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eesh25's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
This feels like a Romance novel. Emphasis on the capital r. It's the tone, the way it feels like it's bigger than what it is. It has themes of self-discovery, exploring the world and even some fate thrown in there, which isn't usually my thing but the author takes a realistic approach to it. Also, she never mentions the word fate, which is great.
The story starts when Owen and Lucy meet. They get in an elevator when there's a city-wide blackout. They get out soon enough but the blackout lasts for more than a day and in that time, they hang out. It's very cute and there's obvious chemistry between the two. But that's just the first meeting. Neither of their lives are uncomplicated and both are moving two different parts of the country (or in Lucy's case, the world) so it's not possible to have a normal relationship.
The rest of the novel focuses on their travels, the ways they find to communicate with one another, how they discover their feelings for each other and how they discover themselves.
This was a very lighthearted novel (which I always love) and honestly, kind of beautiful. The tone of the novel was soothing, optimistic and fresh. I loved both the characters and loved rooting for them not just romantically, but just as individuals who haven't got the hand of things just yet, who're having problems with their families, even small ones.
Also, the novel sucks you in. Every time you visit a new place, you feel like you're there with the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel. This is a feel-good book if I ever saw one and since I read it while I was sick, it was perfect. Probably my favourite by Jennifer E. Smith so far. And while I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, I personally recommend reading it. It's a great book that makes you feel all the good emotions with a story that's almost poetic in its execution.
This feels like a Romance novel. Emphasis on the capital r. It's the tone, the way it feels like it's bigger than what it is. It has themes of self-discovery, exploring the world and even some fate thrown in there, which isn't usually my thing but the author takes a realistic approach to it. Also, she never mentions the word fate, which is great.
The story starts when Owen and Lucy meet. They get in an elevator when there's a city-wide blackout. They get out soon enough but the blackout lasts for more than a day and in that time, they hang out. It's very cute and there's obvious chemistry between the two. But that's just the first meeting. Neither of their lives are uncomplicated and both are moving two different parts of the country (or in Lucy's case, the world) so it's not possible to have a normal relationship.
The rest of the novel focuses on their travels, the ways they find to communicate with one another, how they discover their feelings for each other and how they discover themselves.
This was a very lighthearted novel (which I always love) and honestly, kind of beautiful. The tone of the novel was soothing, optimistic and fresh. I loved both the characters and loved rooting for them not just romantically, but just as individuals who haven't got the hand of things just yet, who're having problems with their families, even small ones.
Also, the novel sucks you in. Every time you visit a new place, you feel like you're there with the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel. This is a feel-good book if I ever saw one and since I read it while I was sick, it was perfect. Probably my favourite by Jennifer E. Smith so far. And while I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, I personally recommend reading it. It's a great book that makes you feel all the good emotions with a story that's almost poetic in its execution.
rachd24's review against another edition
3.0
Initially, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. Would it be an over-complicated teeny-bopper drama? Or would it be a sickly sweet and impossible insta-love? l think it just touches the edges of all of these criteria and more, but The Geography of You and Me manages to do it in a humorous, non-offensive and heart-strings-tuggingly brilliant way…
If you are after a gritty read, a story with over-complicated teenage angst or a reasonably realistic love story I suggest you move on. However, if you want just the right amount of impossible insta-love, a story that will make you smile and a leading man who has faced some incredible challenges and battled on, then The Geography of You and Me is right up your street.
To read my full review -
http://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/the-geography-of-you-and-me/
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted on my views or opinions of this book.
If you are after a gritty read, a story with over-complicated teenage angst or a reasonably realistic love story I suggest you move on. However, if you want just the right amount of impossible insta-love, a story that will make you smile and a leading man who has faced some incredible challenges and battled on, then The Geography of You and Me is right up your street.
To read my full review -
http://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/the-geography-of-you-and-me/
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted on my views or opinions of this book.
ritasreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my God, this book is so beautiful!!! I think it is one of the best books I've ever read.
It's amazing how true love works - we can do everything in order to forget it, but that's not up to us, I guess.
Lucy and Owen's friendship/relationship was so unlikely and hard to keep, and yet what they felt for each other was stronger than all the rest.
This book teaches us a lot. Such a great story! Completely in love.
It's amazing how true love works - we can do everything in order to forget it, but that's not up to us, I guess.
Lucy and Owen's friendship/relationship was so unlikely and hard to keep, and yet what they felt for each other was stronger than all the rest.
This book teaches us a lot. Such a great story! Completely in love.
mehsi's review
2.0
Let's just say I expected better. The blurb sounded awesome, sadly, those mails, those postcards and even their first reunion is all a lie. They met in New York, their first reunion is in San Francisco, their second? Yes that one is in New York. Mails? Postcards? Yes sure, for a small bit, but mostly you don't even see or hear about the mails and the postcards. Just that they were sent, but nothing more.
Also the whole travelling thing? Only happened around half-way in the book. So yeah, disappointed.
I loved the dual POV, but I don't know, I just didn't like Owen. I felt like he just gave up on Lucy quite soon with a new girl, while Lucy was still unsure about the guy she now likes. I felt like Owen based all his decisions on his dad, how he felt and how he is doing. I can imagine that he wants to stick to his dad, but come on guy, you have to live to. I am sure your dad wants that too. Luckily nearing the end Owen starts to see that too, and luckily his dad is indeed very happy that he will be moving on, of course also sad, but he knows his son will always be close to him.
Also sad that after the whole reunion, we never hear anything about either Paisley or Liam. Owen and Lucy go and travel a lot, one in the US, the other in Europe. But it all felt a bit meh to me.
And then suddenly, chapter 25 to 34 were just simple 1 or 2 or maybe 3 or 4 sentences chapters. I felt cheated with that. :(
The ending was lovely, and of course, very cliché. Very very cliché. But ok, it was enjoyable.
In overall I would give the book 2 stars. It was ok, nothing more than that.
Also the whole travelling thing? Only happened around half-way in the book. So yeah, disappointed.
I loved the dual POV, but I don't know, I just didn't like Owen. I felt like he just gave up on Lucy quite soon with a new girl, while Lucy was still unsure about the guy she now likes. I felt like Owen based all his decisions on his dad, how he felt and how he is doing. I can imagine that he wants to stick to his dad, but come on guy, you have to live to. I am sure your dad wants that too. Luckily nearing the end Owen starts to see that too, and luckily his dad is indeed very happy that he will be moving on, of course also sad, but he knows his son will always be close to him.
Also sad that after the whole reunion, we never hear anything about either Paisley or Liam. Owen and Lucy go and travel a lot, one in the US, the other in Europe. But it all felt a bit meh to me.
And then suddenly, chapter 25 to 34 were just simple 1 or 2 or maybe 3 or 4 sentences chapters. I felt cheated with that. :(
The ending was lovely, and of course, very cliché. Very very cliché. But ok, it was enjoyable.
In overall I would give the book 2 stars. It was ok, nothing more than that.
eggjen's review against another edition
5.0
This book was giving me a serious case of wanderlust in addition to being a really sweet, YA love story. I loved the main characters of this book, they were very easy for me to relate to and to root for and I loved all the descriptions of the places each character traveled to and their thoughts and musings throughout.
izzie_nix05's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
deanneestelle's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quick, funny, sweet, heartwarming and funny. I loved the characters, especially Lucy and Owen's parents. I really liked the parent-child relationships that Jennifer E. Lee explores and the beautiful way she portrays both the good things and the difficult things about them.
That being said, I took a point off for the climax. It was sweet, but in my opinion lacking in conflict.
That being said, I took a point off for the climax. It was sweet, but in my opinion lacking in conflict.
Spoiler
I felt that with the way the reunion was being built up, the reader was promised a conflict that didn't happen. Lee laid out the path for something that wasn't easy, and instead of cashing in on it went the seamless happiness route.shatterdiamond's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ulviyyask's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent