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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Not me reading this whole book in a day..
Also, I just want to clarify: I give my ratings based on genre. That is, for a YA queer romance, this is an easy 5/5.
Wow. Just, wow. Personally, I loved the ending. Really did not know where this was all going up until the last like 30 pages. But truly, those last ~120 pages had me in the feels for real.
I am such a fan of this book. I defintley will say it had a notably different vibe/writing style, but I’m glad the AIDS pandemic was talked about the way it was. Also, this book tugged on the heart strings WAY more than the first one in my opinion.
Overall, I truly just loved these books. I fell in love with the characters and a lot of the content resonated with me and my own queer journey. Lastly, Ari’s character development and overall emotional journey through this duology was just *chefs kiss*
Favorite Quotes:
“It’s not that we hate our country—it’s that our country hates us”
“I was starting to believe that we lived in different ways with each person that we loved.”
“We have to have rules, Ari. Otherwise, there’s nothing but chaos. But we always have to be able to break the rules if they do not serve the people they were meant to protect”
“And all of this because you looked at me one day at a swimming pool and said to yourself, I bet I can teach this guy to swim. You saw me and I wasn’t invisible anymore. You taught me how to swim. And I didn’t have to be afraid of the water anymore. And you gave me enough words to rename the universe I lived in.”
“Maybe it was our stories that fed the universe the energy it needed to keep on giving life. Maybe all we were meant to do on this earth was to keep on telling stories. Our stories—and the stories of the people we loved.”
“Maybe life is made of the things we never dreamed of”
Also, I just want to clarify: I give my ratings based on genre. That is, for a YA queer romance, this is an easy 5/5.
Wow. Just, wow. Personally, I loved the ending. Really did not know where this was all going up until the last like 30 pages. But truly, those last ~120 pages had me in the feels for real.
I am such a fan of this book. I defintley will say it had a notably different vibe/writing style, but I’m glad the AIDS pandemic was talked about the way it was. Also, this book tugged on the heart strings WAY more than the first one in my opinion.
Overall, I truly just loved these books. I fell in love with the characters and a lot of the content resonated with me and my own queer journey. Lastly, Ari’s character development and overall emotional journey through this duology was just *chefs kiss*
Favorite Quotes:
“It’s not that we hate our country—it’s that our country hates us”
“I was starting to believe that we lived in different ways with each person that we loved.”
“We have to have rules, Ari. Otherwise, there’s nothing but chaos. But we always have to be able to break the rules if they do not serve the people they were meant to protect”
“And all of this because you looked at me one day at a swimming pool and said to yourself, I bet I can teach this guy to swim. You saw me and I wasn’t invisible anymore. You taught me how to swim. And I didn’t have to be afraid of the water anymore. And you gave me enough words to rename the universe I lived in.”
“Maybe it was our stories that fed the universe the energy it needed to keep on giving life. Maybe all we were meant to do on this earth was to keep on telling stories. Our stories—and the stories of the people we loved.”
“Maybe life is made of the things we never dreamed of”
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
LOVED the development of the story so so much. It was a wonderful experience coming back to these characters and getting to know them better as they grow.
However, I wish the ending had played out differently Spoiler (in a more ambiguous way and without a last-minute breakup+getting back together plotline) .
I also think one or two lines could be watered down a bit. Finally, I spotted some (4 or 5) mistakes (not just in grammar/syntax, but also stuff like the wrong name being mentioned) which I was surprised the editor had not spotted.
Overall, would strongly recommend for fans of the first book, as I feel it provides a lovely continuation and conclusion to Ari's journey.
However, I wish the ending had played out differently Spoiler (in a more ambiguous way and without a last-minute breakup+getting back together plotline) .
I also think one or two lines could be watered down a bit. Finally, I spotted some (4 or 5) mistakes (not just in grammar/syntax, but also stuff like the wrong name being mentioned) which I was surprised the editor had not spotted.
Overall, would strongly recommend for fans of the first book, as I feel it provides a lovely continuation and conclusion to Ari's journey.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5-3.75. It’s not perfect but it doesn’t have to be perfect for me to love it.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
A lovely continuation of the story
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes