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illbefinealone's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very solid read.
The main character was so realistically written and so relatable that I couldn't help but feel for her throughout the book. I loved her attitude and views. The book is very realistic with the other characters too, especially the boys that are a part of June's life, and I must note that she deserves so much better than them.
The writing flows well, the tone is just beautiful. I wish some of the themes were expanded on a bit more, but it works nicely as it is too.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
The main character was so realistically written and so relatable that I couldn't help but feel for her throughout the book. I loved her attitude and views. The book is very realistic with the other characters too, especially the boys that are a part of June's life, and I must note that she deserves so much better than them.
The writing flows well, the tone is just beautiful. I wish some of the themes were expanded on a bit more, but it works nicely as it is too.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
sacx1504's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
addythebookbat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, and Racism
Minor: Abortion
servingupstories's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to Netgallery and Peachtree Teen for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Here's the thing, I don't think this is a bad book, however, it wasn't memorable for me except for the parts in which I felt were left incomplete and found myself clinging onto - not in such a good way though.
To start with the positive, I really liked the insight into this book's main character, June, and her experience as a Asian American teenager and her relationship between her family members. Mainly her mother and her sister; her father is rarely mentioned. I also appreciated the realistic depiction of navigating love and sex at this age - although it was quite a bit messy, I know aspects of it will be relatable to some readers. HOWEVER, through all this mess/conflict June encountered, it didn't feel like any 'character development' was achieved. In the end, she comes to a bit of a sudden realization about herself and her relationships with boys, but I think it left the impact the author was aiming for to be quite lacking.
And speaking of sudden, this book just ENDED. Like, I was sure there had to be more to my copy but nope. It was just over and a few plot points were just left opened? The big argument with her sister that it just breezed by although it felt significant. Whatever it was that Tommy was talking about 'saving' Rhys from or whatever? It just didn't feel completed.
I have to say though that the biggest drawback to this book though is that I was bored the entire time reading it. I feel horrible to say it but it was a struggle for me to get through this book due to being personally unable to connect to these characters or this story and just not having enough interest in the characters or the plot itself. I think that a teen at this stage in life of navigating intimate relationships, parental expectations and college admissions - they may get something from this story. But for me, it just didn't have that something to keep me invested.
Content warnings:
Here's the thing, I don't think this is a bad book, however, it wasn't memorable for me except for the parts in which I felt were left incomplete and found myself clinging onto - not in such a good way though.
To start with the positive, I really liked the insight into this book's main character, June, and her experience as a Asian American teenager and her relationship between her family members. Mainly her mother and her sister; her father is rarely mentioned. I also appreciated the realistic depiction of navigating love and sex at this age - although it was quite a bit messy, I know aspects of it will be relatable to some readers. HOWEVER, through all this mess/conflict June encountered, it didn't feel like any 'character development' was achieved. In the end, she comes to a bit of a sudden realization about herself and her relationships with boys, but I think it left the impact the author was aiming for to be quite lacking.
And speaking of sudden, this book just ENDED. Like, I was sure there had to be more to my copy but nope. It was just over and a few plot points were just left opened? The big argument with her sister that it just breezed by although it felt significant. Whatever it was that Tommy was talking about 'saving' Rhys from or whatever? It just didn't feel completed.
I have to say though that the biggest drawback to this book though is that I was bored the entire time reading it. I feel horrible to say it but it was a struggle for me to get through this book due to being personally unable to connect to these characters or this story and just not having enough interest in the characters or the plot itself. I think that a teen at this stage in life of navigating intimate relationships, parental expectations and college admissions - they may get something from this story. But for me, it just didn't have that something to keep me invested.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
pregnancy scare, use of Plan B, racism, sex under coercion, uncomfortable sexual experiencessolarsonist's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lantsoved's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
maybe i expected so much because the blurb has potential but eh :/ i just finished this bc i dont want to dnf anything this year.
eramhussain's review against another edition
4.0
This book is really messy. I mean it made me question all the relationship choices made by the main character June.
June Chu is pretty complex. she has a lot of things influencing her from her parents to her sister to her friends. She lacks validation from her family and tries to find it within the men she "dates" (who all turn out to be not the best in some way or another).
This is her story of realizing her self worth, dealing with her parent's expectations, the Asian-American experience and the period of change from high school to college.
June Chu is pretty complex. she has a lot of things influencing her from her parents to her sister to her friends. She lacks validation from her family and tries to find it within the men she "dates" (who all turn out to be not the best in some way or another).
This is her story of realizing her self worth, dealing with her parent's expectations, the Asian-American experience and the period of change from high school to college.
kba76's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Boys I Know is a book that delivers exactly what it says. June is our main character, daughter of two Taiwanese high achievers, and she is about to finish school. She has little idea what she wants to do with her life or where she wants to go, and the book follows her as she progresses through her final months of school and comes to a decision about her future.
June is a character who grows as the book progresses. Desperate to be seen as mature, June frequently makes decisions that emphasise her youth. Through the focus on three boys and her shifting relationship with them we watch June start to make her own way in the world.
It was frustrating to see such a clever girl follow a rather stereotypical approach to relationships. It was interesting to see her examine her relationships in light of her growing sense of self, though it didn’t really seem to offer anything new.
June is a character who grows as the book progresses. Desperate to be seen as mature, June frequently makes decisions that emphasise her youth. Through the focus on three boys and her shifting relationship with them we watch June start to make her own way in the world.
It was frustrating to see such a clever girl follow a rather stereotypical approach to relationships. It was interesting to see her examine her relationships in light of her growing sense of self, though it didn’t really seem to offer anything new.
bluehairedlibrarian's review against another edition
Just wasn’t feeling it. I feel like I’ve read this same book before, but it was more engaging.