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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Okay I’m finally able to review this one. My sister just read it after me, and through talking to her about it I was able to figure out my rating. I loved the diversity in this book. I could relate to Zae and Kenzie and I appreciated the diverse friend group. This book did trigger something in me, but it was good and I love Wendy Higgins. I appreciated the view on not going to college when everyone expects you to. I think this book will be a great read for teens.
EMERGHED I DIDN'T LIKE THE MC. I just couldn't stop imagining an annoying little girl.
⭐️3.25. There was a lot going on at one time it was hard to follow. Definitely more of a teenager romance type read. The last two chapters were super cute though.
Not my kind of writing style or characterization but I liked some of the conflicts and overall messages throughout the book.
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/kiss-collector/
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/kiss-collector/
I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Xanderia Monroe. But she goes by Zae. She lives her high school life full of drama, teenage crushes and lots of heartbreak. There is way too much fun and emotion to go around here and it was surprising for me to read a YA contemporary from Wendy Higgins, whom I have mostly connected with PNR and her recent sci-fi series.
This was new and fresh and I enjoyed it. There is a huge spoiler about whom Zae ends with but I'll leave to you to find out. ;)
My only throwback was the underage drinking and the parties. They are all a bunch of 16/17 years old. Where were the parents in all this? But despite that, the story was well written and Zae's emotions were realistic and funny.
Xanderia Monroe. But she goes by Zae. She lives her high school life full of drama, teenage crushes and lots of heartbreak. There is way too much fun and emotion to go around here and it was surprising for me to read a YA contemporary from Wendy Higgins, whom I have mostly connected with PNR and her recent sci-fi series.
This was new and fresh and I enjoyed it. There is a huge spoiler about whom Zae ends with but I'll leave to you to find out. ;)
My only throwback was the underage drinking and the parties. They are all a bunch of 16/17 years old. Where were the parents in all this? But despite that, the story was well written and Zae's emotions were realistic and funny.
This review was originally posted on That Book Gal.
This book and I started out on rocky ground. I’m so glad I’d read a Wendy Higgins before and also that this was a review copy. I stuck it out because I trusted Wendy, but also because I knew I had to review this. The concept of this is hella empowering. Turning the tables on the boys? Being basically like f-girls? Okay yes please and thank you. It was all about teaching the boys a lesson. But it also had some scary realities.
There is a scene of sexual assault. Zae isn’t interested in where a guy is going, she says no. She has to fight him off in the end and only gets away because her friends heard the commotion. The book then deals with some of Zae’s paranoia the next day(which yeah, fits. Of course she’s freaked out) and it talks about how lucky she was that she had people to help her get out the situation. And it touches on how she can’t go to the police, and the issues with people not believing survivors. This situation isn’t even a huge plot point, but I think it helps the book. Because in the amount of rape culture and toxic masculinity in our society, the whole concept of the book wouldn’t work because giving just one thing makes boys think they can take it all.
One issue, which isn’t awful, that I had with the story, is that at times Zae seemed a lot younger than she is. But she changes a lot throughout the story, and as she grows I think she sheds that sort of skin and is a much more likable person. But it’s understandable how she acts in the beginning. Her boyfriend just cheated, and she’s the bad guy because she wasn’t ready for the next step in the relationship(ugh, boys). Her parents are getting divorced. Everything in her life is falling apart and it makes sense that she reverted to a more childish attitude.
There’s a huge thing at the end of this book that I won’t spoil, but it’s something I hardcore related to. Okay fine here’s a spoiler section. Words in white, select to read.
In this story, it’s heavily featured that Zae doesn’t want to go to college. I love how this book doesn’t show her as stupid, or just a “fickle teen” or whatever. The guidance counselor takes her seriously and this book really shows that college isn’t everything. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. In the end, what matters is that you can find a job you love, with or without a college degree.
The last portion of this review is dedicated to the amazing, hot human who is Joel. YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU. He’s just the sweetest guy. He can rap, and he’s funny, and he’s angsty but a softie inside. HE MELTS MY HEART Y’ALL. I just love him. Also. The sexual tension between him and Zae is like super amazing. Like my sister reads this blog so I’m going to keep the fanning to a minimum, but DANG. HOT DANG.
I also loved the mysterious poet! His words were amazing and so well written and romantic, and a lil edgy sometimes, but heyyyy he was in love.
WE’RE GOING TO END ON THE AMAZINGNESS THAT IS THE MAIN SQUAD. This books heavily focuses on Zae’s friend group, her squad. Honestly the friendships were so amazing and each friend was really well developed. They all had different depths of friendship with Zae. Sometimes with friend groups in books, especially all girl or all boy ones, I can’t tell the people apart. They’re like on friend conglomerate. But Wendy Higgins does a great job at keeping them separate people and the most amazing squad.
So overall! This book has lots of kissing(yesss), cute boys, drama, amazing friendships, and beneath it all, a wonderful heart.
This book and I started out on rocky ground. I’m so glad I’d read a Wendy Higgins before and also that this was a review copy. I stuck it out because I trusted Wendy, but also because I knew I had to review this. The concept of this is hella empowering. Turning the tables on the boys? Being basically like f-girls? Okay yes please and thank you. It was all about teaching the boys a lesson. But it also had some scary realities.
There is a scene of sexual assault. Zae isn’t interested in where a guy is going, she says no. She has to fight him off in the end and only gets away because her friends heard the commotion. The book then deals with some of Zae’s paranoia the next day(which yeah, fits. Of course she’s freaked out) and it talks about how lucky she was that she had people to help her get out the situation. And it touches on how she can’t go to the police, and the issues with people not believing survivors. This situation isn’t even a huge plot point, but I think it helps the book. Because in the amount of rape culture and toxic masculinity in our society, the whole concept of the book wouldn’t work because giving just one thing makes boys think they can take it all.
One issue, which isn’t awful, that I had with the story, is that at times Zae seemed a lot younger than she is. But she changes a lot throughout the story, and as she grows I think she sheds that sort of skin and is a much more likable person. But it’s understandable how she acts in the beginning. Her boyfriend just cheated, and she’s the bad guy because she wasn’t ready for the next step in the relationship(ugh, boys). Her parents are getting divorced. Everything in her life is falling apart and it makes sense that she reverted to a more childish attitude.
There’s a huge thing at the end of this book that I won’t spoil, but it’s something I hardcore related to. Okay fine here’s a spoiler section. Words in white, select to read.
Spoiler
I just recently decided to live somewhere thousands of miles away from my family. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. I hardcore related to EVERYTHING Zae said about having to make her decision, and then once she made it it threw me back to all those bittersweet feelings. To doing something that you know is right, but having so many goodbyes and missed moments. I’m not at the other end yet like she is, but I could also relate to her missing out on parts of her brother’s life, and returning to him being taller and having changed. I RELATED TO THIS CRAP(lovingly said, I promise) OKAYIn this story, it’s heavily featured that Zae doesn’t want to go to college. I love how this book doesn’t show her as stupid, or just a “fickle teen” or whatever. The guidance counselor takes her seriously and this book really shows that college isn’t everything. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. In the end, what matters is that you can find a job you love, with or without a college degree.
The last portion of this review is dedicated to the amazing, hot human who is Joel. YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU. He’s just the sweetest guy. He can rap, and he’s funny, and he’s angsty but a softie inside. HE MELTS MY HEART Y’ALL. I just love him. Also. The sexual tension between him and Zae is like super amazing. Like my sister reads this blog so I’m going to keep the fanning to a minimum, but DANG. HOT DANG.
I also loved the mysterious poet! His words were amazing and so well written and romantic, and a lil edgy sometimes, but heyyyy he was in love.
WE’RE GOING TO END ON THE AMAZINGNESS THAT IS THE MAIN SQUAD. This books heavily focuses on Zae’s friend group, her squad. Honestly the friendships were so amazing and each friend was really well developed. They all had different depths of friendship with Zae. Sometimes with friend groups in books, especially all girl or all boy ones, I can’t tell the people apart. They’re like on friend conglomerate. But Wendy Higgins does a great job at keeping them separate people and the most amazing squad.
So overall! This book has lots of kissing(yesss), cute boys, drama, amazing friendships, and beneath it all, a wonderful heart.
Kiss Collector was a cute and fun read. I loved the relationship between Zae and her brother, Zeb. It was great too see them remain so close through the whole book. I also loved the slow build between Zae and Joel. It did seem kind of cheesy in some parts, but not anything that made me want to gag.
3.5 stars!
Liked a lot, didn’t absolutely love. It definitely had a lot going for it, but adversely, it had some things I could have lived without. I read it all in one go, so it certainly was entertaining to hold my attention for one afternoon.
I was absolutely a fan of the whole “we are women and we’ll take your kisses and enjoy the hell out of them but nothing more” movement they had going on.
I may write a longer [better] review one day.
♥ A very special thanks to HarperTEEN and Edelweiss for providing me with an advanced copy of this title.
*Disclaimer: An e-copy of this title was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
Liked a lot, didn’t absolutely love. It definitely had a lot going for it, but adversely, it had some things I could have lived without. I read it all in one go, so it certainly was entertaining to hold my attention for one afternoon.
I was absolutely a fan of the whole “we are women and we’ll take your kisses and enjoy the hell out of them but nothing more” movement they had going on.
I may write a longer [better] review one day.
♥ A very special thanks to HarperTEEN and Edelweiss for providing me with an advanced copy of this title.
*Disclaimer: An e-copy of this title was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
Read this like over two years ago so I definitely need to reread to confirm its rating, but I do remember it being good, so three stars [for now].