Reviews

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed

lovelykd's review against another edition

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3.0

Two socially awkward teens bond over an upcoming election, in which both have a personal stake, and find more than a tendency towards activism in common.

Every time I see Becky Albertalli’s name on a book cover, I immediately want to read that book. This was no exception.

After absolutely adoring her last collab, with Adam Silvera for What If It’s Us, reading this book was an easy decision.

While it wasn’t as good as What If It’s Us, it was still a good story, with likable characters.

Albertalli has a gift for writing boys you can’t help but adore. Flaws and all.

Jamie was no exception.

Jamie is a 17-year old Jewish (a very important part of the plot) boy, that lives in Atlanta, with his mom and sister.

He hopes to change the world, by running for office someday but, for now, he’ll be happy if he overcomes his fear of public speaking before his sister’s bat mitzvah—an event in which he’s been chosen to make a toast.

When Jamie is paired up with Maya—written by Aisha Saeed—to help drum up support for the fictional Jordan Rossum, the two find themselves connecting on multiple levels.

As much as this is a story about teenage love, it is also about social activism and getting involved in your community, no matter your age.

None of the political speak digs too deep but there are some pointed looks at racism, white separatism, the alt-right movement, Muslim culture, Jewish culture, and gaslighting.

Still, there’s enough of a love story to keep the needle from moving too far to one end or the other.

As a result, the story never feels too overwhelming or “heavy”.

My one complaint is how long key characters disappeared. For instance, much of Maya’s angst is centered around the absence of best friend Sara.

Sara is a year ahead of Maya in school and starts college soon. As such, she was absent for much of the book—despite being an overwhelming point of conflict for Maya.

By the time the two interacted, in one major plot turn, it felt forced and unrealistic. I simply had a hard time buying into them as friends.

Overall, though, this is another solid offering by Albertalli and it made me interested in checking out more of Saeed’s work as well.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the advanced e-Galley. Opinion was not influenced.

sarahtribble's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5/5, extremely predictable but the representation was good

s4pling's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

hmorgz11's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

neesonk's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? No

3.75

This book sets us up for a happy ending but does not deliver. I loved it right up until the end. 

vianadear's review against another edition

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3.0

ok i liked it, it was pretty cute! but i feel it could have done without the typical misrepresentation. why do ppl keep falling into the “muslim girl who is liberated from her beliefs” plot?? saw it first in élite and then in whatever the hell that “cuties” mess from netflix was. let’s not keep pushing the narrative that islam is an oppressive religion, k? thanks x

jalou2123's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

looddle's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

fallenstarr's review against another edition

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hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

booksforourminds's review against another edition

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3.0

3'5/5 estrellas.
Es la primera vez que leo a las autoras, Becky es la autora de la famosa novela Yo, Simon, Homo Sapiens y tenía muchas ganas de descubrir su pluma junto a Aisha.

En esta novela encontramos a Maya y a Jamie. Los capítulos están intercalados entre ambos personajes y eso hace que puedas conocerlos mejor y también saber cómo se sienten en cada momento. Maya está atravesando una etapa muy difícil y Jamie tiene problemas para hablar en público y no le hace ilusión ir de puerta en puerta haciendo campaña para las elecciones. Pero Maya y Jamie se reencontrarán después de muchos años y a la madre de Maya no se le ocurre nada mejor que su hija haga campaña con Jamie. He de admitir que Jamie ha sido mi favorito en este libro.

Me ha gustado mucho la crítica social de esta novela. Creo que junto a los personajes es lo mejor que tiene Si, no, tal vez. Se puede ver un crecimiento personal tanto en Maya como en Jamie a medida que las elecciones se acercan. Maya es musulmana y Jamie es judío así que las autoras también tratan de enseñar al lector ambas culturas, esta parte me ha parecido muy interesante.

Por otra parte, la relación entre Maya y Jamie se construye a fuego lento y de una forma muy bonita que te mantendrá enganchado desde el principio. Si que es verdad que se debe tener en cuenta que el tema de las elecciones está muy presente y se trata de educar al lector en política y en cómo funciona en EEUU. La nota final de las autoras es esperanzadora.

En definitiva, Si, no, tal vez es una historia de reivindicación y de lucha por los ideales y los derechos humanos, pero también es una historia tierna que se construye como poco a poco y que te sacará más de una sonrisa. Ojalá le deis una oportunidad.