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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
This was not... good. Sorry Cat, but I DISLIKED this book a round trip to Tau Ceti.
4 stars
Cat and Suzanne!!! How could you end it like that!? You kill me. And yes it was the perfect ending.
Okay so four stars, right? Yes. It was a nice book to breeze through -- simple, funny, had a good twist with the two timelines. Timelines were just a tad confusing at first when they were so similar but things quickly diverged and regardless, each chapter has "Stay" or "Go" on the bottom so if you get confused, you can keep up.
I LOVED how Caroline was. not. perfect. She's a runner. Not like track. She runs from her problems and that's constantly pointed out to her but I actually liked that. She had serious flaws and it was actually kind of nice to see.
Loved Chris's character. Never trusted Joel. Both were well laid out with their good sides and their bad sides, but everything turns out right in the end.
I was confused how this book could possibly end because clearly we HAVE to know which decision Caroline makes and which story line is the true one. I will tell you this --- It ended the only way it could have. Perfectly.
I'd recommend it! It wasn't earth shattering but I really enjoyed reading it, especially after the ending.
Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: JUST LIKE FATE was a really fun read for me! I pretty much love anything with alternate universes/co-existing realities so I was really excited to see exactly how this story plays out. Here's the gist: Caroline's grandmother just suffered a stroke and as it seems her clock is ticking down, Caroline devotes all her spare time to staying at her grandmother's bedside. When her friend calls her to invite her to a party to help lighten her mood, JUST LIKE FATE splits into two possible story lines: Whether Caroline chooses to stay with her grandmother or go to the party.
I want to say before I start my full review, though, that don't get confused: The only people aware of these two alternate paths are us, the readers. I'm actually not 100% sure how to categorize the book since the readers are just getting two different stories none of the characters, including Caroline, are aware of the split. I felt like it was mostly contemporary but the fact that there is a split brings in a tiny element of paranormal/sci-fi so I'd be interested to hear how you guys feel about that!
I won't say TOO much about each story line, but I will say that each option presents Caroline with different reactions and relationship-altering situations from her family, an interesting new romance possibility, and friendships put to the test. I will say that I appreciated that the two paths were in fact very different with some minor things and of course people that overlapped. When the story first split, it was a tiny bit confusing to keep the two separated because they were so similar, but as Caroline digressed in two opposite directions, we end up with different situations and different settings so things quickly solidify into separate stories.
One thing we definitely see about Caroline as reiterated by her family and friend is that she's a runner. No, not like a track star, but she has a tendency to run and hide from her problems. Caroline seems to be running unconsciously so naturally it's shocking and painful when that's brought to her attention and I really think this is the way we see her grow the most. I actually liked seeing a blatantly obvious character flaw in Caroline. It was kind of nice to be shown that issue right off the bat and constantly witness Caroline's progress with addressing conflict and standing up for herself. I think it made me that much more proud of her when I saw her making strong choices near the end of the book!
So the boys. There are two boys in this book. Firstly there's Joel who is Caroline's long-time crush. His relationship with Caroline is dominant in the "Stay" part of the book. Obviously we'll all make our own opinions of Joel but I was always a bit... wary. And I think the authors made me feel that way for a certain reason. It's all cryptic now, but of course I don't want to give away any major spoilers! The other love interest is the new guy Chris who dominates the "Go" part of the book. Chris is a cute guy who Caroline meets at the party and he is my kind of crush! He's snarky but sweet and you know I love that banter and joke-flirting. Personally, I was rooting for the Chris story to work out... But....
JUST LIKE FATE is written so well because each path has some serious upsides and some MAJOR issues that Caroline will have to deal with in either path she chooses, so of course the whole time I'm wondering, "Which path does Caroline actually choose and how does this story end!?!?!" I was totally itching to know at the very end. So which one does she pick? Of course I'm not revealing that answer BUT I will say that I think the end was done perfectly. Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young did a great job of closing the story in the only possible way they could have and it was a good surprise!
Cat and Suzanne!!! How could you end it like that!? You kill me. And yes it was the perfect ending.
Okay so four stars, right? Yes. It was a nice book to breeze through -- simple, funny, had a good twist with the two timelines. Timelines were just a tad confusing at first when they were so similar but things quickly diverged and regardless, each chapter has "Stay" or "Go" on the bottom so if you get confused, you can keep up.
I LOVED how Caroline was. not. perfect. She's a runner. Not like track. She runs from her problems and that's constantly pointed out to her but I actually liked that. She had serious flaws and it was actually kind of nice to see.
Loved Chris's character. Never trusted Joel. Both were well laid out with their good sides and their bad sides, but everything turns out right in the end.
I was confused how this book could possibly end because clearly we HAVE to know which decision Caroline makes and which story line is the true one. I will tell you this --- It ended the only way it could have. Perfectly.
I'd recommend it! It wasn't earth shattering but I really enjoyed reading it, especially after the ending.
Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: JUST LIKE FATE was a really fun read for me! I pretty much love anything with alternate universes/co-existing realities so I was really excited to see exactly how this story plays out. Here's the gist: Caroline's grandmother just suffered a stroke and as it seems her clock is ticking down, Caroline devotes all her spare time to staying at her grandmother's bedside. When her friend calls her to invite her to a party to help lighten her mood, JUST LIKE FATE splits into two possible story lines: Whether Caroline chooses to stay with her grandmother or go to the party.
I want to say before I start my full review, though, that don't get confused: The only people aware of these two alternate paths are us, the readers. I'm actually not 100% sure how to categorize the book since the readers are just getting two different stories none of the characters, including Caroline, are aware of the split. I felt like it was mostly contemporary but the fact that there is a split brings in a tiny element of paranormal/sci-fi so I'd be interested to hear how you guys feel about that!
I won't say TOO much about each story line, but I will say that each option presents Caroline with different reactions and relationship-altering situations from her family, an interesting new romance possibility, and friendships put to the test. I will say that I appreciated that the two paths were in fact very different with some minor things and of course people that overlapped. When the story first split, it was a tiny bit confusing to keep the two separated because they were so similar, but as Caroline digressed in two opposite directions, we end up with different situations and different settings so things quickly solidify into separate stories.
One thing we definitely see about Caroline as reiterated by her family and friend is that she's a runner. No, not like a track star, but she has a tendency to run and hide from her problems. Caroline seems to be running unconsciously so naturally it's shocking and painful when that's brought to her attention and I really think this is the way we see her grow the most. I actually liked seeing a blatantly obvious character flaw in Caroline. It was kind of nice to be shown that issue right off the bat and constantly witness Caroline's progress with addressing conflict and standing up for herself. I think it made me that much more proud of her when I saw her making strong choices near the end of the book!
So the boys. There are two boys in this book. Firstly there's Joel who is Caroline's long-time crush. His relationship with Caroline is dominant in the "Stay" part of the book. Obviously we'll all make our own opinions of Joel but I was always a bit... wary. And I think the authors made me feel that way for a certain reason. It's all cryptic now, but of course I don't want to give away any major spoilers! The other love interest is the new guy Chris who dominates the "Go" part of the book. Chris is a cute guy who Caroline meets at the party and he is my kind of crush! He's snarky but sweet and you know I love that banter and joke-flirting. Personally, I was rooting for the Chris story to work out... But....
JUST LIKE FATE is written so well because each path has some serious upsides and some MAJOR issues that Caroline will have to deal with in either path she chooses, so of course the whole time I'm wondering, "Which path does Caroline actually choose and how does this story end!?!?!" I was totally itching to know at the very end. So which one does she pick? Of course I'm not revealing that answer BUT I will say that I think the end was done perfectly. Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young did a great job of closing the story in the only possible way they could have and it was a good surprise!
I won this novel from a goodreads giveaway.
I felt like I had to sit on this book for awhile before I could give it a review. This is the quickest I have gotten through a book in quite sometime (though, I was home sick for a week with strep throat with nothing to do other than read and watch The Walking Dead.) Just Like Fate was a very easy read for me.
I've always been interested in idea of fate and choice. How one choice, even a minor one, can change your life as well as the lives of those around you. Just Like Fate is the story of Caroline Cabot. While next to her grandmother's deathbed, she is given two options: go with her best friend to a college party or stay at the hospital. Each choice leads her through a dramatic chain of events. It's like a more grown up choose-your-own-adventure book.
I enjoyed plenty of the characters. I wish I had an older brother like Teddy, a best friend like Simone, and I'm still waiting for my Chris.
So, I sounded like I enjoyed it so far...so why did it take me so long to review? The ending.
Originally, I thought the ending was crap. I thought it was rushed, not well though out and a major letdown. In fact, I gave this book three stars and wrote that in my original review. Then I thought about it. It took me a little while to fully grasp the ending. Though it wasn't how I expected, it made a good point. If something is meant to happen, it'll happen.
I felt like I had to sit on this book for awhile before I could give it a review. This is the quickest I have gotten through a book in quite sometime (though, I was home sick for a week with strep throat with nothing to do other than read and watch The Walking Dead.) Just Like Fate was a very easy read for me.
I've always been interested in idea of fate and choice. How one choice, even a minor one, can change your life as well as the lives of those around you. Just Like Fate is the story of Caroline Cabot. While next to her grandmother's deathbed, she is given two options: go with her best friend to a college party or stay at the hospital. Each choice leads her through a dramatic chain of events. It's like a more grown up choose-your-own-adventure book.
I enjoyed plenty of the characters. I wish I had an older brother like Teddy, a best friend like Simone, and I'm still waiting for my Chris.
So, I sounded like I enjoyed it so far...so why did it take me so long to review? The ending.
Originally, I thought the ending was crap. I thought it was rushed, not well though out and a major letdown. In fact, I gave this book three stars and wrote that in my original review. Then I thought about it. It took me a little while to fully grasp the ending. Though it wasn't how I expected, it made a good point. If something is meant to happen, it'll happen.
Review may contain spoilers!
Awesome book. We see two different paths play out from one decision Caroline makes - to stay with her grandmother in the hospital or to go and enjoy herself at a party (mainly to get her mind off the sadness of her grandmother dying). I honestly can't say which choice I would have made. It was so interesting to see how her life plays out and she realizes very similar things about herself and the people around her. The epilogue is intriguing. It shows us that even though you can't figure which life choice brought her to that point, either one still would have brought her there. - I think Patrick & Young are trying to tell us that fate is something that is real and we end up were we need to be. The journey may take us through different trials, but we are who we are.
I love the song brought up at the end and how it says some very interesting things about life, fate, and the choices we make.
I will say that I (and probably a lot of readers) wished that the life Caroline lived was the "go" one. I'm just partial to Chris and she gets more life with him in that version ;)
I would recommend that all teenagers should read this book - it teaches us some valuable lessons about the mistakes and choices we make in life. If you like science fiction, I also recommend reading more of [a:Cat Patrick|4254441|Cat Patrick|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1294773177p2/4254441.jpg]'s books - she is an amazing writer who writes good stand-alone YA books. I have read some of [a:Suzanne Young|164576|Suzanne Young|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1357757103p2/164576.jpg]'s work, she's good but not as good as Patrick :D
See this review on my blog.
Awesome book. We see two different paths play out from one decision Caroline makes - to stay with her grandmother in the hospital or to go and enjoy herself at a party (mainly to get her mind off the sadness of her grandmother dying). I honestly can't say which choice I would have made. It was so interesting to see how her life plays out and she realizes very similar things about herself and the people around her. The epilogue is intriguing. It shows us that even though you can't figure which life choice brought her to that point, either one still would have brought her there. - I think Patrick & Young are trying to tell us that fate is something that is real and we end up were we need to be. The journey may take us through different trials, but we are who we are.
"I'm saying we have freedom to make mistakes...I'm saying that our mistakes - one mistake or many of them - don't define us. They don't derail us. We end up where we need to be in the end...But hopefully having learned something from our stumbles...having grown into better people because of them." - Just like Fate, 292
I love the song brought up at the end and how it says some very interesting things about life, fate, and the choices we make.
I will say that I (and probably a lot of readers) wished that the life Caroline lived was the "go" one. I'm just partial to Chris and she gets more life with him in that version ;)
I would recommend that all teenagers should read this book - it teaches us some valuable lessons about the mistakes and choices we make in life. If you like science fiction, I also recommend reading more of [a:Cat Patrick|4254441|Cat Patrick|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1294773177p2/4254441.jpg]'s books - she is an amazing writer who writes good stand-alone YA books. I have read some of [a:Suzanne Young|164576|Suzanne Young|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1357757103p2/164576.jpg]'s work, she's good but not as good as Patrick :D
See this review on my blog.
That ending! Gahh. Appropriate though. Closer to 4.5 stars but felt the need to round up. Not a huge fan of the main character most of the time but thought the story/concept was so cool and well done.
Very cute story that has its cheesy moments, but overall I really enjoyed it. If I ever reread this, I want to read the story lines separately (all of the gos and all of the stays) because I got a little confused. I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fun, light-hearted contemporary.
It was an alright book--but then, that ending. Bullseye.
There are two things you should know about this book.
1. The blurb inside is a bit deceptive. It makes it sound as if this is a "Sliding Doors" kind of plot, where somehow time splits at a single decision and at the end the main character will have to choose which life to live. This is not the case at all. In fact the point of the entire book is that although our choices affect our lives and characters in many ways, we will end up "where we need to be" regardless of those choices. That seems a bit like crap to me. The idea seems to be that we have free will, but that fate will push us back to where we are "meant to be." This is offensive to those that work hard for their success, depressing for those whose lives are full of horrid circumstances, and self defeating to those that make bad choices. What's the point of working hard, making good decisions, or trying to overcome if your outcome is the same either way?
2. There is an unexpected sex scene more than halfway through the book. The story goes from young teen appropriate, to sex in 0 to 60. This wouldn't be such a big deal if there was anything in the description or even in the first few chapters to warn you that questionable content was coming up. The scene itself is not overtly graphic, but the aftermath is both profound in how it affects the main character's self worth, but also disappointing in how it is treated as just one of those things that happens.
1. The blurb inside is a bit deceptive. It makes it sound as if this is a "Sliding Doors" kind of plot, where somehow time splits at a single decision and at the end the main character will have to choose which life to live. This is not the case at all. In fact the point of the entire book is that although our choices affect our lives and characters in many ways, we will end up "where we need to be" regardless of those choices. That seems a bit like crap to me. The idea seems to be that we have free will, but that fate will push us back to where we are "meant to be." This is offensive to those that work hard for their success, depressing for those whose lives are full of horrid circumstances, and self defeating to those that make bad choices. What's the point of working hard, making good decisions, or trying to overcome if your outcome is the same either way?
2. There is an unexpected sex scene more than halfway through the book. The story goes from young teen appropriate, to sex in 0 to 60. This wouldn't be such a big deal if there was anything in the description or even in the first few chapters to warn you that questionable content was coming up. The scene itself is not overtly graphic, but the aftermath is both profound in how it affects the main character's self worth, but also disappointing in how it is treated as just one of those things that happens.