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albon's review against another edition
5.0
2017 review:
After probably a year of hyping this book in my head, I finally read it, and it actually lived up to my expectations!
List of everything I loved:
• Kate, our main character. I think a lot of people will feel indifferent towards her because, especially in the beginning, she is kind of introverted, insecure, makes some stupid decisions and doesn't always stand up for herself. But I found her to be a very realistic and endearing character.
• Jenn Marie Thorne's writing. It's her debut novel, and I'm impressed. It wasn't filled with purple prose or anything annoyingly beautiful, but it really made me feel like I was there. I felt the same anger and disappointment and happiness and confusion as Kate did. That's really hard to achieve, and I can't wait to read Thorne's other book to see if she continues like this.
• The family aspect! In the beginning of this book Kate meets her father and his family for the first time, and it isn't always nice. It's complicated and difficult for her and the rest of the family. I thought this was portrayed very realistically, and I loved the bond they formed with each other, and how it sometimes wavered even after they started to feel like a family. [I also like Thorne avoided going the evil stepmother-route with Meg, because that would have been really easy. Meg had every reason to dislike Kate, but she turned out to be such a great friend to Kate. (hide spoiler)]
• The romance! While the romance was an important part of the actual plot, it wasn't as overpowering as romances in YA tends to be. Usually the protagonist falls in love and the family may as well not as exist anymore. But not in this book! Her family was always the most important people to Kate. Andy and Kate only meet a few times, and they mostly talk over the phone. Which brings me to my next point...
• The banter! So much beautiful banter between Andy and Kate. They're both so snarky, but at the same time they understand each other perfectly and would do anything for to help the other.
Jenn Marie Thorne said on twitter that she will maybe write a sequel one day. Well, she better write it because I need it.
READING PROGRESS
After probably a year of hyping this book in my head, I finally read it, and it actually lived up to my expectations!
List of everything I loved:
• Kate, our main character. I think a lot of people will feel indifferent towards her because, especially in the beginning, she is kind of introverted, insecure, makes some stupid decisions and doesn't always stand up for herself. But I found her to be a very realistic and endearing character.
• Jenn Marie Thorne's writing. It's her debut novel, and I'm impressed. It wasn't filled with purple prose or anything annoyingly beautiful, but it really made me feel like I was there. I felt the same anger and disappointment and happiness and confusion as Kate did. That's really hard to achieve, and I can't wait to read Thorne's other book to see if she continues like this.
• The family aspect! In the beginning of this book Kate meets her father and his family for the first time, and it isn't always nice. It's complicated and difficult for her and the rest of the family. I thought this was portrayed very realistically, and I loved the bond they formed with each other, and how it sometimes wavered even after they started to feel like a family. [I also like Thorne avoided going the evil stepmother-route with Meg, because that would have been really easy. Meg had every reason to dislike Kate, but she turned out to be such a great friend to Kate. (hide spoiler)]
• The romance! While the romance was an important part of the actual plot, it wasn't as overpowering as romances in YA tends to be. Usually the protagonist falls in love and the family may as well not as exist anymore. But not in this book! Her family was always the most important people to Kate. Andy and Kate only meet a few times, and they mostly talk over the phone. Which brings me to my next point...
• The banter! So much beautiful banter between Andy and Kate. They're both so snarky, but at the same time they understand each other perfectly and would do anything for to help the other.
Jenn Marie Thorne said on twitter that she will maybe write a sequel one day. Well, she better write it because I need it.
READING PROGRESS
January 1, 2015 – Shelved as: to-read
January 1, 2015 – Shelved
May 15, 2017 – Started Reading
May 15, 2017 –
page 1 0.25% "«Tuesday, June 10
The Day the News Broke
147 DAYS UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION»
You know it's gonna be a good book when it starts on your birthday!"
page 1 0.25% "«Tuesday, June 10
The Day the News Broke
147 DAYS UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION»
You know it's gonna be a good book when it starts on your birthday!"
May 18, 2017 –
page 109 27.25%
page 109 27.25%
May 19, 2017 –
page 217 54.25% "I have a feeling everyone in Kate's life will betray her very soon. Andy, Marta, Meg and the senator and their kids, all the people on the campaign. So. That will be fun."
page 217 54.25% "I have a feeling everyone in Kate's life will betray her very soon. Andy, Marta, Meg and the senator and their kids, all the people on the campaign. So. That will be fun."
May 20, 2017 –
page 317 79.25% "Remember my list of the people I thought would betray Kate in my last status update? Three of them have now betrayed her. Maybe four. I'm still up in the air about Andy, but I'm leaning towards trusting him. His and Kate's banter is just too good."
page 317 79.25% "Remember my list of the people I thought would betray Kate in my last status update? Three of them have now betrayed her. Maybe four. I'm still up in the air about Andy, but I'm leaning towards trusting him. His and Kate's banter is just too good."
May 20, 2017 – Finished Reading
caitiep92's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nunib28's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I give it a 4.75 stars. It is well written and I liked the family bonding and the Kate. I loved her character. She is strong, smart, loyal, kind and brave. Maybe not in the total kickass way that Aelin Galathynius is (Throne of glass fans ;) but she was a good character that I liked to read about. I wanted to know what will she do. I also like Meg so much. I pictured her to be an evil person but I was really surprised and I liked her character a lot. The whole family and decision thing was pretty cool in book. I enjoyed it and loved how they learned from their mistakes and how they went through it. If you are looking for a light-hearted read with a little mix of politics, family and real issues that are happening now. This is the book you need to pick up.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
I have no idea how this wasn't marked read, but I had given it 5 stars a long time ago, because it's fabulous. I loved the voice, the political atmosphere, and the very authentic struggle the main character went through trying to assimilate into a new family. So good and I cannot wait for Thorne's next!
zeedee's review against another edition
2.0
Kate was ugh annoying to say the least. The best bit was Andy and he was hardly in it. Thought this was going go be amazing lol
cebaute's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. I found this book to be pretty original. Kate, our main character, and the senator were pretty vanilla. But Meg, Kate’s stepmother, was the true star. She had depth and wasn’t the cliche stepmother character.
freesien's review against another edition
5.0
Ein sehr schönes Contemporarybuch! Wunderbar geschrieben und erzählt, ich konnte sehr gut mit den Charakteren mitfühlen und alles fühlte sich auch realistisch an.
freesien's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book again felt so good. I still love it very much. The story is portrayed realistically and I connected very well with the characters, especially with the protagonist Kate.
There are no clichés, Meg is not the typical "Evil Stepmom" and I love how this book also actually gets political and doesn't just brush over some political topics. The book is set during the presidential campaign and we get a "behind the scenes" of it which is very interesting.
Family is moreover another big topic as Kate is slowly settling in with her new, with her dad's family. The romance arc is existent and sweet but it doesn't become the main plotline which I very much appreciate.
I look forward to future rereads of this book!
There are no clichés, Meg is not the typical "Evil Stepmom" and I love how this book also actually gets political and doesn't just brush over some political topics. The book is set during the presidential campaign and we get a "behind the scenes" of it which is very interesting.
Family is moreover another big topic as Kate is slowly settling in with her new, with her dad's family. The romance arc is existent and sweet but it doesn't become the main plotline which I very much appreciate.
I look forward to future rereads of this book!