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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This was such a surprise! Going into this one, I really thought it was going to be a typical YA contemporary romance but it was so much more that that! It had great depth, with multiple important storylines and well-developed characters.
I really enjoyed the format of the story, told through the dual perspectives of the two main characters. New York City was the perfect backdrop for this book.
I haven’t seen this one talked about a lot but I definitely recommend checking it out!
I really enjoyed the format of the story, told through the dual perspectives of the two main characters. New York City was the perfect backdrop for this book.
I haven’t seen this one talked about a lot but I definitely recommend checking it out!
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
yeah, i was bored as hell reading this. the love interest had zero chemistry together. as the story went on the more i started to dislike the characters and the choice that they made.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
A couple of influential readers recommended this book, so I requested it on NetGalley.
I almost DNFd this one at 33 percent. It's well written and each word - sentence - chapter is quite lovely, but I found I just didn't care.
I think this book is trying to address Big Issues, such as mental health, money and class, race, but it brushes very lightly over the top of these. In some cases it seems to fall into stereotypes. Maybe I'm just naive, of maybe every single person in New York hates everyone from the Dominican republic. Or maybe its not because Alex is brown, maybe it's because he's a big loud youth, carrying on big and loud with his big loud friends.
There were other things that irritated me - like the untranslated Spanish. I mean, I could figure it out in context, but that's not really how I like to read books. Mainly though, it irritated me that they kept on bumping into each other on the train. New York is a big city and the subway runs every two to ten minutes (yes, I googled it). The chances of two people repeatedly being in the same subway car - and not on the way to work or school, but at random times on the weekend, seems slim to me.
But maybe maybe real problem is that the two main characters' love seemed very slight. And they did that romance novel thing were the female lead has just one friend.
So, with all these criticisms, why three stars? Well, this is YA, and I'm not the target audience. Back when I was less wrinkly and cynical I probably would have liked this more. Also, on the weekend I just sat on the couch and read, so it was sort of pleasant, if annoying.
As always, I thank NetGalley and the publishers for the e-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.
I almost DNFd this one at 33 percent. It's well written and each word - sentence - chapter is quite lovely, but I found I just didn't care.
I think this book is trying to address Big Issues, such as mental health, money and class, race, but it brushes very lightly over the top of these. In some cases it seems to fall into stereotypes. Maybe I'm just naive, of maybe every single person in New York hates everyone from the Dominican republic. Or maybe its not because Alex is brown, maybe it's because he's a big loud youth, carrying on big and loud with his big loud friends.
There were other things that irritated me - like the untranslated Spanish. I mean, I could figure it out in context, but that's not really how I like to read books. Mainly though, it irritated me that they kept on bumping into each other on the train. New York is a big city and the subway runs every two to ten minutes (yes, I googled it). The chances of two people repeatedly being in the same subway car - and not on the way to work or school, but at random times on the weekend, seems slim to me.
But maybe maybe real problem is that the two main characters' love seemed very slight. And they did that romance novel thing were the female lead has just one friend.
So, with all these criticisms, why three stars? Well, this is YA, and I'm not the target audience. Back when I was less wrinkly and cynical I probably would have liked this more. Also, on the weekend I just sat on the couch and read, so it was sort of pleasant, if annoying.
As always, I thank NetGalley and the publishers for the e-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.
Not what I was expecting at all, in a good way. I thought it was going to just be a happy YA romance, but there's so much more. There are realistic portrayals of mental health, family pressure and racism. I loved the spanish words flawlessly added throughout.
SO so soooo much goodness contained within the pages of this novel. Two characters with so much depth to them that it is hard to tell where the story will go next. I have nothing but praise for this story!
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review*
Isa and Alex meet on a subway, and they are instantly drawn to one another, despite their differences. Isa is a half-Cuban dancer from the rich side of town, who is dealing with family issues that may change her world completely. Alex is Dominican-American, who has the talent to become a pro-baseball player like his father wants, but his heart set on becoming a poet. Over the course of three years, their relationship develops as they try to navigate their differing worlds.
The story is told from alternating perspectives between Isa and Alex. I liked both voices, and how slowly their relationship developed, but at times, I wish they would have openly communicated with each other more as it would have resolved a lot of the issues they had in their relationship. I do think I was more invested in the side plots they were leading individually though, rather than their romance together. I liked the exploration of mental illness through Isa's brother Merritt and her mother's depression as well. There were also discussions about social classes, racism and police brutality as well. I found this to be enjoyable while I read it, but I don't believe it will be anything particularly memorable in the long run for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review*
Isa and Alex meet on a subway, and they are instantly drawn to one another, despite their differences. Isa is a half-Cuban dancer from the rich side of town, who is dealing with family issues that may change her world completely. Alex is Dominican-American, who has the talent to become a pro-baseball player like his father wants, but his heart set on becoming a poet. Over the course of three years, their relationship develops as they try to navigate their differing worlds.
The story is told from alternating perspectives between Isa and Alex. I liked both voices, and how slowly their relationship developed, but at times, I wish they would have openly communicated with each other more as it would have resolved a lot of the issues they had in their relationship. I do think I was more invested in the side plots they were leading individually though, rather than their romance together. I liked the exploration of mental illness through Isa's brother Merritt and her mother's depression as well. There were also discussions about social classes, racism and police brutality as well. I found this to be enjoyable while I read it, but I don't believe it will be anything particularly memorable in the long run for me.