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queerbooklover03's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mostly very compelling & comforting, though I wanted more from the end.
soramun's review against another edition
3.0
This story follows Colie, a fifteen year old girl still in the process of discovering who she is and struggles with loving herself after losing weight. Her mother, now fitness guru, sends Colie off for the summer to spend time with her Aunt Mira where she meets a few friends and experiences love.
Although I love Sarah Dessen and her books, I wasn't really sure about this one. I could tell from the beginning pages that this was one of her early works. It started off a bit boring and the characters were lacking in personality. The writing was a bit choppy, and there was a lot of 'he said', 'she said', making the story feel very foreign in comparison to her other books which I find more vibrant and entertaining. Not much happens in the first hundred pages so it felt like someone writing down in a diary more than a story.
It started to pick up about halfway through and I could feel the Sarah Dessen I knew shining through. I could tell she might have struggled with beginning a book rather than ending it.
I didn't really start to like any of the characters until the book picked up. They all seemed stereotypical and lacked substance, then later in the book I really got to know them and understand why they were the way they were. I was still teetering on whether I liked Colie as a character. She seemed to be really disconnected from the rest of the world at first. Not really experiencing much, but rather looking into other characters' experiences. Almost like she was also the reader. I don't know if that was intentional or not. I began loving the relationship that she created with Isabelle and Morgan. It was cute and fun and even empowering. They helped her on her understand how to be confident and to feel beautiful. The romance wasn't so bad either. Her aunt Mira played a major role in Colie's journey as well and I loved her for it. It spoke to me in a lot of ways.
I had a few problems with the cliche mean girls concept that was used to push the story along. It could have been done in a way that wasn't so forced. A few things here and there that was "in" during time of publishing but overall I think this book was fine. I'm glad to have read it to see how far Sarah Dessen has come in her writing. This book isn't the first I would recommend in comparison to her other stories, but if you're an avid reader of her books then I would say it's a nice, easy and carefree read.
Although I love Sarah Dessen and her books, I wasn't really sure about this one. I could tell from the beginning pages that this was one of her early works. It started off a bit boring and the characters were lacking in personality. The writing was a bit choppy, and there was a lot of 'he said', 'she said', making the story feel very foreign in comparison to her other books which I find more vibrant and entertaining. Not much happens in the first hundred pages so it felt like someone writing down in a diary more than a story.
It started to pick up about halfway through and I could feel the Sarah Dessen I knew shining through. I could tell she might have struggled with beginning a book rather than ending it.
I didn't really start to like any of the characters until the book picked up. They all seemed stereotypical and lacked substance, then later in the book I really got to know them and understand why they were the way they were. I was still teetering on whether I liked Colie as a character. She seemed to be really disconnected from the rest of the world at first. Not really experiencing much, but rather looking into other characters' experiences. Almost like she was also the reader. I don't know if that was intentional or not. I began loving the relationship that she created with Isabelle and Morgan. It was cute and fun and even empowering. They helped her on her understand how to be confident and to feel beautiful. The romance wasn't so bad either. Her aunt Mira played a major role in Colie's journey as well and I loved her for it. It spoke to me in a lot of ways.
I had a few problems with the cliche mean girls concept that was used to push the story along. It could have been done in a way that wasn't so forced. A few things here and there that was "in" during time of publishing but overall I think this book was fine. I'm glad to have read it to see how far Sarah Dessen has come in her writing. This book isn't the first I would recommend in comparison to her other stories, but if you're an avid reader of her books then I would say it's a nice, easy and carefree read.
lornaelspeth91's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
cboooots's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
acaciaw's review against another edition
3.0
This was not as good as the other Sarah Dessen books I've read, although I still enjoyed it
idratherliveinbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lookatjimmy's review against another edition
4.0
Very quick read, but I did like it a lot. Think it might be one I re-read every now and again.
mehsi's review
4.0
My fourth Sarah Dessen book for my summer challenge, and I can say this: I love it! I have bought it for my collection (hopefully that one will have grown quite a bit when summer is over).
I loved the main character, at times I wish should have more confidence (we often hear she is pretty), but luckily that is what the book is about. Her gaining confidence and her getting new friends who can help out.
Of course like all Sarah Dessen books there is a love interest, even 2 interests (I am still curious as to what happened to that other guy). We can of course easily see who she will pick. And yes, that is a bit predictable, but I don't mind it this time.
I loved how she transformed. From grumpy (trying to), having black hair/ring through her lip, to a happy girl who enjoys her life.
It was wonderful to see her finally talk back (to various people).
Isabel, Morgan and Norman and also Mira, are great characters and they really bring life and colour in the book. Every one of these characters has problems and they try to solve them or fix them.
The only thing that was a shame (though in the end I didn't feel like that anymore) was that this book was so short. Most Sarah Dessen books are around 300+ to 400+ pages, this one was just over 200 pages. In the end it didn't matter (I was worried it might be rushed), because everything was solved, fixed and done by page 200+.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I loved the main character, at times I wish should have more confidence (we often hear she is pretty), but luckily that is what the book is about. Her gaining confidence and her getting new friends who can help out.
Of course like all Sarah Dessen books there is a love interest, even 2 interests (I am still curious as to what happened to that other guy). We can of course easily see who she will pick. And yes, that is a bit predictable, but I don't mind it this time.
I loved how she transformed. From grumpy (trying to), having black hair/ring through her lip, to a happy girl who enjoys her life.
It was wonderful to see her finally talk back (to various people).
Isabel, Morgan and Norman and also Mira, are great characters and they really bring life and colour in the book. Every one of these characters has problems and they try to solve them or fix them.
The only thing that was a shame (though in the end I didn't feel like that anymore) was that this book was so short. Most Sarah Dessen books are around 300+ to 400+ pages, this one was just over 200 pages. In the end it didn't matter (I was worried it might be rushed), because everything was solved, fixed and done by page 200+.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
dogayye15's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Really like the character growth in the novel, love all the characters, love the way Mira just doesn't care what anyone says about her I think that's a really important thing to show in books for young girls. Love the way girl friendships are shown as well.
sarah3306's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0