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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a cute, authentic story!
Making Friends with Alice Dyson will be incredibly relatable for anyone who is, or was, a shy, awkward, book nerd type kid. Alice, quiet and relatively innocent, is the complete opposite of Teddy Taualai, the mysterious bad-boy transfer student, yet they still manage to form an unlikely, adorable relationship. I really appreciated the characters in this story--everyone had such a distinct, interesting personality. I also loved that themes of friendship and self-discovery were woven within the central romance.
However, this book was not without flaws. My first issue was that these characters felt incredibly young. This is a story about teenagers in their last year of high school, about to go off to university next year, yet their dialogue felt like that of young children. There were many scenes that involving partying, drinking, touching, hooking up, etc., which did feel like the activities of older teenagers, but something about the conversations felt incredibly juvenile. The constant mentioning of popularity and status, along with the rumors and the way the characters fought with each others, just felt too young for people who are nearly adults.
My other issues revolved around the lack of conversation around certain subjects. For example, there was some blatant slut shaming, specifically slut shaming of Alice's best friend. Alice doesn't really stand up for her friend May when she is called a slut and there is no conversation counteracting the slut shaming. I know it's not realistic to assume all teenagers are actively fighting slut shaming, but I just was not comfortable with how casually the word slut was tossed around. Furthermore, I wanted more conversation about boundaries. I really liked Teddy but he did get quite pushy at some points. I strongly disliked this. Especially with Alice being a shy, "innocent" girl, I think it would have been extremely beneficial for the author to include a discussion on why girls should not let boundaries be pushed, even if they do like someone. It just felt like a huge red flag to me.
Overall, Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a quick, adorable read about first loves and high school life. I would recommend this to someone looking for a cute high school romance with contrasting characters, but I think it is important to mention that some crucial conversations were left out of this story.
What a cute, authentic story!
Making Friends with Alice Dyson will be incredibly relatable for anyone who is, or was, a shy, awkward, book nerd type kid. Alice, quiet and relatively innocent, is the complete opposite of Teddy Taualai, the mysterious bad-boy transfer student, yet they still manage to form an unlikely, adorable relationship. I really appreciated the characters in this story--everyone had such a distinct, interesting personality. I also loved that themes of friendship and self-discovery were woven within the central romance.
However, this book was not without flaws. My first issue was that these characters felt incredibly young. This is a story about teenagers in their last year of high school, about to go off to university next year, yet their dialogue felt like that of young children. There were many scenes that involving partying, drinking, touching, hooking up, etc., which did feel like the activities of older teenagers, but something about the conversations felt incredibly juvenile. The constant mentioning of popularity and status, along with the rumors and the way the characters fought with each others, just felt too young for people who are nearly adults.
My other issues revolved around the lack of conversation around certain subjects. For example, there was some blatant slut shaming, specifically slut shaming of Alice's best friend. Alice doesn't really stand up for her friend May when she is called a slut and there is no conversation counteracting the slut shaming. I know it's not realistic to assume all teenagers are actively fighting slut shaming, but I just was not comfortable with how casually the word slut was tossed around. Furthermore, I wanted more conversation about boundaries. I really liked Teddy but he did get quite pushy at some points. I strongly disliked this. Especially with Alice being a shy, "innocent" girl, I think it would have been extremely beneficial for the author to include a discussion on why girls should not let boundaries be pushed, even if they do like someone. It just felt like a huge red flag to me.
Overall, Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a quick, adorable read about first loves and high school life. I would recommend this to someone looking for a cute high school romance with contrasting characters, but I think it is important to mention that some crucial conversations were left out of this story.
acciodaydreamer's review
4.0
Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a beautiful, witty YA contemporary romance novel. The story follows Alice Dyson, a studious overthinker, in her last year of high school, and the stress of her life and changing social circle.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book! I won Making Friends with Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait in a Twitter giveaway by Poppy Nwosu. At first, I wondered if I would find this book a little too young for me, but I'm always happy to give any book a try as long as the first page can grip me.
"Even before I reach the gate, it's obvious something is different."
Instantly, I was intrigued by the first sentence and Alice's confused voice as she wonders why the students at school are talking about her. It was actually Alice's voice that kept me reading; I found myself drawn to her constant waves of thoughts and worries--it reminded me of myself. I especially found how she interacted with her peers to be relatable and I experienced nostalgia from when I was in high school. Overall, Making Friends with Alice Dyson was a light, fun and enjoyable read.
I can't believe how much I enjoyed this book! I won Making Friends with Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait in a Twitter giveaway by Poppy Nwosu. At first, I wondered if I would find this book a little too young for me, but I'm always happy to give any book a try as long as the first page can grip me.
"Even before I reach the gate, it's obvious something is different."
Instantly, I was intrigued by the first sentence and Alice's confused voice as she wonders why the students at school are talking about her. It was actually Alice's voice that kept me reading; I found myself drawn to her constant waves of thoughts and worries--it reminded me of myself. I especially found how she interacted with her peers to be relatable and I experienced nostalgia from when I was in high school. Overall, Making Friends with Alice Dyson was a light, fun and enjoyable read.
glitterkitter's review
3.0
There was a lot about this book that I really enjoyed, but every time I started to get into the romance, the dude would do some boundary pushing, red flag sort of stuff that never really got treated as seriously as I thought it should and it was very off putting.
itsmethebibliophile's review
3.0
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read & review an E-ARC of this novel!**
For me, this was a heavy contemporary read tackling topics such as representation as well as family discord, grief, bullying, double standards in society, friendships, the pressure of planning for the future as a adolescent, & also being honest with ourself & others about our true thoughts & feeling. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-the descriptive writing...I felt like I could picture the settings, see the expressions on character's faces...it felt like I was connected through the descriptions
-that Teddy didn't really care what others were saying about him & that Alice stood up for him anyway (to people at school & to her mom)
-Teddy's grandmother was pretty much amazing & so sweet
-the ending...so sweet...I'm glad that Teddy got to go with Alice on her adventure :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-May was a crappy friend & she really irritated me throughout the story
-Alice's parents...absent & judgmental much?
-Teddy's response to Alice's plans to abroad for a year. I mean...she made these plans way before Teddy & her became a thing. I felt like he was blaming her for not dropping everything she had planned to stay with him. His lack of understanding was not helpful at all
-it felt slow paced at times...for me it picked up about halfway through, but the first half was a challenge to keep reading
-the story sort of jumps right in...there isn't any real character/story development or introduction...you sort of just enter the story...that made it hard to get my bearings as a reader...and then later in the novel a random chapter is focused on the beginning part of the story that we didn't get at the beginning of the book...it was a strange writing style in my opinion. I like to feel connected to the character & for me, the choice to jump right in made it a challenge
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars. It was a heavy read for me (just due to my connection with some of the main plot points/issues)...but I still enjoyed seeing the characters develop & learn life lessons through there mistakes & errors in judgement. I think it would be a great read for those who enjoy themes like coming of age concerns, friendship, first love, & planning for the future.
For me, this was a heavy contemporary read tackling topics such as representation as well as family discord, grief, bullying, double standards in society, friendships, the pressure of planning for the future as a adolescent, & also being honest with ourself & others about our true thoughts & feeling. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Things I Liked:
-the descriptive writing...I felt like I could picture the settings, see the expressions on character's faces...it felt like I was connected through the descriptions
-that Teddy didn't really care what others were saying about him & that Alice stood up for him anyway (to people at school & to her mom)
-Teddy's grandmother was pretty much amazing & so sweet
-the ending...so sweet...I'm glad that Teddy got to go with Alice on her adventure :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-May was a crappy friend & she really irritated me throughout the story
-Alice's parents...absent & judgmental much?
-Teddy's response to Alice's plans to abroad for a year. I mean...she made these plans way before Teddy & her became a thing. I felt like he was blaming her for not dropping everything she had planned to stay with him. His lack of understanding was not helpful at all
-it felt slow paced at times...for me it picked up about halfway through, but the first half was a challenge to keep reading
-the story sort of jumps right in...there isn't any real character/story development or introduction...you sort of just enter the story...that made it hard to get my bearings as a reader...and then later in the novel a random chapter is focused on the beginning part of the story that we didn't get at the beginning of the book...it was a strange writing style in my opinion. I like to feel connected to the character & for me, the choice to jump right in made it a challenge
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars. It was a heavy read for me (just due to my connection with some of the main plot points/issues)...but I still enjoyed seeing the characters develop & learn life lessons through there mistakes & errors in judgement. I think it would be a great read for those who enjoy themes like coming of age concerns, friendship, first love, & planning for the future.
angelreads's review
4.0
You know those books that just put a smile on your face, this is one of those. This is a beautiful, adorable, and honest novel that explores the highs and lows of the last year of high school. This novel follows Alice Dyson in her last year of high school. Her plan? Focus on her future! Head down, do her homework, and nothing is going to stop her. Expect maybe a dance-off with troublemaker and delinquent Teddy Taualai. Alice is thrown into the spotlight when rumours start flying around. Teddy is a flirt, and Alice is a shy bean, and while at first, they seem like total opposites. As the novel goes on, they are able to connect with one another.
Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a sweet story that looks at friendships, the most adorable romance, and the strength of opening up. Everything about this book is tender and sweet but also packs a punch. This is a fantastic debut that is brilliant and soft, and I finished it with a massive smile.
Making Friends with Alice Dyson is a sweet story that looks at friendships, the most adorable romance, and the strength of opening up. Everything about this book is tender and sweet but also packs a punch. This is a fantastic debut that is brilliant and soft, and I finished it with a massive smile.
ekearle's review
4.0
This was such a beautiful, tender coming of age story. Poppy weaves such an organic story that makes you feel like you KNOW Alice, Teddy, and May. Congratulations Poppy on such a heart warming debut that makes me long for the days of summer, ice-cream, and first loves.
shelleygrace's review
4.0
A beautifully sweet, nostalgic story of two teenagers who fall in love after a unique encounter with one another. Poppy Nwosu's Making Friends with Alice Dyson has similarities to Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park with it's carefully constructed characters and realistic setting. I loved it!
Full review coming soon.
For more reviews, visit Underground Writers: https://bit.ly/2DJJQ9g
Full review coming soon.
For more reviews, visit Underground Writers: https://bit.ly/2DJJQ9g
holsarmstrong's review
3.0
This was...in simple words, very sweet. I think this is a must-read for the younger YA audience and it really held some great values and principles within the story that I think would speak to a lot younger audience. I could appreciate the book, although my enjoyment factor was slightly tinged considering I am in my twenties.
First of all, the exploration of friendship and what this can mean for two people was beautiful. Alice and Teddy cancelled each other out perfectly and I could really see the blossoming of a solid friendship there. Where Teddy has this dangerous, bad boy reputation and Alice has this shy and book smart image, the coming together fit them both well.
I also liked the writing style a lot. I felt immersed inside Alice's head and I could really feel for her and relate when I look back at my teenage years.
I think this book holds some powerful messages and is a great coming of age novel.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, the exploration of friendship and what this can mean for two people was beautiful. Alice and Teddy cancelled each other out perfectly and I could really see the blossoming of a solid friendship there. Where Teddy has this dangerous, bad boy reputation and Alice has this shy and book smart image, the coming together fit them both well.
I also liked the writing style a lot. I felt immersed inside Alice's head and I could really feel for her and relate when I look back at my teenage years.
I think this book holds some powerful messages and is a great coming of age novel.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.