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debz57a52's review against another edition
3.5
I knew the premise of the story when I started, so I expected to read example college entrance essays as a matter of course. I did not expect the rest of the book to be a verse novel. Consequently, the story of Nic Chen trying to find herself (and her classmates) during her senior year of high school reads very quickly. There are some lovely, poignant poems here, and I loved how they were broken up periodically.
charlee_12's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.25
lizard007's review
2.0
Honestly, what is the point? The premise seemed really intriguing, especially since I needed a quicker read, but I found myself wondering, "what is this novel trying to do? Is it telling us to be careful? to not lose the ones we love?". Some others might get what this book is trying to get at, but I am certainly not one of them. This whole book is the essence of "meh".
raechsreads's review
4.0
Oh boy. This book hits you in the feels. The prose tells the story of a young woman in her senior year of high school, navigating a life of uncertainty, unknowns, and what if's. I enjoyed the character development.
andrearbooks's review
3.0
This YA novel told in verse focuses on Nic. Nic is struggling in her senior year as everyone knows she cheated on her boyfriend, and other kids have taken to letting her know how they feel about it. Trying to figure out her place in things, she decides to get in the good graces of her classmates by writing their college admission essays for a fee. In doing this, she gets to know the stories of her classmates, but also realizes she doesn't really know her own. She's navigating grief and loss and general feels in a variety of ways. There were some really wonderful reflections about high school and relationships via Nic and ones about her finding her place that I especially related to. Also, the essays she wrote were really great - Certainly some concerns about the integrity of writing for others that need to be acknowledged though.
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Infidelity, Death, Grief, Racism, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Suicide
burstnwithbooks's review
3.0
I picked up this book because I knew that it was written in verse, but unfortunately that was the part that didn't work for me. I think this story would have been better served in regular prose, but it could have been especially amazing in essay format. Alas, the format really didn't work for me and the story was just okay. I don't think I'll be picking up anything else by this author, and I'm rather disappointed with my experience with this book.
sc104906's review
2.0
Ummm...I can't remember this book. I don't even know how to rate it. I know that I enjoyed the essays and how the main character was able to come to terms with her own identity by exploring the representation of others.
I received this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dnighti2's review
2.0
Maybe I just don’t understand poetry but this book was hard to follow along with. Over all I enjoyed the plot and thought it had feeling.