as long as she’s know him. When she discovers she’s a match she convinces her parents to go ahead with the operation.
Maybe giving him apart of her will make him fall in love with her the way she sees him. Peter’s life changed dramatically and his post surgery life wasn’t what he expected it to be. Peter identity’s ad Bi and when he meets chase the guitar player he begins to neglect his best friend.
While it gives Sophie more time to focus on dancing the two can see their friendship is slowly growing apart. Peter fears he’ll always owe Sophie and Sophie doesn’t know who she’ll be without him. It’s a story of love, friendships, heartbreak, family, firsts and self discovery.
This has been on my TBR for far too long. The story was beautiful and portrays so many diverse topics including gender, sexual preference, teen pregnancy and religion. I’d l recommend this for late teens and anyone who loves a unique coming of age story.
Sophie has only ever wanted to hang out with her best friend Peter and choreograph. Peter has been on the kidney transplant list as long as she’s know him. When she discovers she’s a match she convinces her parents to go ahead with the operation.
Maybe giving him apart of her will make him fall in love with her the way she sees him. Peter’s life changed dramatically and his post surgery life wasn’t what he expected it to be. Peter identity’s ad Bi and when he meets chase the guitar player he begins to neglect his best friend.
While it gives Sophie more time to focus on dancing the two can see their friendship is slowly growing apart. Peter fears he’ll always owe Sophie and Sophie doesn’t know who she’ll be without him. It’s a story of love, friendships, heartbreak, family, firsts and self discovery.
This has been on my TBR for far too long. The story was beautiful and portrays so many diverse topics including gender, sexual preference, teen pregnancy and religion. I’d l recommend this for late teens and anyone who loves a unique coming of age story.
katelynjaynexx's review
4.0
Peter and Sophie are best friends, Peter needs a kidney and Sophie would do anything for him. She gives Peter a chance to live a normal life but it creates some unexpected changes in their relationship.
This book is a bit of a roller coaster, it deals with illness, sexuality, religion, identity, love and co-dependant friendships.
Written in dual POV this book was as good as it was frustrating. I felt for Sophie the entire book, she was so eager to do absolutely anything for Peter she couldn’t see how it wasn’t healthy or constructive for her own life. I know this happens but it was frustrating to see she was giving up everything else just because she loves him and they have such a long friendship.
As much as this book is about their friendship and unrequited love it’s also about their individual growth. Whilst some YA books can be rushed this one is not and the characters and stories seemed like real teenagers and real issues they would deal with. I highly recommend this one if you’re into a deeper YA story.
I honestly picked this book up because I adored the cover and was so pleasantly surprised to find such a wonderful book.
This book is a bit of a roller coaster, it deals with illness, sexuality, religion, identity, love and co-dependant friendships.
Written in dual POV this book was as good as it was frustrating. I felt for Sophie the entire book, she was so eager to do absolutely anything for Peter she couldn’t see how it wasn’t healthy or constructive for her own life. I know this happens but it was frustrating to see she was giving up everything else just because she loves him and they have such a long friendship.
As much as this book is about their friendship and unrequited love it’s also about their individual growth. Whilst some YA books can be rushed this one is not and the characters and stories seemed like real teenagers and real issues they would deal with. I highly recommend this one if you’re into a deeper YA story.
I honestly picked this book up because I adored the cover and was so pleasantly surprised to find such a wonderful book.
lilrongal's review against another edition
5.0
This book will bring out all the feels. It will break your heart and put it together, break it and mend it again and again. A deep lesson in love and finding oneself, even if that means things need to fall apart to come back together.
Rachel broke my heart over and over with this book and it's beautiful.
Rachel broke my heart over and over with this book and it's beautiful.
bookwormh190's review against another edition
3.0
Great Jewish representation. Too much teenage angst.