Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t like the writing style or the plot, but I didn’t really care for this book. Don’t get me wrong; there are some cute moments, especially when Sam and Hannah first met. However, I got very frustrated with this book and most of the characters and how they were acting.
A dual-narrative tale about two just-graduated high school students who find themselves attracted to one another, but who cannot quite bungle their way into actually sleeping together until the very end of the novel. The story, then, is less a romance and more a depiction of the dynamics of adolescent single-sex friendship groups among the not-very-introspective, a crowd that isn't often depicted in more serious YA fiction. I myself wasn't that fond of the characters, being more of an introspective-kind myself; they struck me as rather emotionally immature for 18 year olds, and deeply unaware of their privilege, too. But the book's snarky, and often physical, British humor definitely made it worth a read ("She was at that lively, fiery stage of drunkenness that usually comes just before vomiting or falling over, or both" [Loc 859]; "And, in the end, losing your virginity isn't really about you—it's about everyone else. It's about telling everyone else that you've done it so you can get on with doing it again. Properly this time" [1476]).
Not sure I completely buy the "sex-positive" billing of the book; yes, it depicts teens hooking up and engaging in sex with partners whom they know are not their "lobsters" (the book's heroine, Hannah, mistakenly believes that lobsters mate for life), and there is no shaming of either young men or women for so-doing. But we don't ever really see a positive depiction of a sexual relationship, or even a tryst; since both of the book's protagonists are virgins, and they end up spending very little time together before finally overcoming embarrassment, confusion, plot twists, and adolescent fumbling, we only see them having sex once.
The biggest problem I had with the book was with the portrayal of Hannah's best friend, Stella, and the dynamics of Hannah's relationship with her. Perhaps because I've grown up with YA books that insist that secrets are bad, and telling the truth is the most important thing about growing up, I had a hard time with the book basically endorsing Hannah's refusal to challenge Stella about her lying and her passive-aggressive behavior towards her best friend. And Hannah's decision to lie to Stella in turn at book's end was precisely the opposite of what I would have chosen to do. So I'm not convinced that their relationship is one I would hold up as a positive model.
Not sure I completely buy the "sex-positive" billing of the book; yes, it depicts teens hooking up and engaging in sex with partners whom they know are not their "lobsters" (the book's heroine, Hannah, mistakenly believes that lobsters mate for life), and there is no shaming of either young men or women for so-doing. But we don't ever really see a positive depiction of a sexual relationship, or even a tryst; since both of the book's protagonists are virgins, and they end up spending very little time together before finally overcoming embarrassment, confusion, plot twists, and adolescent fumbling, we only see them having sex once.
The biggest problem I had with the book was with the portrayal of Hannah's best friend, Stella, and the dynamics of Hannah's relationship with her. Perhaps because I've grown up with YA books that insist that secrets are bad, and telling the truth is the most important thing about growing up, I had a hard time with the book basically endorsing Hannah's refusal to challenge Stella about her lying and her passive-aggressive behavior towards her best friend. And Hannah's decision to lie to Stella in turn at book's end was precisely the opposite of what I would have chosen to do. So I'm not convinced that their relationship is one I would hold up as a positive model.
Another frustrating YA read made slightly better because the characters are British, but still with the same issues. I think I may need a break from YA in a bit, but I'm really trying to breeze through the books I've had for a while so I can either get rid of them or organize better so I can buy more books haha. I figured this book would be annoying because of the nature of the title, but lord it was just one thing after the other of dumb misunderstandings. And I absolutely could not stand Stella and how she legit never gets her comeuppance for being such a horrifically toxic friend. As much as I hated her, she was the only realistic part of this story because, unfortunately, I feel like so many girls have that one toxic friend who we only hang around with in high school because they do something for us. But this is a story, and to not give her real closure was super annoying. I liked the relationship once they finally shut the hell up and got together, but the journey there was so infuriating I just am not sure it was worth it. It's a cute story, I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was younger, but as I am not, it is what it is.
Very funny and raunchy British romance, set in the summer between high school and college. Hannah and Sam meet in a bathroom at party and, despite their instant attraction, have to overcome many, slightly contrived, obstacles and misunderstanding before finally getting together. See my full review here.
The minute I began reading Lobsters I was hooked, Sam and Hannah are so hilarious that I actually lost count of how many times I laughed out loud, I even gave up reading this anywhere but my house where I had the freedom to laugh without getting funny looks. Lobsters has everything you would expect from two teenagers looking for their lobster, and to lose their virginity, laughter, tension between friends trying to help them, and some pretty crazy parties.
Sam and Hannah have got be some of the most amazing protagonists I have read about, and not because they were super smart, or just the best at anything they set their mind to, but just reading how they are trying to find their way in the world of love, fumbling along trying to find a connection with someone certainly made for an entertaining read.
The voice of Lobsters was perfect, told in a teenage perspective that just works so well. Yes there was swearing, and a lot of talk on how they look at sex, but it was all relative to the story itself and not once did it get too much. There were also references to pop culture, books and movies, and every time it was mentioned in Lobsters, I couldn't help but smile....and maybe laugh at the context it was mentioned in.
Lobsters is a great début book, and makes for a fantastic summer read, and I can't wait to see if this writing duo will bring us another book at some point in the future.
Sam and Hannah have got be some of the most amazing protagonists I have read about, and not because they were super smart, or just the best at anything they set their mind to, but just reading how they are trying to find their way in the world of love, fumbling along trying to find a connection with someone certainly made for an entertaining read.
The voice of Lobsters was perfect, told in a teenage perspective that just works so well. Yes there was swearing, and a lot of talk on how they look at sex, but it was all relative to the story itself and not once did it get too much. There were also references to pop culture, books and movies, and every time it was mentioned in Lobsters, I couldn't help but smile....and maybe laugh at the context it was mentioned in.
Lobsters is a great début book, and makes for a fantastic summer read, and I can't wait to see if this writing duo will bring us another book at some point in the future.
This novel follows main characters Sam and Hannah, who both have similar things in common.
They are both extremely awkward, don't exactly fit in with their friends and they want to lose their virginity.
The book follows both of them through their different experiences.
Hannah and Sam meet briefly at a friend's party, then keep meeting again by chance.
Soon they end up dating.
This novel was an interesting and relatable read about finding love and navigating through friendships and relationships in general.
They are both extremely awkward, don't exactly fit in with their friends and they want to lose their virginity.
The book follows both of them through their different experiences.
Hannah and Sam meet briefly at a friend's party, then keep meeting again by chance.
Soon they end up dating.
This novel was an interesting and relatable read about finding love and navigating through friendships and relationships in general.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought it was a cute. It made me laugh out loud at some parts and the dialogue reminded me of some conversations I had in high school. Minus the british slang.
3.5/5
3.5/5