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akmackrell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookclubbitches's review against another edition
3.0
Complicated and messy. These characters are so unhealthy in literally all of their relationships and then everything is resolved in the last 30 pages. 🥴
katkinney's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man, what I love about both books I’ve read now by the amazing RLS is the way she creates these really complicated, sticky, uncomfortable, emotionally messy scenarios where there really aren’t any bad guys, but still you can end up with a LOT of hurt feelings. And ooohhh I could tell this was going to be so juicy from chapter one. Sophie and Peter are best friends. Peter has been chronically ill his entire life because of a kidney problem. Sophie has a thing for Peter which is sort of brewing below the surface, but they’re 18 now and with all her hinting around, Peter has never really acted on it. Sophie is a donor match, and offers a kidney to Peter. You can guess where this is going. Where do those lines blur between doing something purely from the goodness of your heart for a friend versus because there is some sort of expectation attached? Especially when that something is HUGE and impossible to take back.
This was seriously heartbreaking to read, from both perspectives. Codependence is brought up here, and absolutely fits. Well written. Also, bonus points for ADORABLE CHINCHILLA
This was seriously heartbreaking to read, from both perspectives. Codependence is brought up here, and absolutely fits.
Spoiler
You really feel for the situation, of the difficulty of chronic illness and the hardship it presents on everyone involved, and also the way Sophie might have while of course wishing Peter wasn’t sick, and being selfless in her friendship with him, liked the closeness it brought them, and turned that into a crutch rather than expanding her social circle and forming a life of her own outside of him. Both wind up getting terribly, terribly hurt in the end by what their relationship has turned into, and what it couldn’t ultimately be for one person.bookishboujeeandbossbabe's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
dabutkus's review against another edition
4.0
When her best friend needs a kidney transplant, there’s no doubt in Sophie’s mind that she’s going to be the one to donate. But when she develops feelings for Peter, that’s when things get complicated. Sophie and Peter are lifelong best friends who have always been there for each other but once Peter receives his transplant, the two start to grow apart. Peter has found new freedom and independence he hasn’t yet to experience due to the world of dialysis and his parents overprotection. Sophie is continuing on with her life until one night where everything changes and Peter and Sophie have to make a decision that will affect both their lives. I devoured this book and couldn’t put it down due to wanting to know what happens.
rachelbarese's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
authoralliesarah's review against another edition
4.0
“But he will always be Peter, and I will always be Sophie, and no matter who else we become, our history and our scars will always connect us.”
What I loved most about this book was that Rachel Lynn Solomon didn’t try to shove Peter and Sophie into a relationship. I saw cracks in their friendship from the beginning, and I really hoped that the two characters would recognize that it wasn’t healthy and distance themselves a little. And they did, and that’s my favorite part of the book. That both Peter and Sophie grew and realized that they could have lives outside of each other. People change. Relationships change. And that was acknowledged in this book, and it was really nice to see it represented.
What I loved most about this book was that Rachel Lynn Solomon didn’t try to shove Peter and Sophie into a relationship. I saw cracks in their friendship from the beginning, and I really hoped that the two characters would recognize that it wasn’t healthy and distance themselves a little. And they did, and that’s my favorite part of the book. That both Peter and Sophie grew and realized that they could have lives outside of each other. People change. Relationships change. And that was acknowledged in this book, and it was really nice to see it represented.
bayy245's review against another edition
4.0
This was an absolutely beautiful book that tackled so many important issues. This book didn't drag nor did you feel weighed down by all the heavy topics. Sophie and Peter have to navigate life after a transplant and what it really means to give and receive a kidney. There's a lot of talk on feeling guilty or indebted to someone because of what they've done for you. A kidney is a huge deal but there are everyday instances that could cause someone to feel this way too.
Sophie and Peter are inseparable, but they have to navigate high school and what it means now that Peter is "healthy". How do you go from being each other's everything to just being a part of their life? How do you set aside your romantic feelings for someone when they're all you've ever wanted?
Our MCs are messy and they make a lot of mistakes, but that's a part of being human. This whole situation is complicated and while Peter and Sophie hunt for the right answer they might just find there isn't one.
Another big topic in this that I absolutely adored was toxic friendships and friend breakups. One of the most important lines in the book is about when romantic relationships end, you can always fall back to being friends. But when a friendship ends, that's just the end.
Religion is a huge part of this book and I learned a lot about how Judaism works. I loved seeing it from so many characters perspective and watching our characters come to terms with religion and what being Jewish means to them. I think everyone has had a similar struggle in their lives and it was really refreshing and comforting to see similar struggles with religion in a YA novel. Also, I loved that Peter is unapologetically bi AND Jewish. I really want to see more of that. Being gay and religious is obviously a struggle but it isn't always THE struggle when it comes to questioning religion.
Overall, this was a beautifully written book that tackles difficult issues while pulling you into its world. These characters will find a place in your heart and you'll laugh and cry along with them.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon Pulse through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Sophie and Peter are inseparable, but they have to navigate high school and what it means now that Peter is "healthy". How do you go from being each other's everything to just being a part of their life? How do you set aside your romantic feelings for someone when they're all you've ever wanted?
Our MCs are messy and they make a lot of mistakes, but that's a part of being human. This whole situation is complicated and while Peter and Sophie hunt for the right answer they might just find there isn't one.
Another big topic in this that I absolutely adored was toxic friendships and friend breakups. One of the most important lines in the book is about when romantic relationships end, you can always fall back to being friends. But when a friendship ends, that's just the end.
Religion is a huge part of this book and I learned a lot about how Judaism works. I loved seeing it from so many characters perspective and watching our characters come to terms with religion and what being Jewish means to them. I think everyone has had a similar struggle in their lives and it was really refreshing and comforting to see similar struggles with religion in a YA novel. Also, I loved that Peter is unapologetically bi AND Jewish. I really want to see more of that. Being gay and religious is obviously a struggle but it isn't always THE struggle when it comes to questioning religion.
Overall, this was a beautifully written book that tackles difficult issues while pulling you into its world. These characters will find a place in your heart and you'll laugh and cry along with them.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon Pulse through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
rayraymakay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
rachelshubin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
Fantastic opening line and full of so much amazing prose. I genuinely didn’t expect to love this book or feel super emotional while reading it.
Unless you’ve read this book, you probably can’t understand this:You can’t root for Sophie and Peter to get what they both want because it just isn’t the same.
There are so many highlighted sentences and tabs in my copy, there was just so many moments where I wanted to write down my thoughts and at the same time hug both characters.
I was impressed with the ending too, because it’s not the kind of ending you’d typically expect. While it’s not my favorite of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books, it shows how incredibly good and powerful of a writer she is and has evolved since this book.
Unless you’ve read this book, you probably can’t understand this:You can’t root for Sophie and Peter to get what they both want because it just isn’t the same.
There are so many highlighted sentences and tabs in my copy, there was just so many moments where I wanted to write down my thoughts and at the same time hug both characters.
I was impressed with the ending too, because it’s not the kind of ending you’d typically expect. While it’s not my favorite of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books, it shows how incredibly good and powerful of a writer she is and has evolved since this book.