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angelabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bluebelle_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This book…
I went into this looking for a quick read. Something to fill my time while I waited for the book I actually wanted to read to arrive in the mail. The beginning was a bit slow, and I actually considered DNFing it at one point as I just wasn’t invested. “So why did I rate it 5 stars?” you must be thinking. Well..
I fell in love. I fell in love with the characters and the story.. I love books that are set in a different country. We read SO MUCH about the United States, and so to be in a different setting is very refreshing. Not to mention, the way Laura Taylor Namey writes, is beautiful. The way she describes places and Cuban culture? Brilliant. I truly felt like I was there. I was laughing and crying right along with Lila. I really connected with her, and understood her.
I loved all the characters so much, but Orion…. the boy named after stars.. just might be my new book boyfriend. He was so gentle, and kind, even though he was grieving in his own way. I definitely felt like he could have used more depth, he seemed a little too perfect. At the same time, I liked that he didn’t seem to have anything wrong with him. That he just was this amazing boy. It’s fiction, so why not?
However, the biggest reason this book is getting a whole 5 stars, is because it felt like home. Especially towards the end. Lila was talking about her family, and I was picturing mine. It just felt like a warm hug. It’s definitely a book that I’ll be coming back to when I need cheering up, and I’ve never really felt this way about a book before.
100/10 recommend ❤️
I went into this looking for a quick read. Something to fill my time while I waited for the book I actually wanted to read to arrive in the mail. The beginning was a bit slow, and I actually considered DNFing it at one point as I just wasn’t invested. “So why did I rate it 5 stars?” you must be thinking. Well..
I fell in love. I fell in love with the characters and the story.. I love books that are set in a different country. We read SO MUCH about the United States, and so to be in a different setting is very refreshing. Not to mention, the way Laura Taylor Namey writes, is beautiful. The way she describes places and Cuban culture? Brilliant. I truly felt like I was there. I was laughing and crying right along with Lila. I really connected with her, and understood her.
I loved all the characters so much, but Orion…. the boy named after stars.. just might be my new book boyfriend. He was so gentle, and kind, even though he was grieving in his own way. I definitely felt like he could have used more depth, he seemed a little too perfect. At the same time, I liked that he didn’t seem to have anything wrong with him. That he just was this amazing boy. It’s fiction, so why not?
However, the biggest reason this book is getting a whole 5 stars, is because it felt like home. Especially towards the end. Lila was talking about her family, and I was picturing mine. It just felt like a warm hug. It’s definitely a book that I’ll be coming back to when I need cheering up, and I’ve never really felt this way about a book before.
100/10 recommend ❤️
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
What I liked the most about book was representation, everything surrounding Lila's family and culture, but what didn't work for me was romance and I just didn't connect with them.
What I liked the most about book was representation, everything surrounding Lila's family and culture, but what didn't work for me was romance and I just didn't connect with them.
lena_mercedez's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Such an adorable, feel good, coming of age story.
bravemance's review against another edition
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
maca_vr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Dementia, and Death
dizzyjenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
caitlinjohnson's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
"Thing is, when you put something back together, it's never exactly the same as it was before."
Lila and the friendships she made were easily the highlight of the book. Every moment she had with Flora was lovely to read. The way she saw herself in Flora and saw that she needed someone to be there for her and be a safe place brought me to tears at times.
The romance itself was a bit lacklustre. I didn't get too invested in Lila and Orion, their moments were cute but I didn't feel attached to them as a couple.
The last ten or so pages did make me cry though. The culmination of Lila's emotional growth throughout the book was an amazing way to end the book.
If you pick it up, I recommend having a snack on hand because the descriptions of food in this book are so detailed.
Lila and the friendships she made were easily the highlight of the book. Every moment she had with Flora was lovely to read. The way she saw herself in Flora and saw that she needed someone to be there for her and be a safe place brought me to tears at times.
The romance itself was a bit lacklustre. I didn't get too invested in Lila and Orion, their moments were cute but I didn't feel attached to them as a couple.
The last ten or so pages did make me cry though. The culmination of Lila's emotional growth throughout the book was an amazing way to end the book.
If you pick it up, I recommend having a snack on hand because the descriptions of food in this book are so detailed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Dementia
mirandacasuga's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i liked this book, the concept is cute although it lowkey was a fanfic plot, that doesn’t mean i didn’t like it. also why did her aunt and her family like become irrelevant after the first quarter of the book, where did they go?? and i relate really heavily to the main character and i’m glad to see my boltyness reflected in her but all the other characters felt like CHARACTERS and orion was just kinda *insert british love interest here* and yknow maybe the british narration in the audiobook kinda made the british characters flop but ALSO THIS WHOLE BAND GRAFFITI PLOT??? WHERE DID THAT GO?? IT KINDA JUST DISAPPEARED?? idk