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jojo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Alcohol, Addiction, Homophobia, and Racism
theespressoedition's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.5
I Wanna Be Where You Are is your run-of-the-mill YA enemies-to-lovers "romcom." Okay, so it's more like friends-to-maybe-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, but that gets a little confusing, let's be honest.
The main character has big dreams and she's willing to sacrifice her (very sweet albeit protective) mother's trust to go on a road trip with a guy she used to have a crush on and now hates... plus his dog.
If we were supposed to feel swoony over the love interest, well, let's just say that was obliterated the second I found out he was a smoker. I could smell the ick as I was reading. He's also this very stereotypical "macho" kid who has to make the MC feel bad about every little thing - despite the fact that it's clear he's liked her for years and feels like he screwed up their would-be relationship and any friendship they could've had.
I didn't feel invested in any of the characters. They were so careless throughout the entire story - from spending copious amounts of money on car repairs without telling their parents what happened (okay truly, what 17-year-old is going to get in a car accident... something that already causes trauma... and not tell an adult it happened????) to driving all over like there's no one depending on them for anything. I don't know, it just felt off to me from the jump.
There were a few moments that I enjoyed as I was reading the book, but I don't think I'd ever pick it up again. I didn't feel any connection or care towards anyone, and that really affected my end rating. In fact, several weeks after listening to it, I'd even consider lowering the rating, since I can't seem to think of anything that actually made me like the book.
The main character has big dreams and she's willing to sacrifice her (very sweet albeit protective) mother's trust to go on a road trip with a guy she used to have a crush on and now hates... plus his dog.
If we were supposed to feel swoony over the love interest, well, let's just say that was obliterated the second I found out he was a smoker. I could smell the ick as I was reading. He's also this very stereotypical "macho" kid who has to make the MC feel bad about every little thing - despite the fact that it's clear he's liked her for years and feels like he screwed up their would-be relationship and any friendship they could've had.
I didn't feel invested in any of the characters. They were so careless throughout the entire story - from spending copious amounts of money on car repairs without telling their parents what happened (okay truly, what 17-year-old is going to get in a car accident... something that already causes trauma... and not tell an adult it happened????) to driving all over like there's no one depending on them for anything. I don't know, it just felt off to me from the jump.
There were a few moments that I enjoyed as I was reading the book, but I don't think I'd ever pick it up again. I didn't feel any connection or care towards anyone, and that really affected my end rating. In fact, several weeks after listening to it, I'd even consider lowering the rating, since I can't seem to think of anything that actually made me like the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, and Toxic friendship
jackelz's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
What I loved most:
➵ Road trip
➵ Geezer, the adorable senior rescue pup
➵ Rekindled friendships
I enjoyed the slow unraveling on what happened between Chloe and Eli — they used to be best friends, and then one fateful day, they stopped talking to each other. Of course they got on each others nerves in the car, and that made for an entertaining road trip. The supporting characters in this were really great as well.
I can understand Chloe’s mom’s reservations, to an extent, but both of Eli’s parents drove me wild. In the end, Chloe and Eli were able to stand up for what they wanted and their futures, and that’s a win for me.
I completely breezed through this book and highly recommend it if you’re looking for a sweet Young Adult romance with relatable characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Vomit, and Car accident
samone2's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Vomit
ashleycmms's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic friendship
livreads54's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Car accident
readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Sweet and light teen coming of age/love story that touches gently on the experience of Black women in predominantly white settings such as American ballet. A quick, enjoyable and authentic read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Vomit
theengineerisreading's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
"It's true we don't know what's going to happen, but the best things happen when we don't plan them."
I will confidently say that contemporary is my cup of tea. And I drank this book like I've been craving a good cup of oolong for weeks.
I Wanna be Where you are is a story of two teens' reconciliation intertwined with their respective coming-of-age stories.
Chloe Pierce has been an aspiring ballerina ever since her mom enrolled her when she's three years old but now that she's nearing college, it seems that her dream to be a professional ballerina will not be possible since her mom insists that she choose other program and do dance as a minor.
Eli Greene used to be Chloe's childhood friend but everything fell out when Eli broke Chloe's trust before they go to homecoming dance. But now Eli is set to patch their friendship and maybe win her heart as well?
Romantic, realistic, and also inspiring - this book managed to present the story, over and after a roadtrip, of a teenager growing up with strict parents. Both MCs grew up with the same strict parents, Chloe because her mom became overprotective since her dad died and Eli because his divorced parents have a strong view about his future.
This book delighted me by subtly saying that sometimes it pays to check on our kids' dream and ask them what makes them happy.
Scoops of romance presented in slowbun friends to enemies to lovers trope, IWBWYA is a feel-good read that also managed to incorporate reality check about opportunity for Black kids, parental issues, and grief stories.
At the end of the book, this one highlighted that confidence starts within and support system is a must when you're chasing your dream.
RATING: 4stars
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Grief, and Vomit
lorithereadingfairy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
TW: Death of a parent, car accident, past injury, smoking, vomiting, and divorce
Rep: Black Cast, Black MC, Black LI, Black Gay Side Character
“Sometimes people might believe in themselves, but it’s not enough when they feel like they don’t have support.”
Y’all I’m still screaming about this book. This is my 2nd time reading it, and I’m still trying to form words about it, because it still leaves me speechless. And it’s seriously so adorable and such a quick read that it broke me out of my small reading slump that I got from reading too many fantasy books.
Can we just say, this is the very few books that focuses on Black happiness and I loved it. Chloe just wants to go after her dream, go to school dances, find romance with someone unexpected, friendship and learning to love herself. Honestly, it was so cool and I am so glad this book existed because I adored quite a bit of it.
But also, it’s a roadtrip! And it was so cool! I loved that Chloe was stuck with her enemy, Eli with his old dog, due to ‘blackmail’ and Chloe wants to audition. I loved the fact that Chloe had to deal with her feelings on her way, along with tons of roadblocks in the book!
Can I just say, I adored Chloe?! I love her innocence, I loved her passion for Ballet, I loved how she gets nervous. Everything about her was so perfect that I honestly believed that she was a real person and I was witnessing everything that happened in this book. I also love that she is struggling to get back to dancing, and wants to go after her dream even after her accident.
I really liked Eli also. He’s just a cool character overall. I loved that he is an artist, he has an old dog who is super cool. And we learn more about him as the book unravels, and honestly-he’s just so cool in general.
I loved Forest’s writing. It was so fun, and easy to read to read. It was a little easy to tell that it was a debut novel with the way some things were. But honestly, it was just so adorable and cute all around!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Death
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