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selfmeaning's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
joanna1905's review
5.0
Is it any surprise at all that Becky and Aisha absolutely nailed this? (Nope, the answer is no. We knew they'd nail it and they did).
This story is so beautifully poignant to the current political climate and I genuinely think this book will help encourage young readers to engage in the next election and that's fantastic. It's all too common for the thoughts and feelings of young people re. politics to be dismissed because they're too young to vote and 'not educated enough to have an opinion'. However, this book turns that narrative on its head and has no qualms about encouraging young people to be passionate, educated and to engage.
The romance was super cute and very well-paced, and I loved that they were genuine friends before anything else. I also loved the idea of an inter-religion relationship since we don't see that much in YA.
I would have liked a tad more LGBTQ+ rep but there definitely was still some rep which was very well done. I particularly loved Jamie's little sister having a crush on a girl because, despite the fact that many queer people know there queer around age 12, we don't see that represented very often in books. So it was a really refreshing addition.
I found the parents a bit infuriating at times but I guess that's parents for you, I also wish Jamie didn't forgive Gabe quite so fast though. Considering he didn't really apologize or even realise he did anything wrong I would have liked it to been drawn out a chapter or two. He did something pretty messed up to two vulnerable teenagers and didn't ever really acknowledge it.
All in all, I adored this book, I think I do prefer Becky's Creekwood series (especially because more queer) but I definitely liked this more than 'What If It's Us' (which I still liked but not as much as these other books). The political discussions in this book were just so well done, as were the discussions of religion. 100% recommend this book!
This story is so beautifully poignant to the current political climate and I genuinely think this book will help encourage young readers to engage in the next election and that's fantastic. It's all too common for the thoughts and feelings of young people re. politics to be dismissed because they're too young to vote and 'not educated enough to have an opinion'. However, this book turns that narrative on its head and has no qualms about encouraging young people to be passionate, educated and to engage.
The romance was super cute and very well-paced, and I loved that they were genuine friends before anything else. I also loved the idea of an inter-religion relationship since we don't see that much in YA.
I would have liked a tad more LGBTQ+ rep but there definitely was still some rep which was very well done. I particularly loved Jamie's little sister having a crush on a girl because, despite the fact that many queer people know there queer around age 12, we don't see that represented very often in books. So it was a really refreshing addition.
I found the parents a bit infuriating at times but I guess that's parents for you, I also wish Jamie didn't forgive Gabe quite so fast though. Considering he didn't really apologize or even realise he did anything wrong I would have liked it to been drawn out a chapter or two. He did something pretty messed up to two vulnerable teenagers and didn't ever really acknowledge it.
All in all, I adored this book, I think I do prefer Becky's Creekwood series (especially because more queer) but I definitely liked this more than 'What If It's Us' (which I still liked but not as much as these other books). The political discussions in this book were just so well done, as were the discussions of religion. 100% recommend this book!
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Love in a time of Politics - unusual YA setting and pairing.
Unusual maybe, but all the more refreshing for it.
A Jewish introvert who looks forward to volunteering for his local representative even less than speaking at his sister's Bat Mitzvah.
"I just stammer and blush and can barely form words. But they, better that than the alternative... which, as I now know, involves phlegm, a touch of vomit, and State Senator Mathews' black Oxford shoes."
A Muslim girl with only one friend (who's leaving for college) who's not happy about being 'made' to volunteer at the campaign office. Will anyone place a bet on what might happen?
I jest. While you may feel you know what's likely to occur, the unique setting for this YA story brings a fresh feel to the well-worn story of opposites attracting. Jamie brings us the Jewish family angle, his fear of speaking in public. A cute little sister (slightly underused). A powerhouse of a tech-friendly Grandma. Maya is key to the plot, with her Muslim background (working mother who puts on a headscarf to answer the door) and whose best (and only) friend is a year older and moving on in life as she prepares for college.
The political story, I really enjoyed. Talk of candidates and their agendas, the work of the volunteers, it was a second plot within the YA 'romance'/friendship one. I found Jamie and Maya a rather adorable and empathetic pairing, both real-feeling articulate young people.
It feels very up-to-date, with references to The Good Place (a new favourite of mine) and Donald Trump. There is a racist incident that feels a little too neatly tied-up, but does form part of the overall story of Islamophobia that the story hovers round.
Sweet romance story at the centre of a small political drama. And a great way to spark a little teenage interest in the elections they will very soon be allowed to take part in. And should care about - Jamie and Maya's actions here prove that.
Nothing unsuitable here for young teens, recommended for ages 12 and over.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
Unusual maybe, but all the more refreshing for it.
A Jewish introvert who looks forward to volunteering for his local representative even less than speaking at his sister's Bat Mitzvah.
"I just stammer and blush and can barely form words. But they, better that than the alternative... which, as I now know, involves phlegm, a touch of vomit, and State Senator Mathews' black Oxford shoes."
A Muslim girl with only one friend (who's leaving for college) who's not happy about being 'made' to volunteer at the campaign office. Will anyone place a bet on what might happen?
I jest. While you may feel you know what's likely to occur, the unique setting for this YA story brings a fresh feel to the well-worn story of opposites attracting. Jamie brings us the Jewish family angle, his fear of speaking in public. A cute little sister (slightly underused). A powerhouse of a tech-friendly Grandma. Maya is key to the plot, with her Muslim background (working mother who puts on a headscarf to answer the door) and whose best (and only) friend is a year older and moving on in life as she prepares for college.
The political story, I really enjoyed. Talk of candidates and their agendas, the work of the volunteers, it was a second plot within the YA 'romance'/friendship one. I found Jamie and Maya a rather adorable and empathetic pairing, both real-feeling articulate young people.
It feels very up-to-date, with references to The Good Place (a new favourite of mine) and Donald Trump. There is a racist incident that feels a little too neatly tied-up, but does form part of the overall story of Islamophobia that the story hovers round.
Sweet romance story at the centre of a small political drama. And a great way to spark a little teenage interest in the elections they will very soon be allowed to take part in. And should care about - Jamie and Maya's actions here prove that.
Nothing unsuitable here for young teens, recommended for ages 12 and over.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
phdee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ivyninareads's review
3.0
3.75 stars!!!
I think I bought this book because I was a big fan of Becky Albertalli as an early teen. I didn’t think that I would like this book that much, or rather I assumed that I would be way out of the target audience range and thus would not enjoy the novel very much. And I was very much out of the age range, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the novel.
This book was just so easy to read. The language was very digestible and that’s exactly what I needed to read in the moment. The romance was very sweet and setting against the background of a local political campaign was surprisingly refreshing and interesting.
My rating is extremely objective as always, and this novel definitely got rated a lot higher for nostalgia purposes, but yeah. Twas a lot of fun!!
I think I bought this book because I was a big fan of Becky Albertalli as an early teen. I didn’t think that I would like this book that much, or rather I assumed that I would be way out of the target audience range and thus would not enjoy the novel very much. And I was very much out of the age range, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the novel.
This book was just so easy to read. The language was very digestible and that’s exactly what I needed to read in the moment. The romance was very sweet and setting against the background of a local political campaign was surprisingly refreshing and interesting.
My rating is extremely objective as always, and this novel definitely got rated a lot higher for nostalgia purposes, but yeah. Twas a lot of fun!!
sadhbh_anseo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.25
This was a really good read was very cute and refreshing with love confessions, human rights, a coming out that headed my soul and a great romance with lovable (mostly) side characters
sanne6je's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I think I should stop trying to read political romance, it is so not my thing.
The book is kind of slow at some points and more political than romance so about half way through, I kind of disliked it a bit. But I continued and it got better.
I think I should stop trying to read political romance, it is so not my thing.
The book is kind of slow at some points and more political than romance so about half way through, I kind of disliked it a bit. But I continued and it got better.
geenag90's review against another edition
4.0
A cute book with an excellent message. It’s really good to see more political and social awareness as central topics in YA too, very reflective of the age group being discussed.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
DNF
Tonight is just not my night. Hopefully getting a nights rest then opening another book tomorrow will have a better outcome.
Tonight is just not my night. Hopefully getting a nights rest then opening another book tomorrow will have a better outcome.