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blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate enough to get an early read on this book, and I'm so glad I did. I adored the friendship between these two girls, their individual stories and growth and how they formed a sort of unit as they dealt with that strange time at the end of high school and before college. One character deals with poverty in a very authentic way and I think this is so important--it's an issue that's not dealt with very much in YA and this book handles it with sensitivity and realism. The voices were distinct and both of their paths to self-discovery held element I connected with and I think teens will too. I loved that this book really focused on friendship--it's a best friends book--and we still got a good helping of romance. And oh, the romance. It's lovely and honest and real. I just loved this book. I would give it ten stars if I could. Can't wait until it's in the world.
elusivesue's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zinelib's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Best friends Rae and Vic want out of their Kentucky town. They're going to room together in college and never look back. Rae lives in a trailer with her alcoholic mother and codependent father. She works at the town's one diner to buy gas for her car and save for college. Vic is newish to the town and stands out because of her brown skin. Both girls have secrets that come out as they explore different colleges around the state.
It's a lovely friendship book, and there's also heterosexual romance (apparently author Dahlia Adler hadn't come out in print yet).
It's a lovely friendship book, and there's also heterosexual romance (apparently author Dahlia Adler hadn't come out in print yet).
kaylakaotik's review against another edition
5.0
Just Visiting made me realize just how much I love books about friendship. Especially when it's friendship between two girls that isn't toxic and full of backstabbing. Not that I don't enjoy those (I do), but sometimes a book about healthy friendship is what I really need. And this is a great book about female friendship that shows just how wonderful friendship can be.
Part of what I loved about Just Visiting is that it shows that growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart. Two people are allowed to be different, want different things, and go through completely different experiences, but still be best friends. Reagan and Victoria are perfect examples of this. I love them independently and together.
And even though this is a book about best friends, there is a some romance. Normally, I'd be worried that the romance would try to steal the spotlight, but not here. The friendship between Reagan and Victoria is clearly the focus of the book. I'm thankful for that because I would have been disappointed if this turned into a romance focused book.
Another fantastic book from Dahlia Adler!
* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
Part of what I loved about Just Visiting is that it shows that growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart. Two people are allowed to be different, want different things, and go through completely different experiences, but still be best friends. Reagan and Victoria are perfect examples of this. I love them independently and together.
And even though this is a book about best friends, there is a some romance. Normally, I'd be worried that the romance would try to steal the spotlight, but not here. The friendship between Reagan and Victoria is clearly the focus of the book. I'm thankful for that because I would have been disappointed if this turned into a romance focused book.
Another fantastic book from Dahlia Adler!
* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
lavaplant's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.25
Reread
I really wish she stopped making her characters talk like they are in a teen movie from 2007
I really wish she stopped making her characters talk like they are in a teen movie from 2007
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Just Visiting was a cute road trip story. Two friends visit colleges together, learn how to navigate the future, and fall in love (not with each other). I liked both main characters and how different they were. There friendship was interesting and realistic, and their ups and downs are so relatable.
laurenash's review against another edition
4.0
POPSUGAR'S 2016 Reading Challenge: A book about a road trip.
"When a friendship crumbles, there are only really two things that can bring it back: a shitload of time, or a sincere apology."
This book had a lot of things going for it, such as addressing small towns with limited choices, a well-written female friendship (though it did revolve around the topic of guys...a lot), lots and lots of humor/jokes, and the consequences of our actions. But, at the heart, it's about being seventeen and trying to figure out the future. I will admit that I am an early shipper...to anything. I was all !!! from the get-go. Not because I like or believe in insta-love, but because I believe in insta-connection. There are just some people you immediately click with. I knew pretty early on how their college decisions would play out, so it was only a matter of time. But I will say this-- it had a really satisfying ending with each character getting exactly what they needed/wanted/deserved.
The only source of annoyance was Reagan and THE WAY SHE THROWS FIRE AT EVERYONE. And the way she COULD NOT GET OVER the Sara thing, which wasn't even a thing in the first place. Damn. She was a hard character to be around. Every time she opened her mouth, I wanted to dock the book another half star. 4 stars is generous, but I felt feels.
"When a friendship crumbles, there are only really two things that can bring it back: a shitload of time, or a sincere apology."
This book had a lot of things going for it, such as addressing small towns with limited choices, a well-written female friendship (though it did revolve around the topic of guys...a lot), lots and lots of humor/jokes, and the consequences of our actions. But, at the heart, it's about being seventeen and trying to figure out the future. I will admit that I am an early shipper...to anything. I was all !!! from the get-go. Not because I like or believe in insta-love, but because I believe in insta-connection. There are just some people you immediately click with. I knew pretty early on how their college decisions would play out, so it was only a matter of time. But I will say this-- it had a really satisfying ending with each character getting exactly what they needed/wanted/deserved.
The only source of annoyance was Reagan and THE WAY SHE THROWS FIRE AT EVERYONE. And the way she COULD NOT GET OVER the Sara thing, which wasn't even a thing in the first place. Damn. She was a hard character to be around. Every time she opened her mouth, I wanted to dock the book another half star. 4 stars is generous, but I felt feels.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
5.0
Just Visiting is my favorite of Dahlia Adler's books to date.
It's rare to find a friendship book in YA that emphasizes some of the major differences that girls can carry -- and this one nails some of the most important things I can think of. Growing up in a poor/working class family is rarely ever addressed in YA, and it adds to the story in a really positive way.
I really, really liked Reagan. Hers is the voice and the story that stuck out to me and got my attention more. Friends can break your heart in a way that no one else can, but they can lift you up in a way that's utterly unique, too. Victoria and Reagan come from different circumstances, they want different things out of life, but they still have each other. Their friendship is believable, and it's not perfect, and that's what's so good about it. The tensions that exist come from reality -- you'd think that's an obvious thing to say, right, but contemporary YA doesn't always have a great grip on reality. Just Visting does.
And the best part? They aren't trying to get into an Ivy League school.
When I think about "college" and think back on my own experiences with trying to get into college, as well as the experiences of the people I went to high school with, Ivy League wasn't a phrase anyone uttered. But for a category that's all about the teen experience, YA books tend to gloss over the fact that uhhh, most people don't go Ivy. Most peope don't go to big 10 schools or whatever they're called. It's not a reality for most kids, and those realities deserve to be represented.
Just Visting handles this in the best way, and I'm so so so happy this is going to be in the hands of readers soon.
It's rare to find a friendship book in YA that emphasizes some of the major differences that girls can carry -- and this one nails some of the most important things I can think of. Growing up in a poor/working class family is rarely ever addressed in YA, and it adds to the story in a really positive way.
I really, really liked Reagan. Hers is the voice and the story that stuck out to me and got my attention more. Friends can break your heart in a way that no one else can, but they can lift you up in a way that's utterly unique, too. Victoria and Reagan come from different circumstances, they want different things out of life, but they still have each other. Their friendship is believable, and it's not perfect, and that's what's so good about it. The tensions that exist come from reality -- you'd think that's an obvious thing to say, right, but contemporary YA doesn't always have a great grip on reality. Just Visting does.
And the best part? They aren't trying to get into an Ivy League school.
When I think about "college" and think back on my own experiences with trying to get into college, as well as the experiences of the people I went to high school with, Ivy League wasn't a phrase anyone uttered. But for a category that's all about the teen experience, YA books tend to gloss over the fact that uhhh, most people don't go Ivy. Most peope don't go to big 10 schools or whatever they're called. It's not a reality for most kids, and those realities deserve to be represented.
Just Visting handles this in the best way, and I'm so so so happy this is going to be in the hands of readers soon.
piperhudsburn's review against another edition
3.0
This book is an excellent example of the perfect YA contemporary.
Just Visiting is an honest, heartwarming story about two best friends who are confused about what they want to do with their lives. To make matters worse, they live in a small town in the middle of Kansas. The two best friends couldn't be more different: Reagan- is a hardworking girl from a Trailer Park, and Victoria Reyes, a Mexican-American girl who is the daughter of two professors. They embark on these series of college visits throughout Kansas, hoping to find the perfect school.
I definitely recommend this book to students in their Junior or Senior years- struggling to come to terms with leaving High School and moving on to adulthood.
The shining light of this book are Rae and Vic. These girls aren't just best friends- they're basically sisters, sisters who are each keeping a secret from each other. In some ways, I really liked them individually too. Rae was smart and dedicated and wasn't afraid to stand up to her irresponsible parents. Given the nature of her secret, her OTT-ness about her "trailer-trash" situation was understandable. I also loved Vic's relationship with her family. It was healthy and loving. The kind of well-written, constructed friendship between Rae and Vic is so rare in YA, and this book got a star just for that.
The first 55% of this book were stellar- almost like a non-"pretentious" John Green novel. (I actually like John Green's work for the "pretentiousness" because kids really do have lyrical revalations, but I also understand why some people may find them tedious.)
The characters were fresh and realistic- Adler made me wish I had friends like Victoria and Rae. I liked the little awkward adventures they went on- and I loved Rae's spunk. It was shaping up to be another great coming of age novel. However, at some point- the book stopped being a tad too "perfect." I feel like Adler put more of her energy into putting diversity, sex-positive messages, and awkward moments into the book instead of putting a little bit more "realism" or "revelation." John Green's "pretentious" (EX. "I was thunder and she was a hurricane.") moments help even out the ridiculous and the awkward in his novels. I needed that in Just Visiting. Without those moments, Rae came off as a complaining, one-track mind and Vic as a vapid, whiny brat at times.
The truth is college application season is when you hate/love your friends the most, and Rae and Vic didn't go through enough strife in the climax.
But don't get me wrong: I adored this book. It was perfect in so many ways. First, the relationship between Reagan and her love interest, Dev, was amazing. I liked that they were friends first and that Adler gave them time to be friends. I especially like how the interracial-relationship thing was addressed- as a strange, but normal pairing, and not like some dramatic, Romeo/Juliet thing. They definitely made the book for me.
Vic, on the other hand, had a few love-interests. I sort of felt like they were all wasted on her. We weren't given enough time with any of them, and I felt like it was unnecessary. I much preferred her with..... At the end of the day, I shipped Victoria with her independence and dreams.
I didn't want this book to end. I really didn't. Not only because it was so good, but because it gave me such a happy feeling inside. I truly wish most YA contemporaries were like Just Visiting.
Just Visiting is an honest, heartwarming story about two best friends who are confused about what they want to do with their lives. To make matters worse, they live in a small town in the middle of Kansas. The two best friends couldn't be more different: Reagan- is a hardworking girl from a Trailer Park, and Victoria Reyes, a Mexican-American girl who is the daughter of two professors. They embark on these series of college visits throughout Kansas, hoping to find the perfect school.
I definitely recommend this book to students in their Junior or Senior years- struggling to come to terms with leaving High School and moving on to adulthood.
“When a friendship crumbles, there are only really two things that can bring it back: a shitload of time, or a sincere apology.”
The shining light of this book are Rae and Vic. These girls aren't just best friends- they're basically sisters, sisters who are each keeping a secret from each other. In some ways, I really liked them individually too. Rae was smart and dedicated and wasn't afraid to stand up to her irresponsible parents. Given the nature of her secret, her OTT-ness about her "trailer-trash" situation was understandable. I also loved Vic's relationship with her family. It was healthy and loving. The kind of well-written, constructed friendship between Rae and Vic is so rare in YA, and this book got a star just for that.
The first 55% of this book were stellar- almost like a non-"pretentious" John Green novel. (I actually like John Green's work for the "pretentiousness" because kids really do have lyrical revalations, but I also understand why some people may find them tedious.)
The characters were fresh and realistic- Adler made me wish I had friends like Victoria and Rae. I liked the little awkward adventures they went on- and I loved Rae's spunk. It was shaping up to be another great coming of age novel. However, at some point- the book stopped being a tad too "perfect." I feel like Adler put more of her energy into putting diversity, sex-positive messages, and awkward moments into the book instead of putting a little bit more "realism" or "revelation." John Green's "pretentious" (EX. "I was thunder and she was a hurricane.") moments help even out the ridiculous and the awkward in his novels. I needed that in Just Visiting. Without those moments, Rae came off as a complaining, one-track mind and Vic as a vapid, whiny brat at times.
The truth is college application season is when you hate/love your friends the most, and Rae and Vic didn't go through enough strife in the climax.
“How is it possible to feel such a strong connection with somebody but miss the most vital piece of information about him?”
But don't get me wrong: I adored this book. It was perfect in so many ways. First, the relationship between Reagan and her love interest, Dev, was amazing. I liked that they were friends first and that Adler gave them time to be friends. I especially like how the interracial-relationship thing was addressed- as a strange, but normal pairing, and not like some dramatic, Romeo/Juliet thing. They definitely made the book for me.
Vic, on the other hand, had a few love-interests. I sort of felt like they were all wasted on her. We weren't given enough time with any of them, and I felt like it was unnecessary. I much preferred her with.....
Spoiler
Jamie. I know he was an asshole, but Vic is kind of a brat- and I saw a much more interesting and realistic path for growth. I would've preferred if they had gotten together, resolved their internal conflicts, and broken up. The difference between the Rae/Dev and Jamie/Vic would've been an interesting parallel to ponder“Its time to figure out what makes you happy and just do it. Worst comes to worst, you make a mistake and then you change paths. That's the best freaking part of being a teenager.”
I didn't want this book to end. I really didn't. Not only because it was so good, but because it gave me such a happy feeling inside. I truly wish most YA contemporaries were like Just Visiting.
shadyeglenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0