Reviews - The Breakup Lists

290 reviews for:

The Breakup Lists

Adib Khorram

3.93 AVERAGE

greenlivingaudioworm's review

4.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

"Not knowing where to put your anger isn't the same thing as being mean."

It's no secret I love Adib Khorram and read his newly published books within a few months of their release. Ever since Darius the Great Is Not Okay and Darius the Great Deserves Better, I have been searching for the next great contemporary young adult novel. I always have high hopes for Khorram, but I'm sad to report this book didn't quite live up to the pedestal I have put Khorram's books on.

I'm kind of over the whole brother & sister falling for the same person storyline. Maybe I've been reading too many books that are too similar to each other? I wanted the best for Jackson and I felt like his sister, Jasmine, just got in the way for him. While I loved that Jackson wrote breakup lists for each one of Jasmine's beaus, I wanted Jackson to be able to pursue the romantic interest of his heart. Having to re-read the same breakup list over and over again? Nah. Not it.

Things I Did Like:
-The representation of the deaf community. YESSSSSS. Making Jackson the main character and one who has hearing aids - I love it. While Jackson's hearing aids weren't the main focus of Jackson's challenges, it definitely added another layer to Jackson. (Though I did get annoyed with how the audiobook narrator read "somethingsomething" - not a critique of the writing per say but more of the performance). I appreciated that Jackson wasn't his disability.
-Jackson was a thoroughly enjoyable main character. I would have spent more time with him. He was also an incredible brother, holding up Jasmine even when it was the last thing he wanted to do.
-I loved the theater kid angle. There aren't nearly enough books featuring theater kids.

Recommended for: Grades 9+

Content Warnings