Scan barcode
heather_19's review
4.0
A little slow to start and one of the most painfully awkward endings i have ever read, which I guess is appropriate considering the title. Enjoyable once I got into it.
maddy_moghadass's review
2.5
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.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
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.
rachcannoli's review
2.0
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.
hayleybeale's review
3.0
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.
jessethereader's review
3.0
(3.5) I enjoyed this, but it definitely wasn't what I was expecting it to be. Also it got kind of dirty at certain points and I'm not a huge fan of that kind of content. Full video review to come!
milliebooksonly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75